Success, even of large-scale IT projects, can depend on much more than technical readiness and the budget to greenlight it. The move from an existing SAP ERP system to SAP S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition is one that requires careful preparation and execution. To make this transition as smooth and secure as possible, SAP provides a wide array of tools to support every phase of cloud ERP migration.
Here, three critical tools that can help prepare systems, maintain operations, and execute a migration with precision are highlighted. But remember, this is only a snapshot of the comprehensive portfolio featured in the free guide, “Mapping your journey to SAP S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition.”
The Custom Code Migration app: For preparation with clarity
Before embarking on any journey, it’s essential to know where you’re starting from—and to take stock of your current situation. The SAP Fiori app “Custom Code Migration” can act as a guide, helping IT teams assess their existing systems and custom code objects with precision. It can identify which elements are obsolete, which require adaptation, and which can seamlessly transition across.
Custom code often reflects years of adjustments—useful in their time but not always efficient for modern systems. By shedding unnecessary complexity, this app can ensure your cloud migration starts with a lean, optimized core. It can provide clarity, helping IT leaders make confident decisions about what to carry forward and what to leave behind.
The Custom Code Migration app works hand in hand with the SAP Readiness Check toolset, which can provide a comprehensive system analysis before migration. By combining both, organizations can gain a full picture of their existing landscape, helping to ensure that custom code, system compatibility, and necessary adaptations are all factored into the transition strategy. This upfront preparation helps set the tone for a smoother transition, making the migration process more strategic and less reactive.
Every successful cloud migration needs three things: a compass to set the direction, a map to navigate the landscape, and a vehicle to carry you to your destination. These SAP tools can provide exactly that—guidance, connection, and execution for your SAP S/4HANA Cloud journey.
SAP Integration Suite: For seamless connection
A migration is never purely about the new. It’s about maintaining critical connections as you transform. SAP Integration Suite can enable consistent, reliable integration across legacy systems, cloud platforms, and third-party solutions, ensuring operational continuity throughout any transition.
Etex, a global building materials leader, is just one example of how this suite can make a difference. With operations in 45 countries, the Belgian firm needed to unify its systems during its migration to SAP S/4HANA. SAP Integration Suite delivered prebuilt connectors, low-code tools, and robust APIs that streamlined integrations and created a cohesive digital ecosystem. This not only ensured smooth day-to-day operations but also set the stage for scalable, global growth.
SAP continuously enhances the suite with new features and updates to keep pace with evolving technology. This customer-focused approach helps minimize effort and complexity for businesses transitioning to SAP S/4HANA, helping them benefit from the latest innovations in integration. Moreover, SAP Integration Suite fully supports the clean core strategy, reducing system modifications and complementing SAP’s data migration and conversion tools to enable a more streamlined and efficient transition.
For IT leaders, SAP Integration Suite can offer functionality—and peace of mind, too. By simplifying and securing integrations, it helps support both the immediate migration and the future evolution of business processes.
SAP S/4HANA migration cockpit: For precision execution
Similarly significant when it comes to data migration is precision. SAP S/4HANA migration cockpit helps ensure that critical data is transferred accurately and efficiently, working to minimize risks and downtime during the transition.
The cockpit can provide predefined templates and a structured process for migrating legacy data into SAP S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition. By reducing the complexity of data transfer, it helps ensure that IT teams can focus on readiness and reliability, knowing their business-critical information is secure.
SAP S/4HANA migration cockpit is one of several tools available for data migration, primarily suited for greenfield implementations. For system conversions or brownfield implementations, the Software Update Manager tool is the key, while SAP Business Transformation Center can support selective data transitions. Choosing the right approach depends on an organization’s migration strategy and business requirements.
Data migration is one of the most crucial steps in the transition journey, bringing together all the preparation and integration efforts. However, successful migration doesn’t end here—data and process validation follow to ensure everything is functioning as expected, paving the way for a strong foundation for future innovation and growth.
A utility belt of tools awaits
As mentioned, SAP’s portfolio doesn’t end there. The final section of “Mapping your journey to SAP S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition” highlights 15 essential tools designed to help assess, plan, implement, and monitor your migration. From SAP Readiness Check to SAP Data Services and ABAP development tools, these solutions can offer additional support to help ensure every phase of your project is a success.
Explore the full suite of SAP tools and learn how they can simplify your migration.
Uwe Grigoleit is senior vice president and head of SAP Customer Evolution.
The only book you need to read about SAP S/4HANA
“Mapping your journey to SAP S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition” provides IT leaders with the perfect blend of theoretical insights and practical guidance to help keep their company digitally prepared beyond 2027.
