When a business modernizes its backend with the move to SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition , the public cloud version of SAP’s flagship S/4HANA ERP solution, data from the company’s old business system will need to be moved into the new ERP. As anyone who has migrated business data will tell you, though, such migrations are not a simple task. SAP data migration is no exception. 

The challenge is ensuring that data is clean and properly mapped so it is useful and complete in the new system. Garbage in, garbage out, as the saying goes.

To avoid bad or incomplete data, follow these best practices for success with SAP data migration.

Best Practices for Successful SAP Data Migration

There are six major phases in any data migration project, whether it is an SAP data migration or a move to another system. Within each of these phases, there are best practices that help a business avoid data integrity problems.

Phase 1: Planning and Preparation

The first step is laying the foundation for your SAP data migration. Best practices in the planning phase include defining clear objectives for the migration that include scope, timelines, data compliance considerations, and business objectives, and both identifying data stakeholders and getting them involved so they can help ensure the migration project covers the objectives that need covering.

During the planning phase, a business will also want to assess source data quality, including possible data duplication, missing data, and incorrect formatting.

Phase 2: Data Mapping and Transformation

Once planning is in place for the SAP data migration, a business needs to correctly map the data to the new SAP system. A best practice is making a detailed map that outlines how each type of data will translate from the legacy system to the new ERP.

Transforming data before import also is a best practice so it matches what SAP requires. This includes performing data transformations such as currency conversions and date formats. Use scripts or SAP data migration tools such as the SAP S/4HANA Migration Cockpit for automating this process.

Phase 3: Data Cleansing

Invariably, some data will be messy, incomplete, or inconsistent, especially if the data being imported came from manual data entry. A best practice is cleaning the data before import, not after. That’s the third phase of an SAP data migration.

Scan for duplicates, outdated information, and inconsistencies. This also is the time that you should look for variable data formats and standardize them, including dates, numbers, and currencies.

Phase 4: Test Migration

Never perform a data migration without running a pilot test first. You’ve been warned. This goes beyond a best practice and is absolutely critical.

So, in phase 4 of your SAP data migration, perform a test migration using a small subset of the data you intend to migrate. After conducting the migration test, validate the migrated data in your SAP solution against the source.

Once the test data has been validated, a best practice is running an end-to-end test on the entire process from data extraction to transformation, loading, and reporting within the SAP system.

Phase 5: Migrate the Data

There are several best practices during this phase of the migration project.

First, use SAP data migration tools such as the SAP S/4HANA Migration Cockpit and the SAP Data Intelligence cloud service. These tools streamline the migration process and automate many of the steps in the data migration.

Second, batch the import of larger data sets in case of errors, so migration tools do not get potentially overloaded or appear to have stalled when the migration is moving correctly.

Third, implement a logging system for tracking failed imports and issues during migration so migration issues can be remediated instead of potentially going unnoticed.

Finally, set up some form of real-time migration monitoring for tracking the progress of the SAP data migration. Real-time monitoring can help detect issues early, such as performance bottlenecks or data discrepancies, enabling timely interventions.

Phase 6: Post-Migration Validation

After data migration, there are three best practices for ensuring that the project has been a success and that all data is properly in your new SAP solution.

Post-migration validation starts with data reconciliation, checking that the data imported into your SAP solution matches the legacy data in terms of consistency and accuracy. This is the same as the validation you performed during your migration pilot testing.

Then, conduct functional testing, checking to see that the data works correctly within your new ERP system. Test transactions, reports, and business processes that rely on the migrated data.

Once functional testing is complete, you will want to also perform user acceptance testing. This test validates that the data meets stakeholder needs for ongoing operations and usability.

Feeling Overwhelmed?

Of course, a final best practice is getting data migration help from an SAP expert.

Navigator Business Solutions can help you walk through these steps and ensure that all your data is migrated successfully. We’ve implemented more than 300 ERP solutions over the past 20 years as an SAP Gold Partner, and our EPR consultants understand SAP data migration inside and out. We can reduce the complexity and ensure that your data properly moves from your old system to the new.

For more on the migration process or help with data migration, contact one of our experienced ERP consultants by calling us at (801) 642-0123 or writing us at info@nbs-us.com .