·4 min de lectura

The Future of SAP Basis: Navigating the RISE in the AI Era

The future of SAP Basis goes from SM21 logs to BTP Platform Engineer. How to stay relevant as AI automates traditional SAP admin tasks.

Imagine this: It’s a quiet Friday night, and you’ve just finished another week of managing SAP landscapes.

You check LinkedIn and see yet another post about AI replacing IT roles or the cloud revolutionizing everything.

If you’re like me, you’ve probably asked yourself: What is the future of the SAP Basis field in the era of cloud computing and artificial intelligence?

In this post, I’ll share my journey in the SAP Basis world, the lessons I’ve learned, and the tools you need to thrive in the era of RISE and AI.

My journey

I started working with SAP over a decade ago and have been focused on Basis tasks since 2017. Over time, I’ve handled numerous on-premise installations, migrated small SAP clients to the cloud, and taught myself how to manage SAP workloads on cloud platforms.

Back in 2019, I remember suggesting to a Basis team and its leader that we should start working more in the cloud.

They laughed and looked at me like I was crazy.

One even said, "I'll never learn anything about the cloud; clients won't go there. It’s too expensive, and on-premises is the only viable option for us to manage and admin everything."

Fast forward a few years, and most of those who mocked me now proudly display their “RISE with SAP S/4HANA Cloud, private edition Onboarding Fundamentals” certifications on LinkedIn.

They’ve never admitted I was right, but I’ll take that twist as a win!

The current scenario

Right now, SAP is aggressively pushing for clients to transition from ECC to S/4HANA and adopt the RISE subscription model.

To simplify, RISE with SAP is a subscription-based, cloud-managed service where SAP handles much of the technical infrastructure, enabling businesses to focus on innovation.

Recently, I read that SAP might (not official yet) extend the S/4HANA transition timeline to 2033 for clients who sign a special package.

This would provide extra time and support for those committing to RISE with SAP, essentially renewing client relationships at scale.

While this strategy gives Basis professionals plenty of work ahead, it also underscores the importance of preparing for the evolving demands of the field.

Why we must evolve

Gone are the days when SAP Basis was just about system installations and transport management.

Today, the role demands:

  • Orchestrating hybrid and cloud environments.
  • Managing SAP HANA’s in-memory architecture and S/4HANA capabilities.
  • Utilizing advanced monitoring tools like SAP HANA Cockpit.
  • Implementing security patches and leveraging tools like SAP ETD or Focused Run.
  • Leading technical projects efficiently, thanks to deep technical knowledge.

This is the future of Basis work: proactive, strategic, and deeply integrated with emerging technologies.

The impact of AI: friend or foe?

AI is undeniably a game-changer, but does it mean the end of Basis roles?

My assumption is that we’re far from it.

AI complements our expertise rather than replaces it.

Tools like Dynatrace AI Engine or SAP Enterprise Threat Detection enhance our ability to resolve issues faster and with greater precision.

However, SAP’s AI integration is still in its early stages for technical tasks.

While waiting for more advanced AI solutions, we can explore SAP and third-party tools such as:

  • Dynatrace AI Engine for automated issue resolution.
  • Red Hat Ansible for automated patch management.
  • SAP HANA Cockpit for predictive database performance analysis.

These tools (and many other available) can help you stay ahead of the curve and demonstrate the value you bring to the table.

Stay, Pivot, or Exit?

If you’re questioning your future in SAP Basis, here are some considerations:

  • Stay: Master S/4HANA, cloud administration, and certifications like SAP BTP Solution Architect. These will keep you relevant in SAP’s cloud-centric future.
  • Pivot: Your skills in troubleshooting, architecture, and performance tuning are transferable to roles in DevOps, cloud architecture, or consulting.
  • Exit: If you’re ready to move on, your problem-solving expertise can open doors in broader IT domains, such as integration or security.

My Recommendations

Why It’s Worth It

Change can be daunting, but it also creates opportunities.

As Darwin famously said: "It is not the strongest species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most responsive to change."

The SAP world still needs skilled professionals to navigate this transformation.

To all SAP Basis professionals: The future holds potential for those willing to adapt. Will you seize the opportunity?