SAP has announced the end of support for SAP NetWeaver BW 7.5 in 2027. Anyone still using this system who has not yet modernized their data architecture needs to take action. With the successor to SAP BW, SAP BW/4HANA, SAP has launched a system that modernizes your data management and analysis and makes it future-proof. To avoid being forced into a quick and possibly less well-thought-out solution, we recommend preparing for the migration now.
In addition to modernizing your data architecture, SAP BW/4HANA offers further advantages:
- Long-term support & regular updates: SAP has guaranteed support for BW/4HANA until at least 2040. This gives you planning and future security.
- Low Maintenance Costs: Efficient use of existing investments in SAP BW, resulting in stable maintenance costs.
- Simplified data modeling & administration: By eliminating outdated object types and focusing on modern concepts such as aDSOs and CompositeProviders. The unified development environment based on SAP HANA Studio also supports simpler administration.
- Fast and flexible integration of various data sources: Both SAP and non-SAP data sources can be used.
- Simplified entry into cloud systems: SAP BW/4HANA facilitates a possible transition to SAP Datasphere, a cloud-based data management system, if desired.
Your migration path: Three options for a smooth transition
Depending on your starting point and needs, there are different migration paths to bring your SAP BW to SAP BW/4HANA. Above all, three approaches are designed to make the transition as easy and efficient as possible.
Migration paths
Target group: Companies that are already working with SAP BW 7.5, powered by HANA and want to transfer their existing infrastructure to SAP BW/4HANA without great effort.
Requirement(s): at least SAP BW 7.5, powered by SAP HANA
How the In-Place Conversion Works:
With this approach, the existing SAP BW system is directly converted into an SAP BW/4HANA system – without requiring a separate installation of a new system. Classic objects such as DSO must be gradually converted into modern, supported objects, such as aDSO.
Process:
- Preparation: First, the system requirements must be met and the SAP BW/4HANA Starter Add-On must be installed.
- Transfer Cockpit: After installing the SAP BW/4HANA Transfer Cockpit, all relevant tools for the migration are activated. This includes a pre-check and a Custom Code Analysis.
- Conversion: After successful preparation, the technical conversion of the system is carried out.
Advantages:
- No separate installation of a new system is necessary.
- No data or custom developments need to be transported.
- Minimal disruption to existing business processes.
Target group: Companies that want a fast transition to SAP BW/4HANA, but without the need to transfer all the data.
How the Shell Conversion Works:
This approach follows a similar procedure to Remote Conversion, but without transferring master and transactional data to the new system. Instead, only the metadata is converted.
Process:
- Pre-Check: As with the Remote Conversion, all relevant objects in the classic SAP BW must be checked and prepared.
- Installation of the new system: The new SAP BW/4HANA system is installed and populated with the metadata from the old system.
- Data transfer: The decision as to whether and which data (completely or partially) should be transferred from the source systems or the old SAP BW to the new system can be made later.
Advantages:
- Faster migration process because no data migration is required.
- High flexibility when deciding which data and objects to migrate.
- Enables a clean and efficient transition to SAP BW/4HANA.
Target group: Companies that want a fast transition to SAP BW/4HANA without necessarily having to transfer all data.
Requirement(s): at least SAP BW 7.5, powered by SAP HANA
How the Remote Conversion Works:
In contrast to in-place conversion, remote conversion involves setting up a new SAP BW/4HANA system in parallel to the existing system. During the transition period, both systems run side by side until the migration is complete.
Process:
- Pre-Check and Preparation: Before the migration, data flows and models in the classic SAP BW must be updated (e.g., from 3.x to 7.x).
- New System: After installing the new SAP BW/4HANA system, selected data models, data flows, transformations, queries, and data are transferred from the existing SAP BW to the new system.
- Conversion: These transferred objects are converted into modern SAP BW/4HANA objects (e.g., from MultiProvider to CompositeProvider).
Advantages:
- You can build a 'clean' data warehouse without legacy issues.
- All outdated, cumbersome, or redundant data structures are eliminated.
Thanks to our expertise, we are ideally positioned
Migrating to SAP BW/4HANA is a strategic decision that requires careful planning and in-depth knowledge – and we are happy to assist you with this. Our team of experts has already successfully supported numerous companies in migrating from SAP BW to SAP BW/4HANA. We pay close attention to ensuring that the transition is fast, smooth, and occurs without interruptions to your business operations.
Our strengths:
- Solid expertise – We understand both the technical and business requirements of an SAP BW/4HANA migration.
- Real-world experience – We have successfully completed numerous migrations and know the best practices.
- Individual consulting – We offer you a tailor-made solution that is precisely tailored to your needs in order to carry out the migration efficiently and cost-effectively.
Source: Community SAP 4HANA Migration
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