Why you should thoroughly prepare the implementation of SAP S/4HANA

The transformation to SAP S/4HANA is a journey that affects almost all areas of the company and involves changes at many levels. In addition to the technology, topics such as organization, processes and change management also need to be considered. The aim is to complete the SAP S/4HANA implementation in the scheduled time, within the calculated budget and with high quality results. To achieve this and avoid any unpleasant surprises during the course of the project, companies should prepare the implementation of SAP S/4HANA carefully.

Set the course for your successful SAP S/4HANA transformation with us

SAP S/4HANA: a complex topic with many facets

What aspects need to be considered in detail? SAP S/4HANA is a key element of the digital transformation of companies. Therefore, the implementation of SAP S/4HANA must always be in line with the company’s general orientation and strategy with regard to digitalization.

A holistic approach is also crucial, as SAP S/4HANA means much more than just introducing a new technology. This includes, for example, putting your own processes to the test and adapting them where necessary in order to utilize the full potential of SAP S/4HANA. This is because SAP S/4HANA is accompanied by various simplifications that offer companies the potential to increase efficiency and productivity. A stronger focus on the SAP standard may be a suitable solution for streamlining processes and achieving greater competitiveness.

Fundamental decisions need to be made

With regard to SAP S/4HANA, various fundamental decisions must be made in advance that are elementary for the further course of the implementation. For example, the question arises as to the appropriate approach for the SAP S/4HANA implementation: Will it be carried out as a new implementation (greenfield approach) or with the help of a system conversion (brownfield approach)? Is selective migration (greyfield approach) possibly the best choice, which is a mixture of new implementation and system conversion? The approach to be preferred ultimately depends on the individual requirements and framework conditions in the company.

The type of SAP S/4HANA deployment also needs to be clarified: As part of RISE with SAP, companies can choose whether they want to operate SAP S/4HANA in the private cloud edition or as a public cloud version. Companies that have already purchased their SAP S/4HANA licenses in the past can also opt for an on-premise deployment. Dealing with custom developments and customer-specific extensions is also an important aspect. Following SAP’s Keep-the-core-clean approach ensures the release capability of SAP S/4HANA, facilitates the import of updates and thus benefits from innovations in the shortest possible time.

SAP S/4HANA forms the digital core of the IT landscape. To ensure smooth end-to-end processes, companies must manage the integration of SAP S/4HANA into the existing system landscape and the interaction of the various applications. Finally, SAP S/4HANA also requires adjustments to roles and authorizations. A redesign of the role concept ensures that users can carry out their activities without access problems.

Proven procedure for preparing the SAP S/4HANA implementation

The selected aspects and questions illustrate the complexity of the SAP S/4HANA project. To ensure that companies make the right decisions, it is highly recommended that they prepare thoroughly for the introduction of SAP S/4HANA. Our Transformation Assessment for SAP S/4HANA provides a fact-based basis for decision-making, including a roadmap and a recommendation for implementation.

The holistic top-down approach enables a targeted transition to SAP S/4HANA by incorporating the strategic focus, the tactical level and the operational implementation in equal measure. Thanks to the integrated approach, companies are able to make future-proof and investment-safe decisions and minimize the project risk. They gain clarity regarding the necessary preliminary projects and work packages and benefit from a defined SAP S/4HANA business case and concrete recommendations for action.

Conclusion: The key to project success

The implementation of SAP S/4HANA is a complex and demanding task. Inadequate preparation can lead to serious delays in the project, considerable additional costs and critical business disruptions. With the Transformation Assessment for SAP S/4HANA, companies prepare themselves optimally for the targeted transition to SAP S/4HANA – and thus hold the key to a successful implementation in their hands in order to fully exploit the advantages of SAP S/4HANA and be successful in the long term.