Introduction

For modern SAP landscapes, integration is one of the major challenges nowadays. Businesses aren’t just running one system anymore. They run on SAP S/4HANA, SAP SuccessFactors, SAP Ariba and SAP Concur as well as dozens of non-SAP apps.

All of these systems have to speak to each other. The data has to flow securely, reliably and in real time. This is where you will need SAP integration tools.

Here are two words that can give IT a headache:

• SAP Cloud Integration
• SAP Integration Suite

They seem to be the same at first glance.

Most people think they are the same thing.

They are not.

This blog simplifies SAP Cloud Integration vs SAP Integration Suite in a very pragmatic way.

But by the end, you will understand which is right for your business, your budget and your future SAP strategy.

It’s the Integration, Stupid

Before we compare tools, though, let’s understand the problem they address.

The modern enterprise is hybrid.

Some systems are on-premise.

Others are in the cloud.

In the absence of a robust integration layer, organizations are left with:

• Data silos
• Manual data entry
• Process delays
• Reporting inconsistencies
• Security risks

SAP recognized this challenge early.

That’s why it brought cloud-based integration services on SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP).

But services like that changed over time.

This transformation has been the source of today’s confusion.

Understanding SAP Cloud Integration

The actualities SAP Cloud Integration is a product that’s been in their portfolio for quite some time now.

It began as SAP HCI (HANA Cloud Integration).

It was later renamed to SAP Cloud Platform Integration (CPI).

These days, most folks just refer to it as SAP Cloud Integration.

SAP Cloud Integration is primarily focused on one thing:

Systems integration and data transfer between.

It lets organizations build integration flows that link:

• SAP cloud applications
• SAP on-premise systems
• Third-party applications

These can be real-time or batch integrations.

SAP Cloud Integration is implemented on SAP BTP and follows a messaging architecture.

What SAP Cloud Integration Does Well

SAP Cloud Integration is robust and trusted.

It’s the strongest in traditional use cases, like:

• S/4HANA to SuccessFactors integration
• S/4HANA to Ariba integration
• SAP to non-SAP application connectivity

It is consists of prebuilt integration content delivered by SAP.

This minimizes development and expedites deployment.

Security is also built in.

Calls are also ciphered, can be listened in and controlled from a central location.

Historically, SAP Cloud Integration sufficed for many integration requirements.

But business requirements kept growing.

The Emergence of SAP Integration Suite

In an increasingly complex digital terrain, SAP broadened its integration vision.

Businesses no longer just needed application-to-application integration.

They needed:

• API management
• Event-driven integration
• B2B partner connectivity
• Centralized monitoring
• Unified governance

To compensate for this, SAP brought in the new product called as SAP Integration Suite.

SAP Integration Suite is not one tool.

It is a bundled integration of several exchange functions in one license.

And here is the main difference in the SAP Cloud Integration vs SAP Integration Suite discussion.

So, What is SAP Integration Suite?

Integration Suite for SAP BTP is an all-inclusive integration offering on SAP BTP.

It it made up of a number services which are working together.

This suite includes SAP Cloud Integration as a part.

Other components include:

• API Management
• Event Mesh
• Open Connectors
• Integration Advisor
• Trading Partner Management

Rather than just addressing a single integration challenge, SAP Integration Suite addresses the complete lifecycle of an integration.

That makes it appropriate for sophisticated enterprise setups.

Key Difference in Vision

The simplest way to distinguish between them is this:

• SAP Cloud Integration is intended for process integration.
• SAP Integration Suite is all about enterprise-wide integration strategy.

One is tactical.

The other is strategic.

This difference becomes more apparent as we delve in to features and use cases.

SAP Cloud Integration vs SAP Integration Suite: Feature Comparison

Without too much in the way of details here is the essential difference outlined in a table.

Aspect	SAP Cloud Integration	SAP Integration Suite
Scope	Process integration	End-to-end integration platform
Included Services	Cloud Integration only	Cloud Integration + APIs + Events + B2B Data Integration for the Rest of Us bumps Infor and Dell Boomi APIs to 2020 milestones.
API Management	Not included	Included
Event-driven Architecture	Limited	Fully supported
B2B Integration	Not available	Available
Licensing	Standalone or bundled	Unified suite license
Best For	Simple to medium integrations	Complex enterprise landscapes

This table already explains why the decision is important.

When SAP Cloud Integration Is the Top Solution

SAP Cloud Integration is a fit when you have straightforward, well-defined requirements.

When your company’s principal requirement is to interface SAP with just a few external applications, this approach may be suitable.

Typical scenarios include:

• Migrating to SAP S/4HANA Cloud
• Connecting SAP SuccessFactors to on-premise SAP Workforce Solutions Software as a service solution (SAPSFS1) Version 12, Last updated: August 20,
• Synchronization of master data across SAP-systems

For such cases, the addition of more tools would only serve to raise cost and complexity.

