Learn more about SAP connectors and how they streamline business data flows, check best practices, and investigate the future trends in SAP connectivity.

SAP Connectors: What They Are and How They Enable Seamless Data Flow

In today's world of interconnected digital ecosystems, seamless data flow is essential. Businesses rely heavily on real-time data synchronization and integration across multiple platforms, which makes the efficient exchange of information critical to operational success.

SAP connectors help establish this data connectivity and information exchange. They were designed to facilitate communication, data exchange, and interoperability between SAP and external systems, significantly reducing the complexity and cost associated with custom integration projects.

In this guide, we'll examine SAP connectors in greater detail, explore their critical role in enterprise integration architectures, and offer actionable insights into choosing and implementing the right SAP connectors for your business needs.

What Is an SAP Connector?

An SAP connector is a specialized software component designed to facilitate seamless communication, data exchange, and integration between SAP systems and external applications or services. In a broader sense, SAP connectors encompass standardized protocols and data formats, APIs and software components, and full-fledged Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS) solutions.

The primary purpose of SAP connectors is to:

• Provide standardized ways to integrate SAP systems with external systems (CRM, ERP, databases, cloud services, etc.).
• Facilitate secure and efficient data exchange and synchronization
• Allow simplified connectivity without extensive custom coding.
• Allow enterprises to easily scale integrations as business needs evolve, without rebuilding underlying infrastructure.

The Role of SAP Connectors in Enterprise Integration

SAP connectors play a crucial role in modern enterprise integration architectures, acting as gateways for SAP systems (ECC, S/4HANA, etc.) to exchange data with other enterprise applications (e.g., Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics, cloud providers, databases) to ensure data consistency.

SAP connectors allow SAP solutions to participate in broader SOA-based (service-oriented architectures) systems by efficiently exposing and consuming external services.

Additionally, SAP connectors enable real-time integration between SAP systems and external platforms, ensuring timely business insights, process efficiency, and data integrity.

One more important thing from a business point of view is that SAP connectors reduce the complexity of the system, minimizing custom development efforts by offering standardized integration patterns. This, in turn, lowers the load on IT departments and makes maintenance easier, which reduces maintenance costs and helps decrease TCO (total cost of ownership).

SAP Connectors Breakdown: Communication Protocols

SAP connector is a multi-faceted notion combining a range of integration technologies. First and foremost, SAP connectors are based on standard integration protocols or communication technologies provided by SAP. Protocols like IDoc, RFC, OData, and SOAP are the underlying mechanisms that define how data is structured, transmitted, and consumed. Each is suitable for different types of data communication, synchronization, and systems. Let’s investigate them in more detail.

IDoc (Intermediate Document)

The IDoc connector is most typically used for asynchronous data exchange, where the sending system transmits data without waiting for an immediate response from the receiving system; the simultaneous interaction between the two systems is not required. This makes IDoc connectors ideal for scenarios involving batch processing or large-scale data transfers.

IDocs are heavily utilized in logistics processes like sales orders, deliveries, and invoices, where real-time synchronization is not always required, but reliability and transactional integrity are critical.

RFC (Remote Function Call)

RFC connectors enable real-time, synchronous communication, making both sending and receiving systems operate simultaneously by calling functions directly within SAP systems. This suits processes and organizations that heavily rely on real-time integration and immediate data exchange.

RFC is commonly employed in ABAP-based custom integrations, providing quick, reliable, and efficient communication between SAP and external applications.

OData (Open Data protocol)

OData is a REST-based type of SAP connector that can be used for both synchronous and asynchronous data communication. This protocol is ideal for mobile, cloud-based, and lightweight applications like SAP Gateway and SAP Fiori.

OData uses standard web technologies like JSON and XML, which makes it flexible and easy to integrate into diverse environments.

SOAP/XML Web Services

SOAP/XML Web Services are used for synchronous and asynchronous SOAP-based legacy systems and older enterprise service architectures. These types of connectors are versatile and cross-platform, which makes them suitable for integrating heterogeneous systems.

