Avoiding legacy system replication in SAP

𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐌𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐒𝐀𝐏 𝐄𝐂𝐂 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐀𝐏 𝐒/𝟒𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐀 – 𝐀𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞 For many SAP installed base customers, a Brownfield migration from SAP ECC to SAP S/4HANA looks like a straightforward path. After all, the premise of Brownfield is that you “lift and shift” your current system, minimizing disruption, cost, and risk. SAP often underscores these advantages in its sales pitch, encouraging companies to see Brownfield as a simpler alternative to Greenfield. However, this approach can hold a hidden 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭-𝐆𝐨𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞 that activates as many of the new capabilities in S/4HANA as possible. Organizations that merely replicate their existing processes in the new environment risk missing out on the true power of S/4HANA’s advanced features, such as embedded analytics, streamlined user experience (Fiori), and real-time data processing. Instead of transforming how work is done, they end up with a modern system used in an old way—hardly worth the migration effort. Another overlooked factor is the complexity of 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐂𝐂 or from a 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐝 over time. In such cases, what is marketed as “uncomplicated, cheap, and risk-free” can suddenly become a long process of untangling modifications, deprecating obsolete code, and harmonizing data. With every custom enhancement or non-standard integration, there’s a need to carefully assess whether it should be carried forward, re-implemented using new best practices, or abandoned altogether. These extra preparatory steps can extend project timelines and add cost that wasn’t initially anticipated. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫: if you opt for a Brownfield approach, make sure you also allocate resources for an extensive clean-up beforehand, and include a post-GoLive optimization phase. Only then will you truly leverage the innovations that SAP S/4HANA brings, and avoid the unpleasant surprise of a “lift and shift” that barely moves the needle on performance and ROI. #sap #technology #risewithsap #digitaltransformation

🚫 There’s no such thing as “lift and shift.” When organizations face legacy system renewal deadlines, the temptation is strong: “Let’s just move it over as-is for now and modernize later.” That approach almost always a terrible idea. What you end up with is a poor imitation of the old system—rebuilt on a modern platform, but without leveraging how the new technology is designed to work. It doesn’t improve the experience for users. In fact, it often makes things worse, as the forklifted design won't work smoothly in the new platform, and after the lift and shift is done, your attention will move to the next fire, and the lifted and shifted technical debt becomes the permanent system. 💡 Instead, give yourself the time to do it right. Don’t wait until two months before your license renewal so it becomes urgent. Modernization doesn’t have to mean a total redesign. Today, we can use tools like Copilot or other AI tools to analyze screenshots, documentation, and data to help you understand what your current systems do—and how they could work better. And have at least a short conversation with the key business stakeholders involved in the process to learn more about how they use the system and gaps based on the modern business process. Often, with just a small amount of redesign: - You eliminate costly customizations or third-party add-ons. - You reduce long-term maintenance costs. - You get better adoption, faster performance, and a more future-ready solution. ✨ So don’t forklift your technical debt into a new platform. Use the opportunity to modernize with intention. #DigitalTransformation #LegacyModernization #PowerPlatform #Copilot #EnterpriseTech #ApplicationModernization

How to Reduce SAP ECC to S/4HANA Migration Cost by 40–60% 🚨 SAP ECC customers: Planning your move to S/4HANA but worried about high costs? Here’s a truth many won’t tell you: 💡 Your migration cost isn’t driven by SAP license costs. It’s driven by: – The complexity of your existing processes – Decades of customizations – Data cleanup and migration decisions – Fear of change leading to analysis-paralysis If you want to reduce your migration cost by 40–60%, consider these principles: ✅ 1️⃣ Migrate to a Clean Core Don’t lift and shift decades of custom code. Adopt SAP best practices and keep your core clean to reduce implementation and future maintenance costs. ✅ 2️⃣ Master Data First Approach Begin collecting, cleansing, and validating your master data before the project starts to avoid delays during implementation. ✅ 3️⃣ Embrace Standard Processes Most ECC customers can run 80–90% of their processes in SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud without custom code. Don’t let the exceptions drive your design. ✅ 4️⃣ Avoid Over-Engineering Fit-to-Standard Focus on what delivers real business value. Don’t replicate ECC-era custom workflows and reports unless they are truly critical. ✅ 5️⃣ Use a Rapid Deployment Approach Work with a partner who can set up your system in weeks, not months, using preconfigured content and accelerators to reduce billable hours. ✅ 6️⃣ Don’t Migrate Historical Transaction Data Archive ECC data securely for compliance, but migrate only what you need to simplify the project and reduce testing efforts. We’ve helped mid-market ECC customers migrate to SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud in 16–20 weeks with 40–60% lower costs using this mindset. The future isn’t about avoiding migration costs—it’s about avoiding legacy drag that keeps you from innovating. Are you still planning your ECC migration using 2005 thinking in 2025? 💬 If you’d like to learn how to practically execute this clean, cost-effective migration, DM me or comment below, and I’ll share real-world examples. #SAP #S4HANA #ERP #DigitalTransformation #CloudERP #CleanCore #SAPMigration #Leadership #TeamASAR #ASARDigital