SAP S/4 Hana 2026: Transformation needs strategy

SAP has been consistently driving the change towards the cloud for years. With initiatives such as „Business Unleashed“, the manufacturer is further accelerating the switch to SAP S/4 Hana. At the same time, companies are faced with the question: how well are we positioned for the next phase of digital transformation - and what really matters with a view to 2026?

Our analyses and a market study commissioned by us show a clear picture: SAP S/4 Hana has arrived in the DACH region, especially as a cloud version. Around sixty percent of companies in Germany are already using the ERP suite, in the cloud or on-prem. The trend is clear: public cloud models dominate, while only a fifth of companies still operate SAP S/4 Hana exclusively in their own data center.

Cloud migration needs speed

The change is particularly clear when it comes to planning: Eighty-five percent of companies with on-premises systems are preparing to move to the cloud, more than half of them specifically to a public cloud environment. At the same time, it is clear that this path is rarely straightforward. Eighty-four percent of companies have rolled back after an initial cloud migration. This makes it clear that cloud migrations require more than speed and good intentions. Despite these challenges, seven out of ten companies see S/4 as a key driver of their digital transformation. At management level in particular, the system is no longer just seen as a technical upgrade, but as a strategic platform for innovation, more efficient processes and long-term future security. Overall satisfaction with SAP S/4 Hana is high. Eighty-five percent of those surveyed rate its use positively. However, a closer look reveals clear differences: While management and specialist departments are very satisfied, the verdict in IT is more critical. Only around two thirds of IT managers rate their situation positively.

The reasons are clear: lack of support, technical challenges, hasty conversions and, above all, scarce resources. For many IT teams, the additional effort required to adapt the existing system landscape comes at a time when there is a shortage of specialists anyway.

The biggest challenges therefore lie less in the system itself than in the framework conditions. For more than a third of companies, adapting the existing IT landscape is the biggest hurdle. There are also problems with master data management, consolidating data from different systems and establishing a reliable single source of truth. Data migration also remains a critical issue for many.

Our analysis shows: The cloud is the goal, but not a sure-fire success. If you migrate too quickly without properly preparing data, processes and responsibilities, you risk delays, additional costs and acceptance problems in IT. Public cloud models in particular require clear decisions, realistic schedules and a deep understanding of your own SAP architecture.

At the same time, one thing is clear: the transformation is worthwhile. Companies that take a strategic approach to SAP S/4 Hana gain transparency, efficiency and the ability to innovate. The decisive factor is to relieve the burden on IT in a targeted manner. External support plays an important role here - for example in software asset management. Issues such as license compliance, cost control and budget transparency remain in view even during the migration.

Conclusion

S/4 Hana is more than just a new ERP system. It marks the starting point for a sustainable digital transformation. If you want to be successful in 2026, you need a clear strategy, clean data and strong teams - both internally and externally. Then technological change will turn into real progress.

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