The reliance of SOAP Web Services on XML provides structure. However, it introduces overhead, which can impact performance in high-throughput scenarios.

The comparison table below should help you better understand the differences between the SAP integration protocols:

SAP Connectors Breakdown: Integration Middleware

If protocols are the languages, then middleware is the set of translators and bridges that make those languages usable in real-world enterprise landscapes. Middleware adds orchestration, error handling, monitoring, and developer access so integrations can scale reliably. Over the years, SAP has provided several middleware options that sit between the raw protocols and the applications that consume them.

SAP NetWeaver PI/PO

Originally launched as XI, SAP NetWeaver PI/PO (Process Integration / Process Orchestration) became the backbone of on-premise SAP landscapes. PI/PO acts as a central integration hub — an enterprise service bus — equipped with a wide library of adapters for connecting SAP and non-SAP systems alike. It handles message mapping, routing, and transformation, while also providing monitoring tools so IT teams can keep integrations under control. For many enterprises, PI/PO was the “traffic controller” of their digital landscape, ensuring that data could flow reliably across applications. Though still in use, SAP NetWeaver PI/PO is approaching its end of mainstream maintenance in 2027 (with optional extended support until 2030). SAP recommends transitioning to the cloud-based SAP Integration Suite as its strategic successor.

SAP Gateway

Alongside PI/PO, SAP introduced SAP Gateway, a component within the NetWeaver stack designed to open SAP systems to the web and mobile era. Gateway exposes business data through OData services, enabling modern applications — such as SAP Fiori apps — to access SAP using simple REST calls and lightweight JSON. In many ways, Gateway became the “API door” into SAP, translating complex business objects into developer-friendly formats suitable for modern front ends.

JCo and .NET connector

In addition to these enterprise-scale platforms, SAP also provides developer-level connectors that bring SAP protocols into specific programming environments. The SAP Java Connector (JCo) allows Java applications to communicate with SAP systems using RFC and BAPI calls, while the SAP .NET Connector performs the same role for Microsoft’s .NET ecosystem. Instead of dealing with low-level protocol details, developers can write native Java or C# code and let these connectors handle the interaction with SAP. This makes them ideal when enterprises want to embed SAP data into custom-built applications, such as portals, intranet sites, or specialized desktop tools. They can be thought of as “developer bridges” that translate SAP’s integration languages into the idioms of popular programming platforms.

SAP Business Connector & third-party ESBs

Before PI/PO matured, SAP offered the SAP Business Connector based on webMethods technology. Enabling XML and HTTP-based integration, this was an early attempt to bring SAP into the world of web services. While largely retired today, SAP Business Connector was an important stepping stone in SAP’s middleware evolution. At the same time, many enterprises chose to complement SAP middleware with third-party ESBs, such as IBM WebSphere, Oracle Fusion Middleware, Microsoft BizTalk, or TIBCO BusinessWorks. These tools were often used for non-SAP-to-non-SAP integration, while PI/PO handled SAP-centric traffic, creating hybrid integration landscapes.

Taken together, these middleware solutions show the different dimensions of SAP integration: enterprise-level orchestration with PI/PO and Gateway, developer-focused connectivity with JCo and .NET Connector, and legacy or hybrid models with Business Connector and third-party ESBs. They turned raw protocols into manageable, reusable, and reliable integrations.

SAP Cloud Connector: extending middleware into the Cloud

As enterprises began adopting cloud applications, a new challenge emerged: how to connect cloud services with on-premise SAP systems without compromising security. SAP addressed this with the SAP Cloud Connector (SCC), a lightweight agent installed inside the corporate network.

Unlike PI/PO, Cloud Connector doesn’t perform mappings or orchestration. Its role is purely about secure connectivity. It establishes an encrypted tunnel between on-premise SAP systems and SAP’s Business Technology Platform (BTP), allowing cloud services, such as SAP Integration Suite, SuccessFactors, or Ariba, to access selected resources behind the firewall. Administrators can define which systems and services are exposed, ensuring fine-grained governance and security.

