SAP S/4HANA Cloud Migration: Your Guide to Migrate from SAP S/4HANA On-prem to SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud
“As per Gartner More than 50% of businesses will adopt sector-specific cloud platforms by 2027 to speed up their business activities. Industry cloud platforms allow users to switch from generic solutions to platforms tailored to their industry’s specific needs. “
After reading this, if you’re thinking, “How it’s possible?”
Simple: Through Cloud Migration.
The process of migrating data, applications, and other business components from an on-premises infrastructure to a cloud-based architecture is referred to as “cloud migration.”
Now the query is, “Which is a better Cloud option?”
The ideal alternative for businesses that need a high-performance solution to address their core business strategies is the SAP S/4HANA Cloud Migration, as it offers higher agility, flexibility, and a quicker upgrade cycle.
This blog mainly focuses on the various migration scenarios for an SAP user to migrate to SAP S/4HANA Cloud, Private Edition. Each of the migration scenario mentioned below, has its unique obstacles and rewards, and the best approach for your organization depends on your specific need and objective.
To know more just scroll through the blog!!
Top 6 reasons to migrate to SAP S/4HANA Cloud
Real-time data analytics: Enables businesses to make quicker and wiser decisions based on the most recent information.
Simplified environment: By offering a single, integrated platform for all business operations, it simplifies the environment of the system.
Lower TCO: By obviating the requirement for infrastructure and hardware investments and lowering maintenance and support costs, it aids organizations in lowering their TCO.
Advanced features: Provides innovative capabilities including artificial intelligence, machine learning, and predictive analytics.
Improved data security and compliance: It facilitates advanced security features such as encryption, authentication, and authorization.
Improved user experience: A more user-friendly interface makes it simpler for staff members to access and operate the system.
Let’s learn more about the possible migration scenarios!!
SAP S/4HANA Cloud Migration Deployment Options
There are several possible transition paths for on premise customers to move to SAP S/4HANA Cloud, private edition. Here are some of the options:
The choice of transition path depends on several factors, including the organization’s business requirements, budget, and timeline. SAP provides several tools and resources to help organizations choose the best transition path based on their specific needs.
Transition from SAP ERP 6.0 to SAP S/4HANA Cloud, private edition
SAP ERP 6.0 EHP, on-premise, supported by any DB/OS, can be converted using SUM DMO (Data Migration Option using Software Update Manager) using system conversion to SAP S/4HANA Cloud, Private Edition. For doing this, there are two options available:
Option 1: System conversion is preferred if SAP HANA DB and OS upgrades are considered. As a first step, SAP ERP 6.0 EHP is transformed to SAP S/4HANA through system conversion. And later, a System Copy is considered for conversion to SAP S/4HANA Cloud, private edition, supported by SAP HANA DB and Suse Linux.
Option 2: If we consider any supported SAP HANA DB and OS version, then as a first step, SAP ERP 6.0 EHP is copied from on-premises to the private cloud. After which is the system conversion to SAP S/4HANA, finally resulting in SAP S/4HANA Cloud, private edition, supported by SAP HANA DB and Suse Linux.
Transition from SAP S/4HANA on-premise to SAP S/4HANA Cloud, private edition
If the versions of SAP S/4HANA are 1809, 1909, or 20xx, then the solutions considered here are System Copy and System Upgrade. The ideal step would be to go for System Copy, which copies SAP S/4HANA on-premises to SAP Cloud infrastructure. And then we can go about upgrading the system to the latest release, thus favouring the conversion to SAP S/4HANA Cloud, private edition.
It’s time to skim through the steps involved in the Migration process!!
Steps for transition to SAP S/4HANA Cloud, private edition
There are two scenarios considered for the conversion of an existing on-premise customer to SAP S/4HANA Cloud, private edition:
- System copy
- System Conversion
Steps for the migration process using System Copy
➔ Prepare the migration server: Any migration project needs additional storage; this must be ordered for the duration of the migration. All SAP tools, like SAP SWPM, SAP Kernel, SAP DB Client Libraries, and the SUM tool, must be uploaded to the migration server to run the import task.
➔ Perform offline backup: Once tools are uploaded to the migration server, offline backup of the HANA database is performed, and the source system backup is uploaded onto the cloud object storage.
➔ Copy backups to cloud storage: In this stage, a ticket is opened to notify SAP that backups have been uploaded.
➔ Backups will be transferred to SAP HANA: SAP then moves those backups from object storage onto the correct file system on the SAP HANA DB server.
➔ Run SWPM (Software Provisioning Manager): In the system copy scenario, we must trigger a restore and run post-processing.
➔ Finalize post-processing: The post-processing steps are to be executed by the customers, which are performed on the instance when we install the migration server and then on the SAP S/4HANA Cloud deployed application server.
Steps for the migration process using System conversion
➔ Prepare the migration server: Additional storage is required for every migration project; it must be ordered for the duration of migration. To execute an import task, all SAP tools, including SAP SWPM, SAP Kernel, SAP DB Client libraries, and the SUM tool, must be uploaded to the migration server.
➔ Export on-premise ERP: We must verify that the contracted system size equals the delivery size and that it is sufficient to receive the source system data, after which we must go for exporting the on-premise ERP.
➔ Copy export data to the migration server: The tools are uploaded to the migration server, as we must run import and conversion tasks from there.
➔ Perform import/conversion: Then upload the source system export either to a cloud object storage or to a migration server, depending on the available connection into SAP S/4HANA.
➔ Post-processing: We can use AZ Copy or multiple tools, which are available, to copy data to the cloud. Then comes the actual migration conversion on the migration server.
➔ Finalize post-processing: Customers are responsible for carrying out the post-processing activities, which are carried out on the instance when we install the migration server and afterwards on the SAP S/4HANA Cloud deployed application server.
Final Thought
As a powerful cloud-based solution, SAP S/4HANA Cloud offers businesses cutting-edge technology, flexibility, scalability, cost-effectiveness, better security, and an enhanced user experience. It removes the need for expensive gear, software, and maintenance and helps organisations make decisions more quickly and accurately based on the most recent information.
When it comes to migrating to SAP S/4HANA Cloud, partnering with an experienced SAP implementation partner like KaarTech can assure you a smooth and successful transition.
We have more than 17+ years of expertise in SAP services and solutions. As an SAP Gold Partner with extensive experience in implementing SAP solutions across various industries, KaarTech has a proven track record of providing 2000+ end-to-end SAP solutions and has extensive experience with 20+ successful SAP S/4HANA Cloud migration projects.
For more info about KaarTech, do check out our website!!
FAQ’s
What are the key benefits of migrating to SAP S/4HANA Cloud?
Real-time analytics, simplified environment, lowered TCO, advanced features, enhanced security, and improved user experience.
What options exist for SAP S/4HANA Cloud migration deployment?
Brownfield, Greenfield, and Selective data transition paths for on-premise customers.
What steps are involved in transitioning to SAP S/4HANA Cloud, private edition?
It entails preparing servers, performing backups, transferring data to cloud storage, executing SWPM, and finalizing post-processing.
Which migration scenarios are available for SAP users to migrate to SAP S/4HANA Cloud?
Transition scenarios are available for SAP users to migrate to SAP S/4HANA Cloud are SAP ERP 6.0 to S/4HANA Cloud and from S/4HANA on-premise to S/4HANA Cloud.
