If you had been reading this kind of article a few years ago, the answer to the above question may have read something like, “SAP HANA is a database with a unique in-memory architecture.” This is in fact still a proper answer, as SAP HANA uses a simpler data modeling system compared to the usual database. Unlike other databases that store data on the hard drive, SAP HANA stores it in-memory. This means that when you need the data, the system can access it directly from the in-memory storage instead of calling it up from the hard drive. And this allows your system to run faster when extracting the information you need.
However, today SAP HANA has developed further—beyond being “just a database.” So, to define it solely based on a database architectural view seems rather outdated. In just a few years’ time, SAP HANA has been recognized by its many customers as a multifaceted platform that becomes the foundation of an intelligent enterprise. The application services of the SAP HANA platform allow you to develop and run custom applications as well as manage the life cycles of your applications. And the latest version of SAP HANA is leveraging the advanced technology of Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things, which means even more functionalities and enhanced capabilities.