Large organisations rarely struggle because they lack technology. They struggle because they have too much of it. Over time, systems are added to solve immediate problems, integrations multiply, and clarity is lost. What starts as flexibility often turns into complexity.
This is where SAP advisory services make a practical difference. With the right digital transformation professional services partner organisations can move from complexity to clarity, reducing risk while preparing their SAP landscape for what comes next, without disrupting day to day operations.
TL;DR What You Will Learn
SAP advisory services help organisations achieve:
- A clear strategy aligned to SAP platforms and business processes
- A simplified system landscape with lower risk
- A structured roadmap for change
- Ongoing optimisation through an experienced SAP managed services provider
These principles reflect Birchman’s approach as a long-standing SAP Platinum Partner delivering SAP consulting services across complex environments.
Why Multi-System Environments Become Hard to Manage
Most complexity comes from years of patchwork decisions.
Most common challenges include:
- Siloed systems that duplicate data and processes
- Legacy applications that restrict scalability
- Custom code that increases upgrade cost and risk
- Unclear governance leading to inconsistent decisions
- Slow reporting because data sits across multiple platforms
- Growing compliance and audit requirements
Over time, this environment makes innovation harder and reduces the return on SAP investments. A structured advisory approach, supported by experienced SAP consulting services, provides the clarity and direction organisations need to move forward with confidence.
What SAP Advisory Services Deliver in Practice
SAP advisory services help leadership teams gain clarity on where they are today, where they need to go and how to get there in a way that stands up to day to day reality. The focus is not theory. It is practical decision making that reduces risk and supports long term progress.
At Birchman, this work is delivered across four integrated areas that sit at the heart of our digital transformation professional services.
#1
Strategic Advisory
A structured evaluation of your business priorities and technology landscape, ensuring SAP decisions align with your operating model and not the other way around.
#2
Target Operating Model
We help define how people, processes and platforms should work together. The goal is simple: a model that increases efficiency, resilience and agility.
#3
Business Application Strategy
Many organisations are held back by excessive customisation and fragmented application estates. We help simplify and rationalise systems so they are fit for purpose and aligned to how the business actually operates.
#4
Continuous Business Improvement
Momentum after implementation matters. Our approach focuses on measurable improvement, solution adoption and ongoing optimisation. This is where an experienced SAP managed services provider plays a critical role in maintaining stability and value over time.
Across all four areas, the aim is consistent. Reduce complexity by strengthening governance, clarifying decisions and making technology easier to work with.
How Advisory Reduces Complexity in Practice
Complexity falls fastest when organisations can see what matters and what doesn’t. SAP advisory services are designed to create that clarity and turn it into practical action.
In practice, this happens through a set of focused mechanisms.
#1
Simplifying architecture
We help identify redundant systems, unnecessary custom code and integration points that no longer add value.
#2
Standardising processes and data models
A cleaner and more consistent data foundation improves reporting speed, reliability and readiness for automation. It also makes future change simpler to deliver.
#3
Creating clear ownership and governance
Defined roles, clear decision making rules and visible accountability reduce confusion and prevent slow drift during delivery.
#4
Building a pragmatic roadmap
Rather than large scale redesigns, we focus on prioritised steps, quick wins and phased delivery. This approach keeps momentum steady while controlling risk.
#5
Strengthening internal capability
By enabling super users and supporting teams with practical training organisations build confidence and reduce long term reliance on external support.
#6
Ensuring post go live stability
An experienced SAP managed services provider plays a key role in sustaining progress. Issues are addressed quickly, enhancements are delivered in a controlled way and improvement does not stall once the system is live.
Together, these measures remove the operational drag created by fragmented systems and allow organisations to focus on progress rather than firefighting.
SSR’s SAP Success with Birchman
When SSR planned a major SAP programme, they faced challenges common to complex, multi system environments. Legacy integrations, large scale change and the need for close alignment between technology and operations all added pressure to delivery.
