For years, SAP ECC has been a dependable ERP system for many, thanks to its wide range of solutions that fulfill the unique needs of businesses. But now that SAP ECC's maintenance lifetime is coming to a close, organizations are preparing to switch to SAP S/4HANA, the next-generation ERP system. This transition entails a fundamental change in the underlying technology and data structures, and it goes beyond just a simple software upgrade.
According to a survey of 116 SAP user organizations, 61 percent said that data management challenges have slowed or will slow the automation of their business processes. It's all about the data, especially master data. SAP ERP relies heavily on it, making data migration the riskiest workstream, always. In this blog, we will delve into the key facets of SAP data migration, ECC to S/4HANA data migration approaches, planning, tools, and more
So, to find answers to the burning question - how to migrate data from SAP ECC to S/4HANA disruption-free, dive in!
Understanding SAP ECC and S/4HANA
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems like SAP ECC have been around for a while. On the other hand, S/4HANA is a more recent ERP system that is constructed on the SAP HANA database. Hence, SAP ECC differs fundamentally from S/4HANA. While ECC relies on traditional databases, S/4HANA leverages SAP's in-memory database, SAP HANA, for lightning-fast performance that enables quicker data processing and real-time analytics. S/4HANA also introduces streamlined processes and a more intuitive user interface, setting the stage for enhanced business agility and innovation.
Why Transition to SAP S/4HANA
Transitioning to S/4HANA offers several advantages, including:
- Improved performance and speed
- Real-time analytics and reporting
- Simplified data model and business processes
- Enhanced user experience
- Improved security and compliance
- Data-driven decision making
- Quicker and more agile response to market changes
According to SAP, data migration has always been the highest-risk task, and the risks posed by SAP S/4HANA data migration, and subsequent data management processes are real and widespread. SAP Data migration involves far more than the "Load" step, and believing otherwise may inevitably lead to missed expectations.
So yes, data migration during SAP ECC and S/4HANA move is challenging, but there are different approaches and tools available to address these challenges. Companies can choose the approach that best suits their needs and follow best practices to achieve a successful transition to SAP S/4HANA.
Commonly Utilized SAP Data Migration Approaches:
There are different data migration strategies or approaches available when moving from SAP ECC system to S/4HANA. These approaches are:
Brownfield Approach
The "System Conversion Approach" (also known as the "Lift and Shift" or "Brownfield-Approach") entails upgrading an existing SAP ECC system to S/4HANA without interfering with ongoing company operations. For businesses that are happy with their current organizational structure and want to convert it to the new environment, this process typically works effectively. Benefits include:
- Being able to smoothly transition your workloads from the ECC version to the SAP S/4HANA ecosystem
- The process might only take a few days as you are not beginning from scratch
However, there are several specialized SAP conversion tools and recommendations made to proactively address and reduce such issues from the outset.
Greenfield Approach
The new Implementation Approach (aka "Greenfield-Approach") involves implementing a new S/4HANA system from scratch. It is a more time-consuming option but allows for a fresh start. It is crucial to remember that in a Greenfield project, some data, such as historical data and intricate records, may be too expensive to migrate. Despite this, SAP S/4HANA offers a means to retrieve past ERP data. Businesses can move master data, for instance, by using the SAP Migration Cockpit. So, with this method, historical data is preserved, and any data that would be too expensive, or irrelevant to relocate can be left behind. Benefits include:
- Offers an opportunity to integrate state-of-the-art technology from scratch.
- Easier to get rid of the issues your previous infrastructure had
- No compulsion to work within any constraint of the previous infrastructure or system
Because it can be time-consuming, this method has become fairly uncommon nowadays. Furthermore, there are too many development options available, and organizations might not know which strategy is required.
