Title

AWS re:Invent 2022 - Automate compliance for mission-critical SAP workloads like Eli Lilly (ENT327)

Summary

• Presenters: Raj Bhat and Ryan Weaver from Eli Lilly.
• Topic: Automating compliance for SAP workloads on AWS.
• Key Points:
  • Eli Lilly's SAP transformation journey from on-prem to S/4HANA on AWS.
  • Design considerations for technical architecture and solutions.
  • Use of AWS services to automate compliance and operations.
  • The SAP System Deployment Framework (SDF) and its components.
  • Git branching strategy for SAP environments.
  • Continuous compliance and operations automation solutions.
  • Lessons learned from Eli Lilly's transformation journey.
  • Future plans for 2023, including building out formal systems for functional and performance testing.
  • Announcements of new AWS features relevant to SAP workloads.

Insights

• Automating Compliance:

  • AWS Config Service and Confirm Pack are used to automate compliance controls.
  • The SAP SDF automates the deployment of SAP systems with no human intervention from input to high-availability configuration.
  • Continuous compliance solutions validate configurations and generate reports automatically.

• Technical Architecture:

  • AWS services like CodePipeline, Step Functions, and Lambda are integral to the SDF.
  • The SDF uses a Git-based workflow with specific branching strategies for SAP environments.
  • AWS services are used to automate foundational services before deploying SAP systems.

• Operations Automation:

  • AWS services automate operational tasks like system start/stop, backup management, password rotation, and monitoring.
  • Automation ensures consistency across environments and improves operational efficiency.

• Lessons Learned:

  • Engage compliance teams early and manage costs upfront.
  • Consider dedicated AWS accounts and VPCs for SAP workloads.
  • A Cloud Fluency program is essential for team skill development.

• Future Plans:

  • Building out formal systems for functional and performance testing in 2023.
  • A 72-hour cutover window in February 2024 to go live with S/4HANA on AWS.

• New AWS Features for SAP:

  • Migration Hub Orchestrator for simplified migrations.
  • Milan-based EC2 instances and virtualized high memory instances.
  • FSx Ontap file systems certified for SAP HANA.
  • AWS SDK for SAP ABAP for easier integration with AWS services.
  • AWS Backup now supports SAP HANA databases.

• Engagement and Support:

  • AWS offers professional services and migration acceleration programs to assist with SAP on AWS journeys.
  • AWS competency partners are available to help with SAP deployments.