Learning Journey for SAP BTP - Customized for Developer, Architect, Consultant, Administrator, Citizen Developer and DevOps Engineer

[Raja]

One of the most common query I get in LinkedIn is - "I want to learn SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP), what should be my learning path?"

Like one shoe doesn’t fit all, one learning path cannot be applicable for different job profiles. Based on your profile and goal, you need to design your unique learning path.

In this blog, I have tried to create a comprehensive learning path for SAP BTP, customized for various job profiles such as Developer, Architect, Consultant and Administrator.

 

Note 1: All the courses and learning materials mentioned in this blog are available for FREE.

Note 2: While I tried my best to categorize the learning materials and courses as per different roles, many times there is an overlapping across roles. It would be a good idea to read the entire blog before you start your learning journey.

 

An overview of the learning path for SAP BTP

I have created a proper structured path having stages starting from the beginners to expert. Below image summarizes it.

 

Now let's have a close look into each phase.

 

Before that, just an important point on SAP BTP Certification

Whether you’re learning SAP BTP to boost your skills or getting ready for a job change with it, getting certified is like adding the perfect finishing touch. If you need a guide to choose the right certification one based on your role and expertise, check this blog A Comprehensive Guide to SAP BTP Certifications

 

Step 1: Get started with SAP BTP - Learn the Basics

Irrespective of you role, you need to learn the basics of SAP BTP first. Considering the fact that SAP BTP is at the center of SAP's vision and strategy, it's important for you to learn the basics of SAP BTP if you are working in SAP ecosystem.

Here is the list of courses and learning materials for this step.

It’s good to have a clear understanding of basic cloud technical terms like Hyperscaler, Multi-Cloud, IaaS, PaaS, SaaS etc. I will recommend you to spend 2 minutes reading my blog Important Cloud Terminologies for Beginners

Then, check below links:

What is SAP Business Technology Platform - For Beginners

SAP BTP Environments – Cloud Foundry Vs ABAP Vs Kyma

Discovering SAP Business Technology Platform

SAP BTP Strategy Paper

 

Step 2: Get Access to SAP BTP System

After you get the high level idea of SAP BTP, the next logical step is to do build some application on it. You can start with the free tier model for SAP BTP free. For SAP partners and customers there are other options as well.

Here is the list of resources for this step.

For Individuals:

Start with the free tier model for SAP BTP FREE

For SAP Partners:

Get SAP BTP system via Pay-As-You-Go with Free Tier Services

For SAP Customers:

SAP BTP Commercial Models

Get Started with SAP BTP Enterprise Account

 

Step 3: Build Your First Application in SAP BTP

After you get the high level idea of SAP BTP, the next logical step is to do build some application on it. This will not only give you confidence but also clarifies many doubts regarding many SAP BTP concepts.

Even if you are into non-programming role, it's good to explore basic application development in SAP BTP. There is also low-code/no-code development tools which are used to build enterprise level solutions in SAP BTP.

Here is the list of courses and learning materials for this step.

Start Developing in SAP BTP

Build an Application in the Cloud Foundry Runtime

 

OPTIONAL:

Get Started with SAP Business Technology Platform SAP HANA Service

Develop Your First SAPUI5 Web App with SAP Business Application Studio

 

Step 4: Get an Holistic Understanding of SAP BTP

Once you have learnt the basics and built some apps on SAP BTP, it's time to get an holistic understanding of SAP BTP. SAP BTP comes with 3 major environments and many services.  It may not be possible for you to become expert in all the environments and all the services. However, it's important to know the basic overview of all the individual components. Later based on your unique needs, you may choose to dive deep into an individual topic.

Here is the list of resources for this step.

Exploring the SAP Discovery Center

SAP Discovery Center is a great place to find SAP BTP resources.

SAP Discovery Center

Go through this blog to learn various features of SAP Discovery Center.

Explore various products and features of SAP BTP at its product page

 

Step 5 [OPTIONAL]: Dive deep into some important concepts related to SAP BTP

There are some important concepts that are good to learn before you go further. However, this part may be little overwhelmed at this point.

You may skip this completely or may decide to just understand the high level of these or dive deep into, based on your interest and need.

