SAP Business ByDesign
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| SAP Business ByDesign | |
|---|---|
| Name | SAP Business ByDesign |
| Developer | SAP SE |
| Released | 2007 |
| Latest release | (see vendor updates) |
| Operating system | Cross-platform (cloud) |
| Genre | Enterprise resource planning (ERP), cloud computing, software as a service |
| License | Proprietary (subscription) |
SAP Business ByDesign
SAP Business ByDesign is a cloud-based enterprise resource planning suite offered by SAP SE that targets small and mid-market enterprises and subsidiaries of larger corporations. It provides integrated business processes for finance, human resources, sales, procurement, project management, and analytics, delivered as a software-as-a-service solution hosted on SAP infrastructure and third-party cloud platforms.
Overview
SAP Business ByDesign delivers an integrated suite of modules for finance, human resources, sales, procurement and project services in a multi-tenant cloud model. The solution emphasizes rapid deployment, preconfigured best practices, and built-in analytics and reporting powered by technologies from SAP HANA and enterprise tools from SAP NetWeaver. Customers include subsidiaries of multinational corporations such as Shell plc, Siemens, Nestlé, and smaller firms across industries like manufacturing, professional services, and wholesale distribution.
History and Development
Development of the product began within SAP SE in the mid-2000s as part of the vendor’s push into cloud computing, aligning with trends set by competitors like Salesforce and vendors such as Oracle Corporation and Microsoft. Early versions were launched around 2007 and evolved alongside cloud initiatives by firms like Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud Platform. Over time, integration with in-memory platforms like SAP HANA and extensions via the SAP Cloud Platform and acquisitions including Concur Technologies influenced roadmap and interoperability. Strategic partnerships with system integrators including Deloitte, Accenture, Capgemini, and PwC have shaped implementation practices and regional go-to-market.
Architecture and Technology
The architecture blends multi-tenant SaaS design with enterprise middleware such as SAP NetWeaver and capabilities from SAP HANA for analytics. It employs web-based user interfaces influenced by SAP Fiori design principles and APIs compatible with standards used by OData and SOAP. Backend services run on virtualized infrastructure similar to offerings from Microsoft Azure and Amazon EC2, while orchestration leverages concepts from Service-oriented architecture and Microservices architecture. Security and compliance draw on frameworks popularized by institutions like ISO/IEC 27001 and regulatory regimes including the General Data Protection Regulation for operations in Europe.
Key Features and Modules
Core modules include financial management (general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable), customer relationship management (sales orders, leads, opportunity management), procurement (supplier management, purchase requisitions), supply chain and inventory, project systems (time recording, billing), and human resources (employee master, payroll integration). Analytics and reporting integrate with SAP BusinessObjects and embedded reporting engines, while mobile access mirrors interfaces used in apps from Apple Inc. and Google LLC. Workflow and approval processes can be modeled in ways similar to tools from ServiceNow and Workday for HR-centric tasks.
Deployment and Licensing
Delivered exclusively as a subscription-based SaaS product, licensing is structured around user roles and module bundles, comparable to licensing models from Oracle NetSuite and Infor. Deployment options historically included hosting on SAP-operated data centers and third-party cloud providers such as Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure. Contracting often involves channel partners and global systems integrators like IBM and Tata Consultancy Services to manage implementations and managed services.
Adoption and Market Position
The product targets small and medium enterprises and regional subsidiaries, positioning it against competitors such as Oracle NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, and cloud offerings from Workday for certain functional overlaps. Adoption has been driven by companies seeking end-to-end business process coverage without on-premises ERP complexity—clients often span sectors represented by firms like GE, Boeing, Unilever, and regional firms across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Market analysis from research organizations like Gartner and Forrester Research has compared the suite within cloud ERP evaluations and quadrant assessments.
Integration and Extensibility
Integration capabilities include prebuilt connectors and middleware support for enterprise systems such as SAP S/4HANA, SAP ERP, Salesforce, ADP, and industry solutions from vendors like Magento (now Adobe Commerce). Extensibility is enabled via the SAP Business Technology Platform and APIs that allow partners and developers—often from consultancies like Ernst & Young and boutique firms—to build custom extensions, integrate Internet of Things data from Siemens MindSphere or PTC ThingWorx, and orchestrate processes with platforms like MuleSoft.