When you’re in extreme conditions, standing still isn’t an option.
If your S/4HANA system is running on 1709, 1809 or 1909, here’s the reality: you’re already in extended maintenance. In just nine months, every S/4HANA release prior to 2021 will be completely out of support.
Like Jordan Wylie’s Antarctic Odyssey, this is a journey that demands preparation, clarity and bold steps forward.
This isn’t just another deadline. It’s a signal that action needs to happen and soon.
S/4HANA release strategy: why lifecycle planning matters
Running on an unsupported release is not just a technical problem; it is a business risk that grows with every month you delay.
A clear SAP Cloud ERP strategy protects the business on multiple fronts:
- Security vulnerabilities go unpatched once support ends, exposing the organisation to compliance failures and operational risk
- Integrations become harder to maintain as the wider SAP ecosystem moves forward without you
- Innovation stops: new capabilities in AI, analytics and automation are simply unavailable on legacy releases
- Costs rise as workarounds and custom fixes replace what a supported system would handle automatically
SAP transformation planning that starts now, not at the deadline, is what separates businesses that move with confidence from those that scramble under pressure.
What this means for your journey:
SAP’s official timeline is clear. By the end of 2025, 1709, 1809 and 1909 will exit their extended maintenance windows. These versions are already on life support. Once the plug is pulled, it’s not just new features you’ll miss; it’s fixes, security updates and compliance support too.
Even more critical: any S/4HANA release older than 2021 will be out of support by early 2026.
Like an expedition into the unknown, the risks are real, and you may face:
- No innovation (you’re missing what’s next)
- No stability (rising risks, especially with integrations and compliance)
- No safety net (extended maintenance isn’t a long-term strategy)
But here’s the good news: you have time, and you have options, but they require planning, not panic. Whether you move to a newer on-prem release or consider cloud migration, it’s about understanding your goals and mapping the right route.
Assessing support, maintenance and upgrade exposure
Knowing your options is one thing. Knowing which option fits your business is another.
Assess your current release, integration landscape and data quality before committing to a direction
Define what success looks like in business terms, not just technical milestones
Map dependencies across teams, systems and processes to avoid surprises mid project
Building an S/4HANA release and maintenance strategy
A structured SAP Cloud ERP strategy turns that decision into a clear, sequenced plan:
- Sequence the work realistically, with clear owners and checkpoints built in
SAP transformation planning done at this stage prevents the costly mid project corrections that derail so many ERP projects and ensures the roadmap reflects how your business actually operates, not just how SAP’s documentation describes it should be.
We’ve been here before (and we’ll be here after)
This isn’t our first time helping clients navigate the end of a release’s lifecycle. We bring real-world experience and technical clarity to the table, no fluff, no acronyms without explanation, no vague “strategic” talk.
What we offer is simple:
- Practical roadmaps
- Experienced delivery
- Ongoing support
And crucially: a focus on outcomes, not just upgrades.
Aligning the roadmap with business transformation priorities
The strongest SAP business transformation projects are not driven by technical deadlines, they are driven by what the business is trying to achieve.
That alignment matters at every stage:
- Strategy: the release decision should reflect where the business is heading, not just where it is today
- Design: processes should be redesigned around future goals, not replicated from the current system
- Delivery: change management keeps people moving in the same direction as the technology
A well-aligned SAP digital transformation strategy means the project delivers more than an upgrade; it delivers a business that operates better than it did before.
Deciding between upgrade, Public Cloud and Private Cloud
Upgrade to 2021 or later: The newer releases bring longer support timelines and a sharper focus on business innovation.
Explore RISE with SAP: If cloud flexibility is on your radar, RISE could be your catalyst.
Stay on-prem with eyes wide open: If cloud isn’t viable, there are still ways to modernise and prepare for future moves.
The choice between an upgrade, Public Cloud and Private Cloud should be assessed against the organisation’s specific requirements. Factors such as the degree of standardisation required, existing customisations, integration complexity, regulatory and operational requirements, appetite for SAP-managed innovation, and the level of control and flexibility required can all influence the right path.
