ECC to S/4HANA Transformation.

Moving from SAP ECC to SAP S/4HANA is a significant decision. It’s an opportunity to rethink how your business operates, address existing challenges and create the foundation for greater automation, AI and new ways of working.

With different deployment options, transformation approaches and business priorities to consider, knowing where to start isn’t always straightforward. We help businesses make sense of the options. From defining the strategy and building a business case to delivering an implementation and supporting your people, our experienced SAP consultants provide pragmatic advice and hands on expertise at every stage.

 

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Planning your SAP ECC future

No two SAP environments are the same. Existing systems, business priorities and future ambitions all influence the right path forward.

Whether you’re considering SAP S/4HANA, exploring innovation around ECC or reviewing your longer term options, deciding what comes next isn’t always straightforward.

Our 10 day SAP ECC Future Readiness Assessment helps to understand the businesses current landscape, evaluate options and develop a clear business and technical roadmap that considers cost, risk and future investment.

Plan your SAP ECC future
ECC Assessment
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SAP Cloud ERP (S/4HANA) transformation options

There are several ways to move from SAP ECC to SAP Cloud ERP (S/4HANA), each with different considerations for existing systems, business processes and future requirements.

Birchman supports organisations in evaluating these approaches, considering their technical landscape, business priorities and long term objectives. From system conversion and reimplementation to selective transformation and cloud deployment, we help businesses determine which option offers the most appropriate route forward.

The outcome? A recommended transformation approach based on business priorities, the technical landscape and long term objectives, rather than a one size fits all solution.

Bring your intelligent enterprise to life
Business Case & Roadmap Development

Define investment, benefits, risks and timelines for the transformation.

SAP Cloud ERP (S/4HANA) Public

Adopt standardised Cloud ERP with SAP managed updates and best practice processes.

SAP Cloud ERP (S/4HANA) Private

Support complex business requirements with a flexible private cloud solution.

SAP S/4HANA Any/On-Premise

Deploy SAP S/4HANA on-premise or in your preferred hosting or hyperscaler environment, providing flexibility over infrastructure and operations.

Greenfield Implementation

Implement Cloud ERP (S/4HANA) afresh, redesigning processes and adopting SAP best practices.

Bluefield Transformation

Retain selected elements of existing systems while introducing new capabilities.

Brownfield Conversion

Convert ECC to S/4HANA while retaining existing processes, configurations and data.

ECC Support & Transition Planning

Maintain SAP ECC operations while planning the move to SAP Cloud ERP (S/4HANA).

Looking beyond the technology

An SAP Cloud ERP (S/4HANA) transformation is about much more than replacing an ERP system. The decisions made can affect how people work, how processes operate and how information flows across an organisation. That’s why we look at the bigger picture.

We help businesses assess how different approaches could affect key areas of their operations, including:

Business processes:

Identify opportunities to simplify ways of working, remove unnecessary complexity and introduce more consistent processes.

Operating models & organisation:

Understand how roles, responsibilities and structures may need to evolve.

Finance & reporting:

Consider changes to financial processes, controls, reporting and visibility.

Supply chain & operations:

Assess the implications for procurement, manufacturing, logistics and wider operational activities.

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Data & integration:

Review data quality, system dependencies and how information moves between applications.

People & change:

Understand the impact on users, teams and everyday working practices.

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Governance & compliance:

Identify requirements around security, controls, risk and regulatory obligations.

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AI & automation:

Identify opportunities to automate tasks, improve decision making and build a foundation for future AI capabilities.

We bring together SAP knowledge, business transformation expertise and practical experience to help businesses understand the implications before decisions are made.

The result is a transformation plan built around business needs, not just technology.

“A successful SAP S/4HANA transformation starts with understanding what needs to change, why it matters and how to make it happen.”

The Birchman approach

From assessment to a clear transformation roadmap

A successful transformation needs more than a destination. It needs a realistic plan for reaching it.

We work with business teams to establish their current position, what needs to change and how to approach the work in a manageable, structured way. Our assessment and planning services cover three key stages.

#1 Discovery & assessment

Understand the current SAP landscape

We examine existing SAP environments to identify technical considerations, business dependencies, potential risks and opportunities. Our services include:

• SAP readiness assessments
• SAP Readiness Check analysis
• Custom code reviews
• Business process and organisational assessments
• Technical architecture reviews
• Data quality and migration assessments
• Integration and system dependency analysis

This provides a clear picture of the current position and the considerations that could influence the transformation.

#2 Future state design

Define what the future SAP environment needs to deliver

We work with stakeholders to establish the target architecture, operating requirements and business processes that will support long term objectives. Our services include:

• Target architecture definition
• Cloud and deployment strategy
• Process standardisation opportunities
• SAP best practice adoption
• Security, governance and compliance planning
• Business and technology alignment

The focus is on creating a future state design that is practical, sustainable and appropriate for the organisation.

