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Exam AZ-120: Planning and Administering Microsoft Azure for SAP Workloads

Exam AZ-120: Planning and Administering Microsoft Azure for SAP Workloads

The AZ-120 certification is specifically designed for professionals who serve as Azure architects or engineers responsible for designing, deploying, and managing SAP solutions on Microsoft Azure. This role demands a deep understanding of both SAP systems and the Azure environment, focusing on ensuring operational efficiency, scalability, and high performance. As a certified professional in this domain, your core duties include:

  • Designing and managing SAP environments tailored to business needs on Azure.
  • Implementing industry-specific best practices for SAP migrations and system integrations.
  • Ensuring the long-term reliability and efficiency of SAP solutions hosted within Azure.
  • Making strategic recommendations related to resource provisioning and service optimization based on workload requirements.

Your goal is to fine-tune SAP operations on Azure with attention to:

  • Resiliency – Ensuring system durability and recovery capabilities
  • Performance – Optimizing workloads for speed and responsiveness
  • Scalability – Adapting infrastructure to meet growing or shifting demands
  • Provisioning and Sizing – Allocating resources based on operational needs
  • Monitoring – Maintaining visibility across infrastructure for proactive management

Collaboration and Implementation

You work in close coordination with:

  • Cloud administrators
  • Cloud database administrators
  • Enterprise stakeholders and clients

This includes implementing solutions such as RISE with SAP and ensuring a unified approach to system architecture and lifecycle management.

Tools and Platforms Used

To manage and maintain SAP workloads, you are expected to be proficient in tools like:

  • Azure Portal – For direct resource management and monitoring
  • Azure Marketplace – To deploy certified SAP solutions and third-party integrations
  • Azure Resource Manager (ARM) Templates – For automation and infrastructure-as-code practices

Technical Expertise Required

A strong foundation in SAP technologies and Azure cloud infrastructure is crucial. Candidates should possess hands-on experience with:

  • SAP HANA (High-Performance Analytic Appliance)
  • SAP Business Suite
  • SAP NetWeaver

In addition to SAP systems, proficiency in the following areas is also essential:

  • Cloud virtualization and networking
  • Data storage and protection strategies
  • High availability and disaster recovery planning
  • Backup and restore methodologies

Recommended Prerequisites

While not mandatory, it is highly recommended that candidates earn the Azure Administrator Associate certification before attempting the AZ-120 exam. This foundational knowledge ensures a better grasp of Azure infrastructure, which is essential for managing SAP workloads effectively.

Exam Details

The AZ-120: Planning and Administering Microsoft Azure for SAP Workloads certification exam is designed for individuals at the intermediate level, particularly those serving in the role of a Solution Architect with a focus on technical infrastructure. Candidates are given 100 minutes to complete the exam, which is proctored and strictly closed book, meaning external resources are not permitted during the assessment. In addition to standard question formats, the exam may include interactive tasks that test practical understanding and application. It is available in multiple languages, including English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, French, German, Spanish, and Brazilian Portuguese. To pass, candidates must achieve a minimum score of 700. Microsoft also offers exam accommodations for those who require additional time, use assistive technologies, or need specific adjustments to their exam environment.

Course Outline

The exam covers the following topics:

1. Migrating SAP workloads to Azure (25—30%)

Identify requirements for target infrastructure

  • Estimate target sizing for SAP workloads (Microsoft Documentation: SAP workloads on Azure: planning and deployment checklist)
  • Identify supported scenarios for SAP deployments on Azure
  • Identify compute, storage, and network requirements for SAP workloads
  • Assess constraints imposed by subscription models and quota limits (Microsoft Documentation: Azure subscription and service limits, quotas, and constraints)
  • Identify software licensing requirements for target workloads
  • Identify cost implications for target workloads
  • Specify an Azure support plan for target infrastructure (Microsoft Documentation: Configure infrastructure)
  • Choose between lift and shift, lift-shift-migrate, and lift-shift-migrate to HANA
  • Choose an appropriate SAP workload migration strategy and tools

Design and implement an Azure environment to support SAP workloads

  • Design and implement authorization and access control for SAP workloads (Microsoft Documentation: SAP workloads on Azure: planning and deployment checklist)
  • Design and implement governance and compliance by using Azure Policy (Microsoft Documentation: Azure Policy)
  • Design and implement authentication for SAP workloads
  • Design and implement authentication for SAP software as a service–based (SaaS-based) applications (Microsoft Documentation: integrating SaaS applications with Azure Active Directory)
  • Design and implement a management hierarchy, including management groups, subscriptions, and resource groups
  • Design Azure landing zones for SAP

Design and implement integration with SAP RISE

  • Design networking for SAP RISE
  • Implement networking for SAP RISE
  • Design and implement Azure compute, network, and storage services with SAP RISE
  • Design and implement integration of data management services such as data archiving
  • Design and implement integration of identity and security services with SAP RISE
2. Designing and implementing an infrastructure to support SAP workloads on Azure (25—30%)

