S/4HANA Migration Checklist & Implementation Guide (2025)

By 2027, SAP will officially retire its Business Suite 7, including ECC, in favor of S/4HANA—its new ERP system built to handle the complex demands of modern enterprises. This means businesses still operating on legacy SAP systems are on the clock to complete their software migration.

While the initial deadline of 2025 was extended due to slower-than-expected adoption, SAP has clarified that there will be no further extensions beyond 2027. Organizations still relying on older systems risk falling behind competitors who have already transformed their infrastructure to S/4HANA.

S/4HANA isn’t just an upgrade—it’s an entirely new ERP platform designed to deliver real-time data processing, integrated analytics, and simplified system architecture. However, the migration process comes with its own set of IT challenges.

Whether your business plans to implement a brand-new ERP environment via a new implementation, convert existing SAP configurations, or combine elements of both in a hybrid transformation approach, getting the transition right is essential. The stakes are high: an inefficient migration could lead to operational disruptions, inflated costs, and missed opportunities for growth.

This article will serve as your comprehensive guide to the S/4HANA migration process. From understanding the key migration strategies to overcoming common obstacles, we’ll help you develop a tailored approach that fits your business needs.

Three Types of S/4HANA Migration

As you plan your S/4HANA migration, selecting the right approach is crucial and should align with your existing SAP setup, business processes, and strategic goals. The choice of strategy hinges on several factors, including the age of your existing system, the organization of your workflows and data, and the specific functionalities you aim to leverage on the S/4HANA platform.

Below are the three primary types of migration strategies:

1. Greenfield approach (New implementation)

The Greenfield approach involves creating a new ERP infrastructure on the S/4HANA platform from the ground up. This method doesn’t involve migrating old data, but rather focuses on building new process flows, workflow automations, integrations, and configurations.

Advantages

• Innovation and modernization: Facilitates complete innovation without the constraints of legacy systems through a new software implementation, incorporating modern best practices and technologies.
• Clean configuration: Eliminates the complexities associated with legacy customizations, offering a fresh start that may enhance operational smoothness and simplify future upgrades.

Considerations

• Cost and resource intensity: This approach generally requires the most resources, both in terms of time and finances.
• User training and adoption: Extensive ERP user training is needed to help users adapt to the new system’s user interface and functionalities, as well as your new, custom-built ERP tasks and workflows.

Ideal for: Organizations with outdated ERP systems that are prepared to completely revamp their business processes and invest in a cutting-edge system.

2. Brownfield approach (Full migration)

The Brownfield approach is designed for organizations wishing to transition to S/4HANA while retaining their processes and data in custom applications, workflows, and data structures. This ERP implementation involves converting your existing system to S/4HANA, often requiring significant technical adjustments and adaptations.

Advantages

• Preservation of existing investments: Maintains the value of previous system customizations and integrations.
• Reduced disruption: Minimizes operational disruptions by maintaining familiar elements within the new system.

Considerations

• Technical challenges: Adapting old custom code and customizations to the new system architecture can present significant challenges.
• Resource demands: This method may consume substantial resources to manage the technical complexities and ensure a seamless transition.

Ideal for: Enterprises deeply embedded within SAP’s ecosystem that want a cost-effective upgrade solution without discarding existing system logic and customizations.

3. Hybrid approach

The Hybrid approach combines elements of both Greenfield and Brownfield methods. It allows organizations to selectively overhaul parts of their ERP system and migrate existing valuable data and configurations gradually.

Pathways

• Empty shell migration: Involves creating a copy of the existing system (excluding operational data), which is then selectively streamlined and integrated with S/4HANA.
• Mix & match migration: Establishes a new S/4HANA system alongside the existing ECC system. Essential configurations and data are migrated incrementally, allowing continued operation in ECC until the S/4HANA system is fully operational.

Advantages

• Flexible adaptation: Provides the flexibility to innovate in certain areas while retaining effective elements of the existing system.
• Phased implementation: Facilitates a gradual migration, mitigating the risks and impacts of a full-scale transition.