Whatever your path, we’ll make sure it aligns with your business objectives and we’ll translate the SAP roadmap into something that works for your people, processes and budget.
Turning release decisions into a funded transformation plan
A release or deployment decision needs to become a practical transformation plan, with clear scope, priorities, resources, timelines, investment, governance and measurable business outcomes. Turning the roadmap into a funded plan gives teams a realistic basis for sequencing the work and securing the support needed to deliver it.
The end of a support window is not just a risk to manage; it is an opportunity to build something more resilient.
SAP business transformation at this stage positions the business for what comes next:
- A supported, modern release opens the path to SAP’s growing AI and analytics capabilities
- Clean architecture built during the project reduces the cost of every future change
- Embedded SAP digital transformation strategy thinking means the business is not back in the same position in three years
- SAP Cloud ERP strategy built for scale supports growth, new markets, acquisitions, headcount, without requiring a rearchitecture every time
The organisations that treat this moment as a platform for growth rather than a compliance exercise consistently get more from the investment and spend less managing the consequences of decisions made in a hurry.
Now is the moment to take the next step.
With nine months left on the clock for support on pre-2021 S/4HANA releases, now’s the time to take a confident next step. There’s still time to plan, prioritise and move with purpose but that window is closing fast.
If you’re unsure where to start, we can help you cut through the complexity. Whether it’s a lightweight readiness assessment or a full roadmap to upgrade or transform, we’ll help you build a clear plan based on your goals, not just SAP’s timelines.
We’re here to guide, advise and support you through it all. Because good decisions start with the right conversations. We’ll help you move forward, not just move.
FAQs
Question #1: What does “future-ready” mean in the context of a Cloud ERP (S/4HANA) strategy?
Ans: “Future ready” means building your SAP Cloud ERP (S/4HANA) roadmap to meet today’s needs while supporting long-term growth, agility, and efficiency.
Question #2: How should organisations build flexibility and scalability into their Cloud ERP (S/4HANA) strategy?
Ans: By choosing modular architectures, leveraging cloud services or public cloud editions (if suitable), designing for change (rather than static designs), and embedding continuous improvement.
Question #3: What are typical risks or pitfalls when implementing Cloud ERP (S/4HANA) and how can they be mitigated?
Ans: Risks: underestimating change impact, data issues, process redesign complexity, cost overruns, staff resistance. Mitigations include strong governance, phased approach, realistic planning, stakeholder engagement, and ongoing support.
Question #4: What pre conditions or foundations should an organisation establish before a Cloud ERP (S/4HANA) transformation?
Ans: Some foundational elements: clean master data, defined process ownership, governance structure, IT/architecture aligned to future state, and clarity on business strategy and outcomes.
Question #5: How is value achieved from Cloud ERP (S/4HANA) beyond the go-live?
Ans: Value comes from process optimisation, real time data/analytics, simplified architecture, reduced IT maintenance burden, improved user experience, and ability to innovate on top of the ERP core.
Question #6: How do organisations determine their current S/4HANA release position?
Ans: Organisations can determine their current S/4HANA release position by reviewing the installed product version, release and support status, alongside the relevant SAP maintenance timeline. This assessment should also consider the system’s integrations, customisations and technical dependencies to understand the wider upgrade exposure.
Question #7: What does extended maintenance mean for planning?
Ans: Extended maintenance provides continued support for a defined period, but it should be treated as a planning window rather than a long-term strategy. Organisations should use this period to assess their current environment, evaluate upgrade or transformation options, establish priorities and create a realistic delivery roadmap.
Question #8: How often should an S/4HANA strategy be reviewed?
Ans: An S/4HANA strategy should be reviewed regularly to account for changes in SAP’s roadmap, business priorities, system requirements, integrations and organisational growth. A review is particularly important when support milestones, major business changes or transformation initiatives could affect the existing roadmap.
Question #9: When should an independent adviser be involved?
Ans: An independent adviser can be involved early, particularly when an organisation needs to assess its current release position, understand upgrade exposure, compare transformation routes or build a roadmap that connects technology decisions with business objectives. Early involvement can help clarify options before major investment and delivery decisions are made.
