Why Managed Services for SAP?
Digital transformation
as a competitive factor
Mid-sized companies can only remain competitive in the long term if they consistently drive their digital transformation forward. A modern, high-performance application landscape is essential for this – with ERP systems such as SAP S/4HANA as a central building block.
Growing complexity of IT
landscapes
However, given the increasing complexity of today’s IT infrastructures, many mid-sized companies face the challenge of providing suitable solutions, operating them efficiently, and continuously adapting them to new requirements.
Application Services
as a solution
This is where Application Service Providers come into play: they take over the management of complex and support-intensive IT applications – creating noticeable relief for internal IT teams and delivering clear advantages for the entire organization.
What are Application Managed Services (AMS)?
AMS include the ongoing support, maintenance, and optimization of SAP applications – from traditional ERP systems such as SAP ECC or SAP S/4HANA to cloud solutions like SuccessFactors, Ariba, or SAP BTP.
They support applications throughout their entire lifecycle – from initial conception through introduction and implementation to operations, monitoring, maintenance, regular updates, and strategic enhancement.
These services are typically provided by specialized IT service providers focusing on Application Management Services (AMS) – often with deep expertise in solutions such as SAP S/4HANA.
The difference from traditional SAP support: while traditional support primarily handles end-user requests, Application Services focus on the strategic management and continuous development of the SAP system landscape.
Typical AMS services
- User support (2nd & 3rd level)
- Incident, problem, and change management
- Customizing and adjustments
- Release and patch management
- Monitoring & system operations
- Performance optimization & troubleshooting
- Consulting on enhancements, upgrades & projects
Benefits of AMS
- Relief for internal IT resources
- Access to SAP expertise without the need to maintain in-house specialists
- High availability and stability of SAP systems
- Fast response times in case of disruptions
- Predictable costs through SLAs and service models
- Scalability depending on company size and requirements
What is Managed Service Providers (MSP)?
A Managed Service Provider (MSP) is an external IT service provider that permanently assumes and professionally operates recurring IT services for companies – based on contractually defined Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
In the SAP environment, MSPs take responsibility, for example, for the operation, maintenance, and further development of SAP systems, applications, or infrastructures – On-premise, in the Cloud, or hybrid.
MSPs are the extended workbench of IT. They take over routine tasks, increase efficiency, and enable companies to focus on innovation and their core business. Especially in complex SAP landscapes, managed services provide transparency, stability, and future-proofing.
Typical MSP services
- System operations & infrastructure management
- Monitoring & troubleshooting
- User support (helpdesk, 2nd/3rd level)
- Security management & updates
- Backup, recovery & availability guarantees
- Application management (e.g., SAP AMS)
- Cloud migration and operations
Typical benefits of an MSP
- Predictable, transparent IT costs
- Relief for internal IT teams
- Fast access to expert knowledge
- Higher operational reliability and system availability
- Scalability for growing demands
- Compliance with security and regulatory requirements