In this way, Cloud Connector acts as the secure doorway that extends traditional middleware into the cloud era. It bridges the gap between legacy on-premise systems and modern cloud integrations, enabling organizations to adopt iPaaS without tearing down their existing landscapes.

SAP Connectors for the Cloud Era: iPaaS

SAP Integration Suite

With the rise of SaaS and hybrid IT, SAP introduced the SAP Integration Suite (formerly CPI, Cloud Platform Integration) as its flagship Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS). This marks a shift away from centralized on-premise ESBs toward cloud-native, distributed integration.

Integration Suite provides prebuilt connectors to both SAP and non-SAP applications. It includes packaged integration content — known as iFlows — that dramatically reduces implementation time for common scenarios, such as connecting SuccessFactors to SAP S/4HANA or integrating Ariba with procurement systems. It also supports generic REST, SOAP, and file-based adapters to connect virtually any application.

Beyond connectivity, Integration Suite adds modern capabilities like API management, event-driven integration, and process automation, positioning it as an integration hub and an innovation platform. In this way, iPaaS reflects the evolution of integration from a centralized bus model to a flexible, API-led approach that supports both cloud-to-cloud and hybrid landscapes.

DataLark — an Agile SAP connector for complex data movements

With protocols, middleware, and iPaaS, SAP provides a comprehensive integration backbone. Increasingly, enterprises are complementing this with tools that also prepare data for analytics, automation, and insight. This is where DataLark comes in.

DataLark can be seen as a next-generation iPaaS that blends traditional application integration with data pipeline and ETL capabilities. Like other iPaaS platforms, it provides cloud-based, connector-driven integration across SAP and non-SAP systems. But unlike traditional tools that focus mainly on orchestrating business processes, DataLark is optimized for data extraction, transformation, and loading (ETL/ELT) at scale. This makes it ideal for scenarios where enterprises need to replicate SAP data into cloud data warehouses (e.g. Snowflake, BigQuery, or Azure Synapse) for advanced reporting, machine learning, or AI-driven applications.

Another key strength of DataLark is its flexibility across real-time and batch integration. SAP’s native protocols often force a choice: RFC and OData for real-time calls, or IDocs and files for batch jobs. DataLark combines both approaches in a single platform, enabling real-time event streaming alongside scheduled data movement. This allows enterprises to power real-time dashboards and alerts while also maintaining centralized, consolidated data warehouses.

Equally important is the user experience. Where other SAP connectors often require specialized skills, DataLark provides a low-code/no-code interface that empowers business and data teams to design integrations quickly, without needing deep SAP expertise. At the same time, it includes enterprise-grade features such as monitoring, governance, data lineage, and compliance controls, ensuring integrations are secure and auditable.

How SAP Connectors Work

SAP Connectors facilitate smooth and secure data integration between SAP systems and external platforms through standardized protocols, ensuring data integrity and operational efficiency. Below is a technical overview, highlighting key steps involved.

Connection establishment and authentication

Before any data transfer occurs, connectors must first establish a secure connection with authentication. Common authentication methods include:

• Basic authentication: Username/password.
• Single sign-on (SSO): OAuth, SAML for cloud connectors.
• Certificate-based authentication: Secure certificates for highly secure scenarios.

Data transfer

Once authenticated, data is transmitted between SAP and external systems using standardized protocols. Some commonly utilized protocols are:

• RFC: Direct ABAP function calls, suitable for real-time integration.
• IDoc: XML-based message format for asynchronous transfers.
• HTTP(S): Used by OData and Web Services, supports RESTful APIs.
• SOAP/XML: Standardized for legacy web services communication.

