The CALM Before the Storm: Why SAP Cloud ALM Isn’t the Whole Story
Exploring SAP Cloud ALM third-party alternatives
SAP Cloud ALM (CALM) is SAP’s native cloud-based solution and the proposed successor to Solution Manager. While it’s been positioned as the future of SAP operations, the reality is more nuanced. Despite being around for some time, it was first showcased at SAPPHIRE 2019, SAP CALM is still some way off being a complete replacement for Solution Manager - and it may never be.
As per Solution Manager, SAP CALM offers a growing suite of tools to help customers implement and run their SAP systems. For simple, cloud-centric landscapes, it might be enough. But for more complex SAP environments - organisations with hybrid infrastructure - it simply doesn’t tell the whole story.
That’s where third-party tools can step in to bridge the gap. Here are several areas where CALM falls short and alternatives step up.
Monitoring
SAP CALM includes foundational monitoring—covering business processes, integrations, performance, job automation, system health, and notifications. However, when the landscape becomes complex, CALM’s native capabilities struggle to deliver the system-wide, end-to-end visibility many SAP teams need.
This is where third-party tools like IT-Conductor Inc. and Avantra come in. They offer real-time, intelligent monitoring across diverse SAP environments, with deeper insights, better automation, and faster setup. For many, this level of observability is non-negotiable - and CALM can’t keep up.
Change management
While SAP CALM supports basic change orchestration - such as transport handling and deployment tracking—it can’t match the depth of functionality offered by Solution Manager, let alone leading third-party tools.
Solutions like Rev-Trac , Basis Technologies “ActiveControl”, and REALTECH AG “The Guard!” bring powerful DevOps integration, automated risk assessments, and true agile change control. These tools are not only more robust, but easier to use and far more flexible - integrating cleanly with CALM’s transport layer to extend its reach.
Testing
While CALM offers some test case tracking and manual test support, it lacks robust automation and integration with enterprise test management frameworks.
Third-party solutions like Tricentis Tosca, Worksoft , Panaya, and Leapwork provide end-to-end test automation, SAP GUI support, and business process testing at scale.
ITSM
One of the most glaring omissions is ITSM functionality. CALM’s basic incident tracking isn’t a viable replacement for ITIL-aligned service management.
For enterprises needing real ITSM workflows, ServiceNow , BMC Software , Cherwell Software (Now Ivanti), or Freshservice remain essential. These platforms integrate with CALM, and tools like STA Technologies - SAP integration solutions ITSM Connector can even automate incident ticketing from SAP events—something not offered elsewhere.
Security & Compliance
SAP CALM doesn’t offer dedicated functionality for security monitoring or compliance enforcement. This leaves a gap in access risk management, audit readiness, and configuration drift detection.
Third-party platforms such as Onapsis, SecurityBridge, Pathlock , and smarterSec step in with deep-dive capabilities like real-time vulnerability scanning, SoD (segregation of duties) enforcement, and compliance reporting tailored to SAP environments.
The way forward
SAP Cloud ALM is a step in the right direction—but it’s only part of the story. For many SAP customers, especially those with complex landscapes, CALM leaves critical gaps unaddressed. And when the pressure’s on, the brewing storm will manifest.
Whether it’s observability, testing, security, or change control, a mature SAP environment demands more than CALM can deliver alone. Fortunately, the ecosystem of third-party solutions is strong, proven, and already in place.
If you’re relying solely on CALM, you may be in for a surprise. Better to prepare now—before the storm hits.
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 identifying the best available solutions.
We have excellent relationships with many software vendors, including many of those mentioned in this article, and can negotiate an evaluation process that best suits your circumstances and budget.
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