Michael Pytel - Implementing SAP Business Suite on SAP HANA

This book is the culmination of my experience as a SAP customer, consultant, blogger, speaker, and writerwithout being an SAP employee. I sought to write a book that could be used as a field guide for those upgrading and migrating to SAP HANA. I wanted to ensure the important ancillary systems such as SAP Solution Manager were described in detail so someone could use this book to plan, execute, and support the upgrade and migration. I began my career in SAP as a Basis Administrator, then moved into SAP Solution Manager, and most recently applied focus to all things SAP Business Suite on SAP HANA.

My career in SAP and IT started with a gift from two mentors that I cant thank enough. They set me down a path for a career in which Im able to provide for my family and enjoy the work I do. Im passionate about technology and thankful that Kirk Schamel and Floyd Alexander saw this in me while working in a warehouse of a small wheelchair manufacturing company. Kirk is an exceptional leader who has given opportunities to unlikely characters like myself only to see them blossom into thought leaders and IT professionals. Floyd Alexander is an exceptional program manager who taught me to think like a developer when working as a system administrator. From these two gentlemen, I learned that IT needs the business users more than the users need IT. The role of IT is that of a customer service organization, and we should conduct ourselves in a manner than supports the business users first. Without these two individuals, I wouldnt have gained the solid foundation in IT processes and procedures that enabled me to grow into the IT professional I am today.

provides the opportunity to start a new conversation on how IT approaches security and SAP. Gary is a seasoned security professional who provided valuable input that I think every reader will derive value from.

I co-founded NIMBL with Yosh Eisbart more than six years ago with the hopes of creating a company that could provide opportunities for people to grow both their professional and personal lives. Yosh, a fellow SAP Press author and SAP thought leader, has been extremely supportive of me while writing this book. Hes the best business partner and friend I could have asked for on this journey.

Lastly, I need to thank the person who provided more mental support than anyone else. My wife, Leah, is an extraordinary person who keeps me grounded and motivated to complete challenges I never thought I would accomplish. From running a marathon to completing this booknone of those goals would have been achieved without my true best friend and partner for life.