August 6, 2024
The year 2024 witnessed great technological innovation, with AI having a major effect on SAP-powered finance departments. However, companies endure a skills deficit, limiting their ability to keep up with fast developments in technology. As we approach 2025, the enterprise world is moving toward digital transformation, and demand for several technology platforms, especially SAP S/4HANA, is predicted to reach or surpass historical levels.
It is a next-generation ERP system. The features of SAP S/4HANA enables real-time analytics, intelligent automation, and business process integration, making it a lifeline for enterprises undergoing technological transition. This blog post covers primary recommendations and advancements in SAP S/4HANA 2025, and migration techniques for S/4HANA.
Businesses now need to migrate to SAP S/4HANA immediately after SAP announced that mainstream support for SAP ECC would be discontinued in 2027. According to a survey, just over one-quarter of finance teams that use SAP have fully shifted to a cloud environment. Although 51% of those who haven't moved yet want to do so over the next two years, 42% plan to do so within the next year. But this transition involves more than just shifting systems; it also entails adopting a platform that is prepared for the future and makes use of in-memory computing, advanced analytics, and integration features. As the ecosystem changes, businesses delaying this transition may encounter increased operational risks, incompatibilities, and possible skill shortages.
ERP systems today feature flexible, modular structures, allowing businesses to grow and evolve without requiring significant overhauls. Integrating AI and machine learning leads to speedier decision-making and greater operational efficiency. Furthermore, ERP systems are increasingly important in assisting firms to achieve broader organisational integration and strategic adaptability.
IDC recently released a study that predicts the ERP landscape in 2025 and beyond. Their predictions highlight how ERP systems will drive corporate evolution.
These developments reflect a broader shift in how businesses regard ERP systems, not merely as tools for efficiency, but also as strategic enhancers of long-term success. Businesses that combine technology with strategic goals can create new possibilities and thrive in a highly competitive environment. ERP systems are now used as bridges across departments, integrating data, processes, and insights to improve decision-making and organisational alignment. Companies can use advanced ERP capabilities to anticipate market trends, respond faster to difficulties, and create value for stakeholders in whole new ways.
In the ASUG community, RISE with SAP, which aims to help SAP clients adopt cloud ERP, is becoming more and more popular. 17% of ASUG members use the private edition of RISE with SAP S/4HANA Cloud. Furthermore, only 14% are not thinking about it, and 8% have never heard of it, compared to 59% who intend to adopt it in the upcoming year or are considering it. It is revolutionary since it offers business process intelligence, migration tools, and SAP S/4HANA Cloud all in one package. Companies that use this strategy will experience cost savings, operational reliability, and a reduction in complexity. As they search for knowledgeable partners who streamline the migration process and provide a guided pathway to adopting S/4HANA Cloud, we will also witness an increase in ASUG members adopting RISE with SAP.
SAP's RISE with SAP project, which streamlines the S/4HANA migration by combining essential services, tools, and infrastructure, highlights the company's commitment to the cloud. As cloud usage increases more speed, anticipate more advancements in:
Multi-cloud strategies and hybrid cloud deployments will be mainstream by 2025, enabling companies to achieve a balance between security, compliance, and flexibility.
2. Integration with Emerging Technologies
To remain competitive, S/4HANA has adopted modern technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and the Internet of Things (IoT).
The SAP Fiori design framework demonstrates the company's dedication to enhancing user experiences. Users can easily access and act on important data because of the emphasis on functionality and simplicity. Future versions will probably consist of:
The future of S/4HANA closely reflects the objectives of global sustainability. Future improvements might include compliance reporting frameworks and integrated ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) analytics. The platform is becoming more capable of:
The SAP ecosystem is expected to grow rapidly. A more diverse marketplace of applications and integrations will result from SAP's dedication to encouraging collaboration with partners and outside developers.
In the modern world, the focus is on how precisely the change can be implemented while maintaining the work environment rather than a collection of instructions for transforming. Considering that a lot of businesses nowadays focus on achieving client satisfaction as their main or only objective. Working with SAP-certified partners enhances the process of migration and customisation. These experts offer specific expertise, technological understanding, and proven techniques to ensure a smooth transfer. Accely's team of certified SAP consultants can help you move forward with confidence and make the seamless transition to SAP S/4HANA.
