Digital Conqueror - Logo
Search
Close this search box.

Pros and Cons of SAP HANA

Every database carries its own set of strengths and potential downfalls. Despite its revolutionizing real-time analysis and decision-making capabilities, SAP HANA is not exempt from a pros-cons deliberation. So before you commit to an in-memory database, make sure you gather all the necessary information to make a sound decision.

Although it is famous for its extraordinary features, it contains its fair share of shortcomings. However, if implemented correctly, it can be a precious tool for your company that will streamline day-to-day operations and help your team make more informed decisions, capitalize on new entrepreneurial opportunities, and completely transform your organization.

Before purchase, here are the pros and cons you’ll need to understand before settling on a final decision.

Advantages of SAP HANA

SAP Learning Hub- User Edition LaunchedThe fact that database market leaders such as IBM, Microsoft, Teradata, and Oracle are SAP’s in-memory concept should give consumers a sense of confidence and attest to SAP HANA’s superior capabilities. Click here to find out more about this data solution.

Real-time analytics

SAP HANA allows companies to make sound decisions based on real-time information as transactions, data processing, and analysis is completed within the shortest time window possible, without interfering with everyday business processes. Companies that use SAP HANA don’t have to depend on hard drives, as the RAM stores all essential data.

When businesses merge these drastically-increased speeds with HANA’s built-in business intelligence functionalities, they can execute real-time processes. SAP HANA can react swiftly to your company’s daily obstacles and take the necessary actions to overcome challenges or profit from presented opportunities.

Supports rows and column tables

SAP HANA optimizes the tables organized into columns for high-performing read processes while also offering state-of-the-art write operations performances and superior data compression. When you invest in SAP HANA, you’ll save precious memory and facilitate speedy calculations and searches. Note that you’ll only find SAP HANA features like partitioning in column tables.

Column tables are ideal for huge tables with massive updates. Row tables, on the other hand, work best for small tables with regular single updates. However, row tables have better insert and update performance. In contrast, column tables have higher data compression rates, eliminating the need for additional indexes and materialized aggregates, which simplifies parallelization and offers higher column operations performance. With the support of column tables, users can benefit from the proper utilization of the CPU caches.

Allows parallel operations

Unlike in traditional databases, SAP HANA runs several operations simultaneously, which increases the operation manifold’s speed. You can perform data aggregation and integration from multiple data sources and applications, without interrupting any ongoing company operations. Additionally, you can use a lasting data repository to store business insights and recover them from the same location in the event of a system breakdown.

Scalability

Every business aims to grow and expand its operations, which require proper preparation. Migrating to SAP HANA will facilitate growth because, as your company expands, you can comfortably raise the size of your SAP HANA solutions accordingly. The largest certified SAP HANA configuration reaches 168TB RAM, so you’ll have enough room to accommodate the growth of your business’ SAP warehouse.

The dynamic tiering offers a cost-effective method for comprehensive data management. Frequently-used data stays in memory while the rest automatically relocates to the disk when you’re running low on space. Combining this feature with HANA’s superior compression capabilities can help you achieve three to five times the footprint cutbacks.

Versatility and flexibility

HANA’s compatibility with other hardware, software, and databases is one of its most significant benefits.  Experts in the industry categorize SAP HANA as one of the most resourceful data solutions, as it allows your team to perform broad analytic capabilities without abandoning their trusted interfaces.

The downsides of SAP HANA

As mentioned earlier, every database has its drawbacks. Due to the frequent SPS updates and releases of refined SAP HANA’s versions, the older versions become outdated quickly. With a constant rush of innovation, this presents challenges to clients as they have to invest a substantial amount of time and money updating to the latest version.

Organizations that use hybrid HANA solutions and run the solutions partly in-premise and partly in-cloud often experience low functioning. Unfortunately, this database is only compatible with SUSE Linux or SAP-certified hardware, which can present problems for users who will operate it with other hardware due to the high licensing costs.

Final thoughts

Developers who continue to resort back to outdated ways of handling database technologies fail to realize HANA’s full potential. Many of these companies only utilize SAP HANA  for its fast in-memory database and often miss out on the other vast functionalities and features. The inter-module functions, for example, are one of many reasons you should invest in SAP HANA.

SAP HANA helps businesses in a variety of sizes and industries to function more efficiently. Companies benefit from HANA’s business intelligence, resource planning related services, and applications.

 

Share:

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
LinkedIn