Understanding the Medallion Architecture for SAP Data Layers

​ IMPORTANT NOTESAP Datasphere does not replace Medallion architecture.It simply shifts or enhances parts of your pipeline.Think of it like this:Datasphere = SAP-centric modeling + governed data accessDatabricks = Open lakehouse + scalable transforms + AI/ML engineTogether, they complement each other.Understanding the Medallion Architecture for SAP Data LayersThe Medallion approach structures data into layers, improving data quality as it moves upward.🥉Bronze Layer – Raw SAP Data Landing ZoneThis is where SAP data enters into Datasphere with Databricks.What’s inside:Integrated Raw data extracted from SAP ECC/S4 (tables, CDS views, BW objects)Data in SAP-specific formats such as IDocs, ABAP extracts, or ODP streamsNo transformations—just ingestion in its original stateSources commonly used:SAP ODP (Operational Data Provisioning)SAP SLT (real‑time replication)SAP BW extractorsSAP S/4HANA CDS ViewsFiles from SAP Application ServersGoals of Bronze:Ensure complete, unaltered SAP dataMaintain lineage to SAP tablesEnable incremental loading (Delta)Provide a historical snapshotThink of Bronze as your foundation of truth.🥈Silver Layer – Cleaned & Harmonized SAP DataThis layer transforms raw SAP data into analytics‑ready tables.What happens in Silver:Data cleansing (null handling, type casting, deduplication)SAP business logic harmonizationJoining related tables (e.g., EKKO + EKPO for Purchasing)Enriching with master data (Material, Customer, Vendor, GL Accounts)Converting SAP-specific formats (like NUMC, timestamps, currencies)Results:You get clean, standardized, and reusable data models.Why Silver matters:Example : SAP ERP tables are highly normalized and cryptic—full of codes like MATNR, WERKS, EBELN.Silver makes them meaningful for downstream analytics.🥇Gold Layer – Business-Ready SAP AnalyticsThis top layer contains curated, business-oriented datasets.Examples:Financial dashboards (GL, AR, AP)CO-PA profitability modelsSupply chain KPI models (OTIF, Inventory Aging)Production analytics (yield, scrap, downtime)Procurement insights (Spend Analytics)Gold = Business ValueHere data is aggregated, enriched, and structured for:BI tools (BW4, SAP Analytics Cloud)ML models (forecasting, optimizations)AI agentsIt’s optimized for consumption, not technical storage.The Medallion Architecture—Bronze, Silver, Gold—is the backbone for unleashing SAP data on Databricks.LayerPurposeExamplesBronzeRaw SAP dataTables, IDocs, ODP extractsSilverCleaned, harmonized SAP dataJoined purchasing docs, material dataGoldBusiness insightsFinance, supply chain, sales, procurement Does Medallion Architecture Work with SAP Datasphere?Yes — but it depends on how you use Datasphere.The Medallion Architecture (Bronze → Silver → Gold) is a Databricks data engineering pattern.SAP Datasphere is SAP’s cloud data fabric, which also has its own modeling layers (staging, semantic models, analytical models).When Databricks and SAP Datasphere are connected, the Medallion Architecture still applies — but the roles can shift depending on your strategy.Side-by-Side ComparisonComponentSAP Datasphere RoleSAP Databricks Medallion RoleRaw data ingestionODP, SLT, SAP modelsBronzeData cleansing & harmonizationOptional (Datasphere models)SilverBusiness logic, KPIsOptional (Analytical models)GoldAdvanced AI/MLLimitedDatabricks ML/AI workspaceScalable storageProprietary (SAP HANA Cloud)Open storage (Delta Lake)   Read More Technology Blog Posts by SAP articles 

#SAP

#SAPTechnologyblog