Prepare your applications: Migrating from SAP BTP Neo to Cloud Foundry

The SAP BTP Neo platform, which for years served as an environment for running applications, is approaching the end of its lifecycle. SAP has officially announced that Neo will be supported only until the end of 2028. This means it’s time to consider the future of applications running on this platform and prepare them for new challenges. One of the best and SAP-recommended solutions is migration to SAP BTP Cloud Foundry.

What is SAP BTP Cloud Foundry?

SAP BTP (Business Technology Platform) Cloud Foundry is a flexible and scalable environment that enables developers to build, deploy, and manage applications in a cloud setting. It’s part of the SAP BTP ecosystem, integrating various services and tools necessary for developing modern business applications.

By leveraging Cloud Foundry, developers can work with multiple programming languages, such as Java, Node.js, or Python, as well as databases and various cloud services like SAP HANA Cloud or PostgreSQL. This solution allows companies to quickly prototype and develop applications without worrying about infrastructure, accelerating innovation and enabling more agile responses to changing business needs.

Benefits of Migrating to SAP BTP Cloud Foundry

Migrating to Cloud Foundry brings numerous advantages that can support the further development of applications:

Flexibility – Cloud Foundry offers support for multiple programming languages, such as Node.js, Java, and others, providing greater freedom in creating and developing applications.
Scalability – In the Cloud Foundry environment, applications can be easily scaled, allowing them to meet growing business demands.
Faster Deployments – Thanks to process automation in Cloud Foundry, updates and changes can be introduced more quickly and efficiently.
Modern SAP Technologies – Migration to Cloud Foundry enables the use of the latest tools and features offered by SAP, translating into better support for innovative solutions.

Migrating Applications from Neo to Cloud Foundry

Migrating applications from Neo to Cloud Foundry opens up various opportunities for companies. Applications can be moved to:

SAP CAP (Cloud Application Programming) – One of SAP’s newer frameworks, introduced to the market in 2019. It offers application development in Node.js or Java with numerous conveniences and proprietary SAP solutions, providing a broad scope for creating modern, flexible solutions.
Java, Node.js, and Other Popular Technologies – The option to move applications to Cloud Foundry while maintaining the existing programming language, without the need to switch to SAP CAP, which is an ideal solution for teams wanting to continue working within their current environment.
UI5/Fiori – Applications based on UI5/Fiori can be migrated to Cloud Foundry, allowing the preservation of visual consistency and a modern application appearance.
Docker – Applications using Docker containers can also be run in Cloud Foundry. While it’s not their native environment — Kyma is better suited for that — it is still supported by SAP.

Use Case

At Apollogic, we successfully migrated one of our applications, which used technologies such as HANA XS, Java, and UI5. During this process, we transformed the application into a modern solution using UI5, CAP Node.js, and Java version 21. The migration allowed us not only to maintain the full functionality of the application but also to optimize its performance and leverage the new opportunities offered by Cloud Foundry.

As a result, our application became more flexible, scalable, and ready for future business challenges.

Summary

Migrating to SAP BTP Cloud Foundry is a step that will provide applications with new momentum and long-term technical support. Moving applications from Neo is not only a necessity but also an opportunity to modernize the IT environment and expand its capabilities. It’s worth starting preparations now to ensure a safe and opportunity-rich future for your applications.