How to develop intelligent applications with SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP)
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How to develop intelligent applications with SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP)

Stefan H. Stefan H.

Stefan H.

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Published Aug 26, 2023
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Introduction

SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) is a cloud-based platform that enables developers to build, extend, and integrate intelligent applications using SAP’s technologies and services. SAP BTP provides a unified environment that brings together data and analytics, artificial intelligence, application development, automation, and integration capabilities. In this article, I will introduce SAP BTP and its components, and show you how you can use it to create innovative solutions for your business challenges.


What is SAP BTP?

SAP BTP is a platform-as-a-service (PaaS) offering that allows you to leverage SAP’s expertise and innovation in the cloud. SAP BTP is optimized for SAP applications in the cloud, but it also supports other applications and data sources. With SAP BTP, you can:

  • Create personalized experiences across business processes by extending and enriching your existing applications with new functionalities and user interfaces.
  • Build applications, analytics, and integrations faster by using low-code or no-code tools, as well as cloud-native development services and frameworks.
  • Run mission-critical innovation confidently on major cloud providers’ infrastructure fully managed by SAP, with high availability, scalability, security, and compliance.
  • Access business-context-rich information from your SAP and third-party systems, and gain real-time and complete insights into your data, wherever it resides.
  • Enrich user interactions with embedded artificial intelligence and automation that help you predict, manage, and run your business faster and smarter.


What are the components of SAP BTP?

SAP BTP consists of four pillars that cover different aspects of developing intelligent applications:

  • SAP Integration Suite: A comprehensive solution for integrating applications, data, processes, and devices across hybrid and heterogeneous landscapes. It includes services such as cloud integration, API management, enterprise messaging, open connectors, workflow management, business rules, process visibility, and more.
  • SAP Extension Suite: A set of tools and services for extending and customizing SAP applications in the cloud. It includes services such as SAP Business Application Studio, SAP Cloud Application Programming Model (CAP), SAP UI5 Web Components, SAP Fiori Elements, SAP Fiori Launchpad service, SAP Cloud SDK, SAP Mobile Services, and more.
  • SAP Data & Analytics: A portfolio of services for managing and analyzing data in the cloud. It includes services such as SAP HANA Cloud, SAP Data Warehouse Cloud, SAP Analytics Cloud, SAP Data Intelligence Cloud, SAP Data Quality Management microservices, SAP Graph, and more.
  • SAP AI & Automation: A collection of services for infusing artificial intelligence and automation into your applications. It includes services such as SAP Conversational AI, SAP Intelligent Robotic Process Automation (RPA), SAP Document Information Extraction service, SAP AI Business Services (such as Data Attribute Recommendation service or Situation Handling service), and more.


How to get started with SAP BTP?

To get started with SAP BTP, you need to have an account on the SAP Cloud Platform Trial page. You can sign up for a free trial account that gives you access to a range of services on SAP BTP for 90 days. You can also explore the SAP Discovery Center to find missions that guide you through different scenarios and use cases on SAP BTP. You can also join the SAP Community (Blog) to learn from experts, ask questions, share your knowledge, and get inspired by other developers.


Pricing

The pricing of SAP BTP depends on the option that best suits your needs and the services you use. There are three main pricing options for SAP BTP:

  • Pay-As-You-Go for SAP BTP: This option allows you to start small and grow without constraints by paying only for the services you need. There are no upfront costs, and you can use a credit card or a purchase order to pay. You can also access more than 30 services for free via the free tier model for SAP BTP.
  • Cloud Platform Enterprise Agreement (CPEA): This option gives you flexibility and discounts with prepaid cloud credits for all services available under CPEA. The minimum amount of cloud credits is equivalent to $10,000 per year, and the contract length is one to three years. You can also access more than 30 services for free via the free tier model for SAP BTP.
  • Subscription: This option lets you use specific cloud services and consumption rates for a contracted cost. You pay a fixed cost for the contracted services and consumption, and the contract length is three months or more. You can access more than 40 services for productive use with predictable pricing.

