The AZ-120 certification exam is a specialized Microsoft credential designed for IT professionals involved in architecting, migrating, and managing SAP workloads on Microsoft Azure. In an enterprise landscape where cloud migration has become more than a trend and now represents a core strategic goal, this exam certifies one’s ability to effectively implement high-performance SAP systems within Azure’s elastic and globally available infrastructure.
SAP applications such as SAP NetWeaver, SAP S/4HANA, and SAP BW require specific architectures, compliance standards, and integration with Azure-native services. Candidates preparing for the AZ-120 certification are expected to exhibit proficiency in aligning SAP workloads with Microsoft Azure’s compute, storage, and networking services while maintaining scalability, security, and cost-efficiency.
Who Should Consider Taking AZ-120
The AZ-120 exam is aimed at professionals responsible for SAP solution architecture, infrastructure design, or workload migration to Azure. Typical roles include solution architects, infrastructure engineers, systems administrators, cloud consultants, and enterprise architects. These individuals are expected to have experience working with SAP applications and workloads, and a solid foundation in Microsoft Azure.
Candidates are typically expected to work in collaboration with other teams—such as database administrators, SAP Basis administrators, network specialists, and security architects—who manage SAP workloads and infrastructure components. A cross-functional mindset is important, given the deeply integrated nature of SAP and Azure systems.
Recommended Knowledge and Prerequisites
Before embarking on preparation for the AZ-120 exam, it’s essential to possess foundational knowledge in several domains. Candidates should be familiar with:
- Core SAP architecture, including SAP NetWeaver, SAP S/4HANA, and SAP HANA
- Azure fundamentals, such as virtual machines, networking, and storage
- Database concepts, particularly high-availability and disaster recovery setups
- Operating systems commonly used with SAP, like SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) and Windows Server
- Identity and access management, monitoring, and security best practices in Azure
It’s highly recommended that candidates have completed certifications such as AZ-104 (Microsoft Azure Administrator) and possess hands-on experience with SAP systems deployed on-premises or in cloud environments.
Exam Overview and Structure
The AZ-120 exam measures your ability to plan, deploy, and manage SAP workloads on Microsoft Azure. The exam comprises a mix of multiple-choice questions, scenario-based problems, and case studies. It typically includes 40 to 60 questions and must be completed in 100 to 120 minutes.
The measured skills are divided into key domains, which are periodically updated by Microsoft to reflect current best practices and platform updates. As of the most recent blueprint, the domains include:
- Migrate SAP workloads to Azure
- Design and implement an infrastructure to support SAP workloads
- Design and implement high availability and disaster recovery
- Maintain SAP workloads on Azure
- Design a migration strategy and monitor SAP on Azure
Understanding the breakdown of these areas helps candidates prioritize their study efforts and allocate time more effectively during exam preparation.
Domain 1: Planning and Migration Strategy
A significant portion of the AZ-120 exam focuses on evaluating one’s ability to develop and execute a migration strategy for SAP systems. Candidates are expected to understand tools like Azure Migrate and the SAP Migration Assessment tool, and how to use them to conduct readiness checks, assess on-premises environments, and prepare the landscape for cloud transformation.
Planning involves more than just technical know-how. It requires comprehension of licensing, regional availability of resources, cost optimization models, and strategic alignment with enterprise objectives. You must be able to determine the right sizing for VMs based on SAPS (SAP Application Performance Standard) values and recommend optimal storage configurations that balance performance and budget constraints.
Candidates are often presented with scenario-based questions where they must select the most appropriate Azure region, VM types (e.g., M-series, E-series), or storage tiers (Premium SSDs vs. Ultra Disks) for specific SAP deployment requirements.
Domain 2: Designing Infrastructure for SAP on Azure
This section emphasizes the architectural design of infrastructure components required to support SAP systems in Azure. This includes compute, networking, and storage, but also focuses on integration with Azure-native features such as Availability Zones, Managed Disks, ExpressRoute, and Virtual Network Peering.
