SAP Cloud Application Programming Model

SAP CAP – or SAP Cloud Application Programming Model – is a development framework that simplifies the process of building non-ABAP enterprise-grade applications and services on SAP BTP. It provides a unified set of languages, libraries, and tools that guide developers from start to finish – from modeling data and defining services to adding business logic, securing access, and connecting to SAP and non-SAP systems. It's tightly integrated with SAP HANA, SAP Fiori, and SAP Integration Suite, enabling you to create powerful, scalable, and intelligent business applications that seamlessly integrate with your existing landscape.

With the set of pre-built best practices, SAP CAP allows developers to focus on domain expertise rather than just on writing code. And there's even more: thanks to the low-code tools, SAP CAP will enable you to build effective apps faster and at lower costs. 

Where it runs

• SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP)

• Any supported hyperscaler (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)

• Cloud-native environments (Kubernetes, Cloud Foundry)

Typical use cases

• Building new cloud applications or microservices

• Extending SAP S/4HANA or other SAP solutions via APIs

• Developing data-driven or AI-enhanced business apps

• Integrating multiple SAP and non-SAP systems and data sources

• Developing apps and scenarios for multi-cloud or hybrid environments

Key characteristics

• Based on open technologies (OData, REST, CDS, Node.js, Java)

• Offers low-code/no-code tools and reusable services

• Ideal for developers working outside the ABAP environment

• Fully cloud-native, multi-cloud, and future-proof

In short, CAP is for cloud developers building applications on SAP BTP using open programming languages and modern design principles. It’s all about building smarter, faster, and cleaner. The solution combines open standards, ready-to-use enterprise services, and SAP's decades of business knowledge to help companies innovate confidently in the cloud.

If you want to create cloud-native business apps that scale effortlessly and connect seamlessly with your SAP ecosystem, SAP CAP is the way forward.
It's like ABAP for the non-ABAP world – and that's… almost true.

Built for simplicity and productivity

CAP is built on the principle of "convention over configuration." That means it handles many of the technical details automatically – developers just follow standard patterns, and CAP takes care of the rest.

This approach speeds up development and reduces boilerplate code, making it possible to deliver powerful business apps with fewer lines of code and less complexity.

CAP's key goal is developer productivity – providing a clean, opinionated architecture that promotes consistency, reusability, and maintainability across all projects.

Key building blocks of SAP CAP

SAP describes CAP as being composed of several integrated layers:

1. Core Data Services (CDS) – A powerful modeling language for defining data structures, relationships, and services in a human-readable way. CDS models are at the heart of CAP applications.

2. Service provisioning – CAP can automatically expose data models as REST or OData services, ready to be consumed by UIs, APIs, or other systems.

3. Business logic layer – Developers can extend these services with custom logic in JavaScript (Node.js) or Java, depending on their preferred environment.

4. Out-of-the-box integration – CAP is deeply integrated with SAP HANA, SAP Fiori, and other SAP BTP services, ensuring your apps fit naturally into the SAP ecosystem.

5. Security and authentication – CAP includes built-in security features like role-based access control and user authentication, following SAP's enterprise-grade standards.

6. Testing and deployment tools – It comes with built-in support for local development, testing, and easy deployment to SAP BTP or other cloud environments.

How it fits into SAP's strategy

SAP CAP is part of SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) and represents the "application development" layer of that ecosystem.  It's designed to help businesses extend, integrate, and innovate around their existing SAP systems without disrupting core processes.

In practice, this means companies can:

• Build cloud-native extensions for SAP S/4HANA.

• Create lightweight microservices that connect to external APIs.

• Deliver intelligent, data-driven solutions faster than traditional development allows.

Key benefits of SAP Cloud Application Programming Model

1. Faster development, lower complexity

With SAP CAP, application development gets simpler and faster – all thanks to predefined data models, built-in services, and reusable components. Developers can focus on delivering business logic instead of reinventing the wheel again and again.

2. Cloud-native and future-proof

As part of the SAP Business Technology Platform, CAP supports deployment on major hyperscaler infrastructures such as Azure and Google Cloud, helping developers create scalable and secure applications that continuously evolve.

3. Seamless integration with SAP and beyond

Applications built with CAP easily connect with SAP S/4HANA, SAP HANA, and non-SAP systems using standard APIs and integration services. This ensures smooth data flow and unified business processes.

4. Intelligent and extensible

CAP works hand in hand with SAP's advanced technologies – AI, machine learning, predictive analytics, and IoT – enabling developers to build intelligent applications that anticipate needs and automate decision-making.

5. Consistent user Experience

By integrating with SAP Fiori, CAP enables beautiful, intuitive user interfaces that work seamlessly across web and mobile devices – ensuring users get the same great experience everywhere.

6. Clean core ready

CAP supports the Clean Core approach – allowing you to innovate and extend SAP functionality without modifying your core ERP system. This keeps your landscape flexible and easy to upgrade.

Why choose ACBaltica for SAP CAP development

With ACBaltica, you gain a partner that combines deep SAP technical knowledge with real-world business understanding to help you build cloud applications that deliver tangible value.

Proven SAP BTP expertise

We have SAP-certified consultants with extensive experience across SAP BTP services – from Integration Suite and HANA Cloud to CAP and Fiori – ensuring your solution is built on a strong, future-ready foundation.

Business-focused development

We don't just code – we co-create. With our deep knowledge of the SAP portfolio and best practices, we help you get the most out of any SAP product. Our experts will work closely with your team to ensure every CAP application we develop addresses your challenges and gives your business what you expect, adds measurable value, and fits seamlessly into your operations.

End-to-end delivery

From concept and design to development, testing, and deployment, ACBaltica will cover the entire software lifecycle. We also offer ongoing optimization and support to ensure your CAP applications evolve with your needs.

Innovation at speed

By combining CAP's rapid development capabilities with our agile project approach, we help you bring new ideas to market faster – without compromising quality or stability.

Frequently asked questions about SAP Cloud Application Programming Model