SAP Integration Clean Core Approach for your S/4HANA Migration

Integrating SAP with other applications in the organisation is the biggest challenge. Without proper integration with third party systems organisations fail to fully automate and optimize their business processes. Based on our experiences we have various approaches for SAP integration.

1. Evaluate Existing Customizations

• Objective: To identify and reduce unnecessary custom code, and maintain only essential customizations that are critical for business processes.

• Implementation:

  • Perform an extensive code analysis to evaluate existing customizations.

  • Categorize customizations based on their necessity and impact.

  • Replace non-essential customizations with standard SAP functionalities wherever possible.

• Benefit: Reduced complexity, technical debt, and maintenance efforts.

2. Leverage Extensibility Options

• Objective: To achieve necessary customizations without modifying the core system.

• Implementation:

  • Utilize SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) to build side-by-side extensions.

  • Use APIs, SAP Cloud Platform’s Extensibility Services, and In-App Extensibility to extend functionalities.

  • Implement enhancements using tools like SAP Fiori and SAPUI5 for custom user interfaces.

• Benefit: A clean core with enhanced flexibility and minimized disruption during upgrades.

3. Utilize Standard Processes

• Objective: To align with SAP’s best practices and standard processes, ensuring minimal deviations.

• Implementation:

  • Adopt a fit-to-standard approach by analyzing existing business processes and aligning them with SAP’s standard offerings.

  • Conduct workshops and training sessions to align stakeholders with the standard processes.

• Benefit: Reduced need for customizations, faster implementation times, and easier upgrades.

4. Document Technical Debt

• Objective: To maintain a detailed repository of all customizations and their impact on the system.

• Implementation:

  • Create a comprehensive documentation process for customizations.

  • Regularly update and review the documentation to keep it current and relevant.

  • Use documentation to inform decisions during future upgrades and migrations.

• Benefit: Clear visibility of customization impacts, better decision making, and reduced risk during upgrades.

5. Adopt Modern Integration

• Objective: To ensure a reliable and flexible IT landscape through the use of standard APIs and events.

• Implementation:

  • Implement SAP Cloud Platform Integration to connect various systems.

  • Use standard APIs and event-based integrations to ensure seamless communication between systems.

  • Leverage SAP’s Integration Advisor to design and implement optimal integration solutions.

• Benefit: Improved system interoperability, scalability, and reduced integration complexity.

By applying these principles, your organization can maintain a clean core, ensuring your S/4HANA system remains agile and ready for future challenges.

Whenever you plan an S/4HANA migration, a comprehensive BTP (Business Technology Platform) assessment is crucial. Below is a guide to assist you through this process:

1. System Inventory and Analysis

• Identify Current Systems: Document all the systems currently in use.

• Evaluate Integrations: List existing integrations and their complexity.

• Assess Customizations: Inventory custom code and identify areas for modification.

2. Technical and Functional Readiness

• Infrastructure Assessment: Confirm that your hardware and infrastructure meet BTP requirements.

• Technical Readiness: Evaluate system versions, Unicode compliance, add-ons, and existing customizations.

• Business Process Analysis: Identify critical business processes and evaluate the potential impacts of migration.

3. Extensibility and Integration Analysis

• API and Extensibility Options: Determine how current customizations can be replaced with BTP-based extensions.

• Data Migration Strategy: Plan data extraction, transformation, and loading (ETL) processes.

• Integration Fit: Match existing integrations to BTP capabilities using standard APIs and event-driven architectures.

4. Conducting Proof-of-Concept (PoC)

• Run Pilot Projects: Execute PoCs to test critical integrations and customizations on the BTP environment.

• Evaluate Performance: Assess the performance of migrated components and processes under simulated load conditions.

5. Documentation and Strategy Development

• Finalize Migration Strategy: Create detailed migration plans, including timelines, resource allocation, and risk management strategies.

• Document Findings: Keep comprehensive documentation of assessments, decisions, and implemented solutions.

Tools and Resources:

• SAP Readiness Check: Use tools like Readiness Check and Maintenance Planner.

• SAP Integration Advisor: Leverage the Integration Advisor to design optimal integration solutions.

• Migration Assessment Tool: Utilize the Migration Assessment Tool available on SAP Integration Suite for legacy platforms.

Conducting these assessments thoroughly will ensure a seamless and efficient SAP S/4HANA migration process.