Are you ready for SAP ending support for its on-premises software?
The deadline for SAP ending its support for its ERP Central Component (ECC) is fast approaching. Standard maintenance for this on-premises software will end in December 2027, while extended maintenance is due to expire at the end of 2030.
What should users of SAP ERP Central Component do next?
If your council is using SAP’s on-prem system, you have four options to start considering now:
Option 1: Stay with your existing SAP ECC but buy a separate support contract from a third-party support partner. However, you won’t get any improvements or enhancements to your system if you choose this route. You’ll simply keep the software as it is, with legislative updates only.
Option 2: Move your current set-up into a cloud environment. But there will be no transformations, and you’ll need to consider your support options.
Option 3: Move to SAP S/4HANA and SuccessFactors solutions (either the public or private cloud edition). The public one is an out-of-the-box ERP system, with automatic and continual updates. The private edition is more configurable, offering more control over updates.
Option 4: Choose a new vendor, which could be a different ERP provider, or a best-of-breed approach, that best meets your needs for the future.
The key things to think about when choosing between those
four options
The upcoming end-of-support deadline is a chance to evaluate what your council has now and make sure the next decision you make is the right one.
You should take the time to consider the following when deciding between your different options:
- Desirability: What do you want to achieve in the short, medium and long-term?
- Viability: What’s your budget?
- Feasibility: How achievable is each option?
See our case study: Giving Isle of Wight Council an informed way ahead. The council asked Civiteq to develop a recommendation on the potential replacement of its existing SAP ERP.
How much time will you need if you move to a new
system?
Allow at least 18 months from considering your options through to the new system going live.
It’s important not to underestimate the time you’ll need for key stages in the process, such as procurement and preparation.
To help you get ready, you should think about the following:
- How will you prepare for implementation?
- What will your programme structure and governance look like?
- How will you resource the change?
- Have you started to look at your data?
Why moving from on-prem to cloud SAP isn’t simply an
upgrade
You might think that staying with SAP, but moving from on-premises to cloud, is just an upgrade. However, it’s not as simple as that, and making the move on your own could lead to failure because of the potential pitfalls you might not be aware of.
The key thing to remember is that moving from on-premises to cloud is a re-implementation, even if you stick with the same vendor, because it’s essentially new technology.
What are the pitfalls you might face?
It’s likely your current on-prem system has been in place for many years. So, a new system means you’ll need to change your ways of working to realise the benefits of the technology change.
The big risk is you start the implementation and then it gets delayed or even fails, which could cost you more money in the long run.
How an expert partner can help you get ready
By engaging the right partner, you’ll have the benefit of specialist support through the whole ERP process.
At Civiteq, our expertise includes supporting our clients to:
- Choose the right option for technology change
- Prepare for organisational and system change
- Implement the new technology
- Realise the benefits of the change
Read our case study: Supporting Derbyshire County Council’s SAP upgrade to the cloud. Civiteq supported the council’s successful go-live of the Council’s SAP upgrade and migration to the cloud.
Get in touch or book a meeting with our Account Director, Chris Batt, to discuss your ERP challenges with us.