Enterprise resource planning software (ERP) is not like most other software solutions. Instead of handling one specific area of operations, say financial management or marketing automation, an ERP solution encompasses all parts of a business. ERP is an end-to-end platform that integrates and coordinates all parts of an organization. As a result, businesses can extend the software with custom code and integrate an ERP with just about any third-party system.

Until recently, this customization and integration was the painful part of implementation and maintenance. Extending a stock ERP solution with custom code development took time and required ongoing maintenance as the core ERP solution changed through updates. But with low-code/no-code ERP development platforms such as SAP’s Business Technology Platform (BTP) , businesses that run on a modern ERP solution no longer have such headaches.

Let’s take a quick look at the BTP and how low-code/no-code ERP development platforms can dramatically improve ERP customization and module development.

A Clean Core Enables Low-code/no-code ERP Development

The foundation for low-code/no-code ERP development is a separation between the core ERP software and the various business functions that sit on top of it. Instead of a business modifying the underlying ERP software, custom code sits on top of it and interacts with an ERP’s clean core through application programmer interfaces (APIs). This is akin to the model long used by Linux, where applications are added on top of a small Linux kernel that drives the core operating system.

The advantage of this clean core approach is that businesses can modify or extend an ERP solution without having to ensure that customization continues to function between ERP software releases. Further, this clean core methodology makes it a lot easier to extend an ERP solution because the system is built around add-ons. Just about every part of a clean core ERP solution such as SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition is itself one of these add-on modules.

With low-code/no-code ERP development platforms such as the BTP, businesses can then easily develop and extend their ERP solution.

Develop the Easy Way with the Business Technology Platform

The BTP is both a low-code/no-code ERP development platform and an online marketplace where businesses can skip custom code entirely by extending their SAP ERP solution through add-on applications that have been developed by SAP or third-party support partners such as Navigator Business Solutions.

There are three low-code/no-code ways that the BTP can help a business customize its ERP solution.

1. Pre-Defined Integrations

Almost every business will want its ERP connected with at least a few other systems, whether this is a third-party cloud software solution, online marketplace, or supplier network.

Most common integrations , including Shopify, Amazon, UPS, and EDI, come ready-made on the BTP platform for turnkey third-party connectivity. A business using SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition can take advantage of these pre-built integrations without having to code at all.

2. Turnkey Add-on Modules

Backend business processes are not usually what makes a business unique, which is why there are standardized, best practices for financial management, fulfillment, and other common areas such as warehousing and factory operations.

Because most backend process needs are common for a line of business, organizations don’t need to reinvent the wheel with custom code. The BTP and other Low-code/no-code ERP development platforms come with pre-built add-on modules that a business can roll out instead.

The use of add-on modules instead of custom code has the dual advantages of turnkey functionality and a community of businesses and developers that use and support the add-on module.

3. Low-code/no-code ERP Development Environment

When a business truly does need something custom, the SAP Build development platform within the BTP makes it easy to create and integrate custom code.

SAP Build is a drag-and-drop, low-code/no-code ERP development platform that enables a business to quickly roll out custom functionality and integrations beyond the pre-build options available on the BTP platform.

Creating custom code within SAP Build is so easy, that even computer-savvy non-programmers can extend the ERP solution with help from the development platform.

The Future is Low-Code

Extending ERP no longer is hard or requires much coding. With low-code/no-code ERP development platforms such as the SAP Business Technology Platform, businesses can spend less time tailoring their backend ERP solution and more time focused on actual business growth.

For more on the SAP Business Technology Platform and why it makes customization and ERP rollout much easier, watch our short video on the topic that explains all that the BTP has to offer.

You also can get your specific ERP questions answered and learn more about ERP customization by calling one of our experienced consultants at (801) 642-0123 or by writing us at info@nbs-us.com .