Legacy software will inevitably need to be upgraded or replaced to promote digital transformation and better business outcomes. In reality, a lot of companies run their everyday operations on mission-critical software like SAP.

SAP HANA's in-memory database technology has completely changed the data management landscape.

Even though it has a great deal of power and versatility, there are certain frequent traps to be aware of to minimize any potential problems and get the most out of it.

In this comprehensive blog, let's discuss seven widespread pitfalls to avoid in SAP HANA.
Common Pitfalls of SAP HANA

The following are a few potential pitfalls:

1. Underestimating a proper data modeling

When implementing SAP HANA, one of the most frequent errors made is incomplete or ineffective data modeling. When it comes to data modeling, SAP HANA's in-memory architecture differs from that of conventional disk-based databases.

Performance problems arise from the common mistake of users structuring their data models the same way they would for a standard relational database.

Why it's a problem: Inadequate data modeling can lead to higher memory usage, worse query speed, and trouble scaling the system as data volume increases.

How to stay away from it: Utilize SAP HANA's columnar storage and in-memory capabilities by optimizing your models for the kinds of queries you anticipate running, minimizing the number of joins, and flattening your data models whenever feasible.

2. Ignoring data partitioning and compression

Making the most of SAP HANA's in-memory storage requires using its powerful data compression and partitioning features. Underusing these functions is a frequent error that can result in higher memory consumption and decreased functionality.

The reason it's an issue is that, in the absence of compression, using more RAM will increase expenses and lessen the benefits of SAP HANA's performance. Neglecting data partitioning can also have an impact on query efficiency, especially when dealing with big datasets.

How to prevent it: Make sure you divide huge tables correctly and utilize SAP HANA's compression methods. In high-volume scenarios, partitioning helps distribute data over numerous processors for faster query execution and improved performance.

3. Failure to monitor the system's health

Many businesses neglect to provide sufficient SAP HANA system monitoring. Failure to continuously monitor can result in performance bottlenecks, memory leaks, and other problems going undiscovered until they become serious ones.

Reasons it is a problem: If the monitor does nothing, it could lead to costly downtime, poor performance, and missed opportunities to optimize the system before an issue worsens.

How to steer clear of it: Install systems monitoring tools to keep an eye on the CPU, memory, and performance of the system, as well as any bottlenecks. You can use SAP HANA to address issues before they affect operations with the help of tools like SAP HANA Cockpit and SAP Solution Manager. It provides real-time insights into the health of the system.

4. Overlooked the security of the database system

Security is often overlooked when configuring SAP HANA, despite its importance for any database system. Inadequate security configurations might expose your system to intrusions, compromised data, and legal troubles.

Why that is an issue: Sensitive data exposure due to inadequate security measures can result in fines from authorities, legal repercussions, and a decline in customer confidence.

How to steer clear of it: Adhere to SAP HANA's security guidelines by implementing suitable role-based access control (RBAC), encrypting data in transit and at rest, and carrying out regular security audits. To continuously evaluate and enhance the security of your system, use SAP HANA's Security Workbench.

5. Underestimating the data growth rate

Customers frequently underestimate the rate at which their data is growing over time. The in-memory architecture of SAP HANA means that memory consumption rises with each gigabyte of data. If this isn't planned for, this can result in unforeseen hardware expenses or performance loss.

Why it's a problem: As a system grows, unanticipated data expansion can lead to slower queries, inadequate memory, and increased infrastructure expenses.

Ways to prevent it: Put data lifecycle management techniques into practice to prepare for future data growth. Some of these strategies include archiving older data and moving less-frequently-accessed data to less expensive storage via SAP HANA's dynamic tiering.

6. Not improving the in-memory processing queries

A lot of developers and database managers make the mistake of not optimizing their SQL queries for the in-memory processing of SAP HANA. Performance bottlenecks in SAP HANA might be caused by writing wasteful queries that would function well in conventional databases.

Why it matters: Ineffective queries can cause the system to run more slowly overall, use more memory, and undo the benefits of SAP HANA's in-memory design.

How to prevent it: To make the most of SAP HANA's in-memory features, optimize your SQL queries. This entails using SAP HANA's integrated optimization tools, such as the SQL Analyzer, to minimize pointless joins and restrict the volume of data that may be fetched.

7. Underestimating the amount of memory and hardware requirement

The in-memory architecture of SAP HANA makes it easy to underestimate the amount of memory and hardware required when configuring the system. Overprovisioning adds unnecessary costs without improving performance.

Why it's a problem: Overprovisioning raises operating expenses and wastes resources, which might reduce the return on investment (ROI) for your company.

How to stay away from it: Based on your anticipated workload, use SAP HANA's sizing tools to determine the amount of memory and hardware that will be needed. With the Quick Sizer tool from SAP, you can be sure you're only provisioning the resources you truly need by determining the right size for your particular use case.

Key Takeaway

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can maximize the benefits of SAP HANA and ensure its long-term viability. Don't forget to give continual maintenance, security, performance improvement, and data modeling top priority.

You can use SAP HANA's capability to generate innovation and accomplish your company goals if you plan and execute it well.

7 Common Mistakes to Avoid in SAP HANA