That’s what SAP Cloud Integration is about.

Limitations of SAP Cloud Integration

SAP Cloud Integration is powerful but still has its boundaries.

It does not offer:

• Advanced API lifecycle management
• Centralized API governance
• Event-based integration at scale
• Built-in B2B trading partner management

These gaps become more apparent as businesses grow.

That’s usually when companies begin considering SAP Integration Suite.

When SAP Integration Suite Makes More Sense

9. SAP Integration Suite For those with more complex integration needs.

It fits well when:

• You have APIs that you expose to partners or customers
• You follow an event-driven architecture
• You plug in dozens of SAP and non-SAP apps
• You oversee supplier B2B integrations
• You want single pane of monitoring and governance

This is common among big enterprises and rapidly scaling digital companies.

Rather than cobbling together various tools, you get one seamless platform with SAP Integration Suite.

Cost Considerations

The price is often the determining factor.

SAP Cloud Integration tends to be less expensive up front.

You pay for what you use.

SAP Integration Suite is licensed more widely.

It’s more expensive, but capable of many tasks.

Price, however, is not the real question.

It is value over time.

You begin with SAP Cloud Integration and as you further deploy API tools, event services, and B2B capabilities over time, costs can exceed what a suite license would have been.

Planning ahead is crucial.

Implementation Complexity

A SAP Cloud Integration project normally goes much quicker as well.

They are centered on flow of integration and mapping.

In the majority of projects, weeks can suffice.

SAP Integration Suite projects last longer.

More design work is required.

A clear API strategy, event model and governance need to be established.

But all of this frontloading results in scale and control.

Skill Requirements

Another important factor is skills.

For SAP Cloud Integration you need integration developers which have knowledge in:

• iFlows
• Message mappings
• Adapters
• SAP BTP basics

Integration offerings Integration Suite of SAP an overall view below.

Teams must understand:

• API design principles
• Event-driven patterns
• Security and governance
• Partner onboarding processes

Responsibilities organizations need to be honest about their ability internally.

Long-Term SAP Roadmap Alignment

SAP’s long-term strategy is cloud-first.

SAP Integration Suite is more in line with this vision.

It’s ready for changing architectures, new technologies and future breakthroughs.

SAP Cloud Integration remains relevant.

But it is more frequently framed as a tactic than a strategy unto itself.

This difference does matter when looking at the long term.

Common Misconceptions

Many businesses believe:

If we purchase SAP Integration Suite, the SAP Cloud Integration will be superseded.“

That is incorrect.

SAP Cloud Integration still lives within the suite.

One of the myths is that SAP Integration Suite only suits extremely big businesses.

This is no longer true.

Medium size organizations that embrace multiple clouds can gain as well.

SAP Cloud Integration vs SAP Integration Suite

Deciding between the two products is difficult.

There is no universal answer.

The right choice depends on:

• Business size
• Integration complexity
• Growth plans
• Budget
• Technical maturity

It also helps to divide and conquer.

Some companies start with SAP Cloud Integration and graduate to SAP Integration Suite as requirements expand.

Some begin with the suite on day 1 to prevent rework later.

Real-World Decision Example

For example, a company migrating from ECC to S/4HANA Cloud.

During phase one, they connect S/4HANA to SuccessFactors and Ariba.

SAP Cloud Integration is enough.

In the second stage they open to partners via APIs, and deploy real-time event notifications.

Now is where SAP Integration Suite comes into play.

Designing phase by phase helps to prevent expensive re-design.

Conclusion

SAP Cloud Integration vs SAP Integration Suite.

The discussion around SAP Cloud Integration vs SAP Integration Suite is not the one for software which is better.

It’s about what tool can fit your business today and in the future.

SAP Cloud Integration -For less complex requirements, it’s targeted and cost effective.

SAP Integration Suite is broad, scalable and future-proof for sophisticated setups.

Be smart – make the best choice and understand your end to end integration roadmap, not just current pain points.

FAQs

Does SAP Cloud Integration belong to SAP Integration Suite?

Yes. ONE of these KEY components offered in SAP Integration Suite is ‘SAP Cloud Integration’.

Can I begin with SAP Cloud Integration and migrate later?

Yes. Many companies, as their integration requirements continue to expand, follow this path.

Does SAP Integration Suite work only on cloud?

No. It works with cloud and on-premises implementations using SAP BTP connectivity.

Is SAP Integration Suite a replacement for PI/PO?

Is the logical replacement for cloud-based integration, but you need to actively plan your migration.

Resources

• SAP Business Technology Platform Documentation
• SAP Integration Suite Overview
• SAP Cloud Integration Help Portal