Considerations

• Complexity of management: Managing two systems concurrently can increase operational complexity and may require more resources to ensure both systems function properly during the transition.
• Risk of fragmentation: There is a potential risk of data or process fragmentation as some elements are moved to S/4HANA while others remain temporarily on ECC, requiring careful synchronization and integration.

Ideal for: Organizations seeking the agility to innovate and adapt parts of their ERP environment without committing to a complete system overhaul, thus maintaining a balance between new capabilities and existing investments.

S/4HANA Migration Checklist for New ERP Implementations (Greenfield)

Implementing a Greenfield S/4HANA migration involves establishing a completely new ERP system, capitalizing on advanced features to significantly transform and enhance business processes.

Below is an eight-step guide that walks through each stage required to deploy a new ERP solution on the S/4HANA platform, from initial analysis to the critical phase of end-user adoption and ongoing optimization.

1. Conduct discovery and align with business objectives

Start your Greenfield S/4HANA migration by thoroughly understanding the current capabilities and shortcomings of your existing enterprise software stack, processes, and IT landscape. This early alignment with organizational goals ensures the new ERP system is purpose-built to drive application legacy modernization and meet long-term business objectives.

• Vision setting: Establish a clear vision for the new ERP system that addresses both current inefficiencies and future business goals.
• Requirements gathering: Engage with all relevant stakeholders to capture detailed requirements that will inform the system’s architecture and functionalities.

2. Assemble a multidisciplinary project team

Create a robust foundation for your migration by assembling a team that combines deep technical expertise with strategic business insights. This team will be instrumental in designing, implementing, and maintaining a system that aligns perfectly with your business needs.

• Team composition: Build a diverse team that includes technical experts like SAP architects and developers, as well as strategic roles like business analysts and project managers.
• Clear roles and responsibilities: Define roles clearly to ensure efficient collaboration and accountability, which is essential for managing complex ERP implementations.

3. Explore S/4HANA’s advanced capabilities

Dive into the capabilities of S/4HANA to fully leverage its advanced features to enhance your business operations. Understanding these capabilities allows you to design a system that supports current processes and enables new functionalities that can transform business practices.

• Advanced Features Review: Explore key features like S/4HANA’s enhanced analytics, machine learning capabilities, and superior user interfaces.
• Technology Alignment: Match these advanced capabilities with specific business processes that will benefit from increased efficiency and data-driven decision-making.

4. Design and optimize new business processes

In a Greenfield implementation, you have the unique opportunity to design business processes optimized for your organization’s needs and S/4HANA’s advanced capabilities. This step involves rethinking traditional workflows to exploit new technologies and data insights.

• Process design: Develop new workflows that are more efficient, user-friendly, and capable of leveraging real-time data and analytics.
• Validation workshops: Run workshops with future end-users to ensure the new processes meet practical needs and are user-intuitive.

5. Customize and configure your S/4HANA system

Tailor the S/4HANA system to meet your specific operational needs, ensuring maximum performance and usability. Customization is key to aligning the ERP system closely with your business model and workflows.

• SAP Fiori customization: Use SAP Fiori to create customized, user-friendly interfaces that enhance user engagement and productivity.
• System configuration: Configure the backend to support these customizations, ensuring seamless functionality and integration.

6. Develop a comprehensive training and adoption plan

Effectively training and supporting your users is critical to the success of the new ERP system. A well-designed training program ensures that all users are proficient and comfortable with the new system, leading to smoother operations and quicker realization of ROI.

• Custom training materials: Create role-specific end-user training programs that address the new S/4HANA system’s unique features and workflows.
• Digital adoption platform (DAP): Implement a digital adoption platform (DAP) like Whatfix DAP to enable your end-users to learn while doing with just-in-time support and in-app tutorials, helping to quickly expand user adoption and cut down on support costs.

7. Execute rigorous testing and validation

Conduct extensive testing before fully deploying the new ERP system to ensure every aspect functions as expected. This phase is crucial for identifying and addressing any issues before they affect business operations.

• Pilot testing: Implement pilot testing phases that simulate actual business operations to validate the system’s performance under real conditions.
• Feedback integration: Collect and integrate end-user feedback to iteratively improve the system’s functionalities and user interface.

