Assess HANA and SQL from workload and support requirements
SAP Business One can run on SAP HANA or Microsoft SQL Server. MTC compares required capabilities, add-on compatibility, workload, infrastructure, support ownership, migration effort and the organisation’s future system path.
What determines the database choice
MTC reviews the business requirements, compatibility, workload, infrastructure, cost basis and post-go-live ownership for each platform.
Application and add-on compatibility
MTC validates the SAP Business One release, localisation, add-ons, integrations, reports and migration tools against the exact database and platform versions.
Transaction and reporting workload
Use current database size, growth, peak transaction volumes, MRP runs, close activity and critical report runtimes, with named analytical use cases and acceptance targets.
Infrastructure and operations
Assess operating-system skills, database administration, monitoring, backup, recovery, high availability and support ownership. The chosen platform must be operable after go-live.
Change path and five-year cost
Compare five-year cost categories across licences, infrastructure or hosting, database operations, add-on remediation, migration, testing and future upgrades.
HANA and SQL compared
The comparison covers the proposed Business One feature package, SAP’s current platform matrix and workloads from the customer environment.
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| Decision area | SAP HANA | Microsoft SQL Server |
|---|---|---|
| Database platform | SAP HANA in-memory database on a supported SAP platform configuration. | Microsoft SQL Server on a supported Microsoft platform configuration. |
| Business scope | Supports the core Business One processes and HANA-specific analytical capabilities. | Supports the core Business One processes; some analytical capabilities and technical options differ. |
| Embedded analytics | Pervasive Analytics and HANA-based calculation and forecast options are available. MTC confirms the required configuration and prerequisites during solution design. | Standard reporting and supported integration options remain available; MTC can add a dedicated BI architecture where deeper analytics are required. |
| Technical ecosystem | MTC can include HANA and Linux operations, monitoring, backup and recovery in the support model. | May fit an established Microsoft database and Windows environment. MTC confirms the supported-version matrix during solution design. |
| Existing landscape | Often considered where HANA-specific analytics are in scope or the organisation already operates HANA capabilities. | May reduce change where supported add-ons, reports and operating procedures already depend on Microsoft SQL Server. |
| Decision basis | Workload tests, feature prerequisites, platform design, recovery plan and five-year operating cost. | Compatibility evidence, report performance, support model, platform lifecycle and five-year operating cost. |
SAP reference documentation: SAP Business One, version for SAP HANA documentation and SAP's current platform support matrices. Platform support changes over time, so MTC rechecks the proposed release during solution design.
Planning a HANA migration
The business case identifies the user, reporting, operating and support improvements that justify the database transition.
- Inventory the current Business One release, database size, company databases, add-ons, interfaces and custom reports.
- Confirm which functions are required and whether they use standard SAP capability, an MTC-delivered extension, another application or custom code.
- Run compatibility and performance tests with representative data rather than relying on a demonstration database.
- Rehearse migration, reconciliation, user acceptance, cut-over and recovery; retain signed evidence for each gate.
- Assign post-go-live ownership for database operations, monitoring, backups, incident handling and future upgrades.
Group standards and Singapore requirements
For a Singapore subsidiary or regional headquarters, local Business One design may need to follow group integration and security standards without copying a headquarters platform that serves a different scope.
Technical and operating requirements
Combine group database standards, identity and security rules with the Singapore transaction profile, reporting, recovery and support requirements.
Recommendation and migration scope
Record the assumptions, compatibility results, platform design, migration scope, risks and five-year cost categories.
HANA and SQL selection FAQ
How do SAP Business One on HANA and SQL differ?
Both cover the main Business One process areas. HANA adds HANA-specific analytics and calculation capabilities, while SQL uses the Microsoft database operating model. MTC validates the required features, prerequisites, add-ons and platform versions for the proposed release.
When is HANA the stronger choice for a new implementation?
HANA is a strong choice when named analytical requirements, workloads or the platform strategy use its capabilities. SQL can fit an established Microsoft environment. MTC supports the recommendation with requirements, compatibility results, workload tests and five-year cost categories.
Can an existing SQL deployment move to HANA?
A migration can be assessed, but it is a planned project rather than a database switch. Data, add-ons, interfaces, reports, platform prerequisites, testing, cut-over and recovery all need to be included in the migration scope.
How does HANA fit with BI and data governance?
HANA provides the analytical platform, while MTC designs KPI ownership, master data, report logic and access control around the business decisions. Where the group needs a wider data model, the target architecture can also include an integrated analytics platform.
What should a Singapore entity align with headquarters?
MTC brings group database standards, integration methods, security requirements, report ownership and the headquarters support model together with Singapore workload, compatibility and operating requirements.
Request a HANA and SQL assessment
Share the current Business One release, database size, add-on and interface list, critical reports, backup requirements and support model. MTC will identify the checks required before a recommendation or quotation.
Request a database assessment