The ability to design redundant and scalable virtual networks, correctly configure network security groups (NSGs), and implement load balancing solutions is critical. You must understand how to deploy SAP Central Services, Application Servers, and Database Servers in a high-availability configuration across multiple Availability Zones or sets.
Furthermore, familiarity with Azure’s Resource Manager templates, Infrastructure-as-Code approaches (like Terraform or Bicep), and hybrid network scenarios is increasingly important for automating deployments and supporting CI/CD pipelines in SAP project environments.
Domain 3: High Availability and Disaster Recovery (HA/DR)
SAP workloads are mission-critical. Any downtime can result in substantial business impact. Therefore, the AZ-120 exam places substantial focus on high availability and disaster recovery planning.
Candidates must know how to configure Azure Load Balancer and Availability Sets to ensure SAP services remain available even during underlying infrastructure failures. Knowledge of Windows Server Failover Clustering (WSFC) and SUSE High Availability Extension (HAE) is essential when deploying SAP on operating systems that support cluster-based configurations.
Moreover, candidates should be familiar with backup and recovery strategies using Azure Backup, Azure Site Recovery, and third-party solutions. You must be able to define Recovery Time Objectives (RTO) and Recovery Point Objectives (RPO), and architect solutions that meet or exceed these benchmarks.
Understanding how to replicate critical SAP components, implement geo-redundancy, and validate failover strategies through testing is often assessed through scenario-based questions that test both conceptual understanding and real-world application.
Domain 4: Managing and Maintaining SAP Workloads on Azure
Administration is not only about setup—it’s about long-term operations. This portion of the exam validates your understanding of how to monitor performance, manage cost, apply patches, and respond to incidents in a live environment.
Familiarity with Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, and Application Insights is necessary for capturing telemetry data and deriving actionable insights. You should be adept at configuring alerts, defining metrics for SAP services, and visualizing system health via dashboards in Azure Monitor or integrated tools like Grafana.
This domain also covers identity management, including integration with Azure Active Directory (Azure AD), role-based access control (RBAC), and governance using Azure Policy and Azure Blueprints. Best practices around patching the OS, managing updates, and ensuring that SAP workloads remain compliant with organizational standards are often explored.
Domain 5: Security, Compliance, and Governance
Security underpins every SAP deployment, especially when hosted in the public cloud. Candidates must demonstrate their grasp of Azure-native security tools such as Azure Security Center, Microsoft Defender for Cloud, and Key Vault for secrets management.
You’ll need to know how to enforce least privilege access, configure managed identities, encrypt data at rest and in transit, and use Azure policies to enforce organizational compliance. Many of the exam scenarios explore real-world business cases where you must justify security design decisions in accordance with both regulatory compliance and operational efficiency.
Understanding hybrid identity strategies, implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA), and integrating SAP roles with Azure AD for seamless user management are all considered critical skills.
How to Prepare for the AZ-120 Exam
A structured preparation approach is essential for tackling the AZ-120 exam effectively. The following strategies can help:
- Use Microsoft Learn modules specifically designed for the AZ-120 exam. These interactive resources provide hands-on labs and real-world examples.
- Engage with whitepapers and best practice guides published by both Microsoft and SAP, particularly those addressing deployment and architecture on Azure.
- Set up a test environment in Azure using free credits or sandbox subscriptions to gain hands-on experience.
- Review the SAP on Azure Implementation Guide and SAP Notes that pertain to Azure configurations.
- Join community forums, user groups, or online study cohorts to engage in discussions and clarify complex topics.
- Attempt practice exams to evaluate your readiness and identify areas for improvement.
Consistency is key—daily study sessions, even if short, can significantly improve retention and understanding of dense technical content.
Training Resources and Learning Paths
Microsoft offers an official instructor-led course titled Course AZ-120T00: Planning and Administering Microsoft Azure for SAP Workloads, which is structured to align with the exam domains. This course includes lectures, labs, and practical examples. Additionally, learning partners often provide bootcamps, workshops, and video tutorials that supplement this course.
