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SAP S/4HANA data migration programmes often face unexpected delays and failures.
Why is this and how can you ensure your data migration journey goes smoothly?
We are seeing a trend in SAP S/4HANA transformation programmes where System Integrator partners (SI) only provide support or take responsibility for loading data into the target SAP S/4HANA, and entire data preparation activities are left on the business. These activities include Data cleansing, Data Validation, Data Enrichment, and Data Harmonisation.
Their view is that the business owns the data, and hence they are accountable for their data. Whilst this is true, the fact is that most business users are not data experts, and we believe they need support from SI partners to guide them with the data transformation journey instead of simply handing over the load templates with 100s of columns to figure out by themselves.
Traditional Data Migration Approach
It is deemed to be a 3-step process commonly known as ETL (Extract, Transform, Load).
- Data Extraction: Identify and Extract the required data from the legacy system.
- Data Transformation: Transform data from Legacy format to SAP S/4 HANA template.
- Data Load: Load the template into the SAP S/4HANA.
Common Challenges with this approach
The main challenges during SAP S/4HANA data migration programmes usually occur during the extraction and transformation stages. Failing to complete any data preparation activities at these stages, will compromise the quality and success of your migration journey.
The most common challenges are:
- Lack of understanding of the data required by the business for SAP S/4HANA.
- Manual data collection activities are often time-consuming for data owners and rushed.
- Lack of ability to perform cross-data object integrity checks.
- Difficulty achieving repeatable data migration processes with predictable outcomes.
- Laborious and ineffective manual data validation.
- Version controlling will be tedious when using spreadsheets for data collection and transformations with the constantly moving datasets.
- Unable to analyse the amount data quality issues at the source.
- Unable to differentiate the globally shared data vs local entity data.
Failing to account for these challenges can lead to a variety of consequences for your SAP S/4HANA data migration programme. Common issues include:
- Programme delays
- Multiple data errors identified during data load cycles
- Loaded data does not meet the SAP S/4HANA functional requirements
- Lack of business confidence in the SAP S/4HANA transformational programme
These are the common reasons why so many businesses come up against challenges during data migration programmes.
Choose the right approach for your data migration
To prevent your data migration from falling into the challenges above, we at Kagool, recommend the following themes are adopted throughout your data migration:
- Measurable - measure data statistics to make informed decisions.
- Predictable - establish predictable outcomes through clear communication of data requirements and accurate data validations.
- Accelerated - identify accelerators that will support efficient processing of data and reporting.
- Simplified - create simple processes that can be reusable across projects, migrations and BAU.
- Automated – repeatable tasks are automated to provide consistency throughout the programme.
- Accountable - engage data owners throughout the full migration process and ensure ownership of data with accurate requests.#
At Kagool, these themes are at the core of our approach to data transformation, and they ensure that your business is provided the necessary support and guidance to complete a successful data journey into SAP S/4HANA.
Summary
A good collaborative relationship between your business and SI partner will promote a proactive environment where everyone is a part of a common goal; to complete your data transformational journey and ensure your new SAP S/4HANA system meets your business requirements.
For information on how Kagool practices the above themes for a successful data migration programme, please contact us at info@kagool.com.
