Last updated: October 2026 Β· 3 min read
SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) is SAP’s cloud platform for integration, extensions, data, analytics and AI. Its Integration Suite, including Cloud Integration (CPI), connects SAP and non-SAP systems. These skills are essential for clean-core S/4HANA projects.
BTP building blocks
| Area | Examples |
|---|---|
| Integration | Integration Suite: Cloud Integration (CPI), API Management, Event Mesh, Open Connectors |
| Application development | SAP Build Apps, Build Process Automation, CAP, BTP ABAP Environment |
| Data and analytics | SAP Datasphere, SAP Analytics Cloud, SAP HANA Cloud |
| AI | SAP AI Core, Generative AI Hub, Joule |
| Foundation | Global account, subaccounts, entitlements, Cloud Foundry and Kyma runtimes |
Top interview questions and answers
1. What is a global account and subaccount?
A global account is the contract-level container; subaccounts are environments (dev, test, prod) in a region where you enable services and runtimes and assign entitlements.
2. What is an iFlow?
An integration flow in CPI that defines sender, receiver, adapters and processing steps such as mapping, routing, scripts and exception handling.
3. Name common CPI adapters.
SOAP, HTTP/HTTPS, OData, IDoc, RFC (via Cloud Connector), SFTP, Mail, AS2, JMS, Process Direct, SuccessFactors and Ariba adapters.
4. What is the SAP Cloud Connector?
A lightweight agent in the customer network that securely connects BTP to on-premise systems without opening inbound firewall ports.
5. Message mapping vs XSLT vs Groovy?
Message mapping is graphical; XSLT transforms XML with stylesheets; Groovy or JavaScript scripts handle complex logic, headers and properties.
6. How do you handle errors in CPI?
Use exception subprocesses, retry with JMS queues, Data Store for persistence, alerts, and monitoring in Message Processing Logs.
7. How is security handled?
Credentials and keystores in Security Material, OAuth, client certificates, basic auth, role collections and principal propagation.
8. What is API Management used for?
Publishing, securing (policies, rate limits) and monetising APIs through a developer portal.
9. What is SAP Event Mesh / Advanced Event Mesh?
Event brokers that let systems publish and subscribe to business events, such as “sales order created”, for loosely coupled integration.
10. What is the role of BTP in clean core?
Side-by-side extensions and integrations run on BTP, so the S/4HANA core stays standard and upgradeable.
Test yourself: scored BTP/CPI quiz
Interview tips
- Describe one complex iFlow you built: systems, adapters, mapping and error handling.
- Know transport options: CTS+, Transport Management Service or content export.
- Mention monitoring and alerting you set up.
Frequently asked questions
Is SAP PI/PO the same as CPI?
No. PI/PO is the on-premise middleware; CPI is its cloud successor in Integration Suite. SAP encourages migration from PI/PO.
Do I need coding for CPI?
Basic Groovy or JavaScript helps for complex logic, but many scenarios use graphical mapping and standard steps.
What is SAP BTP used for?
Integration, building extensions and apps, data and analytics, automation and AI on top of SAP and non-SAP systems.
Keep exploring
- SAP ABAP interview questions
- SAP Solution Architect guide
- What is cloud computing?
- More SAP Interview Prep articles on Tiwaripedia
Facts are based on widely accepted official, scientific and historical sources at the time of writing. Spotted something that needs updating? Let us know.
