Quick wins in your SAP S/4HANA migration: Saving money and unlocking future value

Migrating to SAP S/4HANA is a complex undertaking and a career-defining moment for SAP-focused IT executives. Consequently, it needs a solid business case and a comprehensive approach factoring in multiple factors such as staffing the right resources, identifying the right partners and putting a robust roadmap in place.   

For many organizations, the road to SAP S/4HANA Cloud has been tougher than expected. Securing the executive buy-in and proving ROI is a big hurdle and needs a robust strategy. Nearly half of enterprises that have already migrated report that costs exceeded their original budgets, proving that without the right strategy, migration can quickly become expensive, time-consuming, and disruptive. In our previous blog we highlighted the challenges of migrating to SAP S/4HANA Cloud and key considerations to overcome said challenges.  

Having a closer look, data management is one of the biggest pain points in the migration journey. In fact, 77% of organizations cite data classification, archiving, and accessibility as a major challenge. Large volumes of legacy data can inflate storage costs, slow down performance, and complicate migration efforts. At the same time, code, which was once essential for business operations, may now be obsolete or technically outdated.  

So, how can businesses ensure a smarter, more cost-effective transition? With this blog post, we explore how to avoid common challenges and how organizations can simplify the process, reduce costs, and maximize long-term value. 

The formula for a successful SAP S/4HANA Cloud migration 

A modern ERP is the backbone of a future-ready business, and SAP S/4HANA Cloud is designed to be just that. At Syntax, we have a proven approach to a successful migration with our Syntax Compass offering, equipping you with four A(ces) up your sleeves: 

Archiving 

One of the key drivers of Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is data overload. Years of accumulated records, outdated files, and redundant information inflate storage costs and slow down performance, making migration far more costly than it needs to be. Migrating all unnecessary data only elevates the issue, inflating costs) and complicating the transition. The smarter move is to clean the house before the move.  

• Archive older, less frequently accessed data and moving non-essential records into cost-efficient cloud storage shrinks the database footprint. 

• Think of SAP S/4HANA as your digital core, not a data warehouse, and you will lower your Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) 

A streamlined database means faster performance and a more cost-efficient, future-ready SAP system. 

Accessibility 

Data isn’t valuable if it’s trapped inside your ERP system. Yet many companies enter the migration phase carrying years’ worth of critical documents like invoices, contracts, and compliance records, locked within SAP’s database. This doesn’t just drive-up costs, it slows down audits, limits collaboration, and creates compliance issues. 

The fix is simple. Unlock your data. 

• Move documents out of your ERP and into secure, cloud-based storage. 

• Keep key documents easily accessible on cloud while reducing database costs. 

This shift improves accessibility, enhances regulatory compliance, including SAP Information Lifecycle Management (ILM) policies, and gives businesses the flexibility to put their data to work wherever it’s needed. Making data more accessible means less friction, fewer delays, and smarter decision-making across teams. It also enables faster audits and enhanced regulatory compliance.  

Adaptation 

The technical complexity of SAP S/4HANA Cloud migrations often stems from outdated infrastructure. Too many organizations layer on middleware, custom servers, and on-premises hardware to support their transition, turning what should be a streamlined cloud migration into a complex infrastructure overhaul. This complexity only ends up with a slower, costlier and more complex IT landscape. The answer lies in keeping the infrastructure simple.  

• Eliminate unnecessary middleware to reduce IT overhead. 

• Adopt serverless, low-footprint architectures wherever possible 

• Move your focus from legacy limitations to future-proofing operations with built-in flexibility and agility. 

AI-driven automation 

Custom code is a double-edged sword in SAP S/4HANA Cloud migrations. Years of tailored configurations, one-off workarounds, and business-specific enhancements often leave businesses with a mountain of custom development. Although many of these are no longer necessary, all of them need to be reviewed before migration. Without automation, this process is slow, expensive, and prone to errors. 

That’s where AI-driven automation changes the game.  

• Automate custom code assessments to quickly identify what needs to stay, what can go, and what needs reworking. 

• Save time and reduce manual effort. No more sifting through outdated modifications. 

• Migrate cleaner, faster, and more efficiently. 

With tools like Syntax AI CodeGenie, businesses can streamline code analysis and documentation, eliminate technical debt, and ensure only essential custom code makes the transition. 

Syntax makes SAP S/4HANA Cloud migration work for you 

SAP S/4HANA Cloud migration isn’t a question of if but how. The difference between a costly setback and a smooth transition comes down to the right strategy, partner, tools, and execution. 

At Syntax, we help organizations move to SAP S/4HANA with less complexity, lower costs, and better long-term value. Syntax CxLink for ArchiveLink and ILM helps organizations reduce database costs, enhance compliance, and extend document accessibility beyond ERP. By offloading critical documents to secure, cost-efficient cloud storage, organizations can lighten their database footprint, improve system performance, and gain greater flexibility. 

On the other hand, Syntax AI CodeGenie automates custom code analysis and documentation, eliminating technical debt and making migration faster, smarter, and more cost-effective. 

With the right tools and approach in place, organizations can navigate complexity, minimize disruption, and set the foundation for long-term success.  

Looking to optimize SAP archiving and maximize efficiency? Join our exclusive webinar to discover proven strategies for a more efficient SAP environment! Watch here today.