SAP has decided to expand its Cloud ERP portfolio to offer solutions tailored to companies of all sizes, thereby continuing its growth in SaaS (Software as a Service) applications available from any internet browser. S/4HANA Cloud is designed for large enterprises, while SAP Business ByDesign has been the go-to solution for SMEs/SMBs since 2010. These two ERPs target different business profiles because they are fundamentally different.
What are the differences between SAP Business ByDesign vs S/4HANA Cloud?
S/4HANA Cloud – Cloud Suite Based on a Core Foundation
The S/4HANA Cloud ERP has been conceptualized entirely differently from Business ByDesign. S/4HANA Cloud is a Cloud Suite built around a core foundation. This ERP is finance-driven, with financial capabilities at the center of its framework. It also includes essential core functions such as (Sourcing/Procurement, Human Resources, and Sales/Marketing).
For specific business needs, S/4HANA Cloud leverages the entire SAP solutions portfolio. This means it needs to be integrated with other SAP solutions like Ariba for procurement, SuccessFactors for human resources, Hybris for CRM, and more. S/4HANA Cloud serves as a foundation that connects natively to a suite of solutions to form a unified entity.
This ERP is incredibly powerful, offering a multitude of products that address the specific needs of large enterprises requiring tailored solutions for each of their departments.
If you are a large company, request your S/4HANA Cloud demo.
SAP Business ByDesign – Unified and Preconfigured Cloud Suite
For SMEs/SMBs generating between €10M and €150M in revenue, the ideal ERP must follow a completely different philosophy, as budget constraints are critical. The need here is for a “Suite in a box” meaning an integrated suite.
Business ByDesign was designed to connect the silos that tend to emerge as companies grow. From finance to accounting, sales to marketing/CRM, human resources to project management, supplier relationship management (SRM) to supply chain management…everything is included in the same scalable solution.
With a unified solution, the total cost of the information system is optimized, covering both subscription and implementation costs. Business ByDesign is preconfigured and includes standardized business processes. It is based on best practices from thousands of companies, with specific scenarios tailored to various industries.
If you are a small business, SME, or startup, request your Business ByDesign demo.
Conclusion
S/4HANA Cloud and Business ByDesign have two very distinct approaches. On one hand, S/4HANA Cloud is a Cloud Suite built around a core foundation that connects natively with an entire suite of solutions to form a unified entity, designed for large corporations. On the other hand, Business ByDesign is a complete, unified, and preconfigured Cloud Suite, intended for SMEs/SMBs and subsidiaries of large enterprises.