Third-party platforms such as Pluralsight, LinkedIn Learning, and Whizlabs offer curated learning paths with video walkthroughs and quizzes. Some platforms also simulate lab environments to reinforce practical skills. For those seeking formal instruction, live or virtual classroom sessions can provide expert guidance and structured pacing.
Exam Registration and Logistics
The AZ-120 exam is available through Pearson VUE and can be taken either at a certified testing center or online through a remote proctoring service. Candidates must create or log into a Microsoft Certification Dashboard to schedule the exam.
The exam fee typically ranges from $165 to $195 USD, depending on location and currency. Discounts may be available for students, educators, or organizations enrolled in Microsoft’s Enterprise Skills Initiative (ESI).
It is advisable to schedule the exam only when consistent practice test scores reflect a solid grasp of all five domain areas, and when confidence has been built through practical application in a test environment.
The AZ-120 certification is a niche yet immensely valuable credential for IT professionals who bridge the SAP and Azure worlds. As businesses increasingly move their SAP workloads to the cloud, those equipped with validated expertise in planning and administering SAP environments on Microsoft Azure are in strong demand.
Introduction to SAP Architecture on Azure
Deploying SAP workloads on Microsoft Azure introduces a dynamic paradigm shift in how businesses operate mission-critical systems. The traditional on-premises SAP architecture model was largely confined by hardware constraints, scalability limitations, and maintenance burdens. Azure alleviates these challenges by offering virtually limitless scalability, high-availability constructs, intelligent automation, and regionally dispersed infrastructure.
In this part, we explore architectural patterns, real-world deployment models, infrastructure planning considerations, and nuanced design approaches that align with the AZ-120 certification. Understanding how theoretical components are translated into operational architectures is key to mastering the exam and deploying successful SAP environments in production.
Understanding the Core SAP Deployment Models
Azure supports a range of SAP applications, including SAP S/4HANA, SAP NetWeaver on AnyDB, SAP BW/4HANA, and SAP Business Suite. The underlying deployment models typically fall into the following categories:
- Single-node systems for development or sandbox environments
- Distributed installations for production-grade use
- Scale-out scenarios, particularly for SAP HANA databases
- High-availability configurations with clustered database and central services
- Hybrid scenarios with partial workloads on-premises and in the cloud
Selecting the correct deployment model depends on workload size, business continuity requirements, and compliance mandates. Candidates must be able to assess and recommend the best-fit architecture based on SAP Notes, customer constraints, and performance goals.
Choosing the Right Azure VM Series for SAP
Microsoft Azure offers a wide variety of virtual machine series optimized for SAP workloads. Choosing the right VM size and series is pivotal to achieving the desired performance and availability. Here are the most commonly used series:
- M-series VMs are designed for memory-intensive SAP HANA deployments. These offer high memory-to-core ratios and are SAP-certified.
- E-series VMs are suitable for application layer components such as SAP Central Services and Application Servers.
- Dv3 and Dv4 VMs can be used for development or testing environments with lower resource needs.
- HANA Large Instances (HLI) are bare-metal servers that provide unparalleled performance for very large SAP HANA systems.
Sizing VMs involves analyzing SAPS (SAP Application Performance Standard) requirements provided by SAP Quick Sizer and translating those into compute and memory requirements within Azure. Misjudging sizing leads to underperformance, escalated costs, or failed deployments.
Network Design Patterns and Virtual Network Strategies
SAP systems are latency-sensitive, multi-tiered, and require secure internal communication between components. Azure networking must be meticulously planned to ensure efficiency and isolation. Key network design considerations include:
- Use of Azure Virtual Networks (VNets) with defined subnets for each SAP tier
- Implementation of Network Security Groups (NSGs) to restrict traffic based on IP and port
- Deployment across Availability Zones or paired regions for fault isolation
- Configuration of ExpressRoute or VPN gateways for hybrid connectivity
- Consideration of Azure Private Link and DNS customizations for internal services
Azure also supports Application Gateway and Azure Firewall integration to provide load balancing and security for SAP Fiori or external-facing endpoints. Candidates must show competency in designing network architecture that supports both internal trust and perimeter defense.
