SAP BTP (Business Technology Platform) is a platform-as-a-service solution that helps companies develop applications, integrate data, and leverage innovative technologies. It connects existing systems with modern cloud services and supports digital transformation.

Is SAP BTP a cloud-only solution?

No. SAP BTP supports both cloud and hybrid IT environments. You can seamlessly work across on-premise systems and the cloud.

Can I use SAP BTP with my existing systems?

Yes, SAP BTP is designed to integrate with existing systems—both SAP and non-SAP. Companies can continue using their current systems while adding new capabilities.

What are real-world use cases for SAP BTP?

Common scenarios include automated approval workflows, sales reporting apps, production data analytics, and AI-based demand forecasting. Many companies start with small extensions and scale up as needed.

SAP BTP: SAP Business Technology Platform explained the simple way

The SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP) provides companies with the tools to make better use of data, optimize processes and implement innovations efficiently. With tools for application development, integration and modern technologies such as AI, SAP BTP creates a flexible basis for future-proof IT landscapes.

What is SAP BTP?

The SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP) is a Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) solution that offers companies a central development and operating environment. With SAP BTP, companies can develop individual applications, flexibly expand existing systems and seamlessly integrate different IT landscapes.

Formerly known as SAP Cloud Platform, SAP BTP today stands for a platform that bundles integration services, real-time analytics, AI technologies and tools for individual application development in a flexible environment.

Core areas of SAP BTP

SAP BTP combines tools and services to optimize processes, implement innovations faster and connect existing on-premise systems with modern cloud solutions. The platform supports hybrid system landscapes and contains the following core areas:

Application development & extension: development of new apps and extension of existing SAP and third-party applications with low-code/no-code tools
Automation: functions for automated workflows, e.g. RPA and process optimization
Integration: connects SAP and non-SAP systems to seamlessly map end-to-end processes
Data & analytics: provides central tools for data management, real-time analysis and business intelligence
Artificial Intelligence: integrates AI services to automate processes, make predictions and implement innovations

Whether you are a medium-sized company or an international corporation, SAP BTP offers a scalable, modular basis for implementing future-proof digitalization projects.

Why SAP BTP? That’s why it’s worth it:

Whether you want to integrate legacy systems, automate recurring processes or develop tailor-made applications – SAP BTP offers the right technical basis. This allows you to react faster to market changes, drive innovation and get more out of your data – without effortful IT projects.

Who benefits?

Central control & governance: All data, integrations and applications can be managed via one platform.
Easy integration: Existing SAP systems (e.g. S/4HANA) and third-party applications can be connected quickly.
Reduced maintenance effort: Updates, monitoring and administration are handled centrally via the platform.

Well-founded decisions: Real-time data analyses provide precise insights into business processes.
Rapid implementation of innovations: New processes or applications can be planned and introduced more quickly – without dependency on long IT cycles.
Cost efficiency: Automated processes save time, lower error rates and reduce manual effort.

Flexible development environments: access to open APIs, modern development frameworks and ready-made services
Fast rollout of new apps: Prototypes can be quickly developed, tested and rolled out for productive use.
AI & machine learning services on demand: Easy access to AI functionalities without having to set up a complex infrastructure yourself.

SAP BTP connects your systems, data and ideas on one platform – flexible, expandable and ready for whatever comes next.

Technical architecture of the BTP at a glance

The new development environment is based on a structured architecture that integrates different levels and components.

The 3 planes of the Business Technology Platform:

Foundational plane: This plane provides the technical basis. It includes security and identity management, cloud infrastructure and network services that ensure a stable, secure and high-performance environment.
Data plane: The data plane manages company data and enables its real-time integration from different sources. With data analysis tools, it provides the basis for well-founded decisions and strategic insights.
Application plane: This plane enables the development and execution of individual applications. Developers have access to powerful APIs and tools to create customized solutions that meet the specific requirements of companies.

Areas of application and use cases of SAP BTP

Whether you are a start-up that wants to grow quickly or a corporation that is streamlining its processes – SAP BTP adapts exactly to your pace.

Data integration and networking

SAP BTP services enable the effective integration of different data sources to create a standardized database. This enables companies to harmonize their data and make better use of it.

