SAP tools for SAP Application Lifecycle Management (ALM processes)
Today, ALM processes for SAP applications can be implemented by two standard SAP solutions included in support contracts.
SAP Roadmap on ALM tools:
The SAP Solution Manager 7.2 application
Historical application, designed and developed mainly for on-premise solutions. This application is based on 3 technical components: 1 instance SAP NetWeaver ABAP 7.40, 1 instance SAP NetWeaver 7.50 Java, Introscope WorkStation.
Details of functional coverage :
- Technical and application supervision
- Business process supervision
- Change management
- Specific code management
- Ticket management
- Background processing scheduling management
- SAP landscape management (local and updated on the SAP platform)
- Business process management
- Test management (automated or manual)
The SAP Cloud ALM application
A recent application, proposed and designed primarily for SAP Cloud solutions (private and public). It is a SaaS service hosted on SAP’s BTP infrastructure.
Functional coverage details:
SAP Cloud ALM for Implementation
SAP Cloud ALM for Implementation is a cloud-based solution that helps companies effectively manage their SAP implementation projects. Designed to simplify and accelerate deployment, it provides a structured framework for planning, executing, tracking and collaborating on the various stages of projects.
Key features:
- Project planning: creation of roadmaps tailored to specific business needs.
- Task tracking: managing responsibilities and deadlines for smooth execution.
- Integrated collaboration: centralized communication between teams and stakeholders.
- Analyses and reports: real-time monitoring of project performance to quickly identify bottlenecks.
By integrating directly with SAP solutions and leveraging best practices, SAP Cloud ALM for Implementation ensures an efficient transition to new digital environments, reducing risks and increasing process transparency.
SAP Cloud ALM for Operations
SAP Cloud ALM for Operations is a solution designed to optimize and monitor the operations of SAP environments in the cloud. It helps companies guarantee the stability, performance and efficiency of their systems by offering advanced monitoring and automation tools.
Key features:
- Proactive supervision: real-time monitoring of system performance and integrations.
- Alert management: rapid detection and resolution of anomalies thanks to intelligent notifications.
- Continuous optimization: analysis of key indicators to improve processes and services.
- Automation of recurring tasks: reduce manual workloads to focus on strategic activities.
SAP Cloud ALM for Operations enables companies to maintain optimum availability of their SAP solutions while minimizing downtime. It integrates easily into hybrid or multi-cloud environments, offering unified and simplified operations management.
SAP Cloud ALM for Service
SAP Cloud ALM for Service is a cloud solution dedicated to the management of support and maintenance activities for SAP environments. It enables companies to centralize and streamline their interactions with SAP and their partners, while offering complete visibility over service requests and their processing.
Key features:
- Ticket management: centralized tracking of incidents and support requests, with clearly defined priorities and deadlines.
- Integration with SAP Support: seamless interaction with SAP teams for rapid handling of complex issues.
- Service performance monitoring: dashboards to monitor SLAs (service level agreements) and KPIs.
- Collaboration and documentation: unified platform for exchanging information, sharing files and documenting solutions.
With SAP Cloud ALM for Service, companies can improve customer satisfaction by ensuring fast, efficient problem resolution while optimizing their support processes.
Discover the key features of SAP Cloud ALM and its ecosystem
SAP offers a smooth transition to modern, optimized solution management with SAP Cloud ALM. Comparing this platform with SAP Solution Manager, the image above illustrates the evolution of functionality and the power of integrations with third-party tools, called Friends of SAP Cloud ALM.
SAP Solution Manager: a comprehensive yet complex solution
SAP Solution Manager is a robust platform that covers a wide range of functionalities for managing SAP projects and operations. Highlights include:
- Project and test management: advanced tools for orchestrating implementation lifecycles.
- Performance and systems monitoring: event, data volume and application performance management.
- Integrated ITSM: comprehensive support for IT service management.
Although effective, this solution can be cumbersome to deploy for companies looking for modern, agile tools.
SAP Cloud ALM: a new era in SAP environment management
SAP Cloud ALM is positioned as a lightweight, cloud-centric solution. It offers simplified tools to meet today’s business needs, including:
- Operations automation: proactive system monitoring and rapid incident resolution.
- Integrated intelligence and analysis tools: intelligent dashboards and reports for rapid decision-making.
- Business process and user performance monitoring: guaranteeing a smooth, seamless experience.
- Deployment management: adapted to native cloud environments.
SAP Cloud ALM: a rich ecosystem of complementary solutions
To complement its capabilities, SAP Cloud ALM integrates seamlessly with a wide range of third-party tools and SAP solutions, such as:
- Testing tools such as Tricentis or other third-party solutions.
- SAP S/4HANA and SAP Signavio for enhanced operational integrations.
- Analytical solutions such as SAP Analytics Cloud, or Business Technology platforms (SAP BTP).
Scope comparison between SAP Solution Manager and SAP Cloud ALM
SAP Solution Manager: a solution for traditional environments
SAP Solution Manager is historically designed to handle a variety of environments, including:
- Non-HANA databases: support for systems not native to SAP HANA.
- SAP Business Objects: traditional reporting and analysis tools.
- SAP PO/PI (Process Orchestration/Integration): for managing complex integrations.
- SAP J2EE/Portal: portals and Java environments for SAP applications.
This platform is particularly well suited to traditional and hybrid SAP infrastructures.
SAP Cloud ALM: optimized for the cloud and innovation
SAP Cloud ALM focuses on modern cloud environments and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions. It supports:
- SAP S/4HANA Cloud: complete management of native cloud environments.
- SAP Fieldglass, SAP Ariba, SAP Commerce Cloud, and SAP SuccessFactors: specialized solutions for purchasing, talent management, and e-commerce platforms.
- SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP): to develop and extend the capabilities of SAP solutions.
Overlapping: an easier transition
The two solutions share compatibility with certain environments, such as:
- SAP S/4HANA (private cloud or on-premises).
- SAP Business Suite and SAP Business Warehouse: for hybrid or migrating architectures.
These overlaps enable companies using SAP Solution Manager to make a smooth transition to SAP Cloud ALM while retaining management of certain systems.
Why choose SAP Cloud ALM?
SAP Cloud ALM represents a modern, agile solution, designed to offer efficient management and seamless integration with SAP and third-party solutions. Whether you’re engaged in a digital transformation or looking to optimize your operations, SAP Cloud ALM provides the tools to make the most of your SAP environment.
SAP Cloud ALM is included at no extra cost for all customers with a cloud subscription contract (RISE, GROW, etc.) or an Enterprise-level maintenance contract.
