SAP HANA vs. SAP S/4HANA: Understanding the Key Differences

When SAP pushed back the deadline for migrating to SAP S/4HANA from 2025 to 2027, enterprises were able to breathe a sigh of relief for a while. SAP announced that beyond the December 31, 2027, it will be discontinuing maintenance for its entire ERP suite preceding SAP S/4HANA, with an extendable deadline till 2030 till which date, a 2% incrementation in maintenance fees would be levied. With 2025 already upon us, businesses are reluctant, yet, in a rush to convert to S/4HANA. 

However, before you take a step towards migration, you must understand one thing, especially if you use quite old legacy systems. Before you move to SAP S/4HANA, you have to confirm that you are already using SAP HANA. You may ask, what is SAP HANA? Is it not the same as SAP S/4HANA? No. The two are completely different. However, SAP S/4HANA is completely reliant on SAP HANA. In this article, we will not only talk about the difference between SAP HANA and SAP S/4HANA but also discuss systems training solutions that will help smooth the migration process in your workforce. 

What is SAP HANA?

The HANA in SAP HANA stands for Hochleistungs ANalyse Anwendung or High-performance ANalytic Application/Appliance. It is a column-based relational database management system that operates in-memory using OLAP and OLTP, and on a multi-model basis. These features make SAP HANA a highly versatile and extremely fast-operating, processing and reporting data in real time. Released in 2010 and put in active operation from 2011, it became the default DBMS for SAP, utilizing it for most of its application systems. Due to the many SAP HANA benefits, it is used extensively as the core technology for non-SAP applications too. 

SAP HANA is hailed as the most innovative data management system released till date due to its unique architecture and operational methodology. Its innovative features make it: 

If you want to go for SAP S/4HANA migration, you must first migrate to SAP HANA, if your enterprise does not use it already, as S/4HANA is based exclusively on HANA. 

What is SAP S/4HANA?

SAP S/4HANA was created in 2015 to be an optimized ERP solution that integrates core business operations like resource management, sales, finance, supply chain, etc. under one roof, presented through a simplified interface. SAP has a reputation for being a complex platform stuffed with features and modules that follow complicated function paths. SAP S/4HANA is meant to streamline these operations and unify several functionalities in one place to make your business digital infrastructure lighter. 

Since SAP S/4HANA runs on SAP HANA, besides the same advantages, it imparts the following benefits: 

Key Differences Between SAP HANA and SAP S/4HANA 

Although both are SAP products, SAP HANA and SAP S/4HANA are completely different solutions. The differences between SAP HANA and SAP S/4HANA are: 

Challenges in Migrating to SAP S/4HANA

Companies going for SAP S/4HANA implementation are often not sufficiently informed or prepared for the challenges they must face before, during, as well as after the process. As a result, they often end up making fatal mistakes or giving up prematurely. The first step to overcoming these roadblocks is to know what you are dealing with. Here is a list of things you must be ready to tackle: 

Migration to SAP HANA 

This issue is exclusive to people who are currently using a DBMS other than SAP HANA. Since SAP S/4HANA runs only on SAP HANA, you won’t be able to migrate to the former unless you have transitioned your business processes completely to the latter. 

Employee Resistance 

Employee resistance is common in any kind of major change, more so when it is to SAP, known to be difficult to learn. Even though S/4HANA has a simplified interface, most would go with the previous reputation and reject the software unless awareness is imparted. 

Complexity of Software 

SAP has multiple modules for different business functions. They are interconnected and affect the results of each other. Deciding which modules to choose and which functions to retain in the existing system might be a difficult decision to take. 

Insufficient Infrastructure 

A common obstacle in the path of SAP migration is the lack of necessary infrastructure to implement SAP. Be it hardware or supporting software, compatibility issues or integration requirements, they must be taken care of before starting migration. 

Budget or Schedule Overshoot 

Migration managers often underestimate the amount of time and money that would be needed for transition to SAP. Hence, many SAP migration projects are often abandoned midway because they go over their budget or cross the planned timeline. 

Lack of Leader Support 

No SAP S/4HANA migration can be successful without support from upper management in facilitating migration. Moreover, employees follow their leaders; so, when the C-suite is unconvinced of the need for SAP, the SAP S/4HANA user adoption falls too. 

Inadequate Training 

Without proper enterprise SAP training, it is impossible to successfully transition to the software. Employees would be ill-equipped to handle the system, make errors, lose motivation, and fail to display the expected level of productivity and efficiency. 

Why Proper Training is Crucial for SAP HANA & S/4HANA Adoption

SAP training for SAP HANA and SAP S4/HANA are essential before you decide to take the step of migrating to the new system. A suitable systems training solution can give you many benefits like: 

Ensuring Better and Faster User Adoption 

Training makes employees familiar with the system, increases engagement, makes them aware of the advantages of moving to the new SAP environment, and boosts their enthusiasm to work with it. As a result, user adoption is enhanced manifold. 

