Pros: Started using HANA 5 years ago with v1 SPS5 back when it was just released for SAP BW. Back then it was 'only' an in-memory DB. With each new SPS release, HANA became better with more DB features integrated. Fast forward to today, it is a full-fledged database platform with enterprise features that rival (and in some cases) even bests Oracle, MSSQL, DB2, et al. For customers who intend to use SAP for the foreseeable future, you would no doubt have HANA already as part of your existing if not future SAP roadmap, given that support for the traditional DBs is until 2025. SAP HANA, which is re-written from the ground up to fully take advantage of today's modern hardware, supports multi-threaded CPU architecture, use of terabytes of memory to run its in-memory database capabilities, columnar & row based database with full-fledged compression, full support of PL-SQL and many other application components. From a hardware perspective it is a 2-horse race with the commodity Intel x86 platforms becoming more powerful with each CPU iteration and better CPU core-to-memory ratio support, and IBM with their Power-based CPU architecture. As hardware prices continue to fall and become more powerful, it is only a matter of time before HANA hardware becomes truly commoditised.

Recommendations to other buyers: Buy software the way I like to sell it. Let's say you agree that SAP Business One looks like a good fit for your business. Pay the consultant to show you exactly how it will work for your critical business functions. For instance, if you are a distributor, your lifeblood is sales and inventory. Have the consultant show you 'a day in the life of the sales person' - when on premise and when mobile. Also have them show you a day in the life of the warehouse manager. Out of the box, most apps handle this. When you see the 'out of the box' demo you will ask questions - about pricing, about bin control functions, outside warehouse management, etc. Having the consultant spend a day with your staff to tailor the demo to your exact needs will point out the holes (either in your processes or in the software's ability to meet your needs). For instance, pricing is often a sticking point in the sales process. Detailed discussions about 2 key points: what options are available, and how much work does it take to maintain the prices? Spending an extra day or two up front on the critical aspects of your business is well worth the expense. By 'critical' I mean the lifeblood of your company. It's not the accounting unless your sole use of the system is for financials. It how you manufacture or distribute or provide customer services using the ERP system that are important. Make certain these functions are known in detail before you buy.