High-Level Architecture Layers
SAP BDC follows a layered, cloud-native architecture designed for analytics, harmonization, and AI readiness.
🔹 1️⃣ Source Layer (Operational Systems)
Data originates from:
- SAP S/4HANA
- SAP ECC
- SuccessFactors, Ariba
- Non-SAP systems (CRM, flat files, APIs)
This is where transactional and master data are generated.
🔹 2️⃣ Data Integration Layer
Responsible for bringing data into BDC:
✔ Replication (batch / near real-time)
✔ Virtualization (federated access)
✔ API-based ingestion
✔ Delta handling
This layer ensures reliable and optimized data ingestion.
🔹 3️⃣ Managed Data Foundation (Cloud Storage Layer)
Inside BDC:
- Cloud-native storage
- Partitioning & performance optimization
- Incremental processing
- Cross-domain integration
This replaces heavy multi-layer staging typical in BW.
🔹 4️⃣ Semantic Layer (Core Differentiator)
This is the heart of BDC.
It provides:
✔ Harmonized KPIs
✔ Business entities
✔ Standard dimensions
✔ Currency & time logic
✔ Metadata & lineage
Instead of technical tables, business users interact with standardized KPIs.
This layer makes BDC:
- Business-ready
- AI-ready
- Governance-ready
🔹 5️⃣ Consumption & Intelligence Layer
Data is consumed via:
- SAP Analytics Cloud
- APIs
- External BI tools
- AI/ML models
Supports:
- Dashboards
- Planning
- Predictive analytics
- Anomaly detection
🏗️ End-to-End Architecture Flow
Operational Systems (S/4, ECC, Non-SAP) ↓ Data Integration (Replication / Virtualization) ↓ Managed Cloud Data Foundation ↓ Semantic Layer (Business Meaning) ↓ Analytics / AI Consumption
⚙️ Architectural Principles of BDC
1️⃣ Cloud-native SaaS platform
2️⃣ Semantic-first modeling
3️⃣ Lean data architecture (minimal staging)
4️⃣ AI-ready foundation
5️⃣ Federated governance
6️⃣ Scalable & elastic infrastructure
⚖️ BDC vs Traditional BW Architecture
| Traditional BW | SAP BDC |
|---|---|
| Multi-layer LSA++ | Lean cloud foundation |
| ABAP-heavy | SQL & semantic-driven |
| IT-centric | Business-driven |
| Reporting-focused | AI-ready |
🎯 Interview-Ready 30-Second Answer
SAP Business Data Cloud follows a layered cloud-native architecture consisting of source integration, managed data foundation, semantic harmonization, and analytics consumption. Its core differentiator is the semantic layer, which standardizes KPIs and business entities to enable governed, AI-ready enterprise analytics.