SAP Cloud ALM is the new cloud-based ALM solution from SAP. However, especially for companies with complex or hybrid SAP landscapes, the range of functions can quickly reach its limits and the actual costs can be underestimated.
With SmartChange, you not only get full flexibility and a comprehensive range of functions for your change and transport management, but also a solution with transparent costs, without hidden expenses or additional modules.
TL;DR – Key facts in brief
- SAP Cloud ALM only covers change and transport management to a limited extent.
- Hybrid and on-premise landscapes are only supported to a limited extent. The focus is on cloud-first.
- Additional tools, consulting projects, and growing cloud usage often drive costs up unexpectedly.
- SmartChange offers full hybrid capability, flexible workflows, and integrated ITSM integration (ServiceNow, Jira).
- Clear cost control: fixed price per SID, all core functions included – productive in just a few days.
Why many companies are looking for an alternative to SAP Cloud ALM?
SAP Cloud ALM offers a modern, cloud-based platform for application lifecycle management. However, it is not ideally suited for certain use cases. Typical challenges include:
- Functional gaps: No full-fledged change request management or integrated IT service management (ITSM) – additional tools are required for this.
- Limited hybrid capability: Focus on cloud-first, limited customization for on-premise or hybrid landscapes.
- Low flexibility: Standardized processes can only be customized to a limited extent.
- Underestimated costs: Additional costs often arise for integrations, customizations, external consulting, as well as more storage space and higher data transfer volumes.
SmartChange specifically closes these gaps in SAP Change and Transport Management – with flexible workflows, integrated interfaces to ServiceNow and Jira, support for cloud, on-premise, and hybrid scenarios, and significantly lower total cost of ownership.
The upcoming end of SAP Solution Manager 2027 also makes it clear that companies need a future-proof ALM solution. With the end of SolMan, SAP ChaRM will also come to an end – companies therefore need a modern ChaRM alternative. SmartChange is exactly that solution, combining comprehensive functionality with flexibility and full cost control.
SAP Cloud ALM vs. SmartChange
Features, integrations, costs – a direct comparison quickly reveals how different SAP Cloud ALM and SmartChange are. This overview shows at a glance which solution better meets your SAP change and transport management requirements.
✓ Available
~ Limited
× Not available
| Feature | SAP Cloud ALM | SmartChange |
|---|---|---|
| Implementation without SAP consultants | ~ Setup depends on the scenario, usually requires external consulting | ✓ Fast implementation without costly consulting – often within days |
| High customizability | ~ Limited customization due to strong standardization | ✓ Flexible workflows, automations & rules freely configurable |
| Independent of SAP support models | × Requires SAP Enterprise Support | ✓ Fully usable without Enterprise Support |
| Bi-directional ITSM integration | ~ Partially possible, often with extra effort | ✓ Standard connectors to leading ITSM tools, ready to use immediately |
| Out-of-the-box integration: ServiceNow & Jira | ~ Via add-ons or customizing | ✓ Seamless integration – ready to go instantly |
| Mobile app | × No dedicated mobile app | ✓ Mobile app for transport approvals & status checks |
| Retrofit | ~ Partially available, partly on the roadmap | ✓ Automated retrofit for parallel landscapes |
| Extract ChaRM data | × No direct functionality | ✓ Data extraction and archiving from ChaRM |
| Tool-based migration | × No automated migration tool | ✓ Exported data can be transferred into SmartChange, archives or external systems |
| Target environment | ~ Focus on cloud; hybrid/on-premise only partially supported | ✓ Cloud, hybrid or on-premise – full support in all scenarios |
| Total cost | ~ Higher due to possible add-ons and limitations in storage and data transfer volume | ✓ No hidden extra costs – fixed price including all core functions and integrations |
While SAP Cloud ALM is primarily designed for pure cloud environments with standard processes, SmartChange offers full hybrid capability, greater adaptability, and integrated functions without expensive add-ons. The result: shorter implementation times, no external consulting, and lower overall total cost of ownership.
At first sight, SAP Cloud ALM appears to be cost-effective – especially when its use is included in an SAP Enterprise Support contract. However, the reality is often different: usage restrictions on storage space or data transfer volumes can quickly lead to additional costs. Missing functions often have to be supplemented by separate tools or consulting projects.
Typical cost drivers are:
- Integration of additional tools, advanced automation, or specialized reporting
- Consulting and adaptation projects, often even for minor deviations from the standard
- Growing cloud demand, which causes licensing and usage costs to rise over time
- Training and onboarding for new processes and interfaces
With SmartChange, you can avoid these cost traps: All central functions are integrated, the solution fits seamlessly into your existing landscape, and remains predictable in the long term.
Why choose SmartChange as a cloud ALM alternative?
SmartChange was developed specifically for companies that demand the highest standards of flexibility, functionality, and cost-effectiveness in SAP change and transport management. The solution combines everything that modern SAP teams need today:
- Hybrid-ready without compromise: Fully supports cloud, on-premise, and hybrid SAP landscapes
- Fully integrated: SAP change and transport management and ITSM combined
- Quick implementation: Productive in just a few days, without lengthy consulting or implementation projects
- Cost control: Clearly calculable fixed price per SID – all core functions and integrations such as ServiceNow or Jira are included.
- Practice-proven: Successfully used for years by international corporations and medium-sized companies with complex SAP landscapes.
The result: maximum flexibility, significantly lower total cost of ownership, and a future-proof solution that grows with your requirements.
The better choice for your SAP change and transport management
With SmartChange, you are not only choosing a powerful alternative to SAP Cloud ALM. You are also ensuring full control over your change and transport management without sacrificing flexibility, speed, or functionality.
Whether cloud, on-premise, or hybrid, SmartChange integrates seamlessly into your existing environment, reduces your total cost of ownership, and eliminates hidden costs.
Next step: Let’s explore together how SmartChange can be used in your company – schedule your personal live demo now.
Do you have any questions? I would be happy to show you SmartChange in a personal live demo. I am looking forward to meeting you!
