Interview on SAP's Move campaign - With all our might

SAP is becoming innovative. Because S/4 based on Hana is difficult to customize with conventional tools and project processes, SAP is looking for suitable tools: The tool palette now ranges from Design Thinking to DevOps to Adoption Starter Engagement.

As part of SAP's Move campaign, E-3 Magazine had the rare opportunity to speak with an SAP executive about the new plans.

The following interview took place in writing and for the sake of correct reproduction, E-3 Magazine publishes all the questions asked, even those that were not answered - because as the philosopher and psychoanalyst Paul Watzlawick said:

"You can't not communicate."

E-3: Dear Mr. Grigoleit, since the product launch of Hana and S/4, SAP has been trying very hard to make the release changeover safe, fast and efficient for SAP's existing customers. There are dozens of software tools, SAP notes and white papers.

Now "Adoption Starter Engagement" - can you provide an overview and ranking of the various tools for a successful S/4 release transition?

Uwe Grigoleit: SAP S/4 Hana Adoption Starter Engagement is a virtual training program that guides a group of customers through nine different modules.

In doing so, an individual path to S/4 Hana is shown for each company with the following tools:

Readiness Check: This tool supports customers who want to convert an existing SAP ECC 6 system to SAP S/4 Hana. It explains the necessary technical requirements and steps for converting the system to SAP S/4 Hana.

Over 1600 CIOs rely on the Readiness Check and use the tool to prepare for the changeover to SAP S/4 Hana.

SAP Transformation Navigator: This tool creates an SAP S/4 Hana roadmap based on the existing system landscape. This tells companies exactly which components need to be converted. Over 15,000 customer-specific roadmaps have already been developed with the SAP Transformation Navigator.

E-3: For most existing SAP customers, the migration of the Z namespace is one of the more complex challenges. What tools are available in general for the "release change" of the Abap modifications and what does "Adoption Starter Engagement" offer for this in particular?

E-3: According to this, is the "Adoption Starter Engagement" a technical release change or more?

Grigoleit: SAP S/4 Hana Adoption Starter Engagement is a program that includes tools, programs, content, and services for a fast and smooth transition to SAP S/4 Hana.

The program offers a comprehensive implementation plan for companies, showing them how to make the switch from a business and technical perspective, as well as the necessary steps. Participation is free of charge for customers who have a maintenance contract with SAP.

E-3: What are the target systems for the Adoption Starter Engagement? An on-premise system, the SAP Cloud Platform, or a cloud system on AWS, Google, or Azure?

E-3: What software tools does "Adoption Starter Engagement" include?

Grigoleit: The SAP S/4 Hana Adoption Starter Program consists of the following elements: SAP Transformation Navigator, Quick Value Assessment, Effort Estimate (new) and Readiness Check.

E-3: Is "Adoption Starter Engagement" limited to certain regions or is this initiative offered globally?

Grigoleit: The SAP S/4 Hana Adoption Starter Engagement is currently available in German and English in the European time zones. It will be extended to North American time zones in the first quarter of 2019 and to Asia Pacific time zones in the second quarter of 2019.

E-3: Most SAP system landscapes also contain a great deal of historical data and processes. How does "Adoption Starter Engagement" classify this data and processes in terms of the need for transformation?

E-3: With "Adoption Starter Engagement", does the existing SAP customer receive an overview of functions that are no longer available, that remain the same, and new functions when working with S/4 in the future?

E-3: Finally and in summary, based on your experience, what are the key drivers of an S/4 migration and where do you see the biggest hurdles and stoppers to a rapid Hana and S/4 migration by 2025?

Grigoleit: (A) The key drivers of an SAP S/4 Hana migration are lower TCO, process automation, real-time decision-making, and continuous innovation. (B) Innovation often requires changing outdated business processes, adopting best practices and new standards. These are integrated in SAP S/4 Hana.

E-3: Thank you for the interview.