In modern enterprise IT environments, SAP systems coexist with a wide variety of non-SAP applications — ranging from legacy systems and cloud platforms to third-party software solutions. To achieve seamless business processes and holistic IT operations management, it’s essential to integrate these heterogeneous systems effectively. SAP Solution Manager (SolMan) offers advanced integration capabilities that go beyond basic connectivity, enabling end-to-end monitoring, management, and automation across SAP and non-SAP landscapes.
- End-to-End Process Orchestration: Business processes often span multiple systems. Advanced integration ensures full visibility and control over cross-system workflows.
- Unified Monitoring and Alerting: Consolidate alerts and status updates from diverse systems to enable rapid issue detection and response.
- Streamlined Change and Incident Management: Manage changes and incidents across all systems within one platform, ensuring governance and compliance.
- Improved Analytics and Reporting: Combine data from SAP and non-SAP systems for richer insights and better decision-making.
- Support Hybrid and Cloud Landscapes: Seamlessly integrate on-premise SAP systems with cloud-based and external applications.
¶ 1. Extensible Landscape Management Database (LMDB)
The LMDB serves as a central repository for technical and business system information, including non-SAP components. It supports maintaining an accurate and up-to-date model of the entire IT landscape.
¶ 2. Infrastructure and Application Monitoring (IAM)
Solution Manager’s IAM framework supports monitoring a broad range of non-SAP systems:
- Application servers (e.g., Apache Tomcat, WebSphere)
- Databases (Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, DB2)
- Middleware platforms (SAP PI/PO, IBM MQ, Kafka)
- Operating systems (Windows, Linux)
- Cloud services and SaaS solutions via APIs and connectors
¶ 3. Connectors and Integration Adapters
Solution Manager leverages various connectors and adapters for advanced integration:
- SAP Host Agent: Provides OS-level monitoring and control.
- Third-party Monitoring Probes: For databases, middleware, and custom applications.
- REST and SOAP APIs: Enable bi-directional communication with cloud and third-party services.
- Custom-built Integration Scenarios: Using SAP Cloud Platform Integration or other middleware tools to connect with non-SAP systems.
Model and monitor business processes that span SAP and non-SAP applications, with automated alerting on deviations or failures anywhere in the process chain.
ChaRM supports non-SAP system changes by integrating with respective deployment and version control tools, ensuring end-to-end change governance.
- Hybrid Cloud Environments: Monitoring SAP S/4HANA on-premise alongside cloud-based CRM or procurement platforms.
- IoT and Industry 4.0 Scenarios: Integrating SAP backends with IoT devices and analytics platforms for real-time insights.
- Third-Party Vendor Systems: Managing service-level agreements and incident workflows that involve external vendor applications.
- DevOps Automation: Orchestrating continuous integration and deployment pipelines involving SAP and non-SAP components.
- Landscape Analysis and Planning: Map all SAP and non-SAP systems to be integrated and define integration goals.
- System Registration in LMDB: Ensure all non-SAP systems are correctly represented in the Landscape Management Database.
- Deploy Agents and Probes: Install necessary monitoring agents and connectors on non-SAP systems.
- Configure Monitoring and Alerting: Set up infrastructure and business process monitoring with tailored thresholds and notifications.
- Integrate Change and Incident Management: Connect non-SAP system workflows with SAP Solution Manager’s ITSM and ChaRM modules.
- Test End-to-End Processes: Validate integration points with comprehensive testing and process simulations.
- Train Teams and Document Procedures: Ensure all stakeholders understand integrated workflows and monitoring capabilities.
- Adopt a Phased Approach: Start integrating critical non-SAP systems first, then expand gradually.
- Standardize Data and Communication Protocols: Use common formats and APIs for easier maintenance.
- Collaborate Across Teams: Foster cooperation between SAP, middleware, and non-SAP system owners.
- Regularly Update Integration Components: Keep connectors and agents current to leverage new features and security patches.
- Leverage SAP and Partner Expertise: Use SAP Notes, community forums, and certified partners to optimize integration setups.
Advanced integration with non-SAP applications through SAP Solution Manager is vital for achieving comprehensive IT operations management and seamless business process execution in today’s multi-vendor environments. By leveraging Solution Manager’s extensible landscape management, sophisticated monitoring frameworks, and integrated change management, organizations can break down silos, reduce operational risks, and drive greater agility.
This holistic approach enables IT and business teams to operate with a unified view and control, regardless of the underlying technology stack.