Is the SAP BASIS role dead after RISE with SAP ??

Summary

This video explores how 'Rise with SAP' has transformed the role of SAP Basis Administrators by shifting technical tasks like server provisioning, OS installation, and SAP system upgrades to SAP itself. It discusses the new responsibilities and challenges faced by Basis Administrators in managing SAP applications and infrastructure under this subscription-based service.

Takeaways

• 🚀 Rise with SAP is a subscription-based service by SAP that includes infrastructure, hosting, and technical administration of SAP applications.
• 🔧 The traditional role of an SAP Basis Administrator has been redefined with the advent of Rise with SAP, focusing more on the application layer and less on infrastructure and operating systems.
• 💼 Tasks such as server provisioning, operating system installation, and SAP system installation are now managed by SAP under the Rise with SAP subscription.
• 📊 The scope of the SAP Basis Administrator has shifted to primarily SAP application runtime technical configuration and administration, with SAP taking over the technical layers.
• 🚫 Basis Administrators under Rise with SAP do not have access to the operating system or networking layers, and must rely on SAP's application capabilities for such information.
• 🔒 Backup and DR setups are also out of scope for the Basis Administrator under Rise with SAP, with SAP handling these aspects unless specific customer requests are made.
• 📋 The roles and responsibilities document by SAP outlines what tasks are performed by SAP and when the customer is responsible, which is crucial for Basis Administrators to understand.
• 🛠️ Patching and upgrades of the SAP application layer are executed by SAP, with planning and coordination required from the Basis Administrator to ensure minimal effort and no missed components.
• 🔄 Performance issues need to be identified by SAP to determine if they are within their support scope, with the Basis Administrator responsible for troubleshooting within the application layer.
• 🔄 SAP security notes are analyzed and advised on by SAP, with automatic implementation possible for certain notes, while others require manual implementation by the Basis Administrator.
• 🏗️ New system installations and landscape designs under Rise with SAP require customer input for infrastructure sizing, indicating a continued need for technical knowledge even in a more application-focused role.

Q & A

What is 'Rise with SAP' and how does it change the traditional role of an SAP Basis Administrator?

Rise with SAP is a solution by SAP that includes infrastructure, hosting, and technical administration of SAP applications under a single subscription-based contract. It has changed the traditional role of an SAP Basis Administrator by taking over tasks such as server provisioning, operating system installation, and SAP system installation, leaving the administrator to focus on application runtime technical configuration and administration.

What are the typical tasks handled by an SAP Basis Administrator before the introduction of Rise with SAP?

Before Rise with SAP, an SAP Basis Administrator was responsible for tasks across infrastructure, technical, and application layers. This included server provisioning, operating system installation and configuration, patching, SAP system installation, technical configuration, and administration of the SAP application runtime.

How does the role of an SAP Basis Administrator differ under a Rise with SAP subscription?

Under a Rise with SAP subscription, SAP takes over the tasks of server provisioning, operating system installation, configuration, patching, and upgrade, as well as SAP system installation and technical configuration. The Basis Administrator's role is now focused on the SAP application basis scope, which includes application runtime technical configuration and administration above the technical layer.

What happens if an SAP Basis Administrator needs access to the operating system level under a Rise with SAP subscription?

An SAP Basis Administrator does not get access to the operating system level under a Rise with SAP subscription. They must rely on the SAP application's capability to provide limited information about the operating system. Any specific OS level task execution must be requested to be executed by SAP.

How does an SAP Basis Administrator handle networking setup under a Rise with SAP subscription?

The Basis Administrator does not have access to server networking details such as VLANs, diagrams, or VPNs. They must rely on the SAP application to provide limited information about the networking layer, which is out of scope for the SAP application basis.

What is the process for an SAP Basis Administrator to access backup and DR setup under a Rise with SAP subscription?

The Basis Administrator does not have access to server backups or database backups. They must rely on the SAP application's capability to provide limited information about the backup/DR infrastructure. If necessary, they can request this information from SAP.

How can an SAP Basis Administrator raise a service request with SAP under the Rise with SAP model?

Service requests are raised from within the SAP Support Portal Launchpad. If the portal is not available and the request is urgent, the Basis Administrator may need to call SAP. The process starts with creating a service request, and the Basis Administrator is responsible for ensuring SAP has all the required information for minimal effort during the service.

What is the difference between having access and having accountability and responsibility in the context of Rise with SAP?

Even though the Basis Administrator may no longer perform certain actions at certain levels, their accountability and responsibility in those areas remain. For example, they are still accountable for requesting ad hoc backups or system refreshes, even though SAP is responsible for actioning the request.

How does the patching process of the SAP application layer happen under Rise with SAP?

The SAP application, such as SAP S/4HANA, will be upgraded and patched by SAP. The Basis Administrator is responsible for planning the patching, ensuring a consistent stack of SAP and non-SAP components, and managing requests to ensure minimal effort during the patching process.

What is the role of a Partner Cloud Architect in the context of Rise with SAP?

A Partner Cloud Architect is typically employed by the SAP partner performing the Rise with SAP migration or implementation. This role, which may not exist with the same title at the customer level, is a technical basis role with architecture and infrastructure knowledge, possibly with less emphasis on the technical application layer.

How does the future of the SAP Basis Administrator role look with the advent of Rise with SAP and AI?

The traditional SAP Basis Administrator role will evolve with a focus on application administration and cloud-based tasks. While the role will not involve operating system administration or SAP application software installs and upgrades, there will still be a need for technical people to help deliver the Rise service, potentially leading to a role like the Cloud Mega Basis or Partner Cloud Architect.