SAP FIORI RESOURCE HUB · 2026
The Complete SAP Glossary for Enterprise Teams
The most comprehensive SAP terminology reference online. Every major SAP module, transaction code, concept, and abbreviation explained clearly — from ECC to S/4HANA, ABAP to Fiori, BASIS to BTP.
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SAP Terms
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ROI vs Manual Compliance
$ cf login
Target: SAP BTP Trial ✓
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Deploying... 3/3 instances running
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This SAP glossary covers every key term you’ll encounter in an SAP implementation, migration, or consulting role. Whether you’re a business analyst exploring SAP for the first time, a consultant preparing for an S/4HANA project, or a developer working with ABAP and Fiori — this reference has you covered. Each entry links to a full in-depth article with T-codes, examples, career tips, and interview questions.
Use the A–Z jump navigation above, the search box, or browse by module category below. All terms are updated for SAP S/4HANA 2023 and beyond.
Browse by Module
SAP General
12 Terms
FICO — Finance
10 Terms
SD Sales
8 Terms
MM Materials
12 Terms
SAP General
12 Terms
FICO — Finance
10 Terms
FICO — Finance
10 Terms
FICO — Finance
10 Terms
FICO — Finance
10 Terms
FICO — Finance
10 Terms
FICO — Finance
10 Terms
FICO — Finance
10 Terms
FICO — Finance
10 Terms
FICO — Finance
10 Terms
FICO — Finance
10 Terms
A
ABAP Advanced Business Application Programming
SAP's proprietary programming language, used to develop and customize all SAP applications. Runs on the SAP NetWeaver ABAP Application Server and supports classical, object-oriented, and modern (CDS/RAP) programming styles.
Access Control (SAP GRC)
The core GRC component that prevents, detects, and remediates access risks in SAP. Manages Segregation of Duties (SoD) conflicts, critical access, role design, and emergency access (Firefighter). Essential for SOX compliance.
Access Control (SAP GRC)
The core GRC component that prevents, detects, and remediates access risks in SAP. Manages Segregation of Duties (SoD) conflicts, critical access, role design, and emergency access (Firefighter). Essential for SOX compliance.
SAP Activate Methodology
SAP's official agile implementation methodology for S/4HANA. Six phases: Discover, Prepare, Explore, Realize, Deploy, Run. Replaces the older waterfall ASAP methodology. Based on SAP Best Practices and fit-to-standard workshops.
ALE Application Link Enabling
SAP's framework for synchronizing data between SAP systems using IDocs over RFC connections. Used for master data distribution (material master, vendor master) and cross-system business process integration without tight coupling.
C
CDS Core Data Services
SAP's modern data modeling language using SQL-like DDL syntax. CDS views run natively on HANA for maximum performance and serve as the foundation for Fiori apps, S/4HANA embedded analytics, and the Virtual Data Model (VDM).
SAP Client
A self-contained unit within an SAP system with its own master data, transaction data, and configuration. Standard landscape: Client 100 (Development), 200 (Quality/Testing), 300 (Production). Client 000 and 066 are SAP standard clients.
Clean Core (S/4HANA Principle)
SAP's strategic principle to keep the S/4HANA ABAP stack unmodified. All extensions must use BAdIs, RAP, or BTP side-by-side extensions. Clean Core enables seamless upgrades and is mandatory for S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition.
CO — SAP Controlling
SAP's management accounting module. Tracks internal costs and profitability for management decision-making. Sub-modules: Cost Center Accounting (CCA), Profit Center Accounting (PCA), Product Costing (PC), Profitability Analysis (CO-PA).
Cost Center (SAP CO)
An organizational unit in SAP CO that represents a department, team, or function that incurs costs. Every expense posting (salary, utilities, rent) can be assigned to a cost center. Managers use cost center reports to track spending vs. budget.
Cutover (SAP Go-Live)
The final switchover from the old system to the new SAP system. Includes data migration execution, balance uploads, open item uploads, system freeze (no transactions in legacy), and go/no-go decision. Typically executed over a weekend. The highest-risk phase of any SAP project.
Customer Master (SAP SD)
The central master data record for a customer in SAP. Contains three views: General Data (address, communication), Company Code Data (payment terms, reconciliation account), and Sales Area Data (shipping conditions, pricing, incoterms). Created with XD01 or VD01.