8. Monitor system performance and optimize post-deployment

After deployment, monitoring the system’s performance and adapting its functionalities to meet evolving business needs is crucial. This ongoing optimization ensures the ERP system remains effective and continues to deliver value as your business grows and changes.

• Performance tracking: Utilize advanced analytics tools to monitor how well the new system supports business operations and user satisfaction.
• Adaptive improvements: Regularly update and refine the system based on continuous user feedback and emerging business requirements.
• Whatfix Analytics: Leverage Whatfix Analytics to gather actionable insights on how users use S/4HANA, including their process completion times, process governance, feature adoption, and areas where they experience user friction. This enables L&D leaders, change managers, and application owners to tailor user training and support materials to meet user needs better and enhance overall system usability.

S/4HANA Migration Checklist for ERP Software Migrations (Brownfield)

A Brownfield S/4HANA migration plan enables you to upgrade your existing ERP system while preserving valuable configurations and minimizing disruptions to ongoing business processes. This guide outlines the key steps to effectively manage the transition, ensuring you leverage S/4HANA’s enhanced features without sacrificing the custom functionality you’ve built over time.

1. Align your SAP ERP migration plan with your business goals

To ensure the migration delivers maximum value, start by aligning your S/4HANA migration plan with the broader objectives of your business. This is crucial for gaining buy-in from stakeholders and end-users, as they’ll see how the new system will contribute to key business outcomes.

• Business alignment: Map S/4HANA’s benefits, such as automation and advanced analytics, to your business objectives across key operations like source-to-pay, inventory management, facilities management, plan-to-product, and order-to-cash.
• User engagement: Communicate the tangible benefits to end-users, such as streamlined workflows, removal of redundant steps, and time savings. This helps prevent resistance to change and fosters support for the new system.

2. Prepare your system requirements and technical needs

Understanding your current system’s requirements is critical when transitioning to S/4HANA. Each organization’s technical needs will vary depending on factors like the deployment model (on-premise or cloud), industry vertical, and size.

• System requirements: Define system needs based on whether you’re opting for an on-premise, cloud, or hybrid deployment.
• Industry-specific needs: Tailor your approach according to your industry’s specific requirements, whether in retail, healthcare, finance, or energy. Consider the size of your organization and the languages your custom applications are built in.

3. Build a change management team for seamless execution

Your ERP change management team is essential for orchestrating a smooth S/4HANA migration. This team will coordinate all the migration’s technical aspects, address any issues, and ensure your business processes are transferred seamlessly.

• Team composition: Include process engineers, SAP Fiori developers, security administrators, and application developers. Each team member should have a defined role in handling the intricacies of migrating and configuring integrations and custom applications within S/4HANA.
• Coordination and oversight: Ensure continuous change communication between business leaders and the technical team to monitor progress and resolve issues quickly.

4. Confirm all integrations and add-ons for S/4HANA compatibility

Since Brownfield migrations involve moving existing configurations and integrations, ensuring all third-party add-ons, custom applications, and integrations will function properly in the S/4HANA environment is crucial.

• Integration compatibility: Confirm that each integration is compatible with S/4HANA. This includes third-party tools and custom-built applications.
• Vendor collaboration: Work closely with your vendors to confirm their solutions will function on the S/4HANA platform or understand when updated versions will be available.

5. Plan for custom code migration and installation

One of the more complex aspects of a Brownfield migration is handling the custom code you’ve built within your existing ERP system. Migrating this custom code to S/4HANA requires a detailed analysis to ensure compatibility and efficiency.

• Migration tools: Leverage SAP’s Fiori Custom Code Migration App and ABAP Development Tools in Eclipse to scope, analyze, and migrate custom code effectively. These tools help adapt and optimize your code for the S/4HANA environment.
• Code adjustments: Identify areas where code adjustments are necessary, ensuring smooth functionality in the new platform without losing the benefits of customizations built over time.

6. Customize your S/4HANA configuration for better performance

Customization is a key part of making sure your S/4HANA deployment fits your organization’s specific workflows and business needs. In a Brownfield migration, configuring S/4HANA to work alongside your existing data structures and processes is crucial.

