In today’s world of business, most organizations are asked to deliver quickly. And, that’s something you cannot do while working or operating manually.
If you want to step-up the level of dynamism in your organization, you have to automate – there’s no other option. But, what if you don’t have the immense amount of resources for it? Is there any way you can do it just by using a single program or application?
Yes, and it’s known as SAP Build Process Automation. We have discussed the tool in this article pretty extensively. But if you still feel confused after going through the blog, make sure to comment below. We will try to help you out in any way we can.
SAP Build Process Automation – An Introduction
SAP Build Process Automation, in essence, is a low-code/no-code solution that enables a citizen developer to automate a process pretty efficiently.
And there’s no need to write a single code for that too.
This makes it a great option for organizations that wish to implement hyper-automation in their system. There’s no need to hire developers this way, as the tool can automate almost everything, as long as you are programming it properly.
But wait, we did mention a new phrase here, right? The low-code/no-code one? Yeah, so let us explain that first, so that you can understand the concept of how SAP BPA works.
What is a Low-Code/No-Code Solution?
The low-code/no-code (LCNC) theory refers to a unique style of visual programming that allows you to develop applications without programming.
This can dramatically reduce the barrier of entry for nearly anyone considering taking up the process of application development.
However, there’s a distinction between the two phrases that makes an LCNC theory –
- On one hand, low-code uses a type of conventional language-based environment, and combines it with a no-code platform. Hence, if you want to use it, you’ll need to have at least a fundamental technical knowledge.
- On the other hand, no-code is much more straightforward and doesn’t follow the conventional rules. Instead, it comes with a programming language-based toolkit, which can be used to create an application. Even a citizen developer can use it.
[Note: A citizen developer is someone who does not have any development experience at all. However, with automation in place, they can help in building applications in any kind of environment or ecosystem. And that’s literally another benefit of using SAP BPA.]
Now, proving the same point, SAP Build Process Automation, too, doesn’t require you to be adept in technical knowledge. With it, you can use a drag-and-drop interface to create automated workflows.
The pre-built connectors available in it can also be used to integrate with SAP and non-SAP systems. This makes it easy to automate even the most complex processes.
The Features of SAP Build Process Automation
SAP BPA, like any other SAP-based application, comes with a boatload of features. Here are a few of them that you need to know about –
- It allows you to adapt or build processes with a highly intuitive graphical interface and makes it easier for you to work.
- You can use it to create a fundamental forms-based workflow by employing the brilliant drag-and-drop facility.
- The automation of repetitive tasks can be done within a second by using RPA. It’s also going to help you in creating intelligent actions efficiently.
The Benefits of SAP Build Process Automation
When used or implemented properly, SAP BPA can become highly beneficial for you. We have talked about a few of them
1: It’s easy to use
Anyone with a basic understanding of business processes can use SAP Build Process Automation to automate their workflows. However before you can get started with it, it’ll be better to take some time and learn about SAP BPA.
This way, you can have an idea about how you should get started and what tools you may need to use. As it’s a unique tool, it’ll be better to have as much knowledge as you can.
2: It’s secure
SAP Build Process Automation uses industry-standard security protocols to protect your data. So there’s no need to worry about anyone getting into your system from the outside.
Also, if you want, you can easily integrate a brand new security system within it. But, we would suggest you not to implement something that you haven’t used before. It’s risky.
3: It’s scalable
SAP BPA can be scaled to meet the needs of even the largest businesses. However, before you can use it for your company’s growth, it’s a must to have a proper plan beside you.
This way, if needed, you can scale it down easily.
4: It’s affordable
SAP BPA is a low-cost solution that is within the reach of businesses of all sizes. Yes, the cost might seem too much at the beginning. But, as you progress, it will start generating a lot more money than what you had invested in.
So, it will be a win-win situation for you in the end.
SAP BPA and Hyper-Automation – Examples
As mentioned before, SAP BPA can be used for hyper-automation. Go through these core examples to get an idea about what we are talking about.
- Automate Customer Onboarding: SAP Build Process Automation can be used to automate the process of onboarding new customers. This can save businesses time and money, and it can also help to improve the customer experience.
- Automate Order Processing: SAP Build Process Automation can be used to automate the process of order processing. This can help to speed up the order-to-cash cycle, and it can also help to reduce errors.
- Automate Expense Reporting: SAP Build Process Automation can be used to automate the process of expense reporting. This can help to save employees time, and it can also help to ensure that expenses are processed quickly and accurately.
These are just a few examples of how SAP Build Process Automation can be used to hyper-automate business processes. If you’re looking for a way to improve your business’s efficiency, SAP Build Process Automation is a great option.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What exactly is SAP Build Process Automation (BPA)? SAP BPA is a low-code/no-code solution designed to help businesses automate manual, repetitive tasks. It combines workflow management, RPA (Robotic Process Automation), and an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, enabling many processes to be automated with minimal or no coding, depending on their complexity.
- Do I need a background in software development to use it? No. The platform is designed to be accessible for users who understand their business processes, even if they have a limited technical background. While a basic understanding of your business workflow is necessary, the tool uses a visual interface rather than complex programming languages.
- What is the difference between “Low-Code” and “No-Code” within the tool?
- No-Code is entirely visual, allowing you to use a toolkit to build applications through drag-and-drop actions.
- Low-Code may require a small amount of fundamental technical knowledge as it combines a language-based environment with visual tools for slightly more complex customisations.
- Can SAP BPA connect to programs that are not made by SAP? Yes. One of its key features is the availability of pre-built connectors. These allow the tool to can integrate with SAP and many third‑party applications through available connectors, depending on system setup and permissions. This makes it possible to automate workflows across your entire software stack.
- How does SAP BPA help with “Hyper-automation”? Hyper-automation refers to automating as many business processes as possible. SAP BPA facilitates this by using RPA to handle repetitive tasks and intelligent workflows to manage complex end-to-end processes, such as customer onboarding or expense reporting, helping organisations automate repetitive and multi‑step processes that would otherwise require significant manual effort.
- Is the platform secure for sensitive business data? Yes. SAP BPA uses industry-standard security protocols to protect your data. While you can integrate your own security measures, the tool includes standard security features such as access controls and encryption, and can be configured to meet organisational security requirements.
- Is SAP Build Process Automation expensive?
Costs vary based on usage and licensing, but organisations typically evaluate the value based on efficiency gains, reduced manual effort, and reduced reliance on custom development.
Benjamin Ng
Benjamin Ng leads B2B marketing at cbs consulting, working across Asia Pacific to help organisations translate strategy into measurable business impact. He is passionate about creative content and the role of technology—particularly SAP S/4HANA—in improving productivity and enabling transformation.