Fixing Slow SAP S/4HANA Performance: CDS View Optimization Best Practices

Introduction: Why CDS View Performance Matters in SAP S/4HANA

One of the most common and frustrating issues SAP S/4HANA customers face after go-live is slow system performance, especially when running Fiori applications or analytical reports.
In many cases, the root cause is poorly optimized Core Data Services (CDS) views.

CDS views are central to S/4HANA’s data modeling and are used extensively for reporting, embedded analytics, and Fiori UI integration. However, when CDS views are not designed for SAP HANA’s in-memory architecture, they can cause performance bottlenecks, system slowdowns, and user dissatisfaction.

Common CDS View Performance Issues

1. Unnecessary Joins and Data Overload

• Selecting too many tables or unnecessary fields increases memory usage and slows execution.
• Returning full datasets instead of only required records leads to inefficient processing.

2. Filters Applied Too Late

• When filters are applied in the UI or ABAP layer instead of the CDS view itself, huge amounts of data are unnecessarily transferred and processed.

3. Nested CDS View Dependencies

• Chaining multiple CDS views together (sometimes 4–5 levels deep) makes query execution complex and slow.

4. Lack of Proper Indexing

• Large underlying tables without the right indexes force the database to scan entire datasets.

How to Optimize CDS Views for SAP S/4HANA Performance

At Infranext, we’ve developed a proven approach to ensure CDS views run efficiently while maintaining data accuracy and business logic.

Step 1: Analyze Execution with ST05 & PlanViz

• Use SQL Trace (ST05) and PlanViz in HANA Studio to identify bottlenecks such as full table scans, long-running joins, or missing indexes.
• Focus on queries with the highest execution time.

Step 2: Push Filters to the Database Layer

• Always apply WHERE clauses inside the CDS definition so filtering happens at the database level.
• Reduce dataset size as early as possible to save time and memory.

Step 3: Simplify Nested Structures

• Flatten overly complex logic and avoid deep nesting.
• Where possible, pre-aggregate data in a single optimized CDS rather than stacking multiple views.

Step 4: Implement Appropriate Indexing

• Create secondary indexes for frequently filtered fields in large column-store tables.
• Work with your BASIS team to regularly monitor and tune indexing strategies.

Step 5: Test with Production-Sized Data

• Performance in development systems is often misleading due to smaller datasets.
• Always run load testing with real or simulated production volumes.

Post-Go-Live CDS View Performance Checklist

To maintain high system speed, follow these ongoing best practices:

• Monthly Performance Review: Trace key CDS views using ST05.
• Remove Unused CDS Views: Clear out inactive or obsolete models.
• Regression Testing: Automate tests for core analytics and reports.
• Developer Training: Educate your team on CDS performance optimization.

Conclusion: Faster S/4HANA = Happier Users

Poorly optimized CDS views are one of the top causes of slow SAP S/4HANA performance. By applying these best practices, organizations can significantly reduce execution time, improve Fiori app responsiveness, and ensure a smooth user experience.

At Infranext, we specialize in SAP S/4HANA performance optimization, including CDS view tuning, clean core strategies, and post-migration performance audits.
If your SAP system feels slower than it should, our experts can help you identify, fix, and future-proof performance issues.