Customer question during the strategy workshop

The deadline for the end of life of SAP ECC is approaching every day. With the support for ECC set to expire in 2027 and the average migration duration of up to 18 months for large companies, the question arises: Doesn’t it become increasingly risky to delay the transition to SAP S/4HANA?

Indeed, the end of life for SAP ECC (ERP Central Component) is nearing, with support set to expire in 2027. The urgency for companies to transition to SAP S/4HANA is continuously increasing. Here are some reasons why delaying the transition is risky:

1. Security risks: With the end of support, no new security updates and patches will be provided for SAP ECC. Companies that remain on ECC become vulnerable to security vulnerabilities and potential attacks.
2. Lack of compatibility: SAP S/4HANA is a new technology platform, and future innovations and improvements from SAP will primarily be developed for S/4HANA. By staying on ECC, companies risk losing access to new features, tools, and technologies that could be crucial for their business development and competitiveness.
3. Support limitations: After the support expiration, regular support services for SAP ECC will no longer be available. Companies will not receive official support from SAP for issues or errors and will rely on their own resources to resolve problems and maintain operations.
4. Missed business opportunities: SAP S/4HANA offers a wide range of benefits and improvements over ECC, such as real-time analytics, simplified processes, enhanced user experience, and better integration with other systems. By delaying the transition, companies may miss out on business opportunities and compromise their competitiveness.
5. Extended transition timelines: Migrating from SAP ECC to S/4HANA requires careful planning, data migration, adjustments, and testing. Large companies may require several months to a year or longer for the transition process. The longer the transition is delayed, the tighter the timeline becomes to ensure a smooth transition.

It is crucial for companies to start planning and implementing the transition to SAP S/4HANA early on to minimize potential risks and fully leverage the benefits of the new platform. Close collaboration with experienced SAP partners and consultants can help streamline and ensure the success of the transition process.