From specific calculation logic to the integration of external systems: SAP customizing allows you to tailor the SAP landscape to your specific requirements. This article shows you practical use cases, explains important tools such as SPRO and ABAP and highlights current trends like SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP).
SAP customizing describes the adjustment of an SAP system to the individual needs of a company. This includes both the configuration within the system and code changes. The aim is to optimize processes, functions and interfaces for a more efficient way of working. This often requires specific programming effort or customized implementations to add functionalities that are missing from the standard system. All modules can be affected, from finance and logistics to personnel management, including user interfaces and authorizations.
SAP Configuration uses the system’s predefined options via the graphical user interface (e.g. transaction code SPRO). Changes are made without direct intervention in the source code. Examples include the definition of company structures or the setup of authorizations. Although relatively simple, configuration requires a comprehensive understanding of the system.
SAP customizing, on the other hand, goes beyond configuration and includes code modifications or the implementation of enhancements. This requires programming knowledge (usually ABAP) and includes the development of individual solutions (e.g. user exits, Z programs) for functions that are not available in the standard system.
The need for SAP customizing arises from the diversity of business processes. Examples here are:
In addition to configuration via user interface, various technical options are available for making specific adjustments. These include everything from system settings to individual developments in ABAP.
Transaction SPRO (SAP Project Reference Object) is the main tool for customizing settings in the SAP system. Various modules can be configured via a structured user interface in order to adapt business processes to the company’s requirements.
Changes made here primarily affect system behavior and can have an impact on accounting processes, materials management or sales, among other things. Adjustments in SPRO are transferred to various system landscapes via the transport management system (TMS) in order to roll them out in a secure and controlled manner.
While SPRO is sufficient for many standard adaptations, deeper customization often requires additional interventions, such as user exits, modifications or custom programs.
User exits are special enhancement points in the SAP system that make it possible to make individual adjustments without changing the standard code. They are used via the SAP development environment and can integrate customer-specific logic into existing processes.
A common use case is the expansion of pricing in Sales and Distribution (SD) or the addition of additional validations in Materials Management (MM). As user exits are implemented specifically at defined points in the system, the SAP standard remains largely untouched, making updates and support easier.
Modifications intervene directly in the SAP standard code and are therefore a far-reaching form of customization. Changes to SAP objects require approval from SAP in the form of an object key.
This method is generally only used if a desired adjustment cannot be implemented through customizing, user exits or business add-ins. The biggest disadvantage of modifications lies in their update problems: changes have to be checked and possibly re-implemented after every SAP upgrade.
If a required function cannot be implemented via customizing or enhancement techniques, it is possible to develop your own Z or Y program. These programs are created in the customer’s own namespace and extend the standard functionality of the SAP system.
As in-house developments do not interfere directly with the standard code, they are easier to maintain than modifications. However, they must be carefully maintained in order to continue to function correctly after system updates.
ABAP is the central programming language for customizing adjustments and enhancements. It enables the implementation of specific functionalities that go beyond the possibilities of standard customizing – essential for user exits, Z programs and other individual adaptations. ABAP enables the full utilization of the SAP system potential.
The integration of customizing adjustments into an SAP system takes place via structured SAP Transport Management in a multi-level system landscape. Traditionally, a 3-system landscape is used: development (DEV), quality assurance (QAS), production (PRD). Changes are developed in DEV, tested in QAS and then put into production in PRD after successful testing.
More complex environments often use a 5-system landscape with additional development and quality assurance stages for even more thorough testing. This is particularly important in large systems where errors can have far-reaching consequences.
The process begins with ABAP development in the DEV system. After successful development, the adaptations are transferred to the quality assurance system. This allows the new functions to be tested under realistic conditions to ensure that they meet the requirements. Users should be involved in the quality assurance phase in order to cover all relevant usage scenarios and identify potential problems at an early stage.
REALTECH SmartChange automates SAP software deployment in complex SAP landscapes. It ensures simple, fast and risk-free import of SAP transports from the development system to the respective target systems.
SAP BTP extends customizing processes with cloud technologies. Flexible extension options and low-code/no-code approaches enable faster customizations. Hybrid scenarios combine local SAP systems with cloud-based services, making customizing more efficient and scalable.
BTP enables the development of hybrid scenarios that seamlessly connect local SAP systems with cloud-based services. This allows companies to modernize their existing on-premise systems while benefiting from the scalability and flexibility of the cloud. This leads to a more efficient customizing process that can adapt more quickly to changing business requirements. In addition, BTP offers access to a variety of ready-made services and APIs that accelerate and simplify the development of individual solutions. The integration of AI and machine learning functions creates new opportunities for process automation and optimization, which further increases the efficiency of customizing.
SAP customizing involves adapting the SAP system to the specific needs of a company. This includes configurations via the user interface as well as code adaptations (e.g. with ABAP). The aim is to optimize business processes.
Configuration uses the predefined options of the SAP system without code changes. Customizing, on the other hand, also includes code adaptations and enhancements to implement functions that are not available in the standard system.
In SAP, a customizing request is used to document and manage changes to the system configuration. It acts as a container for all necessary information about a customization, including description, affected areas and responsible persons. This enables a structured approach, simplifies transport management between different system landscapes (e.g. development, test, production) and supports the traceability of changes.