Data transformation and mapping

In most integrations, data from SAP systems must be transformed into a format understood by external applications (or vice versa). This step involves:

• Format translation: Converting data formats (XML, JSON, CSV, binary).
• Field mapping: Aligning fields between SAP and external systems.
• Message enrichment: Enhancing data payloads for business context.

Middleware role (DataLark, SAP PI/PO, and SAP Integration Suite)

Data management solutions like DataLark and systems like SAP Process Integration/Process Orchestration (PI/PO) or SAP Cloud Platform Integration (CPI) can play a crucial middleware role by managing:

• Routing: Directing data between systems based on predefined integration scenarios.
• Transformation logic: Centralizing data transformation, ensuring consistent mappings and conversions.
• Monitoring and error handling: Providing visibility, error logging, and notifications.

Middleware essentially acts as an integration hub, orchestrating complex data exchange between SAP and external applications.

Real-World Application Scenarios for SAP Connectors

Let’s take a look at some real-life examples of how SAP connectors are used for data integration and transfer between SAP and non-SAP systems.

Integrating SAP ERP with Salesforce using OData

Businesses often need seamless integration between their SAP ERP systems like SAP Cloud ERP or SAP S/4HANA On-Premise and Salesforce to synchronize critical sales, inventory, customer, and financial data. In this case, OData connectors are well-suited, as they enable smooth, secure communication through RESTful APIs. This real-time synchronization enhances accuracy and consistency, which helps businesses improve sales forecasting and customer insights.

Here’s how the process goes:

• Salesforce triggers API calls using REST/OData protocols to fetch or update data in SAP ERP (an OData adapter needs to be set up).
• SAP Integration Suite or DataLark (middleware) exposes ERP data securely through standardized RESTful endpoints.
• DataLark performs the required data transformations (data formats, field names, etc.).
• DataLark securely routes the transformed data to SAP ERP, leveraging SAP Cloud Connector to bridge securely into the on-premise network.
• Data exchanged is typically in JSON or XML format, which Salesforce easily interprets.
• Updates made in Salesforce (customer account details, sales orders, etc.) are reflected immediately in SAP ERP and vice versa.

Automating supply chain data via IDocs to external logistics platforms

In supply chain and logistics processes, businesses operating within the SAP ecosystem often use external partners for shipping, warehousing, or distribution. IDoc connectors handle asynchronous batch transfers of data, such as orders, shipment details, and inventory updates. As a result of this integration, businesses can reduce operational complexity in handling large volumes of data transfers, easily automate supply chains, and enhance scalability.

How it works:

• SAP ERP creates IDoc messages containing logistics data (e.g., shipment notifications, purchase orders).
• Data is sent asynchronously via IDoc format to SAP PI/PO middleware.
• Middleware converts IDoc into a database-friendly format (CSV, JSON).
• IDocs are transmitted asynchronously to an external logistics platform (such as a third-party warehouse management system or transportation management solution).
• External systems consume these IDocs, process batches of data, and respond asynchronously as needed.

Using RFC to fetch real-time inventory data for an E-commerce frontend

E-commerce platforms require accurate, real-time inventory data to inform customers about stock availability. RFC connectors enable synchronous, real-time data retrieval directly from SAP ERP. Here, businesses benefit from improved customer experience due to real-time data accuracy and enhanced operational efficiency through immediate inventory checks, which prevents overselling or stock-outs.

Here’s how this procedure is executed:

• A customer views a product online, and the E-commerce frontend triggers a remote function call via RFC.
• The RFC connector directly invokes a function module within SAP ERP, instantly fetching up-to-date inventory.
• SAP ERP immediately sends a synchronous response to the E-commerce system, allowing the frontend to display an accurate inventory status to the customer.

Best Practices for Working With SAP Connectors

To fully benefit from SAP connectors in your integration landscape, it's crucial to follow a set of best practices that focus on security, choosing appropriate connectors, and ensuring effective monitoring and troubleshooting.

