An inseparable element of the technological transformation of enterprises is the implementation of ERP software in the cloud. SAP is one of the most respected providers of ERP systems on the global market and a supplier of the latest generation of ERP systems. What distinguishes the newest SAP S/4HANA platform? What do you need to know about it? How do you migrate? What benefits can SAP customers count on?
- 1. Cloud ERP system: SAP S/4HANA Cloud
- 2. End of support for SAP ECC
- 3. Features of SAP S/4HANA ERP system
- 4. How to start implementing SAP ERP?
- 5. What does the Adopt not Adapt approach mean?
- 6. Business benefits of SAP solutions
- 7. How long does it take to implement the SAP HANA?
- 8. How do you prepare your company for implementation with the Adopt2Win package?
- 9. Challenges of launching an ERP system in the cloud
- 10. Predictions: AI and SAP systems
- 11. Choosing a SAP implementation company
Cloud ERP system: SAP S/4HANA Cloud
SAP S/4HANA is the latest platform in the SAP offer, and it has been available on the market since 2015. It has already passed the stabilization phase and is a mature ERP system. Initially available only on-premise, in 2017 it was extended with a cloud version, offered in two editions: public and private. Currently, the latest SAP solution is SAP S/4HANA Cloud.
End of support for SAP ECC
The previous, still popular, SAP ECC system will no longer be supported by the provider – the support will expire at the end of 2027. It will be possible to extend support by purchasing a more expensive premium package, but it will only be available until 2030. This means that right now is the best time to take a look at the new SAP S/4HANA Cloud solutions in the Private and Public versions.
SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public and Private Edition solutions
- Public edition – The public edition is dedicated to the SME sector and new clients who would like to adopt standardized processes prepared on the basis of best practices.
- Private edition – SAP S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition is, in turn, a better solution for large organizations that need all the available functional capabilities and extensions that will meet their requirements.
Features of SAP S/4HANA ERP system
SAP’s S/4HANA solution offers the latest functionalities and additional modules made available through the SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP). Copilot is one of the newest elements of this platform, it is based on the generative Artificial Intelligence model, SAP Joule.
SAP S/4 HANA in the cloud version is characterized by high efficiency and ease of scaling depending on the needs and size of the enterprise. Thanks to the high flexibility of the platform, it is possible to adapt the solution to individual customer needs or integrate various modules, thus responding quickly to changing market requirements. S/4HANA also means real-time data support. Users have access to up-to-date data so they can make more accurate business decisions.
How to start implementing SAP ERP?
Adopt2Win
Customers starting their adventure with SAP will certainly be interested in the Adopt2Win package dedicated to them. This model offers comprehensive implementation support. The package is based on the provider’s “Grow with SAP” program and enriched with Inetum’s knowledge and experience.
Rise2S4
Rise2S4 with Panaya, on the other hand, is for companies that want to convert their old SAP ECC system into S/4HANA. Based on the “Rise with SAP” program, the conversion package is extended with the analysis and support of the comprehensive Panaya solution, which analyzes the current customer’s system with all modifications. The value proposition has been planned to meet the new business challenges of customers and support organizations in their digital transformation.
What does the Adopt not Adapt approach mean?
SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public version is offered as a ready-made solution in the SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) model. This means that it is an integrated, box solution, the modification of which is limited due to its cloud architecture.
What does this version of SAP ERP offer?
Despite its characteristics, the solution meets all the requirements of enterprises, covering all key business processes. Companies that decide to implement this version of SAP should adopt all functionalities and processes as designed by the provider. Hence the name “Adopt, not Adapt” – enterprises should adopt the offered solution with prepared processes without modification.
Customers succeed with SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition
Imagine X2024, a medium-sized electronics manufacturer that has used traditional ERP systems so far. Their system worked correctly, but over time, it began to require more and more modifications to meet the growing business demands. Each change was costly and time-consuming, resulting in delays in operations and increased maintenance costs. After switching to SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud, production became more seamless, inventory management more efficient, and operating costs decreased.
Most importantly, thanks to the solid foundation and best practices implemented in SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud, the company was able to focus on innovation and development instead of constantly adjusting the system. The principle of “Adopt not Adapt” was the key to success. Adopting a ready-made SAP solution allowed them to save time and resources while achieving higher operational efficiency.
Expert insight
Paweł Kisiel, Head of SAP Practice at Inetum
“The processes implemented in SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud have a solid foundation in the provider’s many years of experience and are based on best practices. As a result, SAP S/4HANA Cloud solutions are adapted to the needs of various industries, ensuring optimization and operational efficiency at the highest level”.
Business benefits of SAP solutions
Companies that choose the SAP solution in the Adopt2Win program can count on such benefits as:
Shortening of pre-implementation analysis
Adopt2Win differs from the standard SAP implementation. The Adopt2Win package eliminates most of the pre-implementation analysis and collection of information from the customer about how they would like the system to look and work.
Basic Software Configuration
In the case of a box solution, interference with the system processes and its functionality is limited. However, some adjustments are possible in terms of interfaces, reports, and additional information displayed. However, the process flow itself cannot be modified.
The company learns from the provider
The lack of extensive implementation analysis means that the customer gains knowledge about the solution through cooperation with the provider.