#3 Business case & planning

Turn strategy into an achievable project

We help businesses bring the findings together into a structured business case and delivery roadmap, providing the information needed to make confident investment decisions. Our services include:

• Project mobilisation planning
• Investment and cost assessment
• Benefits identification
• Resource and capability planning
• Risk and dependency assessment
• Transformation roadmap development

By the end of this stage, stakeholders will have a clearer understanding of the investment, priorities, risks and expected business outcomes.

Delivering SAP Cloud ERP (S/4HANA) transformation

The right strategy matters. So does having experienced people who know how to deliver it.

We bring decades of SAP delivery experience to help organisations manage complex implementations, address technical challenges and keep projects focused on business outcomes. Whether we’re leading a transformation or working alongside an existing systems integrator, we provide the expertise and support needed to deliver change successfully.

Our SAP implementation capabilities
Programme & project management

Establish clear governance, manage delivery plans and maintain visibility of risks, resources and progress throughout the programme.

Solution architecture & functional consulting

Design and configure an SAP Cloud ERP (S/4HANA) solution that supports business requirements, using SAP Activate and relevant SAP best practices.

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Technical delivery & integration

Manage technical implementation activities, system architecture and integrations across the wider application landscape.

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Data migration

Assess, prepare, cleanse and migrate business critical data with a structured approach to quality and accuracy.

Testing, security & controls

Validate solution functionality, business processes, integrations and security requirements before go-live.

Cutover, hypercare & support

Plan the transition into the live environment, manage cutover activities and provide support as teams settle into new ways of working.

Making change work for people

An organisation can implement the right technology and still fall short of its objectives if people aren’t ready to use it. New processes, responsibilities and systems can change how teams work every day. Understanding those changes and preparing people for them is an essential part of any SAP transformation.

Our expertise extends beyond SAP technology. Our business change specialists work alongside our SAP consultants to help organisations manage the human side of transformation.

Our business change and adoption services include:

Stakeholder engagement

Build understanding and alignment among senior leaders, business stakeholders and the teams affected by change.

Change impact assessment

Identify how new processes, technology and responsibilities will affect different areas of the organisation.

Communications and business readiness

Develop clear communications and practical readiness plans so people understand what is changing, why it matters and what is expected of them.

Training and knowledge transfer

Equip users with the skills and understanding they need to work confidently with new systems and processes.

Adoption and ongoing reinforcement

Monitor adoption, respond to challenges and support users as new ways of working become established.

Our approach connects people, processes and technology, helping organisations turn a successful implementation into lasting business change.

The SAP journey doesn’t end at go-live

Going live with SAP Cloud ERP (S/4HANA) is an important milestone but it’s not the end of the journey. As businesses evolve, so will their requirements. New SAP capabilities, changing business priorities and emerging opportunities mean there is always scope to improve how systems support the organisation.

We provide ongoing SAP support and continuous improvement services to help businesses maintain value long after implementation.

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How we support businesses
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Application support

Maintain stable SAP operations and provide practical assistance when issues arise.

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Continuous improvement

Identify opportunities to improve existing processes and system performance.

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SAP innovation

Evaluate and adopt relevant new SAP capabilities as business requirements evolve.

Capability expansion

Extend SAP S/4HANA environments to support new business needs.

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User support

Help teams maintain confidence and make effective use of the system.

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Long term planning

Develop an evolving SAP roadmap aligned with the wider business strategy.

Intelligent cloud ERP, made accessible by Birchman

With Birchman as your SAP implementation partner, you have the assurance of dedicated one to one support backed by a powerful global network of partners.

We use our decades of experience in SAP and tech expertise to reduce complexity and ease the transformation process for enterprises.

Tool Agnostic

Our focus is on finding the best solution for your unique needs whether that’s in SAP, integrates with SAP or non SAP

Boutique Consultancy

We offer a truly personalised service that’s dedicated to providing honest, practical advice based on your needs, not trends

Industry Expertise

We use our deep industry expertise in some of the trickiest sectors to tailor services and solutions to the most pressing industry challenges

Long term Relationships

We build partnerships, not just one off projects

No Nonsense

We avoid consultant technobabble and instead offer straightforward advice, clear thinking and tailored results

In short: We combine boutique scale attention to detail and care with enterprise thinking and a global network of partners.

“Birchman has been instrumental in guiding us through an extremely complex business and systems change programme, which included the implementation of SAP and ensured a very smooth and successful implementation.”

CEO

Let’s talk about the next move

Whether the conversation is still weighing up its options, developing a business case or preparing for implementation, we’re here to help. Talk to our experts by completing the form whenever you aready and our team will be in touch.


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Headquarters

Birchman
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Birmingham

Birchman
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Solihull Parkway
Birmingham Business Park
Birmingham
B37 7YN