Migrating from SAP ECC to SAP Cloud ERP Private presents several major challenges for IT departments. With the end of maintenance approaching, CIOs and IT leaders should already be evaluating the realities of moving to a modern cloud architecture, what obstacles to expect, which options to consider, and how to build a transition path that minimizes risk and disruption.
This blog highlights the four main migration hurdles faced by organizations moving to SAP Cloud ERP Private Edition. It also outlines practical strategies CIOs and IT leaders can use to ensure a successful transition and drive broader innovation.
SAP cloud migration is finally picking up speed
A research report from the American SAP User Group (ASUG) shows that in 2025, 56% of ASUG members were either live on or in the process of moving to SAP S/4HANA (now known as SAP Cloud ERP), representing an 11% increase since 2024. About 30% of ASUG members plan to move to SAP S/4HANA within the next two years, with fewer extending their implementation timelines beyond that period. This trend indicates consistent progress as the 2027 end-of-support deadline comes closer.
About 30% of ASUG members plan to move to SAP S/4HANA within the next two years.
Certainly, the end of support for legacy SAP ERP 6.0 solutions with Enhancement Packages 6, 7, and 8 plays a big role in the increase in migration. But organizations are also motivated by significant advantages such as scalability, flexibility, lower development effort, and the prioritized rollout of new updates that make SAP Cloud ERP Private attractive.
Tackling SAP migration and transformation
Before organizations can benefit from the advantages of SAP Cloud ERP Private, they must navigate a substantial migration and transformation effort, one that often places considerable pressure on both the business and IT teams. These teams need a clear understanding of the value the new cloud solution will deliver in relation to the time, resources, and disruption required to migrate.
SAP Migration Challenge 1: Migration Costs
Consulting fees often create unexpectedly high expenses, and implementation of services from external SAP specialists have a strong impact on the project budget. This experience is reinforced by a report published by ASUG in which respondents stated that the cost of external consulting has increased by 20% since 2023.
SAP Migration Challenge 2: Assessing ROI
It is not only the expected costs for migrating to SAP Cloud ERP Private that are difficult to calculate. A realistic assessment of the short- and long-term benefits often proves to be equally challenging, which can slow down critical transformation initiatives.
SAP Migration Challenge 3: Complexity
Moving to the cloud requires a high degree of standardization. Adapting business-critical processes that have evolved over many years to a modern cloud environment is a complex task, especially when extensive custom code is involved. This requires a combination of deep SAP expertise and industry-specific process knowledge.
SAP Migration Challenge 4: Lack of Internal Expertise
The cloud environment follows completely different rules than the on-premises environment, and internal expertise on legacy SAP systems is no longer relevant in many areas. At the same time, the shortage of IT specialists makes it extremely difficult for companies to attract and retain highly sought-after SAP S/4HANA professionals.
Migrating successfully with Syntax
Successfully addressing these four top challenges often requires support that extends beyond internal IT capabilities. It requires a partner with proven SAP expertise, industry-specific knowledge, and a track record of guiding complex transformations. The right partner can help organizations control costs, clarify ROI, standardize processes without sacrificing business uniqueness, and close internal skill gaps with specialized knowledge and best-practice methodologies. With expert guidance, companies can turn a high-risk migration into a structured, predictable, and value-driven journey.
This is where Syntax delivers a clear advantage. With decades of SAP experience and deep understanding across industries, Syntax provides strategic guidance, technical expertise, and automation-driven accelerators needed to simplify migration and reduce risk.
Reducing cost and risk with Syntax FreeMigration+
Syntax has bundled its extensive experience from numerous successfully completed migrations and combined it into a powerful tool. Syntax FreeMigration+ shows IT leaders a migration path to the cloud that significantly reduces both the cost and risk of legacy ERP migrations. The solution includes services for all project steps, from planning and preparation to AI-supported analysis and implementation.
Syntax FreeMigration+ makes modernization much more manageable despite limited internal resources, giving companies a clear competitive edge. Free technical migration with AI‑supported deployment not only optimizes the move to SAP Cloud ERP Private but also reduces overall costs. The resources saved can be reinvested in process optimization, automation, and AI initiatives increasing ROI and supporting long‑term digital transformation.
Securing a migration strategy with SAP Advisory Services
As part of the Syntax Power of Next advisory services, our experts use proven methods to support companies in their transition to SAP Cloud ERP Private, taking the pressure off the company by managing the complexity of the migration. We conduct an initial analysis and the creation of a concrete concept and then develop an individual migration strategy tailored to business goals and technical requirements. It includes:
- Automated custom code collection with the AI Clean Core Accelerator
- Free access to Syntax AI CodeGenie, enabling automated and efficient documentation of custom code for fast and cost-effective migration aligned with clean core principles
Your personal migration path to SAP Cloud ERP Private
Our dedicated team of migration specialists implement a complete technical brownfield migration from SAP ECC or SAP S/4HANA On Premise to SAP Cloud ERP Private and ensure a seamless transition with minimal downtime and limited operational disruptions.
From assessment and planning to execution and optimization, Syntax helps organizations build a modern SAP Cloud ERP Private foundation that supports long-term innovation and measurable business value.
Begin your transition to SAP Cloud ERP Private today by talking to our experts. We will work with you to develop a customized SAP migration roadmap for your journey to the SAP cloud.
For more information about Syntax FreeMigration+ and to arrange a no-obligation initial consultation, please visit here.
Author
Derek Vincent
Principal Product Manager – SAP, Syntax
Derek Vincent is an accomplished SAP professional, currently serving as SAP Principal Product Manager at Syntax. With over 25 years of experience within the SAP ecosystem, Derek has held significant roles in SAP, Clockwork, and Deloitte. His expertise spans consulting, solution architecture, and chief technologist positions, reflecting his deep understanding of SAP technology.