Side-by-Side Extension

2026年4月16日 07:09

1. Why is “Side-by-Side Extension” attracting attention now?

When companies implement SAP S/4HANA, they inevitably face several challenges:

Standard functionality alone cannot fully express the company’s unique strengths
Excessive customization of the SAP core stops upgrades
Companies want to accelerate DX, but the system becomes heavy and slow

SAP Side-by-Side Extension is the approach that resolves this dilemma.

In simple terms:

Keep the SAP core as untouched as possible, and build unique processes and differentiating capabilities outside SAP (on BTP).

2. What is Side-by-Side Extension in one sentence?

“A strategy to create an additional extension layer outside SAP.”

Keep the SAP core (S/4HANA) standard
Implement unique processes, new services, and rapid development on BTP
Connect via APIs and synchronize data in real time

In other words:

“SAP is the heart, BTP is the agile hands and feet.”

3. What are the benefits?

① Upgrades never stop (zero technical debt)

Because the SAP core is not modified, the system fully supports continuous updates under RISE with SAP.

Lower maintenance costs
Easier future upgrades
Dramatically reduced IT workload

This is a major advantage for management.

② Unique business processes can be delivered quickly

Since development happens on BTP:

Build small and test immediately
Fail fast without impacting the SAP core
Launch new services to the market rapidly

This delivers the true speed required for DX.

③ Build competitive advantage without “polluting” SAP

A company’s strengths cannot be standardized.

Unique pricing logic
Specialized inventory management
Customer-facing portals
AI-driven demand forecasting

These differentiators can be freely built using Side-by-Side.

④ Greater transparency in IT investment

With fewer SAP core modifications:

Cost allocation becomes clearer
Standard vs. custom becomes visible
Contribution of each extension to business value is measurable

This improves management decision-making and clarifies IT ROI.

4. Where is Side-by-Side used in practice?

Customer-facing web portals
Build portals on BTP where customers can place orders and check delivery dates using real-time SAP data.
AI and machine learning
Run AI models for demand forecasting, inventory optimization, and anomaly detection on BTP—not inside SAP.
Advanced workflows
When SAP standard workflow is insufficient, build flexible workflows using BTP Workflow.
Mobile applications
Develop warehouse, field, or sales apps on BTP and integrate them with SAP via APIs.

5. Architecture overview of Side-by-Side Extension

Layer : Role
SAP S/4HANA (Core) : Standard processes, finance, inventory, procurement, sales — the “heart”
SAP BTP (Extension) : Custom processes, app development, AI, workflow, API management
External Services : Customer portals, mobile apps, AI services, external SaaS

Do not change the SAP core.
Change the “outside.”
This is the essence of Side-by-Side.

6. Key points to remember

① Standardize SAP; build competitiveness on BTP

Clarifying this division of roles dramatically simplifies IT strategy.

② Reduce IT workload and increase development speed

By protecting the SAP core, the IT team can focus on “offensive development.”

③ Future cloud migration and RISE adoption become easier

Side-by-Side is a cloud-native architecture, reducing future migration costs significantly.

7. Summary: Side-by-Side is the “winning pattern” in the SAP era

Successful SAP companies consistently follow this strategy:

Keep the SAP core standardized
Develop unique processes rapidly on BTP
Connect via APIs with real-time data
Never stop upgrades
Maximize DX speed

Side-by-Side Extension is the most rational approach to protect SAP while maximizing a company’s competitive advantage.