Database Reference
In-Depth Information
installation is no longer required. SAP is supporting existing systems with dual-stack install-
ations, and will offer an upgrade path to move to separated stack architecture. SAP technical
architects and enterprise architects should be aware of this new development and formulate
the technical blueprint and capacity planning accordingly.
SAP Basis Administrator vs. SAP NetWeaver Administrator
“What's in a name? That which we call a SAP Basis administrator by any other name would
be as challenging.”
Since its inception SAP has considered the role “Basis administrator” to be the resource
responsible for performing all system administration activities for an organization that is
either implementing a new SAP solution or building a production support organization.
With the release of the SAP NetWeaver technology platform a few years back, SAP has
tried to brand the role as “SAP NetWeaver administrator.” Despite SAP's best intentions,
however, the name “SAP Basis administrator” seems to have stuck in terms of usage by the
SAP world. The evidence is in the frequent usage of the term in all major job boards, usage
by the project team and PMO (Project Management Office), and usage by corporate HR de-
partments.
For discussion purposes, in this topic we use the terms “SAP Basis administrator” and
“SAP Basis administration” to include all system administration activities of a NetWeaver
technology platform, including the newly released SAP Business Suite 7.
Summary
• SAP system administration and technical architecture work are challenging and yet
provide a rewarding career for an IT professional.
• Business Suite 7 is the most current release of SAP.
• Business Suite 7 includes SAP ERP 6 with Enhancement Package 4, CRM 7.0, SCM
7.0, SRM 7.0, and PLM 7.0.
• The key benefits of Business Suite 7 are improved functionality, no major upgrades re-
quired, incremental innovation is delivered with the Enhancement Package concept,
and 7-2 maintenance strategy.
• SAP NetWeaver usage types include AS ABAP, AS Java, BI, PI, EP, EP Core, DI, and
MI.
• SAP ABAP and Java administration skills are needed to perform the job of a Basis ad-
ministrator of the NetWeaver technology stack and business suite applications.
