SAP S/4HANA:

S/4HANA is currently SAP’s most important product. This is a next generation platform. It enables greatly accelerated data processing and analysis, especially in combination with SAP HANA in-memory technology. The main goal of the platform is a seamless and process user experience for all companies and their customers that use SAP. This enables new business models that can cope with the speed and data volumes of the digital transformation. S/4HANA is, so to speak, the SAP gateway to a digital and flexible process and work environment. It does not only change the systemic handling of data, but also the entire working methods and structures within companies.

Advantages of  SAP S/4HANA

In order to be part of the competition and to remain part of the future, companies are demanding ever shorter innovation cycles. But this is just one of the many benefits that the SAP platform offers, as well as:

• A basis for complete process automation
• Mapping of all E2E process along the Supply Chain
• High performance data storage – 50% lower data volume
• High  Transparency through extended real time analysis
• Lower maintenance intensity
• S/4HANA enables a scalable system with needs-based composition through a few specific core processes
• Device and location independent use
• Intelligente extensions through SAP Ariba, SAP Leonardo and SuccessFactors
• Coupled with  SAP HANA Data Base: Processing and combining of large ammount of data, ideal for Big Data Management. Just right for the use of artificial intelligence.
• High level of user friendliness through  Fiori interfaces and role-based work

Operating modes of the  SAP S/4HANA Plattform

There are different ways to operate the platform. The three most important are briefly outlined below:

Which operating mode is ultimately chosen for SAP S/4HANA is a company-specific decision and depends on several factors, such as the existing hardware and infrastructure as well as how much maintenance you would either like to carry out in-house or possibly hand over to a service provider. There are many intermediate forms and hybrids, so that only an individual consideration of the company’s circumstances makes sense, which will eventually lead to the goal.

Which operating mode is ultimately chosen for SAP S/4HANA is a company-specific decision and depends on several factors, such as the existing hardware and infrastructure as well as how much maintenance you would either like to carry out in-house or possibly hand over to a service provider. There are many intermediate forms and hybrids, so that only an individual consideration of the company’s circumstances makes sense, which will eventually lead to the goal.

Conversion to SAP S/4HANA

How to proceed with the implementation is another individual decision. Zalando is an example of a successful greenfield approach. The flagship gave up the existing and grown structures and implemented the solution, S/4HANA, completely in summer 2020. In terms of data technology, the company is thus starting from scratch (on a green field). Relevant legacy data is gradually migrated. The approach has the advantage that a very heterogeneous and possibly an individualized IT landscape can be migrated to a standard version in a homogeneous environment. It enables a new beginning and an ideal starting point for future changes.

There are also companies with other priorities. Those who have already invested a lot of time in customizing their ERPs and have the right to take on certain processes. The existing systems are upgraded to the new version of the Business Suite with the brownfield approach. Gradually, they will then be converted to S/4HANA. As a result, the previous landscape is largely retained, but at the same time benefits from the advantages of the new software.

A middle ground between greenfield and brownfield is also conceivable. Our consultants always recommend: You don’t always have to reinvent the wheel, but new beginnings should be made where is deemed necessary. It is important that structured change management supports the employees during implementation.

Future of SAP S/4HANA

SAP will terminate regular maintenance for the ECC 6.0 in 2027. Updates have been planned, for an additional charge, until 2030. Any changes that are too late can have consequences for companies. Errors and weak points would no longer be eliminated in SAP ERP. This creates risks for the system operation as well as for the business processes. 20% of existing SAP customers have started the changeover in 2021.

We recommend that you deal with the implementation in good time. We are happy to consult and support you during this important step. Our experienced developers know which parts of the custom code need to be adapted before a migration occurs so that the move works smoothly. We will inspect your system and make sure that all the basic requirements for the changeover are met. A permanent contact person will help you with all relevant change management processes and support you in choosing the right type of business and migration strategy.

Do you have any questions about S/4HANA? Feel free to contact us at any time.