Advantages and approaches of the SAP S/4 HANA transformation
By observing the current market development and the feedback from our customers, it becomes clear: the SAP S/4 HANA transformation is on everyone's lips and in full swing. This is hardly surprising considering that SAP's latest ERP solution is expected to replace its predecessor, SAP ERP R/3, by 2027 at the latest.
SAP S/4 HANA is often referred to as the "trailblazer for digital transformation". This is mainly due to the biggest innovation of the ERP solution: The in-memory database technology allows large amounts of data to be used while requiring significantly less storage capacity. This enables transactions, forecasts and analyses to be carried out in real time, resulting in an enormous increase in performance. In addition to speed and improved performance, the latest generation SAP S/4 HANA brings another aspect to the real-time ERP solution, because after all, the "S" in the product name stands for "Simple": user-friendliness through the new SAP Fiori interface and thus uncomplicated use on all mobile devices.
As a software manufacturer of SAP-integrated workflow solutions, we also benefit from these achievements. Although workflows of this type already aim to make work processes in the SAP environment more efficient and user-friendly, at the same time, with seamless SAP integration, users are in the familiar working environment and thus also in the SAP look and feel. While our software solutions, such as the invoice workflow maxflow® invoice management, have so far mainly benefited from the advantages of SAP integration, these are now gaining additional appeal due to the focus on user-friendliness in SAP S/4 HANA. As far as the use of large volumes of data in real time and increased process acceleration are concerned, this naturally also applies to our workflows covering the entire purchase-to-pay process.
SAP S/4 HANA is not a new release of the previous version, but a completely new product. This is not an update, but a transformation that can be carried out in two different ways.
With the "greenfield" approach, the system is reinstalled, as the name suggests (greenfield), and enables a holistic renewal. However, if existing data and settings are to be retained, the generally more cost-effective "brownfield" approach allows them to be converted and the new processes to be established in the system landscape.
Especially when the decision is made in favor of "brownfield", it makes sense to think about process optimization in advance. Workflow solutions can already be implemented in the old system and migrated to the new system. This has the advantage that many work steps can be combined in the process and the already noticeable workload can be reduced.
We are happy to support you in determining the best solution for you in the purchase-to-pay area, regardless of which transformation approach you choose. In addition, our maxflow® product range is compatible with S/4 HANA and also certified several times for S/4HANA Cloud as well as OnPremise.