Implementing High Availability and Load Balancing
High availability is a non-negotiable requirement for most SAP customers. A downtime of even a few minutes can disrupt financial transactions, manufacturing processes, or customer engagement. Azure provides multiple ways to implement fault-tolerant designs:
- Availability Sets and Availability Zones protect against localized hardware or datacenter failures
- Cluster-based HA for database layers using SQL Server Always On or SAP HANA System Replication
- Redundant SAP Central Services configured with Azure Load Balancer
- Use of Azure Site Recovery for disaster recovery across regions
- Integration with Azure Backup for consistent snapshot-based data protection
Designing HA requires a deep understanding of how SAP applications respond to infrastructure failure and how to avoid single points of failure. Scenarios in the AZ-120 exam may include diagrams or problem statements where candidates must propose failover-ready architectures.
Storage Planning and IOPS Considerations
SAP workloads are storage-intensive, particularly in the case of transactional databases and analytical processing on HANA. Azure’s storage offerings must be configured to meet the input/output operations per second (IOPS) and throughput needs of SAP components. Storage planning involves:
- Using Premium SSDs or Ultra Disks for SAP database storage volumes
- Separating OS, data, log, and backup volumes to optimize performance
- Leveraging Azure NetApp Files (ANF) for shared storage and file system mounts
- Ensuring redundancy through zone-redundant or geo-redundant storage (ZRS or GRS)
The IOPS and throughput vary with disk size and VM type. Candidates should use SAP’s KPIs and Microsoft’s guidance to ensure that storage latency remains below the critical thresholds for SAP systems. Tools like SAP HANA Hardware and Cloud Measurement Tools help validate performance benchmarks.
Automation and Deployment at Scale
Enterprises rarely deploy SAP systems manually in modern cloud environments. Automation improves consistency, reduces human error, and accelerates time to deployment. Candidates must understand how to leverage automation tools and practices such as:
- Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates for infrastructure-as-code
- Bicep language as a modern alternative to JSON-based ARM
- Terraform and Ansible for cross-platform automation
- SAP Software Provisioning Manager (SWPM) for automated SAP installations
- Azure DevOps pipelines for continuous integration and deployment
Automating SAP deployments also involves scripting for configuration, patching, and service registration. Candidates should be familiar with building parameterized templates that support different environments such as dev, QA, and production.
Monitoring and Performance Optimization
SAP systems generate a significant amount of telemetry data. Azure provides integrated monitoring solutions that help administrators track system health, performance, and availability. Candidates must understand how to:
- Use Azure Monitor to collect metrics, logs, and events from SAP VMs
- Integrate with Log Analytics to query and visualize logs using Kusto Query Language (KQL)
- Set up Application Insights to monitor custom SAP applications
- Utilize Grafana dashboards for real-time SAP HANA monitoring
- Implement proactive alerts and automated remediation actions
Performance tuning is an ongoing process and involves analyzing memory usage, CPU consumption, disk latency, and application-level transaction times. Deep knowledge of SAP kernel settings, VM throttling, and memory management is essential to optimize system behavior.
Role-Based Access Control and Governance
Managing who has access to what resources is a foundational part of Azure architecture. In an SAP environment, this becomes even more critical given the sensitivity of data and the complexity of user roles. Candidates should be able to:
- Assign least-privilege roles using Azure Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
- Manage identities through Azure Active Directory (Azure AD)
- Integrate SAP logins with Azure AD for single sign-on experiences
- Use Azure Policy to enforce resource configurations and compliance rules
- Implement Azure Blueprints for pre-approved, repeatable deployments
Good governance also includes cost control. Using Azure Cost Management tools, tagging resources, and setting budgets help avoid overspending and identify underutilized assets.
