Migrating from SAP Business ByDesign to SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud
Migrating from SAP Business ByDesign to SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud empowers customers to scale operations, leverage innovative technologies, and optimize performance. Leveraging familiar processes and enhanced functionality, organizations can achieve a seamless transformation and unlock the benefits of SAP's flagship ERP solution for the future.
Migrating from SAP Business ByDesign to SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud
Advanced Capabilities
Businesses currently using SAP Business ByDesign can seize the opportunity to embrace advanced capabilities and further their digital transformation by transitioning to SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud. While SAP Business ByDesign has proven to be a comprehensive and effective cloud-based ERP solution for many mid-market organizations, growing businesses often find that the enhanced functionality, improved performance, and innovative technologies of SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud better meet their evolving needs as operational complexity increases
Business Best Practice Continuity
Organizations that have maintained standard SAP Business ByDesign processes will be well-prepared for a transition to the S/4HANA Public Cloud. SAP designed the standard processes in Business ByDesign to reflect proven best practices across various industries, and they have applied the same principles in S/4HANA Public Cloud. As a result, end users often perceive the change in ERP solutions as more of an upgrade rather than a completely new system. This familiarity reduces the need for extensive training and helps accelerate user adoption
Improved System Architecture
Both solutions utilize the powerful HANA database architecture; however, S/4HANA Public Cloud eliminates the transaction volume limitations found in Business ByDesign. This enhanced scalability allows organizations that manage large transaction volumes to benefit from true real-time analytics and processing capabilities. In addition to improved performance, SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud introduces innovative features across all business functions as SAP's flagship ERP solution. These features include the latest advancements in AI and automation. Furthermore, with the SAP GROW licensing model, businesses can leverage these advanced technologies without the need for new contracts. This enables them to explore SAP Analytics Cloud, RPA, Joule, and other SAP BTP technologies that were previously unavailable to them through their included cloud credits.
Experienced SAP Consultants
Although there are many synergies, migrating to the S/4HANA Public Cloud requires careful planning and execution. Organizations should begin with a comprehensive assessment of their current processes, data quality, and customizations. This analysis helps identify specific areas that need attention and highlights opportunities to adopt the standard best practices integrated into S/4HANA—especially those that were absent from SAP Business ByDesign and had to be customized. Collaborating with experienced implementation partners and consultants who are knowledgeable about both platforms will greatly enhance this process.
Data Migration & Methodology
Data migration is a critical component of any system implementation, requiring meticulous cleansing of redundant data and precise mapping to ensure seamless information flow into the new system. Fortunately, there are tools available to accelerate this process, such as the data extraction feature in SAP Business ByDesign. Furthermore, the new archive mode license eliminates the need to lose historical data, and using SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC), organizations can integrate data from both systems for reporting and analytical purposes.
The cloud-based delivery model of SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud builds upon the approach used in SAP Business ByDesign. The SAP Activate methodology represents an evolution of the Launch methodology familiar to SAP Business ByDesign customers. This means that organizations can leverage their experience with the SAP Business ByDesign implementation approach to execute a more effective S/4HANA deployment. Additionally, the deeper processes available in S/4HANA Public Cloud can reduce the need for customizations that may have been necessary previously.
Benefits
Although the investment needed to implement S/4HANA Public Cloud will likely be higher than the current costs of SAP Business ByDesign, it’s important to evaluate the total business case. Factors such as improved productivity, reduced manual effort, enhanced decision-making, and the ability to scale efficiently regardless of transaction volumes all contribute to the return on investment. Additionally, ongoing AI enhancements and automated workflows can help lower operational costs over time.
Business Transformation
For customers of SAP Business ByDesign considering a transition, it's important to view this as a business transformation rather than just a technical upgrade. Success in this endeavor requires strong executive support, clear communication of the benefits, and a commitment to process improvement. Additionally, it's essential to maintain a clear vision that aligns with the fit-to-standard approach that was initiated during the implementation of SAP Business ByDesign. The benefits of this transition can lead to an enterprise-class flagship ERP solution that is well-prepared for the future!
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