SAP CPI (Cloud Platform Integration) in the SAP Ecosystem
In today’s complex enterprise landscapes, integrating diverse applications, data sources, and business processes seamlessly is critical. SAP Integration Suite, formerly known as SAP Cloud Platform Integration (CPI), is SAP’s strategic integration platform-as-a-service (iPaaS) designed to connect on-premise and cloud-based applications effortlessly. This article provides an overview of SAP Integration Suite, focusing on its capabilities, architecture, and role within modern SAP integration strategies.
SAP Integration Suite is a comprehensive cloud-based integration platform that enables organizations to connect applications, data, and business processes across heterogeneous IT landscapes. It supports a wide variety of integration scenarios, including:
- Application-to-application (A2A)
- Business-to-business (B2B)
- Data and process integration
- API management and event-driven architectures
SAP Integration Suite is designed to facilitate smooth interoperability between SAP and non-SAP systems, whether they reside in the cloud, on-premise, or hybrid environments.
SAP Integration Suite consists of multiple tightly integrated capabilities:
- The core integration engine that supports message-based, process-oriented integration.
- Provides pre-packaged integration content and adapters for popular SAP and third-party systems.
- Allows creation of integration flows (iFlows) using an intuitive web-based design tool.
- Enables creation, publication, and governance of APIs.
- Supports API security, traffic control, and analytics.
- Facilitates exposing backend services securely to internal and external consumers.
- Provides pre-built connectors to 160+ non-SAP cloud applications such as Salesforce, Workday, and ServiceNow.
- Simplifies integration with SaaS applications through uniform APIs.
- Supports event-driven integration using asynchronous messaging.
- Enables real-time event processing and decoupled system communication.
- A machine learning-powered tool to accelerate B2B integration.
- Automatically suggests integration mappings and standards compliance.
¶ Architecture and Deployment
SAP Integration Suite runs on SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP), leveraging cloud-native technologies like Kubernetes and containers. Its architecture supports:
- Hybrid Integration: Seamless connectivity between cloud and on-premise systems via secure tunnels.
- Scalability: Elastic resource management adapts to workload demands.
- Security: Built-in encryption, identity management, and compliance certifications.
The integration content can be deployed and monitored via the SAP BTP cockpit, and runtime environments support multi-tenancy and landscape management.
- Accelerated Integration: Access to extensive pre-packaged integration flows and adapters reduces implementation time.
- Flexibility: Supports diverse integration patterns—synchronous, asynchronous, batch, and real-time.
- Reduced Complexity: Simplifies complex enterprise landscapes with a unified integration platform.
- API-Driven: Embraces modern API-based architectures for agility and scalability.
- Cloud-Native: Benefits from continuous updates, high availability, and lower total cost of ownership.
- Integrating SAP S/4HANA with legacy ERP systems.
- Connecting SAP SuccessFactors with third-party payroll systems.
- Orchestrating end-to-end business processes spanning multiple cloud services.
- Exposing backend SAP data via APIs for mobile or partner applications.
- Enabling B2B EDI scenarios using Integration Advisor.
- Provision SAP Integration Suite on SAP BTP via the SAP BTP Cockpit.
- Explore pre-delivered integration content in the SAP API Business Hub.
- Develop custom integration flows using the web-based integration designer.
- Configure API management and security policies.
- Monitor and troubleshoot integrations with built-in analytics and logging tools.
SAP Integration Suite represents a powerful, flexible, and scalable integration platform that enables enterprises to connect applications, data, and processes across diverse environments. With its rich set of capabilities—from cloud integration and API management to event mesh and intelligent automation—it supports the digital transformation journeys of organizations worldwide.
For SAP CPI specialists and integration architects, mastering SAP Integration Suite is key to delivering robust, future-proof integration solutions that drive business agility and innovation.