SAP HANA Appliance

SAP HANA (formerly High Performance Analytic Appliance, today no acronym).  Is a database technology from SAP, which was presented in 2010? 

This is an appliance, a combination of hardware and software, to the in-memory technology that uses the opposite of the hard drive much faster accessible computer's memory for data storage, compared to the conventional applications allow using higher performance evaluations.

History

HANA was developed by SAP in collaboration with some customers, namely Coca- Cola Hellenic, the Future Group (an Indian operator of department store chains) and Hilti to scan large amounts of data efficiently. The appliance was the first time in spring 2010 introduced and used in November of the same year. From the manufacturer's point of view, the in-memory database is an important topic for the future, as well Snabe, Co-CEO of SAP, 2011 declared. Among the four main investment focus of the company is in the in-memory technology in 2011, the strongest growth was achieved. On 10 SAP announced in January 2013 that the core applications of SAP Business Suite are available based on HANA.

Method

With HANA different techniques both in software and in hardware area are combined. On the software side, a hybrid of the usual in-memory databases column-oriented working method and the conventional, common in relational databases row-oriented database technology used. On the hardware side is tried as the main memory by the CPU cache, and replacing the disk by the main memory in order to use each faster access times. By this method, performance benefits.

Use

Developed for business intelligence and business analytics applications appliance is used in the SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse and in BusinessObjects Strategic Workforce Planning. There is, however, according to the manufacturer also possible to use other applications with HANA operate. In addition to other SAP products include all SQL-based applications. On 10 January 2013, SAP announced the availability of the entire SAP Business Suite on HANA in.

SAP Launches "HANA Enterprise Cloud"

SAP offers its in-memory database appliance HANA now also in a cloud version. Users can use the "HANA Enterprise Cloud" with their ERP, CRM or Business Warehouse solutions. Through partner companies, SAP also provides them as a managed service.

With the new company could offer quickly scale into the petabyte range, stressed Vishal Sikka, CTO and Executive Board of SAP, in a conference call. Applications could be accelerated through the cloud with real-time capabilities.

According to SAP, Sikka has worked for over two years to the cloud-based offering. The actual cloud service will be initially only from the Walldorf Group itself. However, at the Sapphire conference in Orlando and the Partner Summit, he will announce details about the Partner Program for Managed Services.

The new cloud offering does not mean the end of the HANA appliances that come from manufacturers such as HP, IBM, Fujitsu and Huawei, stressed Sikka. "We're talking about an open-plus-one strategy that opens up another option for users."

In a further step, it should then give the HANA cloud for users who want to pursue this in their own environment. Currently exists in SAP but this still does not match it. Future could all cloud services are based on the SAP HANA cloud, so Sikka.

The technological approach describes the SAP CTO with a "resilient infrastructure." The solution is achieved without virtualization technologies. They run directly on the hardware, to allow maximum performance. Nevertheless, it was possible through pooling, or cell configurations, add or subtract server resources. SAP generally have put a lot of work into tools and administration tools for the new service. Among other things, the cloud provides frame monitor for user-friendly provisioning of HANA cloud instances.

So that SAP may also be some technical problems that currently exist with HANA appliances address. So far, HANA was very difficult to use in virtualized environments, so the solution was restricted to physical hardware. Users who wanted to offer HANA several business areas, customers or tenants, therefore, had problems. With the new management layer SAP bypasses das. Also in their own interest, such as Forrester analyst Stefan Ried commented. Because otherwise could hardly introduce economically SAP HANA as a cloud service.

To use the HANA Enterprise Cloud, customers first need the appropriate software licenses for SAP Business Suite, SAP HANA, and SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse, as the manufacturer informs. It also existing licenses can be used. Then, SAP provides the necessary migration tools available. The service itself can subscribe monthly. The costs will be calculated depending on the size and scope of data and applications.