Consider data security

Securing your integrations should always be a top priority, as compromising sensitive data may result in financial and reputational losses, business delays, and increased fix-related overhead.

If you use OData connectors, you can enable secure token-based authentication and authorization with OAuth to minimize credential exposure and simplify permission management for external apps. This is especially important for cloud applications.

For RFC integrations, utilize SNC (Secure Network Communications) to ensure encrypted data transmission between SAP systems and external applications. Maintain regular rotations of RFC credentials and implement proper authorization checks to mitigate unauthorized access risks.

Ensure end-to-end encryption (HTTPS/TLS) for web-based connectors (Web Services, OData) to prevent data interception. Strictly limit user and system access with role-based access control (RBAC), reducing potential attack surfaces.

Choose the right SAP connector

Selecting the correct SAP connector depends on your business needs and use-case specifics, including data volume, latency requirements, and integration complexity.

For example, you might prefer IDoc over RFC if your operations include high-volume batch integrations. Conversely, RFC might be a better choice if you rely heavily on real-time integrations and need minimum latency.

For apps that need simplicity and adherence to the REST standards — which includes most mobile, web, and cloud applications — proceed with OData. Choose JCo or .NET connectors if you need integration with custom applications running on Java and .NET.

SOAP/XML Web Services will be a good choice for complex, legacy landscapes that need cross-platform integration scenarios.

Alternatively, you can opt for DataLark, as it supports multiple SAP communication protocols and successfully handles any data migration journey (including S/4HANA migration). It offers your business a winning combination of batch integrations and real-time scenarios with a simple, no-code/low-code functionality and the ability to handle even the most complex data migration cases involving legacy, disparate systems. Contact us to get a personalized consultation on how DataLark can help your business.

Establish monitoring and troubleshooting

Thorough data monitoring is necessary to ensure that SAP connectors operate smoothly, issues are identified promptly, allowing you to proactively fix any possible problems and keep your system running uninterruptedly, while maintaining data consistency.

Regularly review SAP transaction logs (SM58 for RFC, WE02/WE05 for IDocs, /IWFND/ERROR_LOG for OData) and set up alerts for frequent errors, failed transmissions, or unusual latency. Doing so will help you quickly handle issues and adjust data flows as needed.

Leverage middleware dashboards (DataLark, SAP PO, SAP Integration Suite), as they offer built-in real-time visibility into the data transaction process and allow for proactive tracking of integration flow status, system health, and throughput metrics. These user-friendly interfaces help you quickly spot any suspicious system behavior and take measures to mitigate possible problems.

Implement structured error handling and automatic retry logic for asynchronous connectors (e.g., IDocs), carefully documenting troubleshooting processes and escalation procedures. This will help you maintain a systematic approach to fixing issues and identifying top working patterns to make issue resolution quicker in the future.

Optimize SAP connector performance (latency, throughput, memory usage) and keep monitoring connector configurations and middleware transformations to improve efficiency, preventing possible costs associated with complicated maintenance or system malfunctioning.

Challenges and Considerations with SAP Connectors

Utilizing SAP connectors in your data movement routine is helpful; yet, there are some challenges you may encounter when implementing them.

Versioning issues across SAP modules

SAP connectors transfer data across different SAP modules or external applications, each potentially running different versions. This variability can create compatibility issues.

Older versions of SAP modules may not support newer connector APIs or communication protocols, resulting in integration errors. This might make it necessary to regularly update connectors, monitor deprecated functions, and fix compatibility issues, which imposes significant maintenance overhead.

While you can’t avoid versioning altogether, you can mitigate possible risks and reduce maintenance costs by maintaining comprehensive documentation of SAP module versions and connector dependencies. Plus, plan regular compatibility checks and regression testing when upgrading SAP systems or connector components. Doing so will help you avoid unexpected errors in data flow and ensure the system’s connectivity.

Dealing with inconsistent data schemas

Integration between SAP and external applications typically involves schema transformations, field mapping, and data enrichment, which can become challenging if data schemas are inconsistent or evolve over time.

