The "clean core" concept aims to achieve modern, flexible, and cloud-compliant ERPs. The clean core is achieved by integrating and extending a system in a cloud-compliant way, with master data and business process governance. Often, a clean core is considered a system devoid of core customization. However, being truly "clean" includes adhering to standardized guidelines for all elements of the core. With that, when it comes time to upgrade a system, changes can be implemented without significant manual efforts to test and adapt existing structures.
Neglecting a clean core can reduce the realization of strategic benefits and increase the cost. Environments where standardized guidelines of clean core are not followed are slower to innovate, more expensive, and riskier to operate.
Elements and Criteria for Clean Core
| Elements of Core | Criteria for Clean Core |
|---|---|
| Software Stack | Software version close to the latest release |
| Software version close to the latest Feature Pack Stack (FPS) and Support Pack Stack (SPS) | |
| Partner solutions clean core compliant | |
| Extensibility | Upgrade-stable extensions following prescribed extensibility model |
| Only actively-used and well-documented extensions | |
| Adherence to general code quality standards and best practices | |
| No duplication of SAP standard functionality | |
| Integrations | Upgrade stable interfaces |
| Proper monitoring and error resolution capabilities | |
| Only actively-used and well-documented integration | |
| Data | Complete |
| Correct | |
| Used and relevant | |
| Processes | No inconsistent or inefficient processes |
| Leveraging SAP recommended best practices | |
| Operations | Day-to-day operations are planned and executed regularly to maintain alignment with the above-mentioned guidelines (e.g., security authorizations, integrations, data, etc.) |
| Opt-in on lifecycle events such as periodic upgrades | |
| Compliance with pre-approved maintenance windows |
Why is Clean Core so Important
- Rapid innovation, promoting future-proof cloud-ready solutions
- Better execution, with fit-to-standard compliance and clean core modular innovation
- Operational efficiency, with simplified consumption of out-of-the-box SAP solutions
How SAP Clean Core Helps Our Customers
- Ease of upgrade: make upgrades non-events, from a custom code perspective.
- Fast consumption of innovation: always on top of innovation technologies like AI.
- End-to-End (E2E) system security, continuity, and stability.
- Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): efficient use of infrastructure and licenses.
- Permanent traceability across all areas of the core.
Typical collaboration approaches often contradict the principles of a Clean Core due to numerous unstructured data, which can lead to inefficiencies. These approaches can create break points in business processes, disrupting the seamless flow of operations. Additionally, multiple integration methods can further complicate system architectures, making it challenging to maintain a streamlined and efficient environment.
The SAP Business Network for Procurement enhances Clean Core's extensibility by providing a single integration point for trading partners, ensuring standardized data models, and promoting efficient and compliant operations. This streamlined approach supports seamless collaboration and simplifies complex system integrations, facilitating a more agile and responsive business environment.