• System landscape configuration: Define your system’s basic settings, including the origins and endpoints of logical systems, and configure data transfer protocols.
• Custom application enhancements: Use Business Add-ins (BAdIs) to extend and adapt the functionality of your applications to meet new operational requirements within S/4HANA.

7. Verify data accuracy before migration

Data migration is one of the most sensitive aspects of any ERP implementation. In a Brownfield migration, maintaining the accuracy and integrity of your data is critical to ensuring the smooth operation of your business processes in the new environment.

• Data verification: Conduct a thorough review of your data before loading it into S/4HANA using the SAP Migration Cockpit.
• Incremental batch loads: Load data in batches to catch errors early and test data migration in your development (DEV) environment before pushing it to your test (TEST) environment.

8. Create a detailed onboarding, training, and support plan

User training is key to ensuring that the transition to S/4HANA is successful. Your ERP training programs should focus on familiarizing users with the new interface, workflows, and features while offering ongoing support.

• Tailored training programs: Offer role-based training for each department, ensuring staff understand the new processes and how to use S/4HANA to its full potential.
• Utilize sandbox environments for hands-on user training: With sandbox creation software like Whatfix Mirror, easily clone your S/4HANA application and its tasks and walkthroughs to provide hands-on training for end-users in an interactive, risk-free sandbox environment.
• Support end-users in the flow of work with a DAP: With a digital adoption platform like Whatfix DAP, create in-app guidance to support end-users at the moment of need, embedded within their S/4HANA workflows. Utilize role-based Task Lists to accelerate time-to-proficiency for new users. Flows provide step-by-step guidance on complex processes or infrequently done tasks. Smart Tips provide contextual reminders or nudge users to take specific action. Self Help enables self-service resolution of S/4HANA support issues with an in-app help center that integrates with your S/4HANA process documentation, company procedures, help desk, and other end-user support knowledge respoitories.

Explore Whatfix DAP →

9. Deploy S/4HANA and collect feedback

Once your system has been configured and tested, it’s time to go live. This is where you’ll begin to see how well the migration has been executed and address any issues.

• System deployment: Go live with the new system across all relevant departments, ensuring that any downtime is managed carefully.
• Collect user feedback: Monitor user resistance or frustration, addressing concerns quickly to ensure a smooth adoption process. With Whatfix DAP, utilize in-app surveys to collect feedback on product bugs, workflow issues, confusing tasks, etc.

10. Monitor use and track adoption for continuous improvement

Even after the system is deployed, continuous monitoring is necessary to ensure users effectively adopt the new processes and make the most of S/4HANA’s capabilities. This also includes ongoing refinement and tweaking of your ERP workflows and processes.

• Invest in S/4HANA analytics and event tracking: Use product analytics tools like Whatfix Product Analytics to track software usage, identify areas of friction, understand feature engagement, and adjust your training or system configurations accordingly.
• Ongoing optimization: With an analytics tool, you can benchmark key metrics like time-to-completion of mission-critical tasks and workflows. Use this data to regularly update the system based on user feedback and performance metrics, refining workflows and improving user satisfaction over time, helping to drive maximize value realization from your S/4HANA investment.

Explore Whatfix DAP →

S/4HANA Migration Checklist for Hybrid Approach

A Hybrid S/4HANA migration offers the best of both worlds by blending elements of Greenfield and Brownfield approaches. This method allows organizations to selectively overhaul certain parts of their ERP system while retaining critical customizations and workflows from their existing infrastructure. The flexibility of a hybrid approach can help businesses modernize their systems with minimal disruption while still capitalizing on legacy investments. This checklist walks you through the key steps to ensure a successful Hybrid migration.

1. Determine the scope of your hybrid migration

A Hybrid S/4HANA migration involves deciding which parts of your existing ERP system should be migrated as-is and which parts need redesigning for S/4HANA. This selective process allows you to retain valuable customizations while modernizing critical systems.

• Scope identification: Carefully assess your current system to decide which configurations and processes should stay and which should be re-engineered to fully leverage S/4HANA’s features.
• Process prioritization: Prioritize the processes that will benefit the most from S/4HANA’s real-time data processing, automation, and advanced analytics, while keeping certain legacy components intact where necessary.