Variations or inconsistencies in data schemas across external systems require detailed and flexible data mapping strategies. The best way to solve this problem is to adopt middleware solutions like DataLark to effectively handle schema normalization, data transformations, and mappings.

Operating in hybrid landscapes

Modern integration landscapes often blend on-premise SAP systems with cloud-based applications, posing additional complexity for connectivity, security, and data governance.

Securely bridging on-premise and cloud systems often requires additional infrastructure, increasing architectural complexity and limiting scalability. Plus, transferring data between on-premise and cloud environments introduces risks, such as data exposure or compliance challenges. Furthermore, hybrid architectures can introduce latency due to network traversal, potentially affecting real-time data flows, which may be an obstacle for businesses that depend on data timeliness.

What is the fix? Leverage SAP connectors or middleware that will not overcomplicate the structure of data pipelines, utilize secure tunnels to ensure safe data transfer between on-premise and cloud systems, and conduct regular performance assessments to identify and optimize latency and bandwidth bottlenecks.

Future Trends in SAP Connectivity

Digital transformation drives SAP ecosystems to evolve to meet the business demands of clients; SAP connectors continue to adapt, reflecting modern architectural patterns and new technological innovations.

To stay ahead, enterprises should consider these key emerging trends:

API-first and event-driven architectures

Modern integration architectures are rapidly moving toward API-first approaches, where APIs are considered foundational components rather than add-ons:

• API-first strategy: SAP increasingly exposes business functions through well-defined APIs (particularly OData-based RESTful APIs), making it easier for external apps to consume data efficiently.
• Event-driven integration: SAP’s embrace of event-driven architectures allows real-time integration based on event streams, significantly reducing latency.

Real-time event streaming enhances responsiveness and enables proactive decision-making, allowing organizations to benefit from increased agility, faster deployment, and easier maintenance.

SAP BTP (Business Technology Platform)

SAP BTP is critical to shaping the future of SAP integrations, offering enterprises enhanced connectivity and simplifying integration.

• Unified integration hub: SAP BTP provides a centralized cloud-based environment (SAP Integration Suite, SAP Cloud Integration) that simplifies complex hybrid integrations.
• Advanced built-in capabilities: SAP BTP offers powerful middleware functionalities, pre-built integration content, advanced analytics, and machine learning-driven integration scenarios that accelerate time-to-value.
• Enhanced connectivity: SAP BTP standardizes access to diverse external platforms, significantly reducing integration complexity.

Simplified integration results in fewer compatibility issues and saves time on establishing communication flows. This helps automate data connections and reduce challenges related to more complicated hybrid landscapes.

Low-code/no-code SAP connectors

Another growing trend is the adoption of low-code/no-code data integration platforms that reduce reliance on custom coding and enable rapid integration development.

• Simplified processes: Visual drag-and-drop interfaces simplify connector setup and data mappings, significantly reducing the integration timeline and lowering technical barriers.
• Business users' engagement: Low-code/no-code solutions enable business users to independently configure integrations without extensive IT involvement, fostering innovation and agility.
• Increased flexibility and scalability: Simplified integration means businesses can adapt more quickly to changing requirements, which improves agility and scalability in complex environments.

Low-code/no-code SAP connectors help simplify traditionally complex data interactions, speeding up innovation adoption and digitizing the business landscape. This allows companies to boost competitiveness in highly demanding and technologically advanced environments.

Conclusion

Using the right SAP connector ensures data flows securely and efficiently, which can save your business from issues such as data insufficiency, delayed flows, and miscommunication. Choose them carefully, based on your business and data integration needs, to avoid unnecessary complexities. Or opt for DataLark, which is a versatile SAP integration solution that leverages all kinds of SAP connectors and is suitable for any business and platform.

We hope this guide helped you learn more about SAP connectors, how to choose them, and how to utilize them in your SAP landscape.