Joel Schäufele
Introduction
In the first two articles of our three-part series on event-driven architecture, we explored the theory behind the concept and examined a real-world example in which an event was triggered from an S/4HANA system and processed via SAP Event Mesh.
While those earlier articles focused heavily on SAP Event Mesh as a solution, this instalment takes a broader view. Here, we compare two SAP alternatives – SAP Advanced Event Mesh and SAP Cloud Application Event Hub – highlighting their key differences. This comparison is intended to help you make informed decisions about technology and architecture that support your company’s journey towards a future-ready IT landscape.
Which SAP solutions support event-driven architecture?
Which SAP solutions support event-driven architecture?
SAP currently offers several services for implementing event-driven architecture: Event Mesh, Advanced Event Mesh, and the Cloud Application Event Hub. Each service has its own specific focus and is not necessarily intended to be used exclusively.
SAP Event Mesh
SAP Event Mesh, formerly known as “Enterprise Messaging”, is SAP’s longest-standing event service. It’s a compact, easy-to-use event broker that enables both SAP and non-SAP applications to connect, as well as publish and consume events.
The main advantages of SAP Event Mesh are its ease of setup and use, relatively low cost, and flexible routing of events between senders and receivers via topics and queues. However, the service – offered as a pure BTP (Business Technology Platform) cloud solution – provides limited monitoring and configuration options. The maximum message size is limited to 1 MB, and the maximum storage capacity is 10 GB. In large-scale event-driven architectures, these limits can be reached quickly, necessitating the use of SAP Advanced Event Mesh.
The service is available both as a standalone solution on SAP BTP and as part of the SAP Integration Suite. From a technical standpoint, the two offerings are identical.
SAP Advanced Event Mesh
SAP Advanced Event Mesh is, in principle, functionally similar to SAP Event Mesh, serving as an event broker for flexible, event-driven architectures. Unlike the more “lightweight” Event Mesh, it requires more effort to set up and configure but offers significantly greater capabilities, including event monitoring components and the ability to resend past events.
Thanks to its flexible deployment options, multiple event brokers can be connected. These don’t necessarily have to run on SAP BTP – they can also be deployed in an on-premise landscape. The maximum message size of 30 MB is significantly higher than that of SAP Event Mesh, and the 6 TB storage capacity offers significantly greater room and flexibility. Additional features include advanced routing and filtering options. Furthermore, the recently introduced “Event Add-On for ERP” – available exclusively for use with Advanced Event Mesh – provides a powerful way to integrate an S/4HANA or SAP ECC system with Advanced Event Mesh.
The service is offered under a separate BTP license and is not included in the SAP Integration Suite.
SAP Cloud Application Event Hub
SAP Cloud Application Event Hub is the newest product covered here and was formerly known as “SAP Event Broker for SAP Cloud Applications”. The idea behind it is that any customer with a BTP license can enable event-based communication between SAP cloud solutions without needing to explicitly set up and configure an event broker. This makes the solution quick and easy to use, though it can quickly reach its limits in more complex scenarios.
The service is included at no additional cost with any BTP license, up to a limit of 75 million transactions.
Choosing the best solution for the scenario
All three solutions have their own strengths and weaknesses and are designed for different purposes. Broadly speaking, their typical usage scenarios can be summarised as follows:
- SAP Cloud Application Event Hub connects SAP cloud solutions and is the go-to choice for SAP customers with a strong cloud focus who want an easy-to-administer option and only have minimal flexibility requirements for their event-driven architecture.
- SAP Event Mesh is suitable for customers with a hybrid system landscape or those looking to implement event-driven integrations beyond SAP cloud solutions. It serves as a solid entry-level option, offering enough flexibility to integrate individual business processes or functions in an event-driven manner.
- SAP Advanced Event Mesh is the most comprehensive and powerful solution, serving as a central component in larger, more complex system landscapes. It’s best suited for scenarios where SAP Event Mesh’s technical limits have been reached or where event-driven architecture forms a core part of the integration strategy, placing high demands on the event broker.
Summary
SAP Cloud Application Event Hub provides a simple entry point into event-driven architectures, but its capabilities are limited, as many SAP customers either run on-premise systems or require integrations with third-party solutions. While such integrations are possible – especially in combination with the Integration Suite – it may still be necessary to also use SAP Event Mesh. In some cases, it may even make sense to run SAP Cloud Application Event Hub in parallel with SAP Event Mesh or Advanced Event Mesh. The right choice depends on the specific system landscape and data flows, and should be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
In general, SAP Event Mesh is a relatively simple and cost-effective option for getting started with event-driven architectures. It provides a solid foundation and serves as a common starting point for our projects. However, once its limits are reached – or if event-driven architecture is the primary focus from the outset – we recommend evaluating the technical and financial suitability of SAP Advanced Event Mesh to determine the best tool for evolving and optimising your company’s IT landscape.
Interested?
Interested in learning more about event-driven architecture in the SAP landscape? Feel free to get in touch – no strings attached.
Whether you’re seeking to build internal expertise through a workshop or need guidance implementing an event-driven strategy, we’re here to support you.
Interested in learning more about event-driven architecture in the SAP landscape?
Whether you’re seeking to build internal expertise through a workshop or need guidance implementing an event-driven strategy, we’re here to support you.
Get in contact today – no strings attached!
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