Understanding Data Access Agent in SAP HANA Cloud

Data in modern organizations rarely sits in a single system. Even companies moving to SAP HANA Cloud often keep important information in Azure SQL, Snowflake, legacy on-prem databases or various cloud applications. Accessing these external sources without constant data movement is becoming essential for performance, accuracy and cost control. The Data Access Agent (DAA) plays a central role in meeting that need. 

SAP HANA Cloud provides high performance in-memory processing and multi-model capabilities. The Data Access Agent extends these capabilities by allowing HANA Cloud to query external systems in real time. 

What the Data Access Agent Does 

Source: Using Data Access Agents in SAP HANA Cloud Central 

The Data Access Agent is a service used to establish secure connectivity between SAP HANA Cloud and external databases such as Azure SQL or Snowflake. It uses JDBC-based adapters to create virtual tables, which appear inside HANA Cloud even though the data remains outside the system. 

This method avoids unnecessary data replication. Analysts and applications can query external information directly through HANA Cloud without storing multiple copies of the same data. 

What is the Procedure? 

Source: Setting Up Data Access Agent 

Setting up a Data Access Agent in SAP HANA Cloud follows a predictable sequence whether you work through SAP HANA Cloud Central or the command line. The goal is to create an agent, size it correctly, register the right database instance and enable the adapters that allow connectivity to external systems. 

When using SAP HANA Cloud Central, the process begins in the Data Access Agents application. A guided setup creation wizard walks through several configuration steps, starting with sizing. SAP provides preset sizing options that determine throughput, memory, CPU and how many remote queries can run at the same time. Each option is designed for different workloads, from light test environments to heavy analytic use. 

The following table summarizes the preset sizes and their capabilities:

After choosing a size, the creation wizard prompts you to select the SAP HANA Cloud database instance that the agent will serve. The instance must be running and must be on version 2025.14 or later. This registration step links the agent to the correct database and allows virtual table creation later. 

The next step is enabling adapters. Adapters determine which types of external systems the agent can connect to. SAP provides a growing set of supported adapters, and the list is available in SAP Note 2600176. You can enable adapters when creating the agent or return later to add or disable them as needed. 

If you prefer to work with the command line, SAP provides a CLI-based method for creating, registering and configuring the Data Access Agent. The CLI supports the same functions as the Cloud Central wizard, including enabling and adjusting adapters later.  

Why the Data Access Agent Matters for Modern Data Architectures 

The agent’s value becomes clearer when seen in the context of hybrid and multi-cloud environments. Many organizations combine SAP applications, hyperscaler databases, third-party SaaS platforms and data lakes. Moving all that data into HANA Cloud would be costly and unnecessary. 

By virtualizing remote data instead of replicating it, organizations gain: 

• Reduced storage consumption and better cost control. 
• A unified query layer across heterogeneous systems. 
• Less duplication and fewer governance headaches. 
• Faster integration cycles, particularly for analytics and reporting. 

As SAP expands the data-federation capabilities in HANA Cloud, the Data Access Agent becomes an anchor component rather than an optional add-on. 

Conclusion  

The Data Access Agent is becoming a foundational component in many SAP HANA Cloud environments and JNC sees its impact across licensing, architecture, security and audit readiness. As organizations shift toward hybrid landscapes that combine SAP systems with cloud warehouses, managed databases and legacy platforms, the way external data is accessed has direct implications for compliance, performance and long-term cost management. The Data Access Agent gives teams a structured and supportable way to connect these systems without creating unmanaged interfaces or uncontrolled data replication. 

In JNC’s work with clients, the configuration of the Data Access Agent often highlights gaps that would otherwise remain hidden until an audit or migration project uncovers them. Sizing choices affect consumption and system behaviour. Adapter selections influence how data flows between platforms. Authentication decisions influence risk exposure. By addressing these considerations early, organizations maintain a cleaner technical footprint and avoid avoidable findings during SAP reviews. 

The evolving SAP roadmap reinforces the importance of a well-governed data integration layer. Capabilities like the Discovery Agent and the Data Agent depend on accurate visibility into all relevant data sources. The Data Access Agent expands this visibility while keeping usage transparent, traceable and aligned with SAP’s commercial framework. For customers preparing for S/4HANA transformations or looking to strengthen their control over a distributed SAP estate, the Data Access Agent supports a more predictable and compliant data architecture. 

From JNC’s perspective, the value of the Data Access Agent is not only in what it connects but in how it helps organizations maintain order in increasingly complex environments. When deployed with clear governance, it supports informed decision making, reduces unnecessary consumption risk and positions SAP HANA Cloud as a stable part of the wider data landscape.