Use case example: A retail company uses BTP to consolidate sales data from different platforms and gain insights into customer behavior and stock levels.

Analytical skills and business intelligence

Equipped with the SAP Analytics Cloud, companies can analyze relevant data and create meaningful reports that serve as a basis for decision-making.

Use case example: A financial institution uses the analysis tools from the SAP Cloud Platform to make informed decisions about investments and to assess risks.

Development of customized applications

The platform enables developers to create specific applications that are precisely tailored to the needs of the company.

Use case example: A manufacturing company develops a monitoring application for production lines in order to detect and rectify efficiency losses at an early stage.

Personalization of customer experience

SAP BTP helps to improve the customer experience through customized offers and services by combining data from different sources.

Use case example: A travel company uses the platform to offer personalized travel tips based on the customer’s booking history.

Intelligent automation

By using AI and machine learning, companies can automate processes, which leads to increased efficiency.

Use case example: An online retailer uses AI-controlled chatbots to answer customer queries 24/7 and thus increases service quality.

Application development on SAP BTP

The SAP Business Technology Platform offers a flexible space for individual extensions. Companies can use it to develop customized applications and workflows that fit their processes exactly. Thanks to low-code and no-code tools, even complex applications can be implemented faster.

What you can develop on the BTP:

Fiori apps: user-friendly interfaces, customized for individual departments (for example with SAPUI5 or SAP Build Apps)
Workflows & automation: Digital approvals and processes can easily be implemented using low-code.
Integration: connections to other systems via APIs, events or the SAP Integration Suite
Side-by-side extensions: additional functions that run outside the ERP kernel – this keeps your system updateable.

Automate BTP transports

With SAP Cloud Transport Management (cTMS), you can securely move software artifacts such as applications, enhancements, or integration flows between different environments in BTP.

In combination with SmartChange, these transports are controlled centrally – with clearly defined approval processes, automatic documentation, and complete transparency. This reduces manual effort, minimizes errors, and speeds up your deployments.

Is SAP BTP right for you?

Still unsure? Here are three good reasons why SAP BTP is worth it for your company:

Flexible start

SAP BTP has a modular structure: You only select the services you really need. This allows you to test new ideas on a small scale and expand step by step if successful.

Handling complexity

SAP BTP offers many functions, but is not unnecessarily complicated. Templates, best practices and clear documentation help you to get started quickly and optimize your processes.

Hybrid IT – cleverly combining cloud and on-premise

SAP BTP combines existing on-premise systems with cloud services. This allows you to benefit from the best of both worlds and modernize your IT in a way that suits you – without having to change everything at once.

SAP
Change
Talk

Would you like to take a deep dive into the emerging topics of Cloud ALM, Business Technology Platform (BTP) or Business AI? Book a one-to-one discovery call with our ALM experts.

Learn more

Understanding the essentials

What is SAP BTP? SAP BTP is SAP's central innovation platform. It combines data management, application development, integration and intelligent technologies in a modular cloud environment – ideal for companies that want to optimize processes and accelerate innovation.
What can SAP BTP do? The platform enables the development of new applications, seamless integration of existing systems and data source connectivity. It supports both cloud and hybrid IT landscapes. The four central pillars are: data management, analytics, app development & integration as well as AI/IoT.
What are the advantages of SAP BTP? Companies benefit from greater agility, shorter time-to-market, automated processes and well-founded decisions based on connected data. Thanks to the modular architecture, systems remain flexible and future-proof – without the need to radically change the existing IT landscape.

Key topics:

Developing individual applications

FAQs: SAP Business Technology Platform

SAP BTP (Business Technology Platform) is a platform-as-a-service solution that supports companies in developing applications, integrating data and using innovative technologies. It combines existing systems with modern cloud solutions and boosts the digital transformation.

No. SAP BTP supports both cloud and hybrid IT environments. You can work seamlessly between on-premise systems and the cloud.

Yes, SAP BTP has been developed to integrate existing systems (both SAP and non-SAP systems). Companies can continue to use existing systems and add new functions at the same time.

Typical scenarios: automated approval processes, reporting apps for sales, production data analysis or AI-based demand forecasts in purchasing. Many companies start with small extensions and scale up as required.