Real-World Implementation Scenario: Global Retail ERP Migration
Consider a global retail organization that is migrating its SAP ECC system to SAP S/4HANA hosted on Azure. The business operates in multiple countries and must ensure 24/7 uptime, localized compliance, and fast response times.
The Azure deployment architecture includes:
- SAP S/4HANA database on an M32ts VM with Premium SSDs
- Application servers deployed on E32ds_v4 VMs across three Availability Zones
- SAP Central Services cluster using SUSE HAE with Azure Load Balancer
- Network architecture with ExpressRoute from multiple on-prem locations
- Integration with Azure AD for centralized identity
- Azure Backup and Site Recovery configured for DR in a paired region
- Monitoring using Azure Monitor and custom Grafana dashboards
This implementation scenario would form the basis of a case study in the AZ-120 exam. Candidates may be asked to troubleshoot performance bottlenecks, suggest improvements in DR configuration, or optimize the sizing of the database layer.
Handling Hybrid and Legacy System Integration
Not all customers move fully to the cloud. Some retain core systems on-premises or rely on third-party services. Hybrid integration scenarios are increasingly common, and the AZ-120 exam may present you with such cases.
Hybrid integration challenges include:
- Extending Active Directory or using Azure AD Connect
- Deploying Azure Arc for management of on-prem SAP resources
- Synchronizing data between cloud and on-prem systems securely
- Ensuring latency-sensitive components remain local while offloading analytics to Azure
Candidates should be prepared to identify when a hybrid model is appropriate and how to mitigate its inherent complexity using available Azure tools.
Security and Compliance in Architectural Decisions
Security is baked into every decision regarding SAP deployment. From disk encryption to traffic filtering, every layer must comply with enterprise security standards and regulatory obligations. Candidates should design architectures that:
- Use Azure Key Vault for storing secrets, certificates, and keys
- Encrypt VM disks using platform-managed or customer-managed keys
- Restrict traffic using NSGs, firewalls, and route tables
- Monitor security risks with Microsoft Defender for Cloud
- Enable diagnostics and logging for audit trails and compliance reporting
Organizations in regulated industries must also meet GDPR, HIPAA, or ISO standards. Azure provides tools to assist with compliance, but architects must still configure systems with these frameworks in mind.
Designing SAP on Azure is as much about understanding business priorities and constraints as it is about knowing which VM size or storage tier to use. Part 2 of this series has unpacked the architectural nuances and design decisions that align with the AZ-120 certification’s focus on real-world applications.
As a candidate, you are not just expected to memorize documentation but to apply architectural thinking that supports scalability, resilience, security, and operational agility. From network planning and high availability to automation and security governance, each design element plays a role in ensuring successful SAP deployment on Azure.
Introduction to the Final Phase of Preparation
After absorbing the foundational knowledge and architectural insights discussed in the first two parts, the final stage of AZ-120 exam preparation is about sharpening your tactical edge. The exam is not merely theoretical—it tests your practical readiness to diagnose, troubleshoot, and administer SAP workloads in Azure environments under complex constraints.
This part of the guide focuses on advanced troubleshooting methods, practical tips for real-world administration, proven exam-taking strategies, and how to build lasting expertise even after the certification. If you seek to elevate your professional profile with AZ-120, this concluding installment offers the actionable clarity needed to achieve mastery.
Deep-Dive into SAP Troubleshooting on Azure
Azure environments are dynamic, and SAP systems are inherently intricate. Troubleshooting demands fluency in both Azure services and SAP internals. To excel in the AZ-120 exam, candidates must demonstrate the ability to identify, analyze, and resolve various issues, often under vague or ambiguous conditions.
Here are typical troubleshooting domains the exam focuses on:
VM Performance Bottlenecks
- Symptoms: High CPU usage, memory saturation, slow transaction processing.