2. Build a hybrid migration team

The Hybrid approach requires a well-coordinated team that understands both the legacy system and the new S/4HANA environment. This ensures a seamless blend of old and new without compromising operational efficiency.

• Technical expertise: Include both SAP veterans familiar with your existing system and S/4HANA experts who can guide the redesign of certain processes.
• Role clarity: Ensure each team member’s role is clearly defined, with some focused on preserving legacy configurations while others work on building new S/4HANA functionalities.

3. Ensure data consistency across systems

One of the challenges in Hybrid migrations is maintaining data consistency between the old ECC environment and the new S/4HANA system during the migration process.

• Data integrity: Use tools like SAP Landscape Transformation (SLT) to manage real-time data replication and synchronization between the systems you’re retaining and those being rebuilt on S/4HANA.
• Data management: Establish clear protocols for data migration, transformation, and validation to avoid discrepancies between legacy and new systems.

4. Customize and configure both environments for coexistence

In a Hybrid migration, the old and new systems must work together for some time. Careful customization and configuration are necessary to ensure the systems coexist smoothly.

• Dual system management: Configure the S/4HANA environment to work alongside your existing ECC system, ensuring seamless data flows and process integration between the two platforms.
• System enhancements: Use SAP Fiori to build new, user-friendly interfaces for the redesigned S/4HANA workflows while ensuring compatibility with the legacy components still in use.

5. Training and supporting end-users

A key aspect of a successful Hybrid migration is ensuring users can navigate both the legacy system and the new S/4HANA environment during the transition period.

• Training for both systems: Provide comprehensive training on both the existing system and the new S/4HANA features, helping users understand when and how to work with each.
• Digital adoption platform: Use a DAP like Whatfix to deliver in-app guidance, contextual help, and role-based training, enabling users to easily switch between systems and adapt to new functionalities.

6. Perform comprehensive testing across both systems

Testing in a Hybrid migration is more complex than in a purely Greenfield or Brownfield migration. You’ll need to test interactions between the new S/4HANA components and the legacy system to ensure both work together seamlessly.

• Integration testing: Run thorough tests to ensure that the data flow between your legacy and S/4HANA environments is consistent and accurate, preventing disruptions in business operations.
• User acceptance testing (UAT): Engage users early in the process to test the redesigned processes and ensure they align with business requirements and user expectations.

7. Deploy in phases to minimize disruption

Deploying a Hybrid migration requires careful planning to avoid disruptions. Phased deployments allow you to gradually transition from the legacy system to S/4HANA, reducing the risk of downtime or operational issues.

• Staged deployment: Implement S/4HANA functionalities in phases, starting with non-critical processes, allowing your team to refine the system before handling mission-critical operations.
• Parallel operations: Run the legacy ECC system in parallel with the new S/4HANA processes, allowing your organization to test and adjust without a complete system cutover.

8. Continuously monitor and optimize post-deployment

After deployment, monitoring the interaction between the legacy and new systems is crucial for ensuring a smooth transition and ongoing optimization.

• Performance tracking: Use product analytics tools like Whatfix to monitor how users interact with the new S/4HANA components and legacy systems. This will help identify any areas where users are struggling and require additional support.
• Adaptive improvements: Continuously gather user feedback and the system’s performance data to fine-tune the integration and make iterative improvements, ensuring long-term system stability and efficiency.

Challenges of S/4HANA Migration

Migrating to S/4HANA is a pivotal step toward modernizing your ERP system, but it comes with its fair share of challenges. These hurdles, if not managed well, can turn into roadblocks that delay progress or increase costs.

The good news is that by knowing what to expect and preparing accordingly, you can navigate the rough patches and emerge with a more powerful, streamlined system.

Here are some of the most common challenges companies face during this migration and how to overcome them.

1. Technical complexity and system integration

Switching to S/4HANA is not just an upgrade—it’s an entirely new platform. This means a full system overhaul, and for companies with complex legacy systems, it can be tough to make sure all your custom code and third-party integrations still work as they should. There’s often a lot of technical complexity that can lead to unexpected hiccups during the migration.

