From ECC 6.0 directly to the cloud

According to the current DSAG Investment Report, they are investing more than ever before in S/4 Hana. After all, SAP's existing customers have to switch from their old ERP/ECC system to S/4 by 2027. The good news is that if you've waited until now, you can use your brownfield migration to make the leap to the cloud right now. Because with the "Rise with SAP" service, user companies have the option of moving directly from ECC to the S/4 Hana cloud.

Cloud first

Of course, if you are currently still using ECC 6.0, you can continue to use S/4 in your own company or on a hosted basis. However, 80 percent of our new implementations are already cloud projects. And I am certain that ERP from the cloud is here to stay. So it makes sense to also think about changing the operating model during the upcoming conversion. 

Strategic and cost advantages by switching to the cloud: Because by opting for the S/4 Private Cloud Edition, companies benefit on several levels: They can quickly switch from their ECC environment to a cloud-based architecture while continuing to use the full range of S/4 functions, including extensions and industry functionalities. Their existing business processes can be transferred to the new platform, although we recommend not only introducing Hana technology in the course of a conversion, but also putting the processes to the test in a follow-up project.

Business management option

S/4 Hana Cloud is also often the better option from a cost perspective. Although the previous license model and the new subscription model of the cloud variant are not directly comparable, a detailed TCO analysis reveals whether cloud use is worthwhile for you. Such an analysis is at the beginning of all conversion projects. At the same time, when you go to the cloud with Rise, you secure your previous investments in SAP solutions.

Functional depth with maximum flexibility: S/4 Hana Private Cloud Edition thus combines the flexibility and depth of an on-prem solution with the added value of ERP software from the cloud. In combination with the other Rise components - including the Signavio business process intelligence solution, various cloud infrastructure services and the Business Technology Platform - customers have all the important tools at their fingertips to digitize their central processes.

Brownfield

The brownfield conversion from ECC 6.0 to the S/4 Private Cloud Edition comprises the same phases as a classic conversion: First, the ERP system is converted in the course of a technical upgrade so that proven individual processes and structures are retained. This procedure enables a gradual transition to S/4 and saves time during implementation.

At the same time as the upgrade, the S/4 system is moved to the private cloud. As a customer, you decide whether your cloud infrastructure should run in an SAP data center or at a hyperscaler such as AWS, Azure or Google. Even if you choose a hyperscaler, SAP remains your sole contractual partner.

This way, customers benefit from Infrastructure-as-a-Service capabilities without tying their systems to a specific provider. If you are planning to switch from ECC to S/4 in the near future, you should therefore definitely also consider the option of a brownfield conversion to the cloud.