Introduction

Start-ups, indie developers and other companies are feeling pressure to both move more quickly and stay integrated while continuing to innovate at as low a cost as possible. And this speed is not something traditional monolithic systems can handle alone. This is where SAP BTP Use Cases are incredibly powerful.

SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP) provides a single platform for companies to integrate, extend and create applications that operate alongside their SAP and non-SAP systems. From automated finance to HR processes, SAP BTP applications are being employed in real-world business situations to reduce complexity, enhance governance, and enable innovation.

We at Cremencing Solutions are focused on SAP Custom Development On SAP BTP. Here, we assist companies to translate platform capabilities into relevant solutions for their daily operations.

In this post, we will cover:

• A hands-on introduction to SAP Business Technology Platform
  
• Real-world finance and HR examples
  
• Examples of how it looks in the world
  
• Key Features of SAP BTP apps
  
• A Non-deep Overview on Alternatives {textbackslasht : A High-level side by side with other platforms}
  
• Frequently asked questions and resources to help you learn more about your next steps
  

Overview of SAP BTP

What is SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP)?

SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP) is SAP’s integrated platform that combines:

• Data & Database Management
  
• Analytics
  
• Application Development & Integration
  
• AI, Automation & Extensions
  

SAP BTP’s Importance to Enterprises

Enterprises use SAP BTP to:

• Link siloed systems — Utilize integrations to bring together your cross-department communication in all locations
  
• Automate manual and repetitive processes
  
• Leverage the Best-of-Breed deployed base and implement side-by-side applications while utilizing standard SAP capabilities
  
• Create new digital services and experiences for employees and customers
  

Simply put, SAP BTP is where integration + intelligence + innovation meet.

Applying SAP BTP in Real Business Use Cases

Although SAP BTP can be applied everywhere (logistics, procurement, sales, service, manufacturing), there are two very good and common results-driven SAP BTP Use Cases:

• Finance automation
  
• HR workflows and employee experience
  

Examples where SAP BTP can be used in Finance Automation

Finance is frequently bogged down with manual reconciliations, spreadsheet-based reporting and siloed data. SAP BTP is designed to help the finance team evolve from being reactive and defensive, to fearless and proactive.

Common Applications for Finance Automation in SAP BTP

Automated Financial Reporting & Consolidation

Non-SAP ERPs, 3rd party external systems) into a central model (e.g. SAP HANA Cloud + SAP Analytics Cloud).
Creating management dashboards, statuary reports and variance analyses with no manual data manipulation.

Invoice Processing & Approval Workflows

Developing custom approval workflows on BTP to send vendor invoices for the appropriate approvers using rules such as amount, region percentages, cost center.
Seamless approvals with the email/ MS team or SAP Fiori inbox integration.

Cash flow and liquidity apps

Bank statements; Open items and Forecast.
Real time view on positions and scenario simulation for treasurers.

Business impact: Faster closes, fewer errors, greater compliance and more time spent on analysis (rather than data shoveling).

SAP BTP Scenarios in HR workflows

HR teams usually use a combination of Excel sheets, emails and semi-integrated tools. SAP BTP can stand next to SAP SuccessFactors or other HR systems to bring more frictionless, more compelling experiences.

Examples of SAP BTP applications for HR workflows

Onboarding Portals & Task Orchestration

One digital base for new hires to view their own assignments (documents, policies, equipment request forms, training).
Automated alerts to IT, facilities and line managers mapped to HR system events.

Performance & Feedback Apps

Lightweight apps where managers and peers can give feedback year-round, snapped back to core HR.
Team engagement, progress toward goals & completion of training summarizing dashboards.

Self-Service HR Requests

Bespoke apps for requesting leave, approving travel, asking questions about employee benefits, or signing off on company policies.
Routing to HR Service Desks or managers using SAP BTP Workflows.

Business impact: Less admin for HR, uniform employee experiences and improved quality of HR data.

Real-World Success Stories (Scenario-Based)

The following are scenario-style success stories built from the kinds of patterns we often encounter when deploying SAP BTP applications.

The case of the Global Manufacturing Group: Sulfur Industries Finance automation

Context

The reference organization was a multinational manufacturing company with different sites worldwide that had SAP ECC as its central ERP and some local accounting applications. Month-end close amounted to 10–15 days, where teams consolidated spreadsheets manually and emailed trial balances.

