On SAP S/4HANA in 10 Days?
What sounds like a utopia to many, we have undertaken: SRB has prepared for SAP HANA migration. A team has completed the SAP programme 10Steps2S4. Successfully. After 10 days, we have gained extensive knowledge and a certification.
What sounds like a utopia to many companies, we have undertaken: SRB Consulting has prepared for SAP HANA migration. A selected SRB team has completed the SAP training programme 10Steps2S4. Successfully. And after 10 intensive days, we have gained extensive knowledge and an additional certification.
You know our SAP expertise. For and with clients, we at SRB have successfully carried out numerous SAP migrations. But is it possible to convert an SAP ERP 6.0, EhP 7 system with MSSQL database to an SAP S/4HANA 2022 with SAP HANA 2.0 in just 10 days? This is the question a selected SRB team faced at the end of August as part of the SAP certification programme 10Steps2S4.
10Steps2S4: SAP Migration Bootcamp with High Learning Factor
It all started rather unspectacularly, as the path to 10Steps2S4 was actually a 'coincidence'. During a tender, this SAP certification appeared as a participation requirement in mid-August. A brief research revealed: With this SAP programme, partner companies can get certified, provided they already have the qualifications to carry out an SAP S/4HANA conversion professionally and successfully. So it was a perfect fit for SRB.
After a bit more research, it became clear that the certification or the path to it is based on a best-practice approach for implementing SAP S/4HANA and is divided into the following phases:
- Inventory Analysis (System Landscape)
- Preparation Phase (Setting up the Maintenance Planner, Readiness Check (including Custom Code), SI Check, Sizing)
- Preparations in Logistics (BP & CVI, MRP Adjustments)
- Preparations in Finance (General Ledger, New Asset Accounting)
- Technical Implementation with SUM
- Financial Conversion
- Subsequent Conversion Activities (e.g., Output Management)
- Configuration of the SAP Gateway & SAP Fiori
- Subsequent Conversion Topics (e.g., Custom Code Adjustments)
- Review & Feedback
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The tasks of the various phases were carried out by a team from different areas with different skill sets. It did not take much persuasion, and the 'SRB Dream Team' was formed:
- Basis | Herwig Stecher
- Custom Code | Andreas Kasper
- Finance | Barbara Lang
- Logistics & Team Lead | Christian Schaunig
The programme itself, which turned out to be an SAP Migration Bootcamp with a high learning factor, was divided into two weeks. In the first week, preparation activities were scheduled, over the weekend the system conversion, and in the second week, the follow-up work was planned. Each day, SAP organised so-called 'Daily Calls' that addressed the respective steps and required different team members.
Teamwork Key to Success
Accordingly, internal coordination was significant. Working as a team took centre stage, and internal coordination meetings for the tasks and challenges of each day proved to be an important success factor for certification.
In the implementation, the entire range of an SAP migration was covered. With Readiness Check, Maintenance Planner, Custom Code Check, examination of critical Business Functions, Add-Ons, and Simplification Item Check in the technical preparation, with Customer Vendor Integration (CVI), extension of material numbers, and MRP adjustments in the logistics preparation, as well as configuring the general ledger and new asset accounting, consistency checks, and reconciliation reports in finance.
Once these pre-check activities were completed, the technical conversion began using SUM, which was concluded with the conversion of financial data after migration. Then came the follow-up work, primarily in logistics (Business Partner, MRP) and with the activation of the SAP Gateway and Fiori. Further activities included setting up the new message finding, custom code adjustments, activation of PP/DS, and situation handling.
Throughout the programme, the classic strengths of SRB were reflected: know-how, teamwork, and commitment, which did not shy away from weekend work. It is always remarkable what a well-coordinated team can achieve with the right attitude, planning, and consistency in implementation, as well as a consistent focus on solving challenges. In this case, a successful migration to SAP S/4HANA in 10 days and a stylish certification.