Here is the list of courses and learning materials for this step.

Security in SAP BTP

Learn various security concepts around SAP BTP e.g. Identity provider, XSUAA, Cloud Connector, Identity Authentication and Identity Provisioning.

Security in SAP BTP

SAP BTP Security– A Complete Learning Journey

Introducing Cloud Security on SAP Business Technology Platform

 

Multitenancy

Multitenancy is one of the important architectural concept in cloud. SAP BTP provides a multitenant functionality that allows application providers to own, deploy, and operate tenant-aware applications for multiple consumers, with reduced costs. Check these learning materials to understand multitenancy in SAP BTP.

Multitenancy in SAP BTP

 

SAP HANA Cloud

SAP Cloud Application Programming Model

SAP Build

 

Next Step - Become Specialized in SAP BTP as per your role

After completing this far, you will have a solid foundation of SAP BTP. Now you are ready to proceed further as per your specific role. Let's continue role specific path now.

 

Become an SAP BTP Developer

An SAP BTP Developer is an individual who specializes in building and implementing solutions using the services and tools provided by the SAP BTP.

As a developer you need to have technical expertise in programming languages, frameworks, and development tools relevant to SAP BTP services, such as SAP Cloud Application Programming Model, SAP HANA, SAP Integration Suite, etc.

Depending on their area of expertise, SAP BTP Developers may focus on application development, data modeling, integration, analytics, security, or other specific aspects of the platform.

Here is the list of courses and learning materials for this step.

Build side-by-side extensions on SAP BTP

Develop Applications Running on SAP BTP Using SAP HANA Cloud

Develop Full-Stack Applications Using Productivity Tools in SAP Business Application Studio

Deliver Side-by-Side Extensibility based on SAP BTP, Kyma Runtime

Developing with SAP Integration Suite

 

Become an ABAP Developer for Cloud

ABAP holds immense importance in the SAP ecosystem as the primary programming language for developing custom applications and extensions within SAP systems. With a rich history dating back to the early days of SAP, ABAP has continuously evolved. In SAP BTP, we have a dedicated environment for ABAP which enables us to build ABAP based solutions in cloud.

Here is the list of courses and learning materials for this step. If you are from ABAP world, this section is very important for you. Learn how to be a ABAP developer for cloud.

𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐏 𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

ABAP Language Versions FAQs

Evolution of the ABAP Programming Model

Steampunk is going all-in

 

𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐏 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐀𝐏 𝐁𝐓𝐏

Learn basics of ABAP programming on SAP BTP.

Practicing Clean Core Extensibility For SAP S/4HANA Cloud

 

𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐏 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐀𝐏 𝐁𝐓𝐏

Learn the Basics of ABAP Programming on SAP BTP

Developing Multitenant Applications in the ABAP Environment

 

Check this certification as well:

SAP Certified Associate - Back-End Developer - ABAP Cloud

 

 

Become an SAP BTP Architect

An SAP BTP Architect is responsible for designing and overseeing the architecture of solutions built on the SAP BTP. They are involved in the planning and strategic decision-making processes related to the platform's usage within an organization.

The architect must understand the business requirements and goals to create scalable, efficient, and reliable solutions that align with the company's needs.

The role of an SAP BTP Architect also involves keeping up-to-date with the latest features, services, and best practices related to SAP BTP to ensure the most effective use of the platform.

Here is the list of courses for this step.

Setup for SAP S/4HANA Side-by-Side UI Extensions on SAP BTP

Build applications on SAP BTP, Cloud Foundry runtime

Extend SAP S/4HANA Cloud on SAP Business Technology Platform

Develop a Multitenant Extension Application in SAP BTP, Kyma Runtime

 

Become an SAP BTP Consultant

An SAP BTP Consultant typically has expertise in using and implementing specific services or components of the SAP BTP. They are skilled in configuring, customizing, and deploying solutions using various services provided by SAP BTP. Consultants may specialize in areas such as application development, integration, analytics, security, or any other specific service within the platform.

SAP BTP Consultants work closely with clients or internal stakeholders to understand their needs and provide expert advice and guidance on leveraging the platform effectively to achieve business objectives.