Challenge

• Disparate financial information from various systems
  
• Manual reconciliations and data uploads
  
• Limited transparency into real-time performance
  

SAP BTP Use Case Implementation

Using SAP BTP, the company:

• Onboarded SAP ECC and on-premise ERPs to SAP HANA Cloud
  
• Modeled rptBasic standard financial structures (P&L, balance sheet, and cost centers)
  
• Constructed stories on SAP Analytics Cloud for real-time financial reporting
  
• Included new BTP workflow apps for Journal Approval and Adjustment Tracking
  

Outcome

• Month end close time from 10–15 days to 4–5 days
  
• Finance worked more on analysis than data gathering
  
• Management received a near real-time view of profitability and cash balances
  

Case 2 HR Process Change in Professional Service Firm

Context

A leading consulting firm with thousands of staff across various geographies used a combination of SAP SuccessFactors and ad hoc processes for onboarding, placement, and performance feedback.

Challenge

• New hires got the keys, laptops and tools late
  
• Performance information was intermittent and missing in many cases
  
• HR was drowning in email requests
  

SAP BTP Use Case Implementation

On SAP BTP, the firm:

• Developed central onboarding portal with SAP Build Apps integrated to SuccessFactors events
  
• Automated processes for requests of equipment, access rights and mandatory training
  
• Created a quick feedback and performance tracking app which fed back summary information to core HR
  

Outcome

• Onboarding lead times reduced significantly
  
• Employee satisfaction scores increased in the first 90 days
  
• HR saved time and allowed focus on strategic work, not manual tasks
  

Advantages of SAP BTP Applications for Business

Enterprises with an active implementation of SAP BTP Use Cases ― in finance, HR and beyond ― typically realize several common benefits:

Flexibility and Custom Fit

• Develop apps that parallel your specific business process
  
• Adjust rapidly as policies, compliance rules or business models evolve
  

Deep Integration Across Platforms

• Integrate SAP and non-SAP applications (ERPs, CRMs, HR system, bank software, 3rd-party SaaS)
  
• Leverage APIs and SAP Integration Suite to avoid data silos, re-keying by hand
  

Faster Innovation Cycles

• Leverage low code/no code tools (SAP Build Apps & Process Automation) for quick proof of concepts
  
• Idea → MVP → production in weeks (not months)
  

Future-Proof Architecture

• Utilize cloud-native services that match and grow with your usage
  
• Remain consistent with SAP’s future roadmap, RISE with SAP and clean core principles
  

Comparison with Competitor Offerings

Other integration and application platforms exist (generic iPaaS tools, low-code suites etc.). However, SAP BTP delivers key advantages:

Native SAP Integration

Pre-built content, events, APIs and adapters for SAP S/4HANA, ECC, SuccessFactors, Ariba etc.

Consistent Security & Identity

Unified identity management aligned with SAP landscapes.

Aligned with SAP’s Clean Core Strategy

Side-by-side extensions reduce upgrade risk.

Industry & LoB Focus

Sector-specific patterns and models for real enterprise challenges.

“Plain and simple: SAP BTP is the native home for extending SAP as well as orchestrating enterprise-level processes.”

Conclusion

SAP BTP Use Cases are no longer theoretical. Businesses in every industry are leveraging SAP BTP applications to:

• Automate financial processes
  
• Streamline HR processes
  
• Connect systems across the organization
  
• Create agile digital services without modifying core ERPs
  

SAP BTP is becoming the strategic layer where integration, analytics, AI and extensions reside. For more insight on SAP BTP read our Blog Think SAP BTP Is Too Complex? Here’s the Simplest Way to Understand and Master It

Reach out to Cremencing Solutions to release SAP BTP use cases that are tailored to your business. 

FAQs 

1. What is SAP BTP?

SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) is an integrated platform including data management, analytics, integration and application development services.

2. How can SAP BTP help my business?

SAP BTP helps with:

• Automating manual processes
  
• Integrating SAP and non-SAP applications
  
• Real-time analytics
  
• Customized application creation
  
• Innovation without disrupting core systems
  

3. What are SAP BTP Use Case Examples?

Typical examples include:

• Finance automation
  
• HR processes
  
• Multi-system integration
  
• Customer/partner portals
  
• Industry-specific apps
  

4. Is SAP S/4HANA required for SAP BTP?

No. SAP BTP also integrates with SAP ECC and third-party syste

Resources

• SAP BTP Overview
  https://www.sap.com/products/business-technology-platform.html
  
• SAP Official News – BTP Use Cases
  https://news.sap.com/2023/10/sap-btp-use-cases-deeper-broader-faster/
  
• SAP Finance & HR Workflow Automation
  https://www.sap.com/products/finance-hr.html