2. Data migration and information security

Moving data from an old system to a new one sounds straightforward, but in reality, it’s one of the most complex parts of an S/4HANA migration. Not only is there a risk of data loss or corruption, but organizations also need to ensure they’re complying with data protection regulations like GDPR. When critical business information is at stake, data migration is a challenge you can’t afford to overlook.

3. User adoption and training

Even the most successful technical migration can fall flat if your team isn’t on board. Shifting to a system as sophisticated as S/4HANA can overwhelm users who are comfortable with their existing workflows. This reluctance can lead to low adoption rates and missed opportunities to maximize the system’s potential.

4. Data governance and regulatory compliance

If your business operates in a regulated industry, you already know that compliance is non-negotiable. When moving to S/4HANA, ensuring that your system adheres to all necessary regulations while keeping historical data intact is a challenge that can’t be ignored.

5. Budget management and timely delivery

Let’s face it: IT projects, especially those as large as an S/4HANA migration, often run into budget overruns and delays. There are a lot of moving parts—technical, operational, and strategic—and it’s easy for things to take longer or cost more than expected if surprises pop up.

6. Post-migration optimization and ongoing support

Once your migration is complete, the work isn’t over. You’ll need to continually monitor system performance to ensure it delivers the desired results. Without regular optimization, your shiny new ERP could start showing cracks, leading to inefficiencies or even system downtime.

By addressing these challenges head-on with a clear plan and the right tools, your S/4HANA migration will be far smoother, more efficient, and ultimately more successful. Whether it’s managing technical complexity or ensuring user adoption, the key is staying proactive and giving each phase the attention it deserves. With the right approach, you’ll set your business up for long-term success with a modern, scalable system.

Tips and Best Practices for Your S/4HANA Migration

Successfully migrating to S/4HANA requires a strategic approach, meticulous planning, and a focus on mitigating risks. A well-executed migration can significantly enhance the efficiency and capabilities of your organization’s ERP system, but it demands attention to every detail to avoid common pitfalls.

Below are some tips and best practices to help ensure your S/4HANA migration is seamless and leverages the platform’s full potential.

1. Conduct a change readiness assessment

Before diving into the migration assess your organization’s readiness, both from a technical and business standpoint. This change readiness assessment helps identify potential gaps and ensures you’re adequately prepared for the challenges ahead.

• Technical readiness: Evaluate the current state of your IT infrastructure and the compatibility of existing systems with S/4HANA. Address hardware, software, and network requirements to ensure they meet S/4HANA’s demands.
• Business readiness: Align your business objectives with the migration to S/4HANA by analyzing how the new platform will support current and future needs. Assess whether business units are ready for the cultural shift required for new processes and functionalities.

2. Prioritize change management

Migrating to S/4HANA isn’t just about changing software—it’s a fundamental shift in how your organization operates. Effective change management is critical to ensure the transition is smooth and that employees are on board.

• Engage stakeholders early: Involve key stakeholders from the outset, ensuring they are aligned with the migration’s goals and can act as champions throughout the organization.
• Clear communication strategy: Develop a clear communication plan to keep all departments informed of the migration’s progress, upcoming changes, and how they’ll benefit from the new system. Regular updates help manage expectations and reduce resistance to change.

3. Invest in S/4HANA-specific training and certifications

While general ERP training is important, your team will benefit significantly from S/4HANA-specific training programs and certifications.

• SAP certifications: Encourage your IT staff to pursue official SAP certifications related to S/4HANA. Certifications like “SAP Certified Application Associate” ensure your team has the technical knowledge to handle migration challenges.
• Ongoing learning: Implement ongoing training initiatives that keep your team up-to-date with new features and capabilities as SAP continues to update S/4HANA. This ensures your team is always prepared to maximize the system’s potential.

4. Establish a data governance framework

S/4HANA’s advanced data processing capabilities demand a clear and structured approach to data governance. A well-defined framework is essential to ensure data quality and compliance throughout the migration.

• Data governance roles: Assign clear roles and responsibilities for data governance across departments. This includes data stewards who will oversee the accuracy, integrity, and security of the data.
• Compliance checks: Ensure your data governance framework incorporates regular compliance audits to verify that the data aligns with internal policies and external regulations, such as GDPR or industry-specific standards.

