Connecting Systems with SAP Integration Suite: What I Learned

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SAP integration is not just about connecting one system to another. In practice, it means getting data to move smoothly across platforms, apps, and teams without the user needing to think about where that data came from. That sounds simple. But in most businesses, especially those using SAP, things rarely start out simple.

Many companies today rely on a mix of systems. Some are cloud-based. Some sit on local servers. Others are third-party platforms like Salesforce, Workday, or niche supply chain tools. 

Teams work remotely, from different time zones, and everyone expects real-time access. This is where integration becomes critical. Without it, people start downloading spreadsheets or working from outdated dashboards.

SAP’s Integration Platform plays a key role here. It is built to help SAP systems talk to each other and to non-SAP applications. It handles everything from process flows to APIs to event triggers. Some companies use it to connect SAP S/4HANA to legacy ERPs. Others use it for real-time updates between procurement and finance.

This article covers the basics: what the platform does, the common use cases, and which tools are actually part of it. If integration is on your radar, it is worth understanding what this platform can and cannot do.

What Is an SAP Integration Platform?

An SAP integration platform is middleware. In plain terms, it sits in the middle and lets different systems share data without manual effort. Orders pass from an e-commerce site to SAP. Inventory updates flow back. Users just see accurate numbers, no matter which screen they open.

SAP offers several options:

• SAP Integration Suite, the cloud-first toolkit
• Cloud Platform Integration, often shortened to CPI
• API Management for exposing and monitoring services
• SAP Process Integration and Process Orchestration, known as PI or PO, for on-premise needs

On-premise tools are still important if you host SAP inside your own data center. They handle batch jobs, IDocs, and older interfaces. The cloud suite focuses on APIs, events, and modern security standards. Many companies end up with both. Legacy plants may run PI, while newer business units use Integration Suite.

A quick example helps. Imagine finance runs on SAP S / 4HANA, but sales lives in Salesforce. The integration platform maps customer data, sends orders to SAP when deals close, and pushes delivery status back to Salesforce. 

A retail brand could swap Salesforce for Shopify. Same idea. Payments clear, SAP updates stock, the web store shows what is available.

So the platform is less a single product and more a toolkit that connects SAP to whatever else the business relies on. Choosing the right mix depends on where your systems live and how quickly you need information to move.

Why Integration Matters for your SAP Implementation

Most companies running SAP also depend on several other systems. There could be a separate CRM, outsourced payroll, logistics partners, customer portals, bank feeds. Each one has its own data, its own timing, and often its own format.

Without integration in place, the gaps show up fast. People start copying data by hand. Spreadsheets become the link between systems. 

Eventually, small mistakes turn into missed orders or late reports. I remember one case where vendor quotes sat in an inbox for days because SAP and the sourcing tool were not connected. The buyer was waiting for a sync. Meanwhile, the vendor was waiting for a response.

That kind of delay sounds minor until it stacks up.

Without integration, you risk:

• Slow approvals because data sits in disconnected tools
• Compliance issues if audit trails are split across platforms
• Manual rekeying, which adds cost and introduces errors
• Delays in real-time inventory or shipment visibility

You can build workarounds. But over time, they start to slow down the business. Even a small integration, done well, can free up hours per week and reduce tension between teams. And that impact is usually more visible than people expect.

Core Components of SAP Integration Platform 

When people hear “SAP Integration Platform,” it can sound more technical than it really is. At its core, it is a collection of tools that help different systems talk to each other. Not just SAP to SAP. You can use it to connect SAP with Salesforce, Shopify, legacy tools, or just about anything else your business runs on.

Let me walk through the main pieces without making it too heavy.

1. Cloud Integration (CPI)
   This is where most of the hands-on work happens. It lets you set up data flows. For example, sending order data from SAP to your logistics provider. You build it once and let it run.
2. API Management
   If you need to expose your SAP data to mobile apps, vendors, or internal tools, you use this. It helps control access and visibility. You decide who sees what and how.
3. Open Connectors
   There are a lot of third-party apps out there. Open Connectors help plug into them faster. I have seen it used to pull customer service data from Zendesk straight into SAP—without writing everything from scratch.
4. Event Mesh
   This one works like a notification system. Instead of checking for changes every few minutes, it sends a signal when something happens. Like a customer placing an order. SAP gets notified right away.
5. Integration Advisor
   This is more of a helper. It gives you templates and suggestions when you are building message formats or mapping data. Especially useful when dealing with partners.

You probably will not need all of this at once. Most teams start with one or two tools, usually CPI and API Management. Others layer on more over time as the business grows. It depends on how complex your system landscape is and how fast you need everything to work together.

Common Integration Scenarios You Need to Know

Here are the integration scenarios that come up most often. Each one solves a different pain point, though they all lean on the same core tools.