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You can compare the features and benefits of each option on the SAP Business Technology Platform Try and Buy page. You can also sign up for a free trial account that gives you access to a range of services on SAP BTP for 90 days. If you want to learn more about SAP BTP or try it out yourself, please visit the SAP Business Technology Platform website.



How to set up an app on BTP - a step by step example

Here is one example of how to set up an app with SAP BTP.

  • Step 1: Create an SAP BTP trial account. You need an SAP BTP account to deploy the services and applications. You can sign up for a free trial account that gives you access to a range of services on SAP BTP for 90 days. To create a trial account, follow the instructions on the SAP Cloud Platform Trial page.
  • Step 2: Set up your development environment. You need a development environment to create and test your app. You can use either SAP Business Application Studio, a web-based integrated development environment (IDE) that provides various dev spaces for different scenarios, or Visual Studio Code, a popular open-source IDE that you can install and run locally. To set up your development environment, follow the instructions on the Prepare for SAP BTP Development tutorial.
  • Step 3: Develop a CAP application including UI. You need a CAP application to define and implement your business logic and data model. You also need a UI to interact with your app. You can use SAP Cloud Application Programming Model (CAP), a framework for developing enterprise applications, and SAPUI5, a JavaScript-based UI library, to create your app. To develop a CAP application including UI, follow the instructions on the Introduction to Application Development Using CAP and Node.js tutorial.
  • Step 4: Deploy your app on SAP BTP. You need to deploy your app on SAP BTP to make it accessible and usable. You can use Cloud Foundry, an open-source cloud platform that supports multiple languages and frameworks, to deploy your app. To deploy your app on SAP BTP, follow the instructions on the Deploy Your Application tutorial.


How to monitor an app on BTP

To monitor your app on SAP BTP, you can use various tools and services that are available on the platform. Depending on the environment, the type, and the complexity of your app, you may need different monitoring options. Here are some of the common ways to monitor your app on SAP BTP:

  • Use the SAP BTP cockpit to access the SAP Monitoring Service for SAP BTP, which allows you to access application monitoring data and get notified of subscribed events. You can configure custom metrics, thresholds, and alerts, and use the Metrics REST API or the Checks REST API to manage monitoring data. You can also perform JMX operations on Java applications and register availability checks for Java or SAP HANA XS applications1.
  • Use the Cloud Foundry Command Line Interface (CF CLI) to interact with your app and its services in the Cloud Foundry environment. You can use commands such as cf logs, cf app, cf events, cf env, and cf ssh to view logs, metrics, events, environment variables, and remote shell access of your app2.
  • Use the SAP Cloud Platform Neo Environment SDK to interact with your app and its services in the Neo environment. You can use commands such as neo logs, neo status, neo events, neo env, and neo shell to view logs, metrics, events, environment variables, and remote shell access of your app3.
  • Use the SAP Cloud Platform Application Logging service to collect and store log messages from your app in a central location. You can use the Log Viewer UI or the Log Viewer REST API to view and analyze the log messages.
  • Use the SAP Cloud Platform Alert Notification service to receive notifications about technical issues or critical situations that affect your app or its services. You can configure alert rules, conditions, and actions, and use various channels such as email, SMS, webhook, or third-party integrations to receive alerts.
  • Use third-party monitoring tools such as Dynatrace, New Relic, or Prometheus to monitor your app in more depth and detail. You can integrate these tools with SAP BTP using service brokers or agents.


How to troubleshoot an app on BTP

To troubleshoot your app on SAP BTP, you need to identify and analyze the root cause of the problem, and then apply the appropriate solution. Depending on the type and severity of the issue, you may need to use different tools and methods to troubleshoot your app. Here are some of the common steps to troubleshoot your app on SAP BTP:

