Part I

Getting Started

By now, the concept and value proposition of ERP products is ubiquitous. The value proposition of cloud-based software is also widely accepted. Bringing these two concepts together and adding preconfiguration with SAP Best Practices introduces a new dimension that dramatically changes the ERP landscape. This new combination, when implemented with the newly released SAP Activate methodology, completely changes how ERP applications are implemented and maintained. The first part of this book provides an overview of what SAP S/4HANA Cloud is and who it’s for (no single solution will fit the needs of every company). In addition, it will address how SAP S/4HANA Cloud is implemented, what it costs, and how much effort is required to maintain it as an ongoing business application. These are the types of questions that need to be answered prior to digging deeper into the application’s capabilities.