5 Myths about an SAP BTP Center of Excellence (BTP CoE)
The term “Center of Excellence” (CoE) is not just a buzzword. Rather, it describes an agile competency team within a company that enables innovation, drives digitalization, and lays the foundation for real competitive advantages – following Gartner’s Pace-layered Application Strategy. This is where experimentation, evaluation, and trend testing take place – without the rigid constraints of a corporation. In the SAP context, the term “SAP BTP CoE” is used, referring to the use of new, cloud-based technologies as part of the transformation process. A BTP CoE establishes the ground rules for quickly and easily implementing innovations on SAP BTP. And while none of this is new, there are still some persistent misunderstandings surrounding the topic. Our Head of Development, Sven Arndt, debunks five of the most common myths and demonstrates how a CoE based on SAP BTP truly works.
Myth 1: “A BTP CoE needs its own team in an ivory tower”
Wrong. An SAP BTP CoE is not isolated; ideally, it is lean, hands-on, and can even be operated by several experts part-time alongside other responsibilities. The workload in a CoE strongly depends on the company’s digital maturity level and how quickly the digital transformation is to be driven forward. We are convinced: Even a single dedicated expert can start a CoE – provided there is openness to networking. In a CoE, there are no lone wolves. The BTP CoE serves as a bridge between IT, business, and development, with the clear focus of enabling company goals efficiently through the right technologies.
Myth 2: “A BTP CoE belongs in the SAP Basis or IT department”
This is not true either. By definition, a CoE is cross-functional. It is structured like a modern cloud team: it connects business and functional areas with IT, SAP Basis, and development. The goal of a BTP CoE is to break down silos and create bridges that support the transformation. Only in this way can the flexibility and dynamism be generated to meet the pressure for innovation.
Myth 3: “A BTP CoE is a standard operating model”
On the contrary – there is no one-size-fits-all blueprint for an SAP BTP CoE. Every company comes with its own unique circumstances: perhaps a strong SAP Basis team, an existing cloud strategy, or already active business units with technically-savvy contacts. What’s important is building on what already exists. What roles are already in place (e.g., a BTP manager or a solution architect who has already worked with many BTP services)? Which technologies are relevant? What skills are available – and where is the greatest need? Instead of starting from scratch, a CoE strategically taps into existing potential to drive the transformation forward.
Myth 4: “A BTP CoE is a massive project”
With the right setup and an experienced partner, getting started is surprisingly quick. Structures, processes, and a solid foundation for a BTP CoE can often be established in just a few weeks. After that, operations can begin immediately, and the first decisions about new technologies can be made. For those who prefer to learn through trial and error, it is possible to start gradually and build a BTP CoE step by step – but with an SAP BTP specialized partner like sovanta, it becomes much more efficient and structured.
Myth 5: “A BTP CoE is the final stage of a company’s maturity”
A CoE is not a final destination, but a living organism that is constantly adjusted and developed. Processes are continuously optimized, new technologies are integrated, and challenges are addressed flexibly. The BTP CoE must continuously adapt to the ever-changing technologies and conditions. Only through ongoing exchange with all stakeholders can a CoE remain consistently effective. The goal is not stagnation at the highest level, but constant improvement and innovation.
Conclusion: CoE as a strategic lever for innovation – not an end in itself
An SAP BTP Center of Excellence is not a rigid project with a beginning and an end, but a dynamic construct that continuously evolves. It creates structures to effectively utilize technologies, implement innovations strategically, and break down silos within the company. It is not about perfection from the outset, but about knowledge building and transfer. A BTP CoE is not a goal – it is a means to an end, enabling transformation.
