Organisations are moving quickly to modernise how they use and manage data. Efficiency demands and the need for real time insight are driving this shift as businesses look for ways to stay competitive in a market that never stands still. The wider enterprise data management sector is expanding at pace too with UK spend expected to reach USD 35.8 billion by 2032.
This momentum creates a clear opportunity for organisations that want stronger data foundations. SAP Datasphere is becoming a central part of that journey as businesses look for a platform that can bring structure, clarity and scale to their data landscape.
But adopting new technologies requires more than software. It demands the right with deep experience, tested frameworks and the ability to deliver outcomes without disruption.
Yet adopting new technology is never just about the software. It calls for an SAP implementation partner with deep experience, proven methods and the capability to deliver outcomes without disruption.
As a SAP Platinum Partner and long term transformation specialist, Birchman supports organisations across the UK (and globally through our United VARs Alliance) with professional services digital transformation helping them modernise with confidence and clarity.
Why Data Strategy Is Now a Board Level Priority
Across the region enterprise expectations have shifted. Data is now viewed as a strategic driver of efficiency, compliance and growth. Several market trends are prompting CIOs, IT Directors and senior leaders to take decisive action.
- Rapid market growth: The UK enterprise data management market is expanding at 12.8% annually each year reflecting strong demand for modern data capabilities.
- Cloud expansion: Europe’s cloud market grew 24% in 2025, showing a strong appetite for scalable data platforms.
- Demand for Data Warehouse as a Service: The UK alone is contributing €0.43 billion to this market in 2025 highlighting a clear move towards managed, cloud based data solutions.
- Regulation: UK GDPR and data sovereignty requirements continue to shape architectural decisions and influence technology roadmaps.
- Legacy platforms: SAP BW mainstream maintenance ends in 2027 with extended support closing in 2030 creating a clear need for transition planning.
Together, these pressures make investment in \professional services digital transformation a strategic requirement. Professional services organisations need a data strategy that meets current demands and creates a platform for future growth.
The Role of Expert Implementation Partners in SAP Datasphere Adoption
An experienced SAP implementation partner plays a critical role in ensuring that SAP Datasphere programmes are delivered with structure, governance and clarity. For many professional services organisations this expertise reduces risk and creates a more predictable path to value.
This capability typically includes:
- Validated and up to date competencies under the SAP Competency Framework
- Deep understanding of SAP Clean Core principles and how they shape long term design
- Proven methodologies that guide implementation and integration with consistency
- Clear alignment with SAP’s RISE with SAP approach to support future ready architectures
Certified partners create predictable and reliable delivery. SAP data shows that certified partners complete projects 15% faster and achieve 10 to 20% higher productivity than non certified vendors.
Collaboration Framework That De-Risks Transformation
Birchman works in close partnership with SAP to maintain quality and consistency throughout each transformation programme. This collaboration provides stronger oversight and reduces delivery risk through clear structure and shared accountability.
Our approach includes:
- Joint project governance and agreed success plans.
- Clean Core Quality Gates reviews to ensure alignment with SAP standards.
- Regular technical and strategic checkpoints.
- Shared visibility of risks, insights and recommendations.
This framework supports smoother delivery, clearer decision making and a transformation that stays on track from design through to adoption.
How Birchman Supports SAP Datasphere Success
Migration Drivers and Deadlines
SAP Datasphere sits at the centre of SAP’s long term data strategy. With SAP BW approaching the end of maintenance the move to Datasphere is becoming time sensitive for many organisations.
Common triggers for migration include:
- Retirement of legacy data warehouse platforms
- Need for real time, federated analytics that bring together dispersed data
- Requirements for stronger governance and clearer semantic modelling
- Demand for cloud first architectures that reduce operating costs and simplify future development
How Birchman Approaches Datasphere Implementation
Birchman’s approach to SAP Datasphere is structured, collaborative and transparent. We break complex programmes into manageable steps so organisations can move forward with clarity and confidence.
Our method typically includes:
- Early alignment on business goals to ensure the programme is guided by clear outcomes
- Defined governance and decision making structures that keep delivery on track
- Proven accelerators and best practice templates that support consistent implementation
- Close collaboration with customer teams to build shared ownership and understanding
- Strong focus on risk control and clear communication throughout each stage
This approach helps create a steady, predictable path to adoption while supporting the long term value of the platform.
How Birchman Delivered SAP Success?
#1
Alfrecell: Moving from ECC to S/4HANA in 12 Weeks
Alfrecell was moving from a multinational parent company to an independent enterprise. The business needed a fast and controlled migration from a global ECC environment to a flexible cloud ERP, with a strict deadline and no room for disruption.