• Internal SAP-to-SAP
  Connect S / 4HANA with SuccessFactors, Concur, or Ariba. HR data flows into payroll, travel spend lands in finance. No more exporting files and waiting days for updates.
• SAP-to-Third-Party Apps
  Think Shopify orders feeding into SAP for fulfillment, or Workday pushing new-hire details straight into HR master data. These links keep front-end teams happy because they see changes in real time.
• B2B Integrations
  EDI with large retailers, or XML messages for suppliers. One client shaved a week off purchase-order approvals by sending confirmations directly to the vendor portal instead of emailing PDFs back and forth.
• Partner Portals and Marketplaces
  SAP can publish inventory or price data to Amazon Seller Central, then pull orders back. Useful when e-commerce channels multiply faster than IT can keep up.
• Analytics and Data Lakes
  Many companies stream transactional data into Snowflake or BigQuery, then build dashboards in Power BI. Finance still closes in SAP, but analysis happens in a lightweight tool everyone can access.
• Event-Driven Updates
  An outbound delivery posts in SAP, Event Mesh fires, and a mobile app shows the shipment status instantly. No polling, no delay.

Each scenario looks simple on a diagram, yet every one removes a slice of manual work. Over time those slices add up. The result is better data consistency, faster decisions, and fewer late-night spreadsheet fixes.

On-Premise vs Cloud Integration 

A lot of teams still ask whether they should stick with PI ⁄ PO or move to SAP Integration Suite. I get the hesitation. If your systems have been running fine on-prem for years, switching feels like a disruption.

But here’s the shift I keep seeing. Integration needs are changing. More cloud apps, more remote users, more real-time expectations. SAP PI ⁄ PO is still solid for older workflows, like IDoc-based processes or internal batch jobs. But when you need to connect to something like Salesforce or a logistics API in real time, Integration Suite just fits better.

The trend is clear. Most companies now use a mix. They keep PI ⁄ PO running for existing flows and build new ones in the cloud. Over time, the center of gravity shifts.

A few general tips:

• If your landscape is mostly on-prem and stable, you can keep PI ⁄ PO going for a while.
• If you are adding SaaS apps or need faster integration cycles, Integration Suite is worth the move.
• Think about where your business is headed, not just what worked last year.

I have seen teams wait too long to switch, then scramble when their cloud vendors move faster than their infrastructure. Better to plan the transition while you have room to think.

Challenges in Integration Projects 

Integration projects often seem simple at first. You connect two systems, map the data, and let it run. But in practice, small technical gaps can create real delays.

Data format mismatches are one of the first issues that show up. SAP might expect dates in one format, while a third-party app sends something else. You catch it late, and suddenly half your data gets stuck. I saw a client try to link warehouse scanners with SAP MM. They assumed it would be fast. It took nearly three extra weeks just to normalize the input formats.

Then there are technical blockers:

• Firewalls that block API calls.
• Legacy systems with no proper documentation.
• SSO and certificates that time out or fail under load.

Another risk is time. Teams often start integration too late. The base setup moves forward, but interfaces lag behind. That is where timelines start to slip. Better to start integration planning earlier.

Best Practices for SAP Integration 

Integration projects go smoother when you keep the scope clear and take small, confident steps. Start with something that delivers quick value, even if it feels basic. That first working connection builds trust.

Standardizing helps a lot. When possible, use existing content from the SAP API Business Hub. I have seen teams spend weeks recreating something that was already tested and available there. Reuse is not laziness. It saves effort and lowers risk.

Documentation is another area that gets ignored. Then six months later, someone new joins and no one remembers how a connector was configured. Just write it down.

Keep business users involved. Make sure the interface is not just technically correct but works for the person actually relying on it.

Some other tips:

• Build in fallback paths and alerts when things fail.
• Test failure scenarios, not just the happy flows.
• Monitor performance, especially if multiple systems rely on the same interface.

It may feel like extra work at the start, but it saves you from scrambling later.

Conclusion + Next Steps

Integration has ripple effects. It changes how teams work together, how quickly data moves, and how often people have to chase down missing information. It is not just about connecting systems. It is about making sure those systems stay aligned when the business shifts.

When done well, it cuts down rework and avoids manual handoffs. It improves reliability. But it takes planning, clarity, and sometimes a few hard lessons early on.

If you are still shaping your integration roadmap or trying to understand SAP BTP better, take time to read through related architecture articles or case studies.

No pressure to get everything right in one go. The goal is to move forward with fewer surprises.

Ready to connect your systems more efficiently?

If integration is slowing you down or causing manual work, it may be time to rethink how your SAP landscape fits together. Take a look at how SAP Integration Platforms work in real projects. They are often more flexible than they first seem, especially with tools like SAP Integration Suite.

About the Author

Noel D’Costa is an experienced ERP consultant with over two decades of expertise in leading complex ERP implementations across industries like public sector, manufacturing, defense, and aviation. 

Drawing from his deep technical and business knowledge, Noel shares insights to help companies streamline their operations and avoid common pitfalls in large-scale projects. 

Passionate about helping others succeed, Noel uses his blog to provide practical advice to consultants and businesses alike.

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