Transitioning from Additional Hardware Stacks to RISE with SAP S/4HANA
In the fourth blog in our Time to RISE blog series, we explore the transformative journey from hosted or on-premises traditional hardware to SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud and modern solutions.
Moving from Hosted or on-Premises to SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud
Explore the transformative journey from hosted or on-premises traditional hardware to SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud and modern solutions. Discover how this move enhances efficiency, delivers real-time insights, and simplifies application management, paving the way for a future-ready business landscape.
Transitioning from traditional hardware stacks to a cloud-based solution like SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud unlocks business transformation capability and allows your business to focus on the core value offered by the software as a service functionality. You get this without the need to provision and maintain on-premises hardware. Applications that once ran on the hardware stacks are now replaced with new cloud-based services and functionality consolidated into cost efficient cloud-based solutions and services.
This blog post will explore the move from legacy SAP applications typically hosted on dedicated hardware to the cloud. Solutions such as Content Server, Business Warehouse, Business Objects, SAP MII (Manufacturing Integration and Intelligence) and Solution Manager, can now be transitioned to cloud-based solutions like BTP DMS, Datasphere with SAC Reporting, SAP Digital Manufacturing Cloud for Execution and Cloud ALM (Application Lifecycle Manager).
Options for Moving
1. Content Server to BTP DMS
Mainstream maintenance for Content Server will only be provided until 2027, so it is fortuitous that SAP has a migration pathway to the new cloud-based Business Technology Platform Document Management System known as BTP DMS. This system hosted by SAP on the business technology platform ensures secure and efficient document handling while offering scalability and accessibility from anywhere, at any time. This allows the decommissioning of existing Content Server hardware and support services with the move to a cloud consumption-based operating model where you only pay for what you use. BTP DMS provides future state document management features including, document classification, version and revision control, integrated workflows, full-text retrieval queries and access management.
2. BW and Business Objects to Datasphere and SAC Reporting
The trustworthy common reporting and analytics tool, Business Object (BO) has been well integrated and customsed to deliver business intelligence, though it lacks the real-time, comprehensive insights required by today's agile businesses. Datasphere with SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) Reporting is a state-of-the-art data management and reporting solution that provides real-time insights for agile decision-making.
Gone are the days of rebuilding the business value of data replicated to BO, as Datasphere leverages the Core Data Services (CDS) through Virtual Data Models (VDM) maintaining the business context for ease of consumption. The ability to use federated data avoids the need to replicate avoiding associated data storage costs. Data access controls utilised by DataSphere are based on existing configurations and authorisations, reducing the effort to manage data security, and providing easy access for users. Data quality, security, and compliance are maintained as part of the governance across the business data fabric, which is enabled by DataSphere. SAP Analytics Cloud then seamlessly integrates with DataSphere delivering a comprehensive analytics solution with real-time business insights.
Both DataSphere and SAC are available on the cloud-based Business Technology Platform and SAP offers several options when transitioning from BW, ranging from transferring data and objects to federation or replication of BW data. SAP BW Bridge, BW/4HANA Model Transfer and ABAP/HANA connections are designed to leverage this existing business IP and support the journey to the SAP future state cloud offerings.
3. Solution Manager to Cloud ALM
Trusted for supporting and managing SAP and non-SAP applications, Solution Manager is nearing end of life with mainstream maintenance provided until December 2027. Solution Manager is another on-prem hardware stack that can be deprecated with the move to cloud. Choosing to RISE with SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud while also moving supporting systems to the cloud provides an opportunity to utilise the cost-effective SAP Cloud Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) SaaS offering.
Launched back in 2020, Cloud ALM complements the SAP Activate Methodology for SAP cloud implementations and is used by DyFlex Solutions though-out all implementation projects, providing project progress dashboards and supporting process, task and test management, leaving the customer with a fit-for-purpose tool for integration and business process monitoring. Although Could ALM is not a direct replacement for Solution Manager monitoring of on-prem system outages, performance issues and OS/DB level monitoring, when these systems are moved to the cloud, SAP and your chosen cloud service provider will take over these services leaving you with the ability to monitor through Cloud ALM.
Solution Manager and Cloud ALM can co-exist if required to manage a hybrid landscape while on-premises systems have not yet been moved to the cloud, however, keep in mind that Solution Manager nearing end-of-life and businesses need to consider a migration plan to their future state landscape.
4. SAP MII (Manufacturing Integration and Intelligence) to SAP Digital Manufacturing Cloud for Execution
The on-premises Manufacturing Integration and Intelligence is another solution SAP is phasing out with the end of mainstream maintenance nominated as January 2027. Due to MII’s flexibility and integration capabilities, it is often used to connect IOT devices to receive runtimes and metrics consumed by the ERP solution. SAP Integration Suite when implemented in RISE with S/4HANA Private Cloud enables a pathway to integrate existing IOT feeds into the ERP system.
For more complex operational plant connectivity the SAP DM (Digital Manufacturing) bundle for execution provides out-of-the-box integration to support advanced analytics, and resource optimisation and serves real-time visibility of manufacturing processes. With the right planning and process analysis, MII customers can look at moving to Digital Manufacturing Cloud for Execution as their future state manufacturing execution solution, allowing the hardware and support services required to operate MII to be decommissioned.
Capable of discrete, process, and continuous/repetitive manufacturing with the ability to monitor the entire manufacturing process to optimise resources and execution, DM could offer a competitive advantage. Users will appreciate the redesigned production operator dashboard and management will gain insights from the equipment effectiveness (OEE) dashboards, monitoring and managing downtime events. The integration DM offers stretches from resource workflow and labour assignment to automation of the shop floor through the data management systems being connected to the industrial operation systems.
The Upside to Moving off the Hardware Stacks
Embracing SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud and these modern solutions allows for a cloud-based mindset offering numerous benefits:
Reduced Infrastructure Costs: Cloud migration slashes hardware maintenance, upgrades, and energy consumption expenses.
Improved Efficiency: BTP DMS and Datasphere handle large data volumes with greater efficiency, delivering faster processing times and heightened productivity.
Real-time Insights: SAC Reporting empowers businesses with up-to-the-minute analytics, facilitating quicker and smarter decision-making to drive business strategy and financial performance.
Better Application Management: Cloud ALM enhances application lifecycle management with automated workflows, real-time monitoring, and advanced analytics, ensuring superior performance and reliability.
Future State Manufacturing: Digital Manufacturing for Execution provides a step toward operational excellence and could offer a competitive advantage.
Partner Up
While you know your business best, partnering with an SAP expert like DyFlex Solutions ensures a smooth transition from legacy hardware stacks to future-ready technology solutions tailored to your business needs. Together, you can maximise benefits and minimise risks in your journey with S/4HANA Private Cloud.
Conclusion
Moving to S/4HANA Private Cloud represents a significant leap forward for businesses, offering cost savings, operational efficiency, real-time insights, and streamlined application management. However, success hinges on careful planning and execution of the move. Remember, embracing change isn't just about leaving the old behind—it's about embracing new possibilities.
Are you prepared to leave your hardware stacks behind and RISE with S/4HANA Private Cloud?
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