- Remedies: Resize VMs, enable accelerated networking, ensure adequate IOPS by modifying disk types, analyze SAP workload distribution.
Network Connectivity Issues
- Symptoms: SAP GUI unable to connect, failed system replication, latency spikes.
- Remedies: Validate NSG rules, check UDRs (User-Defined Routes), inspect DNS configuration, test VPN/ExpressRoute latency, utilize Azure Network Watcher.
Storage Throughput Errors
- Symptoms: Slow database read/write, SAP HANA alerts on I/O latency.
- Remedies: Upgrade to Premium SSD or Ultra Disk, split log/data on separate disks, align SAP HANA KPIs with disk performance metrics.
High Availability Failures
- Symptoms: ASCS cluster not failing over, central services offline, manual intervention required.
- Remedies: Inspect cluster configurations, validate load balancer health probes, review failover logs, test ARM templates for automation gaps.
The key lies in using both Azure-native and SAP-native tools synergistically—Azure Monitor, SAP Solution Manager, SAP EarlyWatch Alerts, and OS-level logging must all be in your toolkit.
Azure Cost Optimization Techniques for SAP Workloads
Cost is a silent constraint that often dictates architectural and operational decisions. Overspending on SAP deployments can offset cloud migration benefits. As an AZ-120 candidate, your ability to design and manage cost-effective SAP systems is paramount.
Key cost optimization strategies include:
- Right-Sizing VMs: Periodically assess VM utilization with Azure Advisor to eliminate oversized resources.
- Use Reserved Instances (RIs): For always-on systems like SAP S/4HANA, RIs significantly reduce compute costs.
- Storage Tiering: Archive infrequently accessed backups to cool or archive tiers; use ANF only for critical high-speed operations.
- Deallocate Non-Production VMs: Schedule shutdowns during off-hours using Azure Automation or Logic Apps.
- Monitor Egress Traffic: Large data transfers between regions or to on-premises networks can escalate bandwidth costs.
Demonstrating awareness of these cost strategies not only helps in passing the exam but also strengthens your strategic IT contributions in any SAP-centric organization.
Azure Governance and Compliance Management for SAP
SAP workloads often serve sectors bound by strict regulatory controls—finance, healthcare, manufacturing. Governance is not just about preventing chaos; it’s about maintaining auditability, standardization, and risk mitigation.
AZ-120 expects proficiency in implementing governance mechanisms such as:
- Management Groups: Organize subscriptions into a hierarchy for policy inheritance.
- Azure Policy: Enforce rules like allowed VM SKUs, required tags, or disk encryption.
- Blueprints: Deploy complete environments with predefined configurations including resource groups, role assignments, policies, and templates.
- Cost Management Tools: Track and forecast SAP-related expenditures at the subscription, resource group, or application level.
In many exam scenarios, you may be asked to apply governance to real-world challenges—like isolating dev/test environments, tagging SAP assets by cost center, or enforcing network segmentation using policies.
Automation and DevOps Alignment for SAP Deployments
Automation is the backbone of repeatable, error-free cloud deployments. For SAP workloads, where configurations are verbose and deployments laborious, automation becomes indispensable.
Be well-versed in:
- Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Use Bicep or Terraform to deploy SAP-compliant topologies.
- Ansible Playbooks: Automate OS-level configurations, patching, and SAP component installations.
- SAP Deployment Automation Framework (SDAF): A Microsoft-supported framework that provisions and installs complete SAP landscapes on Azure using Terraform and Ansible.
- Azure DevOps Pipelines: Automate testing, deployment, and monitoring integration with Azure Key Vault and GitHub.
Real-world AZ-120 questions might present deployment scenarios requiring you to determine if IaC is the best route, whether to use Azure Automation or ARM templates, or how to integrate deployment into a CI/CD pipeline.
Practicing with Hands-On Labs and Simulations
Conceptual knowledge must be reinforced through practice. Fortunately, Microsoft and partner organizations offer curated labs, simulations, and sandboxes to help candidates explore SAP on Azure firsthand.
