What is SAP S4 HANA
- A next-generation business suite
- Built on the most advanced in-memory platform – SAP HANA.
- Modern design principles with the Fiori user experience (UX),
- Leverages principles like IoT, Big Data, and business networks
- Brings about Digital Transformation
SAP S4 HANA Conversion
- Moving SAP Business Suite legacy applications like SAP ECC and data into the new SAP S4 HANA platform
S4 HANA Conversion vs Migration
| Conversion | Migration |
|---|---|
| Changes are made directly to the database | Sender Database can remain unchanged |
| The major shift is in the execution system, from old to new | Database is moved entirely to the new system rather than changes being made to it in the legacy setup |
| Conversion can be a combination of upgradation and migration | Data is being moved from the source system to a destination system |
SAP S4 HANA Conversion Process
Prepare Phase
In addition to these steps, cross-application preparation and application-specific preparation activities are also undertaken. These deal with cross-platform and specific business applications that need to be prepared for conversion.
Prepare Phase – Planning and Checking System Requirements
- Define the parameters – scope, schedule, and budget
- Ensure all team members are on the same page about technical tasks
- Useful Tools-
- Roadmap Viewer- enables teams to understand the various steps and design their conversion journey
- SAP Readiness Check – identifies any issues that need to be addressed before embarking on the conversion journey.
- Check whether the current system is compatible with SAP S4 HANA • Make changes as needed
Prepare Phase – Maintenance Planner (MP)
- Generate the download files (add-ons, packages, DBDs, and stack configuration files) for Software Update Manager (SUM)
- Validate migration path and stops migration if the checks are unsuccessful.
Prepare Phase – SI Check (Simplification Item Check)
- Ensure technical compatibility of business processes with S4 HANA to reduce lag
- Identify inconsistencies in data or missing mandatory preparation activities to avoid conversion failure
Prepare Phase – Custom Code Migration
- Recommended for the custom code base
- The custom code is checked against simplifications available in S4 HANA
- Remove code that is not needed
Realize Phase
Software Update Manager (SUM)
- Software updates are applied and data conversion occurs.
- Conversion occurs during downtime
- Downtime is minimized with SAP’s Silent Data Migration infrastructure
Application-Specific Follow-on Events
- Includes manual tasks to ensure that system is responding well to the SAP S4 HANA Conversion
- These steps are aligned via pre-checks and custom code checks
- Provides an overview of the system’s response to SAP S/4 HANA migration