Reducing Errors and Improving Efficiency 

When a user is completely familiar with the new SAP system and confident to work on it, they work faster, make less mistakes, and induce less downtime. Calls to the internal helpdesk are reduced too. This increases the overall efficiency of the business. 

Meeting ROI Expectations of SAP Usage 

SAP is a cost-intensive software solution to implement. Companies will naturally want to recover those expenses through the ROI of the new SAP system. SAP system upgrade training ensures that employees are able to properly optimize business processes and generate good ROI. 

Ensures Data Security and Compliance 

SAP is an ERP system; it deals with sensitive, and often, protected, business data. Untrained or poorly trained employees are bound to introduce errors to the data, create compliance red flags, and jeopardize data security. Training prevents such scenarios.

How Assima Train Supports SAP Training

When talking about effective SAP S/4HANA training solutions, there is no way we cannot bring up Assima. We use our innovative 4X patented cloning technology to help enterprises create the most optimum training program for their use case. The benefits of using our systems training solution include: 

Interactive, Simulation Training for Engagement 

Assima Train utilizes a 4X patented cloning technology that allows you to create hyper-realistic simulations. These simulations accurately capture the interactivity of the real SAP system, allowing learners to practice all operational possibilities on it. 

Scenario-Based Learning for Real-Life Readiness 

Assima simulations can be used for scenario-based training as they perfectly replicate the live system and ensure maximum engagement and retention. Employees develop applicable decision-making and problem-solving skills based on real-life situations. 

Real-Time, In-App Informational Support 

You can also opt for post-go live in-app support with Assima In-App Search. It is a widget-like search tool that overlays the live application, providing real-time, contextual information. This feature is extremely useful for faster onboarding and operational efficiency. 

Advanced Features for Easy Lesson Updates 

If you want to modify lessons to fit users with different roles or accommodate software updates, you can do it easily. Assima simulations, made using our patented technology, can be edited down to the smallest detail without having to be reworked from scratch. 

Optimized Scalability and Compatibility 

Lessons created using Assima can be obtained in different output modes and with different datasets from a single source. They can also be deployed remotely from anywhere on any system. The versatile integration and output capabilities make Assima truly scalable. 

Multilingual Capabilities for Global Training 

The one-step translation feature of Assima lets you translate any lesson to any language used in workplaces around the world with ease. You can now provide multilingual training without having to translate every lesson one at a time. 

Data Security and Compliance Facilities 

SAP deals with a lot of protected business data. So, any systems training solution for enterprise SAP training must comply with the data access and security rules of your organization. Quick data anonymization and automatic security policy integration features of Assima do just that. 

Conclusion

Before migrating to any new software, it is essential for an enterprise to have in-depth knowledge about that system. In the case of SAP S/4HANA, that entails knowing about SAP HANA too. SAP HANA is the core technology that drives SAP S/4HANA and understanding how it works will give you insights into the working of S/4HANA too. It will make the transition much smoother. With sufficient training, you should be able to ensure that your employees know how to work in the SAP environment well enough to drive productivity and efficiency. A good systems training solution is essential for that. Assima is one such solution that can help you achieve a high level of SAP literacy in your workforce.

FAQs 

What is the main difference between SAP HANA and SAP S/4HANA? 

SAP HANA is an innovative DBMS built by SAP SE to optimize data access and management in information and resource management systems. SAP S/4HANA is an ERP suite built by the same company to simplify resource planning in enterprises. It runs on SAP HANA 

Is SAP S/4HANA built on SAP HANA? 

Yes, SAP S/4HANA utilizes SAP HANA to manage all the data fed into the ERP system. SAP HANA provides lightning-fast data access and analytics facilities, that accelerate processes in S/4HANA. 

Why should enterprises migrate to SAP S/4HANA? 

Earlier SAP applications were known to be difficult to use due to a complicated interface and convoluted operational paths. SAP SE aimed to clean up the visuals and processes in its ERP system without compromising on versatility when creating SAP S/4HANA. If you want a system that covers most of your business processes and has a simplified, intuitive interface, you should definitely migrate to SAP S/4HANA. 

What are the challenges in SAP S/4HANA migration? 

Enterprises face several challenges with SAP S/4HANA migration, including budget and timeline issues, employee resistance, lack of a robust framework or plan, deficient infrastructure, low engagement and support, poor training, etc. If you are not using SAP HANA already, shifting to that adds another hassle to the mix. 

How can Assima Train help with SAP S/4HANA training? 

Assima Train utilizes hyper-realistic, editable simulations to provide a scenario-based, immersive learning experience to users. It also provides live system informational assistance. This engages the learners and boosts their confidence by giving them a safe platform to practice and then, the opportunity to work on the live system without the fear of mistakes. For a complex system like SAP, that is the best way to learn.