For organizations considering or actively planning a move to SAP S/4HANA Finance, the opportunity to streamline processes, unlock real-time insights, and improve decision-making is massive.
But getting there takes more than just technology. Success lies in the planning, the people, and the practical lessons learned by those who’ve already made the leap.
We explored this in depth at our recent Inspiration Day event in Orlando, where Paul Ovigele, Founder/CEO of ERPfixers delivered a special keynote: Real World Experiences With SAP S/4HANA Finance Migration And Adoption.
Paul shared practical insights he’s picked up from helping customers migrate to S/4HANA Finance – including lessons around data structure transformation, change management, and system performance optimization.
Whether you’re just starting your evaluation or deep into project planning, you can use this information to pave your way to a successful S/4HANA Finance journey.
Get More S/4HANA Finance Insights from the Expert
After his presentation, Paul Ovigele sat down with Precisely’s Andrew Hayden, Principal Product Marketing Manager, to recap key points and share additional insights on how to plan for a smooth migration.
Preparing for SAP S/4HANA Finance Migration
S/4HANA migration projects can be complex. The most successful ones are those that invest heavily in the preparation phase.
So, what does that look like in practice?
Start by setting realistic goals. What are you hoping to achieve, and how will success be measured? Break down the journey into defined milestones and closely monitor progress along the way.
Early-stage planning should also include a clear understanding of your current system landscape, identification of data dependencies, and active involvement from cross-functional teams – including IT, finance, and operations.
Data quality is also critical. The earlier you assess and cleanse your data, the fewer delays and frustrations you’ll encounter later on.
Choosing the Right Approach
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to migration. Your system approach – whether greenfield, bluefield, brownfield, or hybrid – will directly impact your data strategy, project timeline, and resourcing requirements.
- A greenfield approach allows you to redesign processes from the ground up, often appealing to companies seeking a fresh start.
- Brownfield migrations, on the other hand, preserve existing configurations and can be faster, though they come with limitations in how much innovation you can introduce.
- Bluefield is a selective migration strategy that lets you retain parts of your legacy environment while redesigning others – making it a good fit for organizations that want to modernize without a full rebuild.
- Hybrid approaches blend elements of brownfield and bluefield.
The right choice depends on your current system complexity, customizations, business goals, and appetite for change. Regardless of the path, your data transition strategy will play a central role in determining how smoothly the conversion unfolds.
Key Innovations That Matter
The true value of S/4HANA Finance lies in its ability to simplify operations and elevate decision-making – and two innovations lead the charge: The Universal Journal and SAP Fiori.
The Universal Journal
This foundational feature merges multiple ledgers – general ledger, asset accounting, controlling, and more – into a single, consolidated table.
The result? A simplified data model that significantly reduces reconciliation work and duplication. With this unified structure, financial data becomes more consistent, real-time reporting becomes easier, and overall system performance improves.
Fiori User Experience
Fiori transforms how you interact with SAP. With a modern, mobile-friendly interface and personalized, role-based dashboards, Fiori improves navigation and usability across the system. It helps users get the information they need faster, and supports a shift from data entry to data-driven action.
Real-World Customer Success Stories
No two S/4HANA migrations are the same, but real customer experiences offer valuable lessons for anyone preparing for the journey. Here are two stories from Precisely customers who overcame complex data and process challenges to complete successful S/4HANA implementations.
Dräger Accelerates Journey to SAP S/4HANA with Process Automation Fueled by Trusted Data
As a global MedTech leader with more than 16,000 employees and a centralized ERP environment, Dräger faced complex data management challenges as it prepared to migrate from ECC to SAP S/4HANA. Manual processes were creating inefficiencies and overwhelming the IT team, especially as data corrections, installations, and changes had to be carried out at scale.
To simplify and accelerate the migration, Dräger deployed Precisely Automate Studio, enabling business users to manage SAP data directly through Excel. The solution reduced manual workloads, streamlined the conversion process, and helped lay the groundwork for broader digital transformation.
Key results:
- Simplified and accelerated migration to SAP S/4HANA
- Automated complex SAP processes using Excel
- Reduced manual data handling and IT burden
- Empowered business users to manage changes independently
- Improved agility and readiness for future transformation
Scientific Drilling Makes S/4HANA Implementation Fast & Flexible with Precisely Automate
Scientific Drilling faced a tight S/4HANA migration timeline with a highly complex ERP environment – including ECC and 30 homegrown legacy systems. Initial attempts to migrate data using SAP’s LSMW tool proved insufficient, and with just four months until go-live, the company needed a faster, more flexible solution.
By adopting Precisely Automate, which supports both ECC and S/4HANA, they were able to simplify the migration process, empower business users, and complete the implementation on schedule.
Key results:
- Met the aggressive four-month go-live deadline
- Enabled quick creation and modification of data migration scripts
- Reduced troubleshooting time by making errors easier to identify
- Improved accessibility for non-technical users
Take the Next Step in Your SAP S/4HANA Finance Migration
Migrating to SAP S/4HANA Finance can seem daunting – but it presents the potential for a real transformation. With the right preparation, a smart approach to system conversion, and a people-first mindset, you can unlock results like faster reporting, better decisions, and greater efficiency.
Whether you’re in the early planning stages or already on the path, now’s the time to ask: Are you ready for what’s next?
Thank you to Paul Ovigele of ERPfixers for sharing his insights and expertise with us at Inspiration Day.
To learn even more, read our white paper: What To Expect When Migrating Finance From SAP ECC to SAP S/4HANA – covering 10 changes you need to know about to ensure a seamless transition.
The post SAP S/4HANA® Finance Migration: Your Essential Guide appeared first on Precisely.
