Author: Guido Schneider, Aspera

After more than 25 years of SAP ERP/ECC, it's time to say thank you. SAP's success is also the success of the SAP community. The ERP provider has done many things right. No reason not to ask a question in the future.

The S/4 migration not only brings technological advantages, it also offers opportunities to renew outdated processes. Interesting: Bringing the license portfolio up to date with Contract Conversion and disposing of legacy processes.

All SAP customers are facing extensive S/4 migration projects and contract conversions. These can be managed with the combination of Enterprise Architecture Management (EAM) and strategic license management.

Surrounded by walls of legally questionable clauses and numerous stumbling blocks - which he can only escape with excessive payments - the SAP customer faces the mission of escaping SAP unscathed.

For months, DSAG and SAP have been in talks about how to deal with the contentious issue of the "NetWeaver Foundation For Third Party Applications" in the future.

Is SAP financing its new strategy through hidden price increases for existing customers? Some people are reminded of Harry Potter when they try to find their way unscathed up the magical stairs in Hogwarts Castle - but they suddenly and unexpectedly change direction.

What is indirect use? Which licenses should one buy? With the change of the description for SAP NetWeaver Foundation for Third Party Applications in the Price and Conditions List (PKL) 2016/2, the confusion has increased.

SAP has always left it up to customers to allocate SAP user licenses manually in accordance with the agreement (contract). Vague descriptions of what an SAP user may and may not do with a license type do not make the allocation any easier.