Category: Architecture

All-in on SAP S/4HANA Migration Cockpit?

Posted on November 2, 2020 by - Architecture, Data Migration

I am not “all-in” on SAP S/4HANA Migration Cockpit.

Analysts warn that 83% of all data migration projects either fail or significantly exceed budgets. Like a poker table full of serious faces in a swanky casino, the stakes in data migration are sky high. Before going all-in on a single bet of such consequence, you’d better consider the big picture.

Yes, I understand that it’s the recommended tool for loading data into SAP S/4HANA, and has been for 5 years. And — for as many years — it’s been touted as the successor to Legacy System Migration Workbench (LSMW), which is no longer considered strategic.  It’s not that SAP S/4HANA Migration Cockpit isn’t usable.  After five years of steady revision, it’s achieved that mark, albeit with constraints.  And it introduces important innovation, such as Direct Transfer, to transfer data directly from an SAP system. That’s all super-good news, but it’s insufficient information.

Master Data and Identifying Numbers

Posted on October 30, 2020 by - Architecture

Data and business process owners: What numbers should we use for Products, Locations, Suppliers, Customers … and so on?  A seemingly simple question, but the consequences of your answer are many and without end. Tread carefully!

Implementing SAP S/4HANA illustrates the universal subject, but with nuances that require your attention to stay clear of trouble.

As usual, observing a few experience-based principles can promote good outcomes for Master Data and business processes, now and in future.

Security and Controls in Development Systems

Posted on October 18, 2020 by - Architecture

Excluding production, I’m regularly astonished by lax Security and Controls in SAP Landscapes. With S/4HANA, astonishment becomes concern.

I’m not talking about the blatantly obvious; no, we don’t regularly see SAP_ALL granted in Development systems as in days of yore.  It’s more subtle than that, but perhaps not by much.

3 Paths to S/4HANA, not 2!

Posted on September 4, 2020 by - Architecture, Data Migration

You’ll hear “greenfield” and “brownfield” used in common conversation about transitioning from ECC 6.0 ERP to S/4HANA. These two words — and too few words — cause more confusion than clarity.

To be clear, there are three scenarios for moving to SAP S/4HANA:

  • New Implementation
  • System Conversion
  • Selective Data Transition

The first two receive wide attention, but the last is thought provoking.