Services

SAP Cloud Platform (SCP) is a platform-as-a-service (PaaS) product that provides a development and runtime environment for cloud applications. Based in SAP HANA in-memory database technology, and using open source and open standards, SCP allows independent software vendors (ISVs), startups and developers to create and test HANA-based cloud applications.

According to SAP, SCP is primarily intended to allow organizations to extend existing on-premises or cloud-based ERP applications with next-generation technology, such as advanced analytics, blockchain or machine learning; build and deploy new enterprise business cloud and mobile apps; integrate and connect enterprise applications regardless of the application location or data source; and connect enterprise applications and data to IoT.

For example, SCP facilitates the integration of SAP S/4HANA Finance with cloud applications like SAP Ariba or SAP SuccessFactors. It can also integrate these applications with non-SAP systems and data sources, including social media sites and other vendors' enterprise applications.

SCP is based on open standards and offers developers flexibility and control over which clouds, frameworks and applications to deploy, according to SAP. SCP uses different development environments, including Cloud Foundry and Neo, and provides a variety of programming languages.

SAP Cloud Platform licensing models

SCP is available in two commercial models: subscription based and consumption based. These options allow companies a flexible way to match SCP services with organizational needs, according to SAP. Under the subscription model, customers get access to SAP Cloud Platform services for a fixed price and defined time, and can use as much of the services as they want. This model allows organizations to protect their IT investments with predictable costs as long as they are subscribed to the service.

Under the consumption model, customers can buy SCP services through credits and use them as they see fit. This setup allows companies to start and scale up development projects quickly whenever business requirements change. The SCP credits are paid for up front, and a cloud credit balance is kept for all the services used.

SCP capabilities and services

SAP Cloud Platform provides a variety of services and capabilities. As of August 2018, SAP lists 19 capabilities that generally fall under data-based services and analytics, emerging technologies, user-based activities, and application development and deployment. Prominent capabilities include the following: 

• Analytics, which allows you to embed advanced analytics into applications for real-time results.
• DevOps, which simplifies application development and operations.
• Integration, which allows you to integrate on-premises and cloud applications.
• Mobile, which enables mobile app development.
• User Experience, which lets you develop personalized and simple user interactions.