Modern Cloud – SAP Cloud ERP, Customer Data Center CDC with HPE GreenLake SAP

HPE’s presentation at Cloud Field Day focused on the shift from declining on-premise and public cloud SAP deployments to increasing hybrid and private cloud solutions. Customers are seeking to mitigate risk, maintain control, and address the complex application dependencies inherent in SAP environments. HPE highlights its SAP Cloud ERP, Customer Data Center (CDC) offering as a true “Modern Cloud” solution, recognizing that customers require choices. The presentation highlights that predictable latency is crucial for integrations, making dedicated CDC solutions, with dedicated network paths and firewalls, a compelling option over hyperscale cloud offerings, where resources are shared.

The presentation emphasizes the importance of choice and flexibility when transitioning to cloud ERP.  HPE’s approach caters to various customer needs, offering options such as “lift and shift” and “tailored” methods, which enable customers to transition to cloud ERP without requiring an immediate data center migration. HPE’s strategy is designed to make the transition to cloud ERP as seamless as possible by acknowledging that moving from an existing ERP system to a new one, even with the same vendor, presents a significant project.

A key takeaway from the presentation revolves around the shift to subscription-based models. While it’s the direction most software companies are moving, HPE acknowledges the resistance many customers, like Energy Transfer, have to moving away from perpetual licensing. Jim Loiacono and Kelly Smith highlighted the ability to support those who want to “stay the course” or begin their SAP HANA journey with a lift-and-shift approach, understanding the need to address customers’ concerns about risk and the desire for maximum flexibility.