Reduce migration risks, streamline processes, and keep your SAP core clean with a proactive approach to S/4HANA transformation.

Thinking about your S/4HANA migration but worried about costs spiraling out of control? You’re not alone. Many IT managers responsible for SAP know they need to transition, but delaying can lead to skyrocketing costs when you finally make the move.

The transition to S/4HANA is on every business and IT leader’s radar. But for many, the response is still a cautious “Yes, but not now.” And that’s understandable. Migrating an entire SAP landscape is a major undertaking—requiring budget, resources, and organizational alignment.

But while waiting might seem like the safer choice today, it could be costing you more than you realize. Delaying your S/4HANA move without addressing your custom workflows and legacy processes could lead to skyrocketing costs and complexity when you eventually make the switch.

Here’s why taking action now to future-proof your SAP environment can protect your bottom line later:

1. How Custom Code Drives Up S/4HANA Migration Costs

Over the years, most SAP landscapes have accumulated a patchwork of custom code and heavily modified processes. These customizations might work fine today—but they can become a costly liability during an S/4HANA migration.

• Custom developments need to be assessed, adapted, or even rebuilt to be compatible with S/4HANA.

• Business-critical processes relying on outdated workflows risk disruption during the transition.

• The longer you wait, the more custom code accrues, compounding the cost of future migration efforts.

2. Preparing for Clean Core Reduces S/4HANA Transition Risks

SAP’s future is built on the “Clean Core” principle (read our POV Document here)—minimizing custom code in the ERP core while keeping flexibility at the process level. Companies that start preparing for a Clean Core now will find their eventual S/4HANA migration smoother and far less expensive.

Future-proofing steps you can take today:

• Identify and assess your current custom processes.

• Standardize wherever possible and replace hard-coded customizations with flexible, low-code solutions.

• Build new processes outside the ERP core using platforms like Neptune Software, enabling innovation without locking yourself into complex custom developments.

3. Low-Code Solutions Can Cut S/4HANA Migration Costs by 50%

Modern low-code platforms, such as Neptune DXP, let you streamline and simplify processes before migrating to S/4HANA. This approach has proven to reduce migration costs significantly:

• Simplifying processes today means fewer adjustments later.

• Low-code solutions allow for quick prototyping and iterative improvements without heavy developer resources.

• You retain agility, making future S/4HANA alignment easier and faster.

4. The Real Cost of Delaying Your SAP Migration

While the temptation to delay is understandable, the hidden costs of inaction can be severe:

• Process Inefficiencies: Every year you wait, inefficient workflows eat into productivity.

• Technical Debt: Your custom SAP environment becomes increasingly difficult and expensive to maintain.

• Resource Crunch: When the migration deadline finally arrives, you’ll be competing for the same limited pool of SAP experts.
  ‍

Explore the SAPInsider Buyers Guide for S/4HANA Strategies

If you're evaluating your S/4HANA strategy, check out the SAPInsider Buyers Guide 2025. This resource provides insights into how organizations are approaching their migration, best practices for reducing costs, and key strategies for ensuring a smooth transition

Clear Action Steps to Reduce S/4HANA Migration Costs

Don’t wait until your S/4HANA migration becomes urgent. Here are key actions you can take today:

• Assess Your Custom Code: Conduct a review of your existing SAP custom developments to understand what is critical and what can be retired.

• Standardize Where Possible: Simplify and align your processes with SAP best practices to reduce the need for custom development.

• Embrace Low-Code Solutions: Use platforms like Neptune DXP to modernize workflows and build new applications outside the ERP core, ensuring flexibility for your future S/4HANA transition.

• Start Small: Focus on one or two critical processes as pilot projects to prove the value of low-code and Clean Core approaches.