SAP Cloud Platform Integration (SAP CPI) is a cloud based Integration Service offered by SAP Cloud Platform.
SAP Hana Cloud Integration was renamed to SAP Cloud Platform Integration CPI in 2017 as part of SAP’s cloud re branding.
Main Purpose of SAP CPI is to integrate cloud and on premise systems and simplify integration landscape across the cloud applications.
What is Cloud Computing?
Cloud computing means accessing IT resource as a Service.
You can get the IT resources like Infrastructure, Server and Software as a Service which means you just has to use the resource and pay for it.
This is exactly like our power bill. We use the power and pay the bill.
Similarly, there are vendors who provide the services to consume:
- Windows, Linux or Mac Machine.
- Internet, Firewall or Proxy.
- Customized Hardware Spec Machine.
- System with Software Installed.
- Ready to use Software Applications.
All the above services are accessed via the Internet so it is called as Cloud Computing.
Major benefit of Cloud Computing that you can access your data and application from anywhere.
With Cloud Computing, We do not need to maintain any hardware or man power for Maintenance.
We just have to use the IT resources and Pay for the usage.
Types of Cloud Service Models
Cloud Service models means giving access to IT services in three ways:
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
- Platform as a Service (PaaS)
- Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
Software as a Service
With Software as a Service (SaaS), you can access software from anywhere.
Vendors will install, maintain, upgrade or patch up the software when ever required.
You just have to pay the monthly fees to access the Software.
There will be limitation based on Software usage which can help Small to Big Organisation to use the same Software.
One good thing about SaaS that everyone get to use the high quality same software at different price levels.
Platform as a Service
With Platform as a Service (PaaS), you get access to platform where you or company developers can build and deploy your own applications.
Some of the examples of Platform could be:
- SAP Cloud Platform.
- AWS Cloud Platform.
- Google Cloud Platform.
Vendors will provide access to applications like Cloud Editors, Web Based Applications or Web Server.
You can build your own code and deploy on these platforms.
However, you won’t get access to infrastructure but platform will help you to build and deploy your enterprise applications.
Vendors will manage the Infrastructure and Servers and you have to maintain your own Custom Applications.
Infrastructure as a Service
With Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), you get access to infrastructure like server, network or proxy.
You will be responsible to setup the hardware as you wish on cloud environment.
Vendor will give complete access to Infrastructure.
This way you can move all your company servers, network and applications on the Cloud.
Vendor will help to maintain the Infrastructure for you.
Types of Cloud Deployment Models
Cloud Deployment models means how you to manage the Cloud Platform.
There are three types of Cloud Deployment Model:
- Public
- Private
- Hybrid
Public means you will be using shared resources but your data and applications are secured and available to you.
Private means you will get a private environment on cloud and only you and your company employee can access this environment.
To get access to private cloud sometimes you need VPN access to connect it.
Hybrid means combination of Public and Private Cloud.
Some of your applications are in Private and some in Public.
There will be some kind of connectivity provided by the vendor to access your private application with public.
What is SAP Cloud Platform (CP)?
SAP Cloud Platform is a enterprise Platform as a Service (enterprise PaaS).
SAP is offering 60 plus application services as Platform as a Service in the Cloud.
With this application and services, companies can run their business operations on Cloud.
Enterprise can now leverage SCP to manage it processes and data in cloud.
It offers many application development services and capabilities that you can use to develop and deploy your own applications.
SAP Cloud Platform is SAP’s platform-as-a-service (PaaS) offering that provides a development environment in the cloud which enables customers to develop, deploy, and manage applications.
SCP has the services in cloud:
- Integration Services.
- Business Process Management.
- Analytics Tools.
- IoT Services.
- Java and Web Containers.
- many other services for enterprise needs.
You can read further about SAP Cloud Platform here.
What is SAP CPI?
SAP Cloud Platform Integration is part of the SAP Cloud Platform Service offering and it consists of the following Integration Services.
API Management helps to manage your API and monitor the usage of API and restrict the access of your API.
Connectivity helps to connect your on-premise applications with CPI Interfaces.
OData Provisioning helps to access OData services from Business Suite or SAP Netweaver Gateway.
Process Integration helps to build the integration connections and exchange information via different Connectivity Adapters.
You can connect to in-premise systems and also 3rd party system as well.
SAP API Business Hub helps to find other API and publish your own custom API in the business hub.
You can read further about SAP Cloud Platform Integration here.
Types of Integration Scenarios
There are two types of Integration Scenario that you can build with SAP CPI tool:
- On-Premise to Cloud Integration
- Cloud to Cloud Integration
On-Premise to Cloud Integration:
This type of Integration scenario will connect cloud applications and on premise systems together.
Cloud to Cloud Integration:
This type of Integration scenario will connect cloud to cloud applications together.
Adapters Supported in CPI
CPI supports many useful Adapters including EDI.
Here is the list of Adapter Supported (as of Oct 2019):
- Ariba
- AS2
- AS4
- ELSTER
- HTTPS /HTTP
- IDOC
- JDBC (Receiver)
- JMS
- LDAP
- ODATA
- ODC
- OPENCONNECTORS
- PROCESSDIRECT
- RFC
- SFTP
- SOAP
- SUCCESSFACTOR
- XI
You can read about SAP CPI supported Adapters here.
Prepacked Integration Content
SAP also provide pre developed iflows or scenario that you can embed in your environment and start using.
This will save lots of time when you are new to CPI and want to build Integration Flows.
Scenario like IDOC to EDI, EDI to IDOC are already pre build and you just have to import and use it.
You can access list of all the prepacked Integration Content from here.
Cost and License of CPI
As CPI is Platform as a Service you need to pay what you use it.
You can access the price estimator tool from here.
For, 3 Connections and 10 GB Bandwidth – EUR 950/Month
You can add more services, add more connections and instance to see the pricing.
Get CPI Trail License:
You can now try CPI for FREE for 30 days from Cloud Foundry Environment.
Start your Free Trail from here
