Expert verified SAP ECC to SAP S/4 Hana Migration is one of the most important digital transformation projects for businesses at this time.
With SAP phasing out ECC support by 2027, let us help you plan your S/4HANA journey the right way.
Why You Need to Conduct SAP ECC to SAP S/4 Hana Migration?
SAP Is Ending Support for ECC
SAP will stop supporting ECC in 2027 which means no new updates will be provided, making it outdated for your needs.
Here’s a simplified look at SAP support roadmap
📅 2025: Core app support ends →If not on HANA, you lose support sooner
📅 2027: Full ECC support ends→No more mainstream help from SAP
📅 2028–2030: Paid extended support →Expensive, limited, no innovation
📅 2031 and onwards: No support at all →You’re on your own
Delaying Migration = Inviting Difficulties
Delaying your move to S/4HANA sounds easier now Waiting could mean:
- Risking errors with rush migration
- Consultants and partners may be overbooked
- Miss early migration offers or discounts
- System becomes harder to upgrade
- Fall behind competitors using real-time data and automation
S/4HANA Is Much Faster and Smarter
S/4HANA is SAP’s next-generation ERP. It is built on SAP HANA, an in-memory database that offers real-time analytics and faster processing.
Seamless Integration with Other Systems
S/4HANA works better with other SAP cloud products like SuccessFactors, Ariba, and Concur. It also works seamlessly with third-party platforms like CRMs, eCommerce, and more
Real-Time Analytics & AI/ML Capabilities
Unlike ECC, which relies on batch processing, S/4HANA processes transactions and analytics in real-time. It also has the added advantage of embedded AI, ML and IoT.
Simplified Data Structure
S/4HANA has a simplified data model — no more unnecessary tables or aggregates. This means – cleaner data, fewer errors and easier reporting
Cloud & Hybrid Deployment Flexibility
S/4HANA is cloud-ready, supporting public, private, and hybrid cloud deployments. ECC was designed for on-premise and lacks native cloud scalability.
Key Differences Between SAP ECC and SAP S/4HANA
SAP S/4HANA Migration Paths: Greenfield vs Brownfield vs Hybrid
Migrating from SAP ECC to S/4HANA is a major decision, and to do so a business must choose the right approach.
The three primary migration paths are:
Greenfield Implementation → Fresh start
A Greenfield migration means you start from scratch.
You rebuild your SAP system using S/4HANA without carrying over old data, custom code, or configurations from ECC.
Best for: Companies wanting to redesign business processes and adopt SAP best practices
✅PROS:
- No technical debt
- Chance to reimagine your processes
- Align with SAP’s modern best practices
- Perfect for digital transformation
❌CONS:
- Takes more time and planning
- Requires full data migration
- Can be costly
Brownfield Implementation → System Conversion
A Brownfield migration means you convert your existing SAP ECC system into SAP S/4HANA.
You keep your data, configurations, and some custom code — and upgrade the core system underneath.
Best for: Companies that want minimal disruption and need to retain all data.
✅PROS:
- Faster & cheaper than Greenfield
- Less training needed – Similar processes to ECC
- Retains all data – No loss of transactional history
❌CONS:
- Carries over your previous ECC problems
- Less flexibility to change processes
- Misses some S/4HANA innovations.
Hybrid Migration → Bluefield / Selective Transition)
A Hybrid migration lets you keep what works and rebuild what doesn’t.
You move some processes (like finance or procurement) fresh using Greenfield, and convert other areas using Brownfield.
Best for: Companies that want partial optimization without a full rebuild.
✅PROS:
- Mix of speed and customization
- Reduce risk with a phased rollout
- Reduces technical debt by cleaning up old customizations
❌CONS:
- Requires careful planning and coordination
- Risk of inefficiencies if legacy and new systems don’t integrate well
- Can be complex to manage
Step-by-Step SAP ECC to SAP S/4 Hana Migration + Timeline
Moving from SAP ECC to S/4HANA requires a structured process. Below is a detailed, step-by-step guide to ensure a smooth transition.
Step 1: Project Preparation & Planning
Before starting, create a comprehensive migration plan. This involves:
- Define business goals and expected ROI for migration
- Select your migration path -Greenfield, Brownfield, or Hybrid
- Build project team with IT, business leaders, and SAP experts
- Set timeline and budget including licensing (HANA DB, S/4HANA)
- Create project charter with milestones (testing, cutover, go-live)
Key Output: Clear migration strategy approved by stakeholders
Timeline: 1-3 months
Step 2: System Assessment & Readiness Check
Perform a thorough evaluation of your current SAP ECC system. Include the following:
- Run SAP’s Readiness Check tool to identify areas needing attention
- Evaluate the status of your hardware and software infrastructure
- Determine which custom code requires review
- Assess the quality and cleanliness of your existing data
- Identify the modules that will be impacted by the migration
Key Output: System health report with action items
Timeline: 1-2 months
Step 3: Deployment & Environment Setup
Decide on how you want to deploy and setup the environment for migration to S/4HANA:
- Select between On-premise, Private Cloud, or Public Cloud
- Set up S/4HANA environment – Install HANA database, configure Fiori launchpad and prepare security/roles
- Adapt custom code for HANA compatibility
- Simplify data models (e.g., merge FI tables into ACDOCA)
Key Output: S/4HANA system ready for data migration
Timeline: 2-3 months
Step 4: Data Migration & Testing
Prepare and move your data to the new system, followed by thorough testing:
- Clean up your master data. Delete or fix duplicates, incomplete records, and outdated materials or vendors.
