Item: SAP HANA Cloud
Rating: 10
Author: Verified User

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

It is used as a spatial data warehouse and spatial analysis tool.

Pros and Cons

Fast execution of spatial queries
Simplified management of spatial data
Pre-integrated connectivity to other SAP and third party products

Image processing and analysis
Support for more spatial data formats in ETL processes
More advanced spatial analysis tools

Return on Investment

Consolidation or sometimes elimination of multiple spatial data management tools.
Enabled spatial analysis too impractical to perform on other platforms.
Pre-integration with other SAP and non-SAP tools improves business processes

Oracle and SQL Server, spatial. HANA is not as mature in some areas but since it supports over 80% of the use cases it makes sense to use it as the main spatial platform and use the others as sidecars where needed.

Support Rating

Outstanding online support and communities.

Key Insights

Do you think SAP HANA Cloud delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with SAP HANA Cloud's feature set?

Yes

Did SAP HANA Cloud live up to sales and marketing promises?

Yes

Did implementation of SAP HANA Cloud go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy SAP HANA Cloud again?

Yes

Other Software Used

QGIS

Likelihood to Recommend

Best suited for enterprise-scale spatial data management and analysis, where multiple spatial systems or databases exist in silos.
Too expensive for project level analysis and lacks advanced spatial analysis tools as well as support for more spatial data formats for ingestion.

Users and Roles

1 - Consulting across multiple business functions and industries

Support Headcount Required

1 - Some level of database knowledge for cloud, much more varied IT skills for on prem. Some level of SQL in both cases.

Business Processes Supported

Consolidation of spatial data
Fast execution of spatial queries
Integration with other SAP products.

Innovative Uses

Running large spatial analysis tasks not practical on other platforms

Future Planned Uses

Use for image analysis when fully supported

Likelihood to Renew

It is the best product for an SAP environment and often for non-SAP shops as well

Products Replaced

Key Differentiators

Product Features
Prior Experience with the Product

Been involved in HANA (spatial features) since its beginning.

Evaluation Lessons Learned

I would start with the assumption that HANA is the standard and put the burden of proof on other platforms.

Implementation Rating

Professional GIS people are some of the most risk-averse there are, and it's difficult to get them to move to HANA in one step. Start with small projects building to 80% use of HANA spatial over time.

Implementation Details / Implementation Partner

Implemented in-house

Implementation Phases

Change Management Lessons

Change management was a minor issue with the implementation - People are not comfortable with changing from something they know and poses no risk to something that is unfamiliar with risk. They must be converted by clearly demonstrating how their job will be easier and expanded.

Implementation Issues

Data quality issues discovered during migration
Re-building interfaces to legacy apps

Usability Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Like to use Relatively simple Easy to use Technical support not required Well integrated Consistent Quick to learn Convenient Feel confident using Familiar	None

Easy Tasks

Formulating and running queries
Managing spatial data
Integration with other SAP and non-SAP products (Esri)

Difficult Tasks

Getting spatial data into it
Geocoding

Usability

Well documented and good online training. Not a hard lift for someone with a basic knowledge of databases and SQL.

Mobile Interface Availability and Impressions

Yes, but I don't use it

HANA Spatial is Special!

Software Version

Overall Satisfaction with SAP HANA