As organizations worldwide continue to navigate the complexities of digital transformation, many that still rely on SAP ERP or the on-premises version of SAP S/4HANA are considering a major change: migrating to the cloud. This move isn’t just about a technical upgrade; it’s a strategic decision that could shape the future of your business. To help you get started, we’ve completely updated our guide, Mapping Your Journey to SAP S/4HANA, with practical insights, step-by-step instructions, best practices, and detailed background information.
Keeping up with the fast pace of digital change isn’t just beneficial — it’s essential. Industries like automotive, with their complex supply chains, clearly demonstrate the risks of not adapting quickly. That’s exactly why we created the original guide back in 2018, which quickly became a go-to resource for many companies. Now, I’m excited to share that we’ve just released a fully updated edition.
This edition brings together insights from dozens of SAP experts across the company, each sharing their unique perspectives and experiences. Inside, you’ll find a comprehensive guide that covers every aspect of the transition to SAP S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition. We’ve focused on the key technology elements to help IT decision-makers confidently plan their roadmap, avoid common pitfalls, and ensure a smooth path to a successful go-live.
What makes this guide special is the wealth of knowledge it offers — drawn from thousands of successful transformation projects. It’s more than just a collection of tips; it’s packed with real-world experience, brought to life with clear text and visuals. Since every project is unique, we’ve included plenty of links to additional resources so you can rely on this guide at every step of your migration journey. The feedback from our customers speaks for itself: the guide has been downloaded more than 180,000 times since it was first published.
Why an update to our key reference
You may be wondering why a new edition, and why now? As one of the co-authors, I can tell you that while we’ve always kept the guide up to date, the past six years have seen major changes in the SAP landscape. New tools and methods have emerged, and our RISE with SAP offering has grown significantly. These developments have changed the way we help customers move to Cloud ERP, so it’s the perfect time to update the guide with these innovations and the valuable feedback we’ve received from our customers and partners.
Our goal with this guide remains the same: to give IT leaders everything they need in one place to successfully implement SAP S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition. We've carefully organized the guide into three key chapters.
1. Strategic decisions
In the first chapter, we’ll help you make smart choices about the transition. We cover everything from deciding between public and private cloud options to understanding the unique benefits of the GROW with SAP and RISE with SAP programs, and even navigating the complexities of cloud operations.
2. Ingredients for project success
The middle section delves into the critical factors that determine the success of your project. We discuss change management, knowledge management, customer and supplier master data integration, the partner ecosystem, and more.
3. Essential tools from SAP
The final chapter provides an in-depth look at the 15 most important tools available to help you assess your systems, plan and execute the migration, and track project progress. These include SAP Data Services, SAP Readiness Check, ABAP development tools, and the SAP S/4HANA Migration Cockpit.
More than just a guide, Mapping Your Journey to SAP S/4HANA is your trusted companion as an IT leader navigating a complex transformation. Whether you’re diving into the theory or need practical tips to keep your organization on track beyond 2027, this guide has you covered. You can read it cover to cover for a complete understanding or use it as a quick reference for specific stages or challenges.
I invite you to download it today and take the next step in your digital transformation journey: Download now
