November 21, 2025
Support for SAP ECC is ending, making the move to S/4HANA unavoidable for most companies. Learn about Greenfield, Brownfield, and Selective Data Transition approaches, essential preparation steps, risks of delaying, and what ensures a successful migration.

The question of moving from SAP ECC to S/4HANA is now on the agenda for almost every company. Here’s what you need to know before making a decision.

If you are still running SAP ECC, this is the year when postponing the transition becomes risky. Support for older releases is coming to an end (mainstream ECC support runs until 2027, while EhP8 is available under extended maintenance only until 2030). Costs for extensions are rising, and ECC simply no longer meets today’s business requirements. S/4HANA is a modern ERP platform designed for real-time analytics and seamless integration with cloud services.  

Staying on an outdated system means accepting growing operational and compliance risks.  

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Three migration strategies: which path to choose?

Organisations typically consider one of three transition approaches.  

Greenfield: a fresh start

This strategy allows you to rebuild your system from the ground up, retire outdated custom developments, and redesign business processes. It is ideal for companies aiming for genuine business transformation. However, it also comes with higher costs and longer implementation timelines.  

Brownfield: a full technical and functional conversion

In this scenario, you upgrade your existing system while preserving most of your current configuration. It’s faster and more cost-effective, but will also carry over certain legacy constraints. If your processes are mature and largely fit for purpose, Brownfield can be a solid option.  

Selective Data Transition: a hybrid model

This approach combines elements of both Greenfield and Brownfield. You choose which data and processes to migrate and what to leave behind. It requires more preparation but offers larger organisations an optimal balance between renewal and continuity.  

Key preparation steps

Migrating to S/4HANA is rarely straightforward. Careful preparation helps minimise risks.  

  1. ECC system analysis  

Map out your processes and integrations. Identify which custom developments still deliver value and which should be retired.  

  1. Data readiness  

For many companies, data quality is the biggest stumbling block. Before migration, data must be cleaned, deduplicated, and harmonised. It’s a demanding task, but without it, the new system cannot function reliably.  

  1. Architecture decisions  

You’ll need to decide whether to remain on-premises or move to the cloud. Each option has advantages: the cloud offers flexibility and faster updates, but requires new IT operating models.  

  1. Testing and pilot runs.  

Run a pilot to validate processes and involve key users early. This helps detect issues in advance and reduces risks at the final stage.  

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What drives a successful migration?

Not every transformation goes smoothly, but several factors significantly improve outcomes.  

  • Early planning. The closer you get to support deadlines, the harder and more expensive it becomes to secure skilled specialists.  
  • Business engagement. The system must work for end users, not just IT. Without business involvement, timelines and quality suffer.  
  • Employee training. S/4HANA introduces new concepts and workflows. Investing in training pays off faster than many expect.  
  • A realistic budget. Always include a contingency for unforeseen tasks — in migration programmes, they are the norm rather than the exception.  
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What this means for your business

Migrating to S/4HANA unlocks new capabilities and enhances operational resilience. If you start preparing in 2025, you can manage costs and timelines proactively. Those who delay are likely to face a shortage of expertise and rising implementation costs.

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