As businesses scale, the demand for flexible, secure, and high-performing enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems grows. SAP Business One (SAP B1) is a leading choice for small and mid-sized enterprises, offering powerful functionality across finance, sales, operations, and inventory management. With digital transformation accelerating, many companies are migrating their SAP Business One systems to the Microsoft Azure cloud. But a critical decision must be made before migration: Should you run SAP B1 on SQL Server or SAP HANA? This article will compare SAP B1 on SQL and HANA, analyse key factors for cloud migration, and explain how Ingold Solutions—a trusted SAP partner—can make this transition seamless and successful.

Understanding the Basics: SQL vs HANA 

SAP Business One on SQL 

• Based on Microsoft SQL Server. 

• Relational database with decades of stability. 

• Familiar to IT teams globally. 

• Lower licensing costs and widely supported tools. 

• Performance is dependent on disk speed and indexing. 

SAP Business One on HANA 

• SAP’s in-memory database technology. 

• Optimized for real-time analytics and speed. 

• Enables advanced features like Pervasive Analytics, Enterprise Search, and Predictive Forecasting.

• Requires more advanced infrastructure and resources. 

• Often bundled in cloud-native SAP packages. 

  Key Performance Differences 

Feature	SQL	HANA
Query Speed	Slower due to disk-based retrieval	Real-time performance with in-memory processing
Analytics	Basic reporting	Built-in dashboards and analytics with KPI widgets
Scalability	Good but limited for large datasets	Excellent for growing businesses with complex data
Cost	Lower licensing and hardware requirements	Higher investment, offset by better speed
Real-time Processing	Limited	Native capability

Companies planning to scale operations, introduce predictive tools, or need faster data access benefit more from HANA.  Moving SAP Business One to Microsoft Azure: Why It Matters  Cloud migration isn't just a tech upgrade—it’s a business transformation. Moving SAP Business One to Microsoft Azure enables: 

• Lower infrastructure costs through scalable virtual machines.

• Data redundancy and security via Azure’s built-in compliance.

• Access from anywhere using secure, browser-based connections.

• Disaster recovery and backup solutions integrated into the cloud.

• Rapid deployment and flexible licensing options.

However, the decision to move also depends on the database architecture (SQL vs. HANA) that best matches your cloud goals. Choosing Between SQL and HANA Before Migration 

1. Business Size and Data Volume

• SQL is ideal for small enterprises with simple reporting needs. 

• HANA is recommended for mid-sized companies with high-volume data and the need for in-depth analytics. 

2. Future Growth

• Planning to expand across multiple regions or channels? Choose HANA for speed and scale. 

• Want to control costs and stay lean? SQL is cost-effective for predictable workloads. 

3. Required Functionality

• Need real-time dashboards or advanced forecasting? Only HANA supports these natively. 

• Rely mostly on external reporting tools? SQL will suffice. 

4. IT Team Expertise

• SQL offers easier onboarding due to widespread familiarity. 

• HANA requires advanced knowledge but rewards with performance. 

Ingold Solutions: Your Trusted SAP Partner  At Ingold Solutions, we specialise in SAP Business One migration, cloud hosting, and integration—helping clients make informed decisions every step of the way.  Our Strengths: 

• Certified SAP Business One and Microsoft Azure Partner. 

• Deep experience with both SQL and HANA deployments. 

• Tailored migration strategies with minimal disruption. 

• Proven track record in multi-location, multi-language ERP environments. 

• Competitive pricing with ERP + Cloud + eCommerce bundles for SMEs. 

Our Services Include: 

• ERP assessment and roadmap planning. 

• HANA readiness checks and benchmarking. 

• Azure hosting with automatic scaling and security. 

• Custom integrations (Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento). 

• Post-migration support and performance tuning. 

Use Case: Migrating to HANA with Azure  Scenario: A mid-sized European retail company using SAP B1 on SQL began experiencing performance issues during monthly sales reporting and forecasting.  Solution by Ingold: 

• Conducted performance audit and recommended HANA. 

• Migrated SAP B1 to HANA on Azure in 4 weeks. 

• Integrated Azure Monitor for performance tracking. 

• Delivered a 45% reduction in report generation time. 

• Enabled real-time sales analytics for 12 locations. 

Result: Faster decision-making and better forecasting, driving a 12% YoY sales increase.  Cost Considerations: SQL vs HANA on Azure 

Cost Factor	SQL	HANA
Licensing	Lower	Higher (especially for HANA runtime)
Azure VM Size	Small-to-medium	Larger memory-intensive VMs required
Maintenance	Lower complexity	Requires HANA-certified personnel
ROI Timeline	Short-term	Higher ROI over long-term for growth companies

Ingold Solutions helps analyse your Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and offers flexible monthly or yearly cloud plans tailored to your business model.  FAQs  Q1: How do I know if I should migrate to HANA or stay on SQL? A: Our experts at Ingold conduct a detailed assessment of your current system, performance metrics, and future goals to make the right recommendation.  Q2: Will I lose my data when moving to Azure? A: No. Our certified migration process includes full backups, testing environments, and phased rollouts to ensure 100% data integrity.  Q3: Is Azure safe for hosting SAP Business One? A: Absolutely. Azure complies with ISO 27001, GDPR, and offers enterprise-grade encryption and multi-factor authentication.  Q4: Can I integrate eCommerce platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce after migration? A: Yes, Ingold specialises in integrating SAP Business One with all major platforms, ensuring real-time inventory and order sync. 

Final Thoughts: The Right Database and the Right Partner 

Choosing between SQL and HANA is not just a technical decision—it shapes your company’s ability to scale, analyse, and adapt. When paired with Microsoft Azure and guided by a proven SAP partner like Ingold Solutions, your SAP Business One system becomes more agile, intelligent, and resilient.  Whether you’re preparing for your first migration or planning to upgrade your current infrastructure, Ingold Solutions offers the technical expertise, transparent pricing, and personalised support you need. 👉 Ready to migrate your SAP Business One to Azure? Contact Ingold Solutions today and take the first step toward a more powerful, cloud-driven ERP ecosystem.