Faster transformation and 50% less cost
The shortening of the analysis stage also means a much shorter time of system introduction and a lower total cost. Thanks to the Adopt2Win methodology, compared to the standard SAP S/4HANA Public Edition implementation, the total project costs can be reduced by at least 50%.
How long does it take to implement the SAP HANA?
The implementation of SAP software with the help of Adopt2Win takes about 3 months, while the standard implementation, according to the traditional methodology, takes about 6-8 months.
How do you prepare your company for implementation with the Adopt2Win package?
An organization ready to launch an ERP system should be financially and organizationally mature because this solution works in a cloud subscription model.
From an organizational perspective, the company must be fully aware of its processes, and team limitations and be open to accepting the information flows and structures proposed by the system. Instead of modifying the system during the implementation, it is therefore crucial to adapt the company’s activities to the system.
Expert insight
Paweł Kisiel, Head of SAP Practice at Inetum
“When implementing SAP S/4HANA in public with Adopt2win, our goal is to explain how the system works and how the processes were designed. In practice, it turns out that the processes developed by SAP are based on extensive experience and best practices, which fosters the rapid implementation of these processes by the customer, provided that he cooperates entirely”.
Challenges of launching an ERP system in the cloud
End of support for SAP ECC
Companies using the previous system, i.e. SAP ECC, must now face the end of the official support of these systems by SAP, which will take place in 2025 and 2027, depending on the level of system update. They face the challenge of switching to SAP S/4HANA or incurring premium maintenance costs, which will only be available until 2030, so it is not a solution that will be available forever.
Modifications and extensions
Focusing on the challenges of converting to S/4HANA, the differences are noticeable. The main challenge for companies providing conversion services is the tendency of customers to excessively expand the existing system over the years of the company’s functioning. Companies using the system for several years often adapt it through modifications and extensions to meet new needs and processes.
Migration of elements
Transferring the above elements to the new SAP S/4HANA system, whether on-premise or in the cloud, is not a simple task. The new system does not accept modifications created for the previous system, which requires their adaptation, modification or even rewriting. SAP does not officially support the conversion of such modifications. Therefore, the entire responsibility for transferring them lies with SAP partners or it is necessary to replace these extensions with new solutions or write them from scratch in the new system.
Predictions: AI and SAP systems
AI is an important trend in corporate solutions, and IT service providers focus on innovating in this area. For example, Inetum has a group of 150 consultants in the FabLab center. It focuses on innovation and developing solutions that will get ahead of the market by at least 2-3 years.
The result of the work is an original solution based on Artificial Intelligence and the generative GenAI4SAP model, which is already implemented as part of the S/4HANA solution. Currently, it is at the Proof of Concept stage, however, observing market trends, the interest of customers in this type of solution will certainly be significant. Incorporating solutions such as GenAI4SAP into the service center would speed up the response time of the first lines of support and potentially reduce costs, which could translate into a reduction in the final costs for the customer.
Also read: The future of BI is AI. Augmented Analytics in the SAP Analytics Cloud
Choosing a SAP implementation company
Here are the features of the partner that are worth paying attention to:
- The industry approach to the implementation
- Inetum, as a group of 30,000 employees, including 2,800 SAP consultants, has a large team ready to act, divided into competence centers. These structures operate in each country in a harmonized way, under one central management, which allows us to run projects on a plug-and-play basis in our service centers. Thanks to this, we do not need additional time for project organization, documentation, or special kick-off meetings. We start almost immediately.
- Experience
- Inetum has 27 years of experience in the field of SAP. The company developed its own methods of operation, which resulted in the so-called accelerators, i.e. certified service packages, such as Adopt2Win and Rise2S4 with Panaya. The company’s packages, in addition to the SAP methodology, are complemented by its own experience and supporting tools, such as conversion processes and analysis of the current system, aimed at adapting to the S/4HANA system.
- Partnership
- Inetum is a partner of Panaya. This tool significantly supports the conversion process to S/4HANA by analyzing code modifications and verifying the existing extensions and their potential impact on the new SAP system. In addition, it supports the company in the process of testing and verifying these extensions and the entire conversion process.
 Want to learn more about migrating to SAP S/4HANA? I can provide insights and guidance to help you navigate your migration process effectively. Schedule a meeting |
SAP cloud – summary
Companies that have an on-premise SAP ERP system or an older solution (SAP ECC 6.0) should check the possibilities of migrating to a newer solution today. The cloud ERP system managed by SAP is a stable and proven solution. The latest generation of the SAP system can be implemented in any company quickly and 50% cheaper thanks to such packages as Adopt2Win and Rise2S4.
- 1. Cloud ERP system: SAP S/4HANA Cloud
- 2. End of support for SAP ECC
- 3. Features of SAP S/4HANA ERP system
- 4. How to start implementing SAP ERP?
- 5. What does the Adopt not Adapt approach mean?
- 6. Business benefits of SAP solutions
- 7. How long does it take to implement the SAP HANA?
- 8. How do you prepare your company for implementation with the Adopt2Win package?
- 9. Challenges of launching an ERP system in the cloud
- 10. Predictions: AI and SAP systems
- 11. Choosing a SAP implementation company