Product Information
Certification of Partner Solutions following Clean Core
Introduction into SAP Clean Core
A clean core, in the context of an ERP system like SAP S/4HANA, is essential for ensuring stable and reliable operations while being agile and innovative. By maintaining a clean core, businesses can future-proof themselves and remain competitive in an ever-evolving business landscape. SAP point-of-view document on Clean Core defines it as “a concept to achieve modern, flexible and cloud-compliant ERP. For an up-to-date ERP we achieve a clean core by integrating and extending the system in a way that is cloud compliant, and by governing master data and business processes. With that, when it comes time to upgrade a system, changes can be put in place without significant manual efforts to test and adapt existing structures.”
Clean Core Elements and Criteria
For partner products built for SAP, helping to keep the SAP core clean can be established by ensuring a strict separation between 3rd party extension and SAP core:
Clean Core Concept for Extensions
Please find more general and in-depth information about clean core in the blog: SAP S/4HANA Clean Core.
Partners should support their customers on the journey to a clean core by providing compatible extensions and add-ons – and get them certified as clean core compatible.
Customers can find certified partner solutions for clean core in SAP Certified Solutions Directory.
Launching Clean Core certification program for partner applications
SAP Integration and Certification Center (SAP ICC), part of SAP Partner Innovation Lifecycle Services (PILS) announces the launch of certification program for partner applications following the clean core criteria. With that it’s possible to show clean core compatibility to customers, especially for add-ons deployed in SAP S/4HANA Cloud, private edition (PCE), and Apps running on SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) and integrating with PCE.
If you join the program in 2023, then you can benefit from a promotion, valid for all members of SAP PartnerEdge (or strategic GTP, GSSP).
Clean Core Criteria for external partner solutions and extensions
With clean core, SAP wants to make sure that partner applications follow the methodology in both development and delivery of partner solutions to SAP customers. In the optimal case, this is ensured by using SAP recommended extension options only, as described in the SAP S/4HANA Cloud extensibility model. With that, it’s highly recommended, that all newly built extensions follow these guidelines, and apply for certification as SAP BTP-based extensions.
However, as of today still a lot of “classic” ABAP add-ons are available, provided by partners and important to SAP customers. Also these add-ons can benefit from clean core program, if they fulfill the following requirements:
- Add-ons must pass standard certification criteria for SAP S/4HANA Cloud, private edition.
- With subscription into the clean core program, partner guarantees to follow SAP release strategy precisely, by supporting and finalizing re-certification for latest release of SAP S/4HANA max. 12 weeks after RTC.
- To help partners ensuring compatibility with latest SAP release in time, partners have the option to join the SAP S/4HANA Beta program, which allows early access to each new release.
With that, clean core compatible partner products support smooth upgrades of SAP S/4HANA Cloud, private edition, at any time, shortly after availability of the new release.
To make your ABAP code ready for cloud, please check Custom ABAP code migration to SAP S/4HANA Cloud.
Also partner applications running on SAP BTP and integrating with SAP S/4HANA Cloud, private edition, can be certified for clean core adherence. Requirements include:
- Use of released SAP-APIs for communication between systems only
- Decoupled partner extensions from underlying SAP S/4HANA solution. With that, extensions should not hinder an SAP upgrade.
- Technical feasibility will be checked and confirmed through SAP Extension Suite Certification.
In case BTP app integrates with a custom developed BAPI or ABAP module, then separate “classic” ABAP add-on certification might be applicable. Further comments regarding Clean Core and SAP BTP can be found in clean core with SAP BTP.
Please find more detailed information about ICC clean core certification program also in clean core certification slide deck.
Action item for you as SAP Partner
Start working with SAP ICC to check that your extension or add-on follows the best possible, cloud-ready development practices for SAP ERP solutions.
Earn SAP-certified for clean core with SAP S/4HANA Cloud designation after successful certification, so customers will know at the first glance that your solution supports their clean core efforts.
Contact us today and benefit from the 2023 promotion with up to 50% reduced certification fees for 2023 for both “classic” add-on and side-by-side partner extensions.
Solutions certified for clean core also get a filtered listing in SAP Certified Solutions Directory.