Selective Data Transition Approach
A selective data transformation technique sits somewhere between a greenfield and a brownfield strategy. This approach involves migrating only relevant historical data from SAP ECC to S/4HANA while leaving as much obsolete data behind as possible. With this method, you may quickly establish new configuration settings and enhance all of your business operations. Benefits include:
- Great option for companies with limited time and resources
- Helps avoid business disruptions when you are moving data to SAP S/4HANA
- Allows to migrate huge amounts of data in a single go-live, while retaining only the relevant historical data
- Migrate your relevant historical data only while retaining a consistent document flow or process chain
- Define the efficiency or speed you wish and mix projects and data segments with ease
In any event, before beginning the selecting data approach, there needs to be a solid plan in action.
Direct Data Transfer
This is another way to go through, for data migration from SAP ECC to SAP S/4HANA. This approach involves transferring data without major changes or intermediary steps directly from the source system (ECC) to the target system (S/4HANA). While this approach is relatively straightforward, it still requires careful planning, data mapping, and validation to ensure a successful migration. Benefits include:
- Can be a quicker approach compared to more complex data migration methods
- Fewer intermediary steps and transformations, making it easier to manage
- Since the data is transferred directly, downtime is minimized, reducing business disruption
Tools for Data Migration to S/4HANA
There are several tools and services available for SAP ECC system to SAP S/4HANA data migration. Here are the detailed and updated content for each tool:
SAP S/4HANA Readiness Check:
This tool offers details on the scope, effort, and timeline for the move to S/4HANA. It assists businesses in determining how prepared they are for the transition and in locating any potential problems that might emerge during the migration process. The program makes migration easier and lowers the possibility of corrupted or lost data. Active Business Functions, Add-On Compatibility, Custom Code Analysis, Recommended Fiori Apps, S/4HANA Sizing, Simplification Items, Compatibility Scope Analysis, Integration, Business Process Discovery, Customer Vendor Analysis, Data Volume Management, and Planned Downtime Analysis are all covered in the results dashboard.
SAP Transformation Navigator:
This self-service tool advises users on the optimal course of action based on the organization's present SAP landscape and long-term objectives. The transformation process is customized to the unique requirements of the organization after an analysis of the current system landscape. It also provides a technical guide to help organizations understand how their landscape can change, what they should prepare for, and how their migration can take place. This tool is capable of assisting with the SAP S/4HANA brownfield migration strategy.
SAP S/4HANA Migration Cockpit:
This web-based tool uses migration objects to identify and transfer the relevant data and facilitates the migration process by providing predefined migration templates. It includes three different methods for S/4HANA data migration, viz; File Method, Staging tables, and Direct Transform. SAP S/4HANA migration cockpit works best for enterprises that have installed SAP S/4HANA (new implementation scenarios) and want to migrate their business data from SAP or non-SAP software systems.
Rapid Data Migration to SAP S/4HANA:
Rapid Data Migration to SAP S/4HANA is an on-premise tool that helps companies to connect and transform all the sources such as BW, any SAP system, or non-SAP systems. The tool has a user-friendly interface and needs less manual intervention. It is also a cost-effective, fast and efficient way to migrate data to S/4HANA.
Legacy System Migration Workbench (LSMW):
It is a cross-platform part of the SAP system that has standard interfaces like BAPI and IDoc as well as connections to the Data Transfer Center, batch input, and direct input processing. Every SAP system comes with LSMW, a free utility. With the help of this user-friendly tool, massive amounts of data may be moved rapidly and effectively.
Planning for Data Migration: The To Dos
Planning for data migration while moving from SAP ECC system to S/4HANA involves several critical steps that require meticulous planning and preparation to ensure a successful outcome. Here are the detailed and updated content for each step:
Conducting a Thorough Analysis of the Existing ECC System:
Start by conducting a thorough analysis of your existing ECC system to understand its data landscape. Decide on the migration's scope, assess the quality of the data, and identify the pertinent data objects. Next, determine whether your ECC system is compatible with S/4HANA and perform the necessary system updates, patches, and modifications. Create a thorough migration plan while taking into account variables like data volume, complexity, dependencies, and downtime restrictions. To oversee the migration process, assemble a focused project team of data experts, technological experts, and business stakeholders.
