Status of Migration
The most recent SAPinsider 2025 Migration Benchmark Report reveals that organizations are steadily advancing their SAP S/4HANA migrations:
| Status | % of Organizations |
|---|---|
| Already transitioned to SAP S/4HANA | ~31-34 % SAPinsider |
| Currently implementing (in-progress) | ~26-27 % SAPinsider |
| Evaluating the business case | ~20-21 % SAPinsider |
| No plans yet / delaying / stuck | ~7-18 % depending on region / company complexity SAPinsider |
So roughly half of surveyed organizations are already implementing or have implemented S/4HANA; a somewhat smaller share is still evaluating or are yet to begin.
Drivers & Barriers
Here are the primary motivations and obstacles:
| Key Factor | Drivers | Barriers |
|---|---|---|
| Support deadline (ECC mainstream) | 57 % of organizations cite end of maintenance as a main driver. SAPinsider | High cost: ~62% say project cost is a major concern. SAPinsider |
| Need for process re-engineering / correcting past ERP misconfigurations | Strong driver in many firms. SAPinsider | Project duration: 55 % cite long migration project timelines as a big challenge. SAPinsider+1 |
| Seamless integration & minimizing disruption | 84 % report that smooth transition is very important. SAPinsider | Quality concerns: ~65% report significant quality deficiencies post-migration. CIO |
Regional & Strategy Variations
- Many organizations are using SAP Readiness Check tools; uptake is growing.
- Clean core / custom code analysis, integration tools, ETL tools are increasingly being adopted.
- The “RISE with SAP” model is evaluated by many, though not all. Some organizations find it doesn’t align with their cost or flexibility requirements.
Risks & Real-World Costs
- Projects often exceed timeline: Many migrations are taking ~30% longer than originally planned.
- Budget overruns are common: In over 60% of the surveyed firms, migration projects exceeded budget, schedule, or both.
- Quality issues: ~65% identified “severe to very severe” quality deficiencies after go-live.
What Organizations Should Do
Start migration planning early: use readiness checks, estimate realistic timelines.
Prioritize clean core and minimize unnecessary customizations.
Plan for integration with non-SAP systems from the outset.
Allocate for change management and quality assurance—not just technical parts.
Consider phased or hybrid approaches to balance risk vs speed.
- Find the correct partner, dare we say, Synovia Digital? 😎
Well, to finish this full-info-blogpost, by September 2025, the momentum toward SAP S/4HANA migration is strong, but many companies are still mid-journey, and some havent even started wondering yet. The difference between successful and challenging migrations often comes down to realistic planning, investment in integration, and managing expectations around cost and quality. Is it too much? We get it, you can always give us a call and we’ll be there right at your side.
Sources:
- SAPinsider – SAP S/4HANA Migration 2025 Benchmark Report (PDF)
🔗 https://sapinsider.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/SAPinsider-2025-02-SAP-S4HANA-Migration-Detailed-Findings.pdf - SAPinsider – SAP S/4HANA Migration 2025 Report (Web Summary)
🔗 https://sapinsider.org/research-reports/sap-s-4hana-migration-2025 - CIO – SAP users struggle with S/4HANA migration
🔗 https://www.cio.com/article/3851772/sap-users-struggle-with-s4-hana-migration.html