- Review your custom ABAP code and use SAP’s Custom Code Migration app.
- Run a test migration in a sandbox system to validate tools, identify problems, and fine-tune data transfer and configurations.
- Extract, Transform, and Load (ETL) data.
- Perform test migrations to validate data accuracy.
- Conduct User Acceptance Testing (UAT).
Key Output: Verified data in test environment
Timeline: 1-2 months
Step 5: Cutover & Go-Live
This is the phase where you make the final switch to S/4HANA:
- Freeze the ECC system
- Transfer the final data
- Switch to S/4HANA and go live
- Have your IT support and migration team on standby
- Execute the final data migration
- Deactivate the ECC system and activate S/4HANA
- Provide post-go-live support to monitor system performance and resolve immediate issues
Key Output: S/4HANA as production system
Timeline: 1-2 weeks
Step 6: Training & Optimization
After going live, focus on user enablement and system improvement:
- Train your users on SAP Fiori, key business processes, reporting, dashboards, and new automation features.
- Enter hypercare mode to fix urgent issues, monitor performance, and collect user feedback.
- Optimize workflows and reports.
- Leverage S/4HANA innovations like AI, ML, and automation.
Key Output: Fully adopted, optimized S/4HANA
Timeline: Ongoing
SAP S/4HANA Migration in India: Key Challenges & How PKC Can Help
For Indian companies, there are specific local and operational challenges that make migration to SAP S/4HANA more complex. Here’s what to look out for and how we at PKC Management Consulting can help:
1. GST and Indian Tax Compliance Integration
India’s GST, TDS, and e-invoicing rules change often, and setting them up correctly in S/4HANA is tricky.
PKC Management Consulting helps configure tax settings accurately and keeps your system updated with Indian regulatory changes.
2. Poor Quality of Master Data
Messy data like duplicate vendors, outdated GSTINs, or missing product codes can cause issues during migration.
PKC offers expert data cleansing and validation services to ensure a smooth transition to S/4HANA.
3. Risk of Business Disruption
Even a few hours of downtime during migration can impact payroll, invoicing, or GST filing.
PKC plans and executes cutovers during low-impact windows, like weekends or holidays, to keep your business running.
4. High Cost and Budget Constraints
S/4HANA migration can be expensive — with costs often going over budget.
PKC helps optimize costs by offering fixed-price packages and scalable solutions tailored for Indian SMEs.
5. Choosing the Right Infrastructure
Choosing between on-premise, private cloud, or RISE with SAP in India can be confusing.
PKC provides unbiased infrastructure consulting to help you pick the best, most cost-effective hosting option for your business.
6. User Resistance to Change
Teams often struggle to adapt to the new SAP Fiori interface and changed processes.
PKC provides hands-on training, support, and change management, making user adoption faster and easier.
7. Waiting Too Long Increases Risk
Delaying migration means fewer consultants, rising costs, and limited SAP support.
PKC helps you start early with a clear migration roadmap, so you avoid the rush and stay ahead of SAP’s 2027 deadline.
8. Shortage of Skilled SAP Talent
Finding experienced S/4HANA consultants in India is tough, especially during peak migration demand.
PKC has a ready team of certified SAP consultants who specialize in Indian industries and understand local business needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long does SAP S/4HANA migration take for Indian businesses?
It depends on your setup. For small companies it may take around 4-6 months, for midsize between half to a whole year and for large enterprises it may take up to 2 years. If you have complex GST, e-invoicing, or custom modules, expect more time for testing and validation.
2. Can I reuse my custom code in S/4HANA?
Some custom code can be reused, but not all. You’ll need to analyze, clean, and adapt your custom code using tools like SAP’s Custom Code Migration App.
3. What happens if I don’t migrate to S/4HANA by 2027?
You’ll lose SAP’s mainstream support. This means no updates, no security fixes, and increased costs if you want extended support (only until 2030). Your business could face serious operational and compliance issues.
4. Do I need to retrain my staff for S/4HANA?
Yes. S/4HANA has a new interface and updated processes. Training your staff is crucial for a smooth transition and full adoption of the new system.
5. Will GST, TDS, and Indian tax rules work on S/4HANA?
Yes.SAP S/4HANA is fully GST compliant. It’s regularly updated to match Indian government changes.
6. How to migrate from SAP ECC to S/4HANA?
Migrating from SAP ECC to SAP S/4HANA involves several important steps as discussed above. Work with an experienced SAP-certified partner like PKC Management Consulting to manage this process smoothly.
7. Which is correct for SAP ECC to SAP S/4 Hana Migration?
The correct method for converting SAP ECC to SAP S/4HANA (Brownfield Vs Greenfielf Vs Hybrid) depends on your business situation. If your system is heavily customized or outdated, Greenfield may be better. If you just need a technical upgrade, Brownfield is usually faster and cheaper.