Design and implement a compute solution for SAP workloads

Design and implement networking for SAP on Azure Virtual Machines

Design and implement a storage solution for SAP on Azure Virtual Machines

3. Designing and implementing high availability and disaster recovery (HA/DR) (20—25%)

Design and implement a high-availability solution for SAP on Azure Virtual Machines

Design and implement a disaster recovery solution for SAP on Azure Virtual Machines

4. Maintaining SAP workloads on Azure (20—25%)

Optimize performance and costs

Monitor and maintain SAP on Azure

  • Monitor Azure virtual machines by using Azure Monitor (Microsoft Documentation: Monitor Azure virtual machines)
  • Monitor high availability by using Azure Monitor (Microsoft Documentation: Azure Monitor overview)
  • Monitor storage by using Azure Monitor
  • Monitor networking by using Azure Monitor and Azure Network Watcher
  • Configure Azure Monitor for SAP solutions
  • Manage backups by using Azure Backup
  • Start and stop SAP systems by using Azure Center for SAP solutions
  • Manage virtual instances by using Azure Center for SAP solutions
  • Implement the SAP Landscape Management (LaMa) connector for Azure

Microsoft AZ-120 Exam FAQs

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Microsoft Certification Exam Policies

To preserve the integrity and global reputation of its certification program, Microsoft enforces a set of well-defined exam policies. These policies are designed to provide a secure, fair, and consistent testing experience for all candidates, whether they choose to take the exam remotely or at an authorized testing center. By adhering to these standards, Microsoft ensures that its certifications remain trusted and respected across various industries worldwide.

Retake Policy

If a candidate does not pass the exam on their first try, they must wait at least 24 hours before scheduling another attempt. This brief pause allows time to review results and plan accordingly. For attempts two through five, Microsoft enforces a mandatory 14-day waiting period between each try. To uphold the exam’s credibility, candidates are allowed a maximum of five attempts within a 12-month period, calculated from the date of the initial exam.

Rescheduling and Cancellation Policy

Microsoft provides candidates with flexible rescheduling options. Changes made six or more business days before the scheduled exam date incur no additional cost. However, if rescheduling or cancellation is requested within five business days, a fee will be charged. Candidates who fail to show up or cancel their appointment less than 24 hours in advance will forfeit the entire exam fee. In cases involving emergencies or special accessibility requirements, Microsoft may consider exceptions or waive fees, based on individual circumstances.

Microsoft AZ-120 Exam Study Guide

1. Explore the Exam Objective

Understanding the exam objectives is a crucial step toward effective preparation for the AZ-120 certification. By thoroughly reviewing the official exam outline, candidates can identify the key areas of focus, such as workload planning, deployment, integration, and ongoing management of SAP solutions on Azure. This structured overview not only highlights what topics will be assessed but also helps prioritize study efforts based on the weight of each domain. Familiarity with these objectives ensures a more targeted approach, reducing the chances of overlooking critical concepts and increasing the likelihood of success on exam day.

2. Use the Microsoft Official Learning Path Modules

Using the Microsoft Official Learning Path modules is a smart and efficient way to prepare for the AZ-120 certification exam. These curated learning resources are designed by Microsoft experts and align directly with the exam objectives, ensuring that candidates gain practical, role-based knowledge tailored to real-world scenarios. The modules cover essential topics such as planning and deploying SAP workloads on Azure, managing infrastructure, and ensuring system reliability and compliance. By following these guided learning paths, candidates can build a solid foundation, reinforce critical concepts, and access hands-on labs that enhance technical skills—all of which contribute to a more confident and well-informed exam experience. They are:

3. Use the Microsoft Docs for Reference

Incorporating Microsoft Docs as a reference during your AZ-120 exam preparation provides in-depth, authoritative insights into Azure services and SAP workload integration. These official documents offer detailed explanations, best practices, and up-to-date technical guidance that reflect real-world implementations. Whether you’re exploring deployment strategies, troubleshooting scenarios, or understanding service configurations, Microsoft Docs serves as a reliable and comprehensive knowledge base. Regularly referring to these resources ensures that your learning remains aligned with the latest Azure capabilities and helps reinforce your understanding of core concepts tested in the exam.

4. Join Study Groups and Certification Communities

Becoming part of online study groups or professional communities dedicated to the AZ-120 exam can significantly enhance your preparation. These forums offer a supportive environment where you can exchange ideas, clarify doubts, share study materials, and learn from others’ experiences. Collaborating with peers helps reinforce your understanding of complex topics and keeps you motivated and accountable throughout your learning process.

5. Take AZ-120 Practice Exams

Incorporating practice tests into your study plan is essential for effective exam preparation. These mock exams simulate the real test environment, helping you get comfortable with the question format, difficulty level, and time management. Practice tests also help identify your strengths and weaknesses, enabling you to fine-tune your study approach and improve your chances of success on exam day.

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