Phases of an ERP migration process

Phases of the ERP migration process

Below, we will review the different steps involved in the migration of an ERP. The first thing you should know is that having a trusted SAP Partner is essential to carry out this process successfully. SAP Partners help you identify, build, implement, support, and run the SAP solutions that best fit your requirements. Therefore, phase 0 consists of selecting a trusted technology partner before starting the migration of your ERP.

Initial evaluation and system readiness

Migrating an ERP can be quite the adventure, with potential hiccups like delays and unexpected costs along the way. These bumps in the road often come from not having a solid plan or clear communication between your company and your tech partner. During this stage, it's super important to map out all your current systems and processes and understand how they connect. Plus, you'll want to clearly define your goals and needs for the new ERP, and set your priorities straight.

In addition, the technology partner will carry out a technical assessment of the existing ERP, which will allow them to offer advice on best practices and define a suitable roadmap for the migration.

Data preparation and migration

To ensure data quality, it is crucial that the migration process includes a data filtering, transformation, and validation phase. This will make it possible to determine what data is relevant and needs to be moved to the new system, ensuring that it is up-to-date, correct and error-free.

For its part, the technology partner will define the data migration process, carrying out the necessary tests and using tools and processes that optimize the migration, such as automated data migration systems.

Implementation or technical conversion

In this phase of the ERP migration, the technology partner will be responsible for implementing, configuring and parameterizing the new ERP, either in the cloud or in the company's data center, as previously agreed, and based on the planning defined in previous phases. Once the technical conversion has been completed and the necessary tests have been carried out to ensure the correct functioning of the system, the data migration will be completed, as well as the additional integrations and developments required for the ERP to adjust to the needs and processes of the business.

Testing and Adjustments

After the aforementioned initial tests, a thorough evaluation of the system in operation will be carried out, including integrations and developments. If the results of the tests are not satisfactory, either due to errors or inefficiencies, the necessary adjustments and corrections will be made so that the system meets the agreed requirements and expectations.

It is essential that the company collaborates with the technology partner in the tests, verifying that there are no errors, and that it immediately reports any incident that arises.

Team Training

Migrating to a new ERP involves a process of adaptation and, above all, training for teams. Not only is it important for employees to know how to use the new system, but also to know how to use its full potential. The company, with the support of the technology partner, should develop a comprehensive training plan that provides employees with the necessary resources, such as manuals and video guides. In addition, it is key for the company to communicate the benefits of the implementation to each department, motivating employees to adopt the new system effectively. For example, explaining how automating the new ERP will significantly reduce the number of daily manual tasks.

Post-implementation support

Once the new ERP, such as SAP S/4HANA, is implemented, it will be essential to establish a continuous process of monitoring and evaluating performance, correcting errors, and constant optimization. Modern ERP systems enable continuous, automated monitoring in real-time, ensuring optimal system performance.

Choosing the best SAP Partner for your S/4HANA migration project is key to setting your company up for future success

As we've discussed in this article, having an SAP Partner by your side is crucial for a smooth ERP migration. This ensures your system is perfectly tuned to meet both your current and future business needs. If you're running SAP ECC and thinking about migrating to SAP S/4HANA, the market-leading business management software, you're in the right place! We're SAP experts and one of the top partners globally.

Our ‘migrate now transform at your own pace’ approach in close collaboration with our partner MIGNOW, involves moving from SAP ECC to SAP S/4HANA with a focus on ensuring an effortless and efficient migration. It will allow you to take advantage of the core benefits of SAP S/4HANA while deferring more extensive business process transformations to a later phase.