Recommended platforms and resources include:
- Microsoft Learn Modules for AZ-120: Offers interactive labs for SAP VM deployment, networking, backup, and automation.
- SAP Cloud Appliance Library (CAL): Run SAP systems in trial mode with Azure as the backend.
- GitHub Repositories from Microsoft: Access ARM templates and Bicep modules specific to SAP scenarios.
- Azure Free Trial or Pay-As-You-Go Subscriptions: Create personal test environments to experiment with VMs, storage, VNets, and monitoring.
Engage in scenario-based exercises like deploying a three-tier SAP system, simulating a failover, or configuring ExpressRoute with BGP peering. These exercises consolidate your ability to solve open-ended problems, a crucial skill for the AZ-120 exam.
Strategizing for the AZ-120 Exam Day
When approaching the exam, strategy can be as vital as subject knowledge. The following tactics will sharpen your performance and maximize your score:
- Understand the Question Types: Expect a mix of case studies, multiple-choice questions, drag-and-drop scenarios, and command-line tasks.
- Use the Process of Elimination: Discard obviously incorrect options to improve your odds even in uncertain situations.
- Flag and Return: Don’t waste time on a single puzzling question. Flag it and revisit later with a fresh perspective.
- Time Management: You will have approximately 120 minutes for 40–60 questions. Keep track of your time using the exam interface’s timer.
- Review Before Submission: Utilize remaining time to review flagged or doubtful answers. Many errors are caught in second passes.
Microsoft Learn and ExamSandbox provide exam simulations that help reduce anxiety and improve familiarity with the UI.
Post-Certification: Leveraging AZ-120 for Career Growth
Passing the AZ-120 exam signals to employers that you are proficient in architecting and managing enterprise SAP systems on Azure—a highly specialized and in-demand skill set. But the journey doesn’t end with a certificate.
Ways to capitalize on your AZ-120 certification include:
- Specialize Further: Combine AZ-120 with certifications like AZ-104 (Administrator), AZ-305 (Architect), or SAP’s own certifications to deepen your niche.
- Join SAP on Azure Communities: Participate in Microsoft Tech Community, SAP JAM groups, or LinkedIn forums to stay updated on evolving best practices.
- Contribute to Open Source or Blogs: Write about your deployment experiences, contribute to GitHub SAP scripts, or speak at Azure-related events.
- Mentor Others: Share your preparation tips with junior engineers or cross-functional teams. Teaching reinforces your expertise.
Azure and SAP are both expanding ecosystems. Staying engaged post-certification ensures that your skills evolve alongside the platform.
Key Topics to Review Before the Exam
As a final checklist, here are critical topics to master before sitting for the AZ-120 exam:
- Planning infrastructure for SAP workloads (VMs, disks, VNets, zones)
- Designing for high availability and disaster recovery
- Implementing network security and identity controls
- Monitoring SAP workloads using Azure-native and third-party tools
- Deploying SAP HANA, S/4HANA, and NetWeaver in Azure
- Automating deployments using Bicep, Terraform, and Ansible
- Managing governance with policies, RBAC, and Blueprints
- Troubleshooting compute, storage, and network issues
- Understanding cost optimization and compliance strategies
Make use of Microsoft documentation, SAP Notes, whitepapers, and the SAP on Azure implementation guide as authoritative study material.
Conclusion:
Completing the AZ-120 exam journey transforms you from an IT generalist into a highly valued cloud SAP architect. Whether you support digital transformations or lead greenfield implementations, this certification proves your mettle in one of the most mission-critical spheres of enterprise IT.
Success in AZ-120 isn’t about rote memorization—it’s about learning to think like an architect, implement like an engineer, and manage like a strategist. With the right preparation, hands-on practice, and a sharp exam strategy, passing AZ-120 becomes not just possible, but likely.
You are now equipped with an end-to-end preparation roadmap. May your certification journey be as rewarding as the expertise you’ll gain.