D
Delivery (SAP SD)
An SAP document that controls the physical shipment of goods to a customer. Created from a sales order (VL01N), it triggers picking (warehouse) and posting goods issue (inventory reduction). The delivery is the link between SD order management and the warehouse/inventory.
E
SAP ECC — ERP Central Component
The classic SAP ERP system (ECC 6.0) used by most SAP customers for 15+ years. Mainstream maintenance ends December 31, 2027. All ECC customers must migrate to S/4HANA. The final version is ECC 6.0 Enhancement Package 8 (EhP8).
Employee Central (SuccessFactors)
The core HR module of SAP SuccessFactors — the cloud system of record for all employee data. Manages organizational structures, job classifications, position management, global benefits, and time off using the Metadata Framework (MDF) rather than SAP infotypes.
ERP — Enterprise Resource Planning
Integrated software that manages all core business processes — finance, HR, procurement, manufacturing, sales, supply chain — in one unified system with a shared database. SAP is the global ERP market leader with ~24% market share and 440,000+ customers.
Glossary
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Not strictly required to work as an ABAP developer, but it can strengthen your profile — especially early in your career or when moving toward consulting roles.
Not strictly required to work as an ABAP developer, but it can strengthen your profile — especially early in your career or when moving toward consulting roles.
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Not strictly required to work as an ABAP developer, but it can strengthen your profile — especially early in your career or when moving toward consulting roles.
A
Not strictly required to work as an ABAP developer, but it can strengthen your profile — especially early in your career or when moving toward consulting roles.
A
Not strictly required to work as an ABAP developer, but it can strengthen your profile — especially early in your career or when moving toward consulting roles.
A
Not strictly required to work as an ABAP developer, but it can strengthen your profile — especially early in your career or when moving toward consulting roles.
A
Not strictly required to work as an ABAP developer, but it can strengthen your profile — especially early in your career or when moving toward consulting roles.
A
Not strictly required to work as an ABAP developer, but it can strengthen your profile — especially early in your career or when moving toward consulting roles.
A
Not strictly required to work as an ABAP developer, but it can strengthen your profile — especially early in your career or when moving toward consulting roles.
A
Not strictly required to work as an ABAP developer, but it can strengthen your profile — especially early in your career or when moving toward consulting roles.
A
Not strictly required to work as an ABAP developer, but it can strengthen your profile — especially early in your career or when moving toward consulting roles.
A
Not strictly required to work as an ABAP developer, but it can strengthen your profile — especially early in your career or when moving toward consulting roles.
A
Not strictly required to work as an ABAP developer, but it can strengthen your profile — especially early in your career or when moving toward consulting roles.
A
Not strictly required to work as an ABAP developer, but it can strengthen your profile — especially early in your career or when moving toward consulting roles.
A
Not strictly required to work as an ABAP developer, but it can strengthen your profile — especially early in your career or when moving toward consulting roles.
A
Not strictly required to work as an ABAP developer, but it can strengthen your profile — especially early in your career or when moving toward consulting roles.
A
Not strictly required to work as an ABAP developer, but it can strengthen your profile — especially early in your career or when moving toward consulting roles.
A
Not strictly required to work as an ABAP developer, but it can strengthen your profile — especially early in your career or when moving toward consulting roles.
A
Not strictly required to work as an ABAP developer, but it can strengthen your profile — especially early in your career or when moving toward consulting roles.
A
Not strictly required to work as an ABAP developer, but it can strengthen your profile — especially early in your career or when moving toward consulting roles.
A
Not strictly required to work as an ABAP developer, but it can strengthen your profile — especially early in your career or when moving toward consulting roles.
A
Not strictly required to work as an ABAP developer, but it can strengthen your profile — especially early in your career or when moving toward consulting roles.
A
Not strictly required to work as an ABAP developer, but it can strengthen your profile — especially early in your career or when moving toward consulting roles.
A
Not strictly required to work as an ABAP developer, but it can strengthen your profile — especially early in your career or when moving toward consulting roles.
A
Not strictly required to work as an ABAP developer, but it can strengthen your profile — especially early in your career or when moving toward consulting roles.
A
Not strictly required to work as an ABAP developer, but it can strengthen your profile — especially early in your career or when moving toward consulting roles.
A
Not strictly required to work as an ABAP developer, but it can strengthen your profile — especially early in your career or when moving toward consulting roles.