5. Leverage automation tools for testing and migration

Automation can significantly streamline both the testing and migration processes, reducing manual errors and saving time during the transition.

• Automated testing tools: Use automated testing tools to validate that all business processes and integrations function correctly post-migration. These tools can handle repetitive test cases efficiently, allowing your team to focus on resolving any issues that arise.
• Automated data migration tools: Implement automation for data extraction, transformation, and loading (ETL) to ensure accuracy and reduce the likelihood of data-related issues during migration. SAP’s ETL tools can automate large parts of this process, minimizing manual intervention.

6. Focus on user experience (UX) design

As S/4HANA introduces new interfaces and functionalities, ensuring a positive user experience is key to adoption. A strong UX design approach will drive better engagement and make the transition smoother for end-users.

• UX workshops: Conduct user experience workshops to identify pain points in current workflows and gather input on interface improvements. Use this feedback to design a more intuitive S/4HANA interface that enhances productivity.
• Personalized user interfaces: Tailor the SAP Fiori interfaces to specific user roles, providing personalized dashboards and navigation paths that simplify tasks for different departments. This customization will help users adapt more quickly to the new system.

7. Plan for post-migration hypercare

The immediate period after your migration (often referred to as “hypercare”) is critical for identifying and addressing any issues that emerge. Establish a hypercare phase that prioritizes stabilization and support.

• Dedicated support teams: Set up a dedicated hypercare support team to handle urgent user queries, resolve bugs, and monitor system performance. This team ensures any post-migration issues are dealt with quickly, avoiding long-term disruption.
• Performance benchmarks: During hypercare, continually monitor system performance against predefined benchmarks. This allows your IT team to address performance bottlenecks or optimization needs early on.

SAP S/4HANA Clicks Better With Whatfix

S/4HANA migration represents a significant investment for any organization. According to SAP experts at Brightwork Research & Analysis, a 1 – 2TB instance of S/4HANA could cost around $6.2 million upfront—before factoring in ongoing maintenance, training, and other operational expenses. At this scale, getting the most out of your S/4HANA system is essential to avoid wasting valuable resources.

As a digital adoption platform, Whatfix empowers your employees to navigate the complexities of S/4HANA with ease. From the moment your system goes live, Whatfix ensures that users can take full advantage of every feature S/4HANA has to offer. Whether it’s through real-time support or personalized onboarding, we make the transition smoother, faster, and more effective.

Here’s how Whatfix transforms your S/4HANA experience:

• Step-by-step walkthroughs: Guide users through each function and feature of the S/4HANA interface with interactive, role-based flows.
• Embedded self-help content: Place searchable content libraries directly within the S/4HANA dashboard, offering instant access to product documentation, videos, and guides.
• User feedback and engagement: Collect insights through interactive surveys and polls while keeping users engaged with personalized alerts, pop-ups, and beacons.
• Multilingual support: Automatically translate product documentation into over 70 languages, ensuring accessibility for global teams.
• On-demand learning: Equip users to learn at their own pace with dynamic task lists, in-app guidance, and contextual help.

By seamlessly integrating with your S/4HANA instance, Whatfix maximizes user adoption and proficiency, driving higher productivity and ensuring a faster return on your investment. With Whatfix, your team can turn this critical business transformation into a long-term success story.

Ready to get started? Request a Whatfix demo today!

SAP S/4HANA + FAQs

When is the deadline for migrating to S/4HANA?

According to Paul Cooper, chairman, UK & Ireland SAP User Group,“SAP is being very strong in holding that line that [the 2027 deadline] will be the end or the beginning of the end if you purchase extended maintenance, which runs until 2030.”

What is the standard S/4HANA migration timeline?

SAP initially planned to sunset Business Suite 7 by 2025 but extended the deadline to 2027 for various reasons. Users on Business Suite 7’s ERP Central Component (ECC) have until the end of 2027 to switch to S/4HANA. After this deadline, SAP will only offer maintenance services for BS7.0 at a 2% premium on top of the existing 22% support fees.