Drawing on experience from more than 40 SAP go lives in the mining sector, Birchman provided advisory and delivery support designed to reduce complexity from the outset and keep the programme grounded in operational reality.
The Challenges
- Integrating SAP with existing legacy systems
- Driving user adoption across a geographically dispersed workforce
- Controlling cost and timeline across a large scale programme
Birchman’s Advisory Led Approach
- Applied mining industry best practice to limit unnecessary customisation
- Defined a simplified application strategy aligned to SSR’s operating model
- Put structured testing and governance in place to minimise go live disruption
- Supported adoption through clear communication and practical training
The Outcome
SSR achieved an on time SAP go live with minimal disruption and a solution aligned to industry standards and built to scale. A balanced combination of advisory insight, structured delivery and ongoing improvement created a stable foundation to support future growth.
A Practical Roadmap for SAP Complexity Reduction
In complex environments, executives want clarity and confidence. This is the high level pathway we use to help organisations reduce complexity in a controlled and sustainable way.
- Assessment: Build a clear view of the current landscape, key risk and opportunities for simplification.
- Target Operating Model: Agree how the organisation needs to run in future across people, processes and platforms.
- Application Strategy: Define the role of SAP and non SAP systems and where simplification delivers the most value.
- Roadmap Design: Prioritise outcomes, manage risk and sequence delivery in a realistic way.
- Pilot and Implementation: Deliver change in manageable phases with tight governance.
- Stabilisation: Strengthen control, support adoption and embed new ways of working.
- Continuous Business Improvement: Treat optimisation as an ongoing discipline rather than a one off exercise.
This approach sits at the core of our digital transformation professional services and reflects what senior leaders expect. Clear direction, strong structure and measurable improvement.
Closing Thoughts
Complexity is inevitable in a multi system environment, but it doesn’t need to slow the business down. With the right advisory support, businesses can simplify their landscape, strengthen governance and create a technology foundation that is easier to run, easier to evolve and more closely aligned to strategic priorities.
SAP advisory services give leadership teams the clarity and confidence needed to move forward with purpose. They provide a way to make informed decisions, reduce risk and maintain momentum in environments where change is constant.
At Birchman, we take a practical and value focused approach to complexity reduction. From defining operating models, to shaping application strategies and improving performance over time, our focus remains on outcomes that genuinely matter to the business.
If you are looking to cut through complexity and build a landscape that supports growth, resilience and continuous improvement, this is the right point to start the conversation.
Talk to our experts or explore our case studies to see what’s possible.
FAQs
Question #1: How do SAP advisory services help reduce integration risk?
Ans: Integration risk often comes from unclear data flows and undocumented dependencies. Advisory services map these connections, remove redundant links and define standard integration patterns. This prevents failures during upgrades and ensures every system communicates in a predictable, controlled way.
Question #2: Can SAP advisory help us prepare for S/4HANA even if we’re not ready to migrate?
Ans: Yes. Advisory can define your future architecture, identify quick wins and help rationalise systems long before a full migration. This early preparation reduces future cost and avoids rushed decisions when timelines become critical.
Question #3: How do advisory services support compliance and audit readiness?
Ans: Advisory teams review controls, segregation of duties, data flows and reporting structures. They help design governance that meets industry standards and regulatory expectations. This makes audits smoother, reduces risk and increases confidence across the business.
Question #4: Can SAP advisory help us reduce our technical debt?
Ans: Yes. A structured advisory approach uncovers outdated enhancements, unsupported add ons and poor quality integrations. By removing or modernising these organisations can reduce downtime, simplify upgrades and make future SAP improvements significantly easier.
Question #5: How does advisory address the challenge of multiple vendors and partners?
Ans: Multi vendor landscapes often create friction. Advisory establishes a single governance framework that clarifies roles, decision rights and escalation paths. This reduces delays and ensures that every partner works towards the same architectural blueprint.