  • Check the status of your app and its services on the SAP BTP cockpit. You can see if your app is running, stopped, or crashed, and if there are any alerts or incidents related to your app or its services. You can also restart or stop your app from the cockpit.
  • Check the logs and traces of your app and its services. You can use the SAP Monitoring Service for SAP BTP to access application monitoring data and get notified of subscribed events. You can also use the Cloud Foundry Command Line Interface (CF CLI) or the SAP Cloud Platform Neo Environment SDK to view logs, metrics, events, environment variables, and remote shell access of your app. You can also use the SAP Cloud Platform Application Logging service to collect and store log messages from your app in a central location.
  • Check the short dumps and exceptions of your app. You can use the ABAP Development Tools (ADT) or the ABAP Test Cockpit (ATC) to view and analyze short dumps and exceptions that occur in your app. You can also use the ABAP Debugger or the Eclipse Debugger to debug your app and inspect its variables, breakpoints, and call stacks.
  • Check the performance and resource consumption of your app and its services. You can use the SAP Monitoring Service for SAP BTP to access performance metrics and alerts for your app and its services. You can also use the SQL Trace Analysis & SQL Explain Analysis capability to analyze the SQL statements executed by your app and optimize them for better performance. You can also use third-party monitoring tools such as Dynatrace, New Relic, or Prometheus to monitor your app in more depth and detail.
  • Check the configuration and security settings of your app and its services. You can use the SAP BTP cockpit or the CF CLI to view and modify the configuration parameters of your app and its services. You can also use the SAP Cloud Platform Security service to manage the security aspects of your app, such as authentication, authorization, encryption, certificates, and tokens.

For more information on how to troubleshoot your app on SAP BTP, you can refer to these web pages:


You can use other troubleshooting tools besides those mentioned here with SAP BTP. For example, you can use the following tools:

  • SAP Cloud Platform Troubleshooting Guide: A comprehensive guide that provides information and best practices for troubleshooting various issues related to SAP BTP, such as connectivity, security, performance, availability, and more. You can access the guide on the SAP Help Portal.
  • SAP Cloud Platform Support Portal: A portal that allows you to create and manage support requests for SAP BTP. You can also access the SAP Cloud Platform Status Dashboard, which shows the current status and availability of SAP BTP services and regions. You can access the portal on the SAP Support Portal.
  • SAP Cloud Platform Community: A community that connects you with other SAP BTP users and experts. You can ask questions, share your knowledge, and get inspired by other developers. You can also access blogs, tutorials, webinars, events, and more. You can access the community on the SAP Community.


A complex issue ...

One possible example of a complex issue that can occur with SAP BTP is when you need to integrate multiple cloud services and applications across different environments and regions. For instance, you may have a scenario where you need to connect your SAP S/4HANA Cloud system in Europe with your SAP SuccessFactors system in North America, and also use SAP Conversational AI and SAP Data Intelligence Cloud services to enhance your user experience and data analysis. To achieve this, you need to consider various aspects such as:

  • The network latency and bandwidth between the different regions and environments
  • The security and authentication mechanisms for accessing the cloud services and applications
  • The data governance and compliance policies for transferring and processing the data across the regions and environments
  • The monitoring and troubleshooting tools for detecting and resolving any issues or errors that may arise during the integration

To address this complex issue, you can use SAP BTP as a platform that provides a unified environment that brings together data and analytics, artificial intelligence, application development, automation, and integration capabilities. You can use the SAP Integration Suite service to integrate your cloud services and applications across hybrid and heterogeneous landscapes. You can also use the SAP Cloud Platform Enterprise Agreement (CPEA) option to get flexibility and discounts with prepaid cloud credits for all services available under CPEA. You can also use the SAP Monitoring Service for SAP BTP to access application monitoring data and get notified of subscribed events. You can also use the SAP Cloud Platform Support Portal to create and manage support requests for SAP BTP.


Conclusion

SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) is a powerful platform that enables you to develop intelligent applications in the cloud. With SAP BTP, you can create personalized experiences across business processes, build applications faster using low-code or no-code tools or cloud-native development services. You can also run your innovation confidently on major cloud providers’ infrastructure fully managed by SAP. Moreover, you can access business-context-rich information from your SAP and third-party systems. You can also enrich user interactions with embedded artificial intelligence and automation that help you predict outcomes. I hope this article has given you an overview of what SAP BTP is and how you can use it to create innovative solutions for your business challenges. If you want to learn more about SAP BTP or try it out yourself. Please visit the SAP Business Technology Platform website. Thank you for reading!



Text: Microsoft Bing Chat with ChatGPT




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