Here is the list of courses and learning materials for this step.

SAP HANA Cloud for Consultants

SAP Datasphere

SAP Analytics Cloud

Designing Stories in SAP Analytics Cloud

SAP Build Process Automation

 

Become an SAP BTP Administrator

An SAP BTP Administrator is responsible for managing and maintaining the technical infrastructure and operations of the SAP BTP. They handle tasks related to system administration, configuration, and monitoring of the platform's components and services. They are responsible for managing user access, roles, and permissions within the platform to maintain data security and compliance. They may also handle tasks related to backups, disaster recovery planning, and overall system maintenance to ensure smooth operations.

Here is the list of courses and learning materials for this step.

SAP HANA Cloud for administrators

SAP Build Work Zone for administer 

Learn Administration and Operations in SAP BTP

Administration and Operations in the ABAP Environment

Administration and Operations in the Cloud Foundry Environment

Administration and Operations in the Kyma Environment

Learn more SAP BTP Account Model

Managing Entitlements and Quotas in SAP BTP

Security Administration in SAP BTP

 

Become a Citizen Developer

"Citizen Developer" term has become quite popular nowadays. Citizen developers are business users with excellent business and process knowledge but limited or no programming skills, who wants to build applications using IT-approved technology and tools.

SAP BTP provides Low-Code/No-Code development solutions for citizen development, which enables them create business applications without writing any code.

Here is the list of courses and learning materials for this step.

Demystifying SAP Build for Beginners

Compose and automate with SAP Build the No-Code Way

Utilizing SAP Build for Low-Code/No-Code Applications and Automations for Citizen Developers

Developing Apps with SAP Build Apps using Drag-and-Drop Simplicity

 

Become an SAP BTP DevOps Engineer

As an SAP BTP DevOps Engineer, your main job is to make sure that the solutions used by a company runs smoothly and gets updated correctly. You work on automating tasks, like testing and deploying new features, build and configure CI/CD pipelines, setting up monitoring and alerting, automating fixes etc.

Here is the list of courses and learning materials for this step.

Demystifying DevOps with SAP BTP: Part 1 – What is DevOps?

Demystifying DevOps with SAP BTP: Part 2 – Navigating SAP BTP DevOps Portfolio

Efficient DevOps with SAP BTP 

Discovering DevOps with SAP BTP

 

You may also have a look into my book “DevOps with SAP”

SAP BTP Best Practices, Guidelines, Reference Architectures

Reference Architectures

SAP's Official reference architectures for SAP BTP are available in the Reference Architecture section at SAP Discovery Center. THis provides ready-to-use templates for building enterprise applications.

Check Reference Architecture section at SAP Discovery Center

SAP BTP Guidance Framework

SAP BTP Guidance Framework, an one-stop shop for all SAP BTP professionals to build and run enterprise-grade solutions on SAP BTP.

The framework contains:
Decision guides - which help you to identify the technology option that best fits your needs.

Reference Architectures - that allow you to explore how to architect solutions on BTP with the help of curated solution templates.

Methodologies - which offer you a guided approach toward increasing your cloud technology maturity level.

Recommendations - for different technology domains that help you to evaluate and choose the right implementation option.

DevOps principles - which enable your development and operations teams to be more efficient.

Here is the link of SAP BTP Guidance Framework

 

SAP BTP Developer's Guide
SAP BTP Developer’s Guide helps you to implement business applications on SAP BTP. This guide explains the building blocks for developing, delivering, and integrating business applications.

Check this developer's guide

 

Stay Updated on SAP BTP

SAP BTP is an evolving technologies. It's a good idea to keep yourself updated with latest changes.

Here is the list of resources which can help you stay updated on BTP.

SAP Business Technology Platform Community Page

SAP Learning Community

Latest blogs on SAP BTP

 

Additional Information

If you want help from SAP experts, posts your questions here - https://answers.sap.com/

If you are looking for classroom trainings from SAP, check https://training.sap.com/content/sap-training-technology

If you want to get certified and validate your SAP expertise, check https://learning.sap.com/certification

 

 

All the best!

Hope you liked this blog. I have put lots of effort in this and would love to know your feedback in comment about this 😊

 

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