Is Your SAP Operations Team Stretched Thin? Automation Can Help.
For those running SAP systems, a single operational error can lead to significant disruption to production.
Yet, even as complexity increases, especially with hybrid landscapes combining on-premises and Cloud deployments, many repetitive SAP operational tasks are still being performed manually.
And now, with many SAP customers transitioning from ECC to SAP Cloud ERP, control over operational tasks is significantly reduced. Especially SAP basis and security-related tasks.
But what to do…
SAP Operations Automation
SAP operations teams handle a wide range of recurring and high-stakes tasks—from system refreshes, transport approvals, and job scheduling to patching, user provisioning, and monitoring.
Historically, many of these have been performed manually, using in-house developed scripts, spreadsheets, or checklists.
Automating these routine tasks changes the game entirely. The benefits are numerous, including…
- Improved consistency and reliability
- Reduced reliance on SAP experts
- Reduced risk and hardened security
- Accelerated project and change delivery
- Better audit and compliance readiness.
Through automation, SAP teams can minimise unplanned downtime and prevent compliance gaps resulting from missed steps or undocumented changes.
1. Consistency and Reliability
Automation ensures that SAP tasks are executed consistently, every time. Whether it's refreshing QA systems, deploying transports, or masking non-production data, system stability is improved.
- Human error is avoided
- Missteps are eliminated
- Execution is faster
- Stability is improved
- Costs are lower
Systems are more stable, and rework is minimised.
2. Freed Up SAP Experts for Higher-Value Work
SAP Basis and security teams are among the most overburdened in the SAP enterprise. Automating repetitive operational tasks frees these experts to focus on higher-value activities like…:
- Strategic system improvements
- Managing risk
- Database management
- Security and compliance hardening
This shift from reactive firefighting to proactive forward-planning increases both team productivity and morale.
3. Reduced Risk and Strengthened Security
Automation enables secure-by-default configurations and ensures other security settings are in place. For example, automating user role assignments, patch analysis, or masking PII data in test systems eliminates the guesswork and inconsistency that often leads to vulnerabilities.
It also helps ensure that security policies and SAP baseline configurations are enforced reliably across all environments, every time.
4. Accelerated Project and Change Delivery
Whether deploying new functionality or refreshing test systems, automation shortens lead time. Test environments can be built or refreshed in hours, not days.
Transport approvals can be automated and auto-routed based on policy. Users can be provisioned quickly and securely.
This faster turnaround directly benefits SAP project teams and business users waiting on the IT team.
5. Audit and Compliance Readiness
With automation, every task is logged, time-stamped, and repeatable. A precise audit trail results.
Whether your organisation must meet internal audit standards, GDPR, or industry regulations, automation helps demonstrate compliance and reduces the stress of “audit season.”
Where to Start?
The opportunities for automating SAP operations are vast, and numerous third-party add-on tools are available. Common automation candidates in SAP operations include:
- System refreshes
- Change and transport management - approvals and workflows
- Security patching and vulnerability scanning
- Data masking for non-production environments
- User lifecycle and access management
- Monitoring and alerts integration
Final Thoughts
In the face of reducing budgets, skill shortages, overstretched operational teams, and rising cyber risk, automation isn’t just a “nice to have” for SAP operations; it’s becoming essential.
By embracing automation, SAP teams can accomplish more with less, mitigate operational risk, and transition from reactive support to proactive innovation.
Whether you run ECC or S/4HANA, whether on-premises or in SAP’s cloud, automating your SAP operational tasks is one of the most impactful moves you can make in 2025.
About Leg Up Software
Leg Up Software is an expert in SAP IT operational and infrastructure software automation solutions.
We know the SAP operations and infrastructure automation solutions landscape and have already done the legwork to identify the best available solutions.
We have excellent relationships with Libelle and can negotiate an evaluation process that best suits your circumstances and budget.
Why not schedule a time to start the conversation by adding it to our calendar?
