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SAP Business Suite Explained

Learn more about the new SAP Business Suite as the modern, 
standardized foundation for cloud ERP: structure, licensing & user types.
Does the name sound familiar? SAP has relaunched the name "Business Suite", under which it now offers all of its cloud applications. SAP is positioning the new Business Suite as a modern, modular solution portfolio with a joint technology base. SAP Cloud ERP is part of this suite, which aims to address key business areas with streamlined processes, AI capabilities and consistent user experience.

Dive into the Architecture of SAP Business Suite

The Business Suite is not a single product, but a package of solutions that work together to streamline your core business processes. Built on a unified foundation with real-time data and embedded intelligence, it delivers the agility, insights and automation modern enterprises need to support their finance, supply chain, procurement, sales, HR, service and customer experience operations.

Image Source: SAP 2025

The architecture of the SAP Business Suite in the public cloud is designed as a clear, modular framework that connects a strong foundation with intelligent, business-driven capabilities. In the following sections, we take a closer look at each layer.

1. Basis: SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP)

The SAP Business Technology Platform forms the technical foundation of the entire Business Suite, ensuring all solutions work together seamlessly.
  • Data Integration & Extensions: Connect data from all systems and extend processes with SAP Build tools.
  • AI, Analytics & Automation: Embed intelligence to analyze, automate, and optimize workflows.
  • Cloud-Native Development: Build and run custom applications securely and at scale.

2. Business Data Cloud

The Business Data Cloud provides a unified, central data layer that powers every application in the suite with consistent, real-time information. It is the backbone for:
  • Real-Time Analytics: Access and analyze data instantly across all business areas
  • AI-Ready Data: Enables AI-driven insights and automated decision-making
  • Data-Driven Decisions: Support strategic planning with a single source of truth

3. Cloud ERP (Core)

At its core, Cloud ERP unites all business processes across the value chain— from order to cash and procure to pay to hire to retire—within one standardized, public cloud solution. This modular approach delivers a comprehensive, integrated portfolio of applications with embedded AI, ensuring teams can work seamlessly and adapt quickly to individual needs.
  • Financial Management: bookkeeping, treasury, accounting
  • Spend Management: procurement, spend management
  • Supply Chain Management: logistics, production, inventories
  • Human Capital Management: personnel, time recording, talent
  • Customer Experience: sales, service, e-commerce

4. Industry & Ecosystem Extensions

Beyond the core Cloud ERP, SAP Business Suite offers powerful extensions that connect industries, ecosystems, and transformation tools to drive end-to-end value and innovation.
  • Ecosystem Solutions: Pre-integrated partner offerings that extend the suite (Ariba, Fieldglass)
  • Industry-Specific Capabilities: Tailored, networked solutions for unique industry needs
  • Business Transformation Management: Tools like Signavio to drive and accelerate process improvements

5. AI Innovation for Smarter Decisions

SAP Business Suite leverages embedded AI to accelerate processes, reduce manual effort, and deliver faster, more informed decisions across the entire business. Agents orchestrate processes end-to-end through AI-supported automation, recommendations for action and conversational interfaces. That way AI makes your ERP proactive, predictive and context-aware - instead of just transactional. What's included:
  • Joule Copilot: Conversational AI assistant that guides users and automates tasks
  • Prebuilt Joule Agents: Ready-to-use agents for finance, supply chain, HR, sales, and more
  • Custom Agents: Low-code tools to design AI agents tailored to your business needs
  • Context-Aware Intelligence: AI powered by unified data for accurate, real-time insights

The SAP Business Suite is not a self-contained system, but a modular, intelligently managed cloud ERP ecosystem. It is based on a uniform data and technology foundation and can be seamlessly integrated into industry-specific and process-oriented requirements. A first glimpse at the Business Suite was presented at SAP Business Unleashed 2025, watch the recording now.

Licensing: SAP Cloud ERP User Types

SAP Cloud ERP within the Business Suite uses a per-user-per-month pricing model, replacing the previous FTE approach. It uses a tiered licensing system, whereby each higher user type includes all the functions of the roles below it. This enables companies to license on a transparent, scalable, role-based basis. There are eight nested user types:
1. Finance Base

Typical for: Accounting, Controlling, Treasury.

Required if: Financial processes such as general ledger, cost accounting or contract management are needed.

2. Finance Premium

Typical for: Project controllers, shared service organizations, subscription-based business models.

Required if: Subscription billing, Partner Relationship Management (PRM) or network integration is used in addition to Finance Base.

3. SCM Base

Typical for: Production planning, maintenance, logistics management.

Required if: Production control, warehouse management or product life cycle processes are used.

4. SCM Premium

Typical for: Companies with environmental, compliance or sustainability requirements.

Required if: Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS), product compliance or Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) integrations are required.

5. Operational

Typical for: Clerks in purchasing, warehouse or sales.

Required if: Transactions such as orders, order processing or stock movements are carried out.

6. Self-Service

Typical for: Employees with simple access (e.g. time recording, approvals).

Required if: Only display and approval functions, confirmations or self-service requirements are to be covered.

7. Developer

Typical for: Technical SAP developers.

Required if: Enhancements, customizations, SAP Build developer access or ABAP in-stack development are required.

8. Combo Base

Typical for: Plant controllers, integrative roles with access to Finance & Logistics.

Required if: Both Financial Base and SCM Base functions need to be combined in one role.

If you are not sure which user types are suitable for your business purposes, let us know. Together we will find the right solution.

Why companies benefit from SAP Business Suite

SAP Business Suite offers companies a new level of clarity, standardization and innovation. Not only does it combine ERP core functions, it also provides an entire ecosystem of industry-specific modules, AI-supported processes (Joule), integrated cloud services and the SAP Business Technology Platform. What was once fragmented, complex and highly individualized is now modular, pre-integrated and ready for use in no time — ideal for companies that want to grow in a scalable way, standardize processes and continuously innovate with SAP Cloud ERP. With its clearly defined packages, reduced implementation effort and transparent license logic, the suite provides the foundation for a modern, future-proof ERP strategy in the cloud. Compared to ECC or former S/4HANA Public Cloud solutions, the new Business Suite:

Unifies

Core ERP, LOB packages and AI under one commercial umbrella.

Embeds

SAP Business AI and Business Data Cloud for end-to-end intelligence.

Standardizes

Role-based licensing for clarity and scalability.

Speeds

time-to-value with pre-integrated, modular capabilities.

Your Path to a Future-Proof Cloud ERP

The SAP Business Suite is the modern, standardized foundation for cloud ERP. It combines technological innovation with operational clarity: a uniform database, role-based licensing, modular expandability and AI-supported operations. Instead of rigid ERP structures, it provides companies with a flexible, future-proof platform, precisely tailored to their growth, their industry and their processes.

Are you planning to switch to SAP Cloud ERP or get started with GROW with SAP?
Walldorf Consulting supports you in leveraging the SAP Business Suite for your specific requirements – from the first workshop to successful implementation. With deep specialist knowledge, industry expertise and proven implementation skills, we help you unlock the full potential of Cloud ERP and set the course for sustainable growth. Get in touch today and start shaping your future business success!

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