Data Mapping and Cleansing:
Mapping the data fields from the ECC system to the appropriate fields in S/4HANA is a crucial step. To achieve correct mapping, be aware of how the two systems' data structures, field names, and formats differ from one another. Use this chance to clean up and standardize your data, getting rid of duplicates, dated information, and discrepancies. Data cleaning raises the quality of data and creates a solid base for S/4HANA. Automate the mapping and cleaning process using specialized software or data migration solutions to save time and lower the possibility of errors.
Identifying Relevant Data Objects and Data Quality Management:
Identifying relevant data objects is crucial to ensure that only relevant historical data is migrated while leaving as much obsolete data behind as possible. Data quality management is also critical to ensure that the migrated data is accurate and complete.
Executing the Data Migration:
Now that the groundwork has been laid, the data transfer may be carried out. To evaluate the migration strategy and spot any potential issues, start by running a trial run on a non-production system. Create a thorough data migration strategy that covers data loading, transformation, and extraction. By putting in place suitable validation and reconciliation methods, you may guarantee data consistency and integrity throughout the migration process. Keep a tight eye on the migration process and resolve any mistakes or inconsistencies right away. To guarantee that the transferred data is accurate and full, carry out extensive testing and validation after migration. Also ensure a plan for post-migration operations including data preservation, user training, and continuing support.
Post Migration Hygiene Check
Post data migration steps are crucial to ensure that the implemented data migration is accurate and complete. Here are the detailed and updated content for post data migration steps while moving from SAP ECC system to S/4HANA:
Validate the Migrated Data:
After the data migration process is finished, it is crucial to validate the migrated data to make sure it is accurate and complete. To make sure that the migrated data is consistent with the original data, this stage entails doing extensive testing and validation.
Perform Data Reconciliation:
This step involves a comparison of migrated data with the original data to make sure there are no conflicts. This stage entails locating and fixing any data mistakes or inconsistencies that might have happened during the data migration procedure.
Conduct User Acceptance Testing:
Test the migrated data with end users to make sure it satisfies their expectations. In this step, end users are included in testing to make sure the migrated data is valid and comprehensive.
Train End-users:
After the data migration procedure is over, it is crucial to teach and give the end users the appropriate instruction and assistance on the new system to make sure they can utilize it efficiently.
Monitor the System:
It is crucial to closely monitor the system after the data transfer procedure is finished to make sure it is operating properly. It involves keeping an eye on the system for any mistakes or problems and quickly fixing them.
Cloud4C an End-to-end Partner for Your SAP Data Migration Journey
It is not possible to overstate how important it is to switch from the dependable SAP ECC system to the cutting-edge SAP S/4HANA. According to a survey, a significant 66% of SAP customer enterprises have cited difficulty in their migration from SAP ECC to S/4HANA. The keystone of this transformation being data migration, it is pivotal to ensure a seamless transfer of your valuable business data to the world of S/4HANA. And, due to the significance of this project, organizations are increasingly turning to experts like Cloud4C for their SAP Data Migration Services.
Cloud4C brings a wealth of experience to the table with a track record of success in fully managed SAP on cloud implementations. We provide end-to-end data migration services to fully support your SAP ECC to S/4HANA journey and beyond. Whether it's data evaluation and cleanliness, intricate data mapping, validation and transformation, or careful data quality monitoring, we offer a full range of services that are specially crafted to meet the requirements of the data environment in your organization.
Regardless of the operational ecosystem complexity and underlying compliance, our SAP Migration professionals and cloud engineers also guarantee a smooth transition to a cloud-powered SAP experience on any cloud of choice. With a single SLA, the automation-rich, secure, and lightning-quick SAP Migration Factory Approach under the RISE with SAP model, we complete the transition objective on the preferred cloud platform with the maximum level of availability and cost efficiency at no risk.
Contact us today to know more!