What Birchman Proposed
Alfrecell partnered with Birchman to implement SAP Cloud ERP Public (S/4HANA). The platform provided a scalable and efficient cloud based ERP designed to support future growth and ongoing operational change.
How We Delivered
Success was driven by strong sponsorship and a unified team. Working together, Alfrecell and Birchman established clear priorities, held focused workshops and maintained momentum throughout the 12 week programme.
Key enablers included:
- Fast, aligned decision making
- Joint steering sessions
- Structured delivery with tight governance
- A clear, disciplined roadmap
The Outcomes
- Intuitive, user focused experience
- Cloud based mobility for remote working
- Significant improvement in operational efficiency
- Automated updates that support continuous innovation
- Scalable ERP foundation for future change
- Five to six hours saved each week on server maintenance
#2
DBS: S/4HANA Project Recovery
DBS started a brownfield migration from ECC to S/4HANA with an initial provider. Key prerequisites were missed which left the organisation with an incomplete system and significant operational risk. Timelines were fixed and governance had broken down.
Birchman’s Approach
Birchman was engaged to stabilise and recover the programme. Senior consultants carried out a rapid assessment of the environment identified critical gaps and put immediate controls in place to protect delivery.
Our steps included:
- Reviewing missing configurations and data
- Completing outstanding migration activities
- Re establishing technical governance
- Prioritising actions to meet the fixed go live date
- Working closely with DBS teams to restore focus and momentum
The Outcomes
- A stable and fully operational Cloud ERP Public (S/4HANA) environment
- Go live achieved within the original timeline
- Governance and process control restored
- Business continuity maintained under demanding conditions
These examples demonstrate Birchman’s ability to take control of complex ERP programmes and deliver results when conditions are challenging.
Birchman’s Value as a Strategic SAP Implementation Partner
Birchman brings a set of capabilities that senior leaders look for when selecting a long term SAP implementation partner. These strengths combine deep technical knowledge with practical delivery experience.
- A SAP Platinum Partner with more than 20 years of SAP delivery expertise
- The UK member of the United VARs alliance, enabling support for customers in more than 100 countries
- A strong track record in professional services digital transformation, delivered through structured and controlled programmes
- Broad industry experience across sectors including mining, manufacturing and consumer packaged goods
- A value focused approach that connects technology decisions to measurable business outcomes
Closing Thoughts
Modern data strategies call for robust architecture and partners who understand the pace and pressure of transformation. With growing adoption of SAP Datasphere, tighter compliance requirements and the continued shift to cloud based platforms, the need for clear direction is becoming more immediate.
Birchman helps organisations move forward with confidence through structured delivery, deep SAP expertise and a clear focus on outcomes that matter. Our approach is designed to reduce risk, support informed decision making and create data foundations that stand up to future demands.
If you would like to discuss what this could look like for your organisation, speak with our SAP specialists. You can also explore our Data and Analytics services or read the full case studies for Alfrecell and DBS to see how we deliver in practice.
FAQs
Question #1: How does SAP Datasphere integrate with non SAP systems?
Ans: Datasphere supports a wide range of non SAP data sources using connectors, APIs and federation capabilities. This allows organisations to unify SAP and non SAP data without heavy custom development. For businesses running mixed application landscapes, this integration capability reduces complexity and accelerates insight.
Question #2: What skills does my internal team need to support Datasphere after go live?
Ans: While expert partners manage the implementation, internal teams benefit from baseline skills in data governance, data modelling and analytics. Most organisations upskill through targeted training, supported handover sessions and joint delivery phases. This ensures teams can manage day to day tasks while partners focus on more complex enhancements.
Question #3: Does SAP Datasphere support AI and machine learning initiatives?
Ans: Yes. Datasphere integrates with SAP AI services and external AI platforms, enabling organisations to build machine learning and predictive analytics use cases. With more than half of SAP’s cloud orders now including AI capabilities, enterprises increasingly use Datasphere as a foundation for AI ready data architectures.
Question #4: How does Datasphere improve data governance across the organisation?
Ans: Datasphere provides centralised governance features such as semantic modelling, lineage tracking, role based access and audit trails. This helps organisations maintain consistent definitions, reduce data duplication and improve trust in reporting. For regulated industries, these governance controls support stronger compliance outcomes.
Question #5: What is the cost structure for SAP Datasphere and its implementation?
Ans: Costs typically include subscription licensing for Datasphere, storage and compute usage, plus implementation services delivered by a certified SAP implementation partner. Using accelerators or pre configured models can reduce delivery costs and shorten timelines. Total cost depends on the number of data sources, the complexity of integration and governance requirements.
