The Future of SAP S/4HANA: What’s Next?

Richard Potts

The world of enterprise resource planning (ERP) is changing fast. Companies must keep up to stay ahead. The deadline for SAP ECC6 support in 2025 is a big challenge. Businesses are deciding whether to move to S/4HANA in the cloud or stick with what they have.

Dealing with the SAP ECC6 Transition is tough. But, it’s clear that ERP Innovations are key. SAP is making big tech leaps, and companies moving to S/4HANA will see big improvements. This move boosts efficiency and gets them ready for the digital age.

Looking into SAP S/4HANA’s future shows that businesses need to make smart choices. They must use their ERP systems to their fullest.

Understanding the Transition to SAP S/4HANA

The move to SAP S/4HANA is a big step for companies. With the ECC6 Deadline looming, timing is everything. Many businesses are exploring different paths to fit their needs.

Impending 2025 Deadline for ECC6 Support

The 2025 deadline for ECC6 support is near. Companies need to get ready for the change. About 25% of SAP clients have reached the proof of concept stage with S/4HANA.

Another quarter has fully deployed S/4HANA. But, many face challenges like underestimating migration time and costs. Training staff is also a big hurdle.

Migration Paths: Cloud vs. On-Premise

Choosing between Cloud and On-Premise is a key decision. Cloud solutions make migration easier, using SAP’s infrastructure. This option saves time and resources.

On the other hand, managing your own infrastructure is harder. It can slow down the transition. Cloud solutions help overcome these challenges, improving control and efficiency.

The Future of SAP S/4HANA: What’s Next?

The SAP S/4HANA 2023 Release is going to change how companies use ERP solutions. It will bring new features for better efficiency and flexibility. Already, 45% of ASUG research respondents are using SAP S/4HANA or are migrating.

This new release will offer enhanced operational capabilities. It will make it easier for companies to adopt new features. This way, they can keep up with the fast-changing market.

Upcoming Features in SAP S/4HANA 2023 Release

This release will have a new two-year cycle for updates. Companies will get minor feature packs every six months. This makes upgrades smoother and less disruptive.

SAP is also committed to Extended Maintenance. This means at least one version will be supported until 2040. It offers a predictable way for future improvements.

Two-Year Release Cycle and Extended Maintenance

The two-year cycle is a big advantage for companies moving to SAP S/4HANA. It makes migration easier and more manageable. This is a big change from past versions.

34% of companies are doing brownfield migrations. This means they’re using their current systems to get better. It shows companies are balancing costs and innovation well.

But, 49% of companies found migration costs higher than expected. This was due to unexpected consulting fees. It’s a reminder to plan carefully for these changes.