SAP Cloud Platform Integration (CPI) is a key component of SAP’s Integration Suite, enabling seamless integration between cloud and on-premise applications. As enterprises increasingly adopt hybrid landscapes, understanding the deployment options for CPI becomes crucial for architects, developers, and SAP consultants. Two primary deployment environments are offered within the SAP Cloud Platform ecosystem: Neo and Cloud Foundry.
This article explores the differences between these deployment options, their architecture, benefits, and considerations, helping professionals make informed decisions for their SAP integration projects.
SAP CPI is an integration Platform-as-a-Service (iPaaS) designed to connect SAP and non-SAP systems via pre-packaged content and tools. It supports various integration patterns such as application-to-application (A2A), business-to-business (B2B), and API-based integrations.
SAP Cloud Platform provides multiple runtime environments to host applications and services:
| Aspect | Neo Environment | Cloud Foundry Environment |
|---|---|---|
| Launch Date | Introduced early with SAP Cloud Platform | Introduced later, now SAP’s strategic environment |
| Underlying Tech | Proprietary SAP runtime | Open-source Cloud Foundry platform |
| Service Model | SaaS, tightly controlled environment | SaaS with more flexibility and extensibility |
| Integration Runtime | Predefined CPI tenant managed by SAP | Managed via Cloud Foundry with more tenant control |
| Development Tools | Web UI in SAP CPI tenant console | Web UI plus Cloud Foundry CLI and APIs |
| Scaling & Flexibility | Limited scaling, less flexible | Auto-scaling, supports microservices & containers |
| Custom Code Deployment | Limited to CPI iFlows and standard extensions | Supports CPI iFlows plus Cloud Foundry apps & custom extensions |
| Service Availability | SAP manages all infrastructure | Shared responsibility model, some customer control |
| Connectivity | Supports standard SAP adapters | Supports SAP adapters + additional Cloud Foundry services |
| Lifecycle & Updates | Central SAP updates, less frequent | Continuous updates, faster innovation cycle |
Neo has been the original SAP Cloud Platform runtime offering CPI as a fully managed service. It suits customers who want a ready-to-use integration platform with minimal management overhead.
Key Characteristics:
Use Case Examples:
Cloud Foundry offers a more modern, open, and flexible runtime environment for CPI and other services within SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP).
Key Characteristics:
Use Case Examples:
| Factor | Neo | Cloud Foundry |
|---|---|---|
| Existing Investments | Easier if already on Neo | Consider migration if starting fresh |
| Need for Custom Extensions | Limited to CPI capabilities | Supports broader custom development |
| Scale and Performance | Fixed, managed by SAP | Dynamic, scalable |
| Cloud Strategy | SAP-centric | Multi-cloud and open-source friendly |
| Future Roadmap | SAP encourages migration to CF | Strategic direction for SAP BTP |
SAP actively encourages customers to migrate CPI workloads from Neo to Cloud Foundry. Migration offers access to the latest features, better scalability, and alignment with SAP’s cloud strategy. Tools and documentation are available from SAP to facilitate this transition smoothly.
Choosing between Neo and Cloud Foundry deployment options for SAP CPI depends on your organization's current landscape, integration complexity, and future cloud strategy. While Neo offers simplicity and SAP-managed convenience, Cloud Foundry provides enhanced flexibility, scalability, and innovation potential.
As SAP moves towards a unified cloud-native strategy, understanding and adopting Cloud Foundry-based CPI will be key to leveraging the full power of the SAP Business Technology Platform.