Introduction  

Migrating to SAP S/4HANA is a journey that many organizations are embarking on, driven by the need to stay competitive in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.  Yet, the journey to SAP S/4HANA is not without its challenges, and one of the most critical hurdles is SAP custom code remediation. 

Although recent reports cite an uptick in SAP S/4HANA adoption, the stark reality remains -estimation reveals that a substantial 85% of incumbent SAP ECC customers are yet to complete the full migration. This underscores the considerable task ahead in propelling these organizations toward S/4HANA, particularly considering the looming 2027 end-of-life deadline for ECC.

 

In this blog, we explore one of the critical facets of the migration process—SAP custom code remediation. We’ll delve into the challenges organizations face during the migration and the key considerations they must keep in mind. Whether you’re considering a Greenfield, Brownfield, or Hybrid (Bluefield) approach, understanding how to effectively manage your custom code is pivotal for a successful migration. 

Join us as we navigate the intricacies of SAP custom code remediation and equip you with the tips and techniques necessary to ensure a seamless journey to SAP S/4HANA. Let’s embark on this transformative voyage together. 

Understanding the Importance of SAP Custom Code Remediation 

Before diving into the tips and techniques, let’s understand why SAP custom code remediation is crucial. Here are a few key reasons: 

• Performance Optimization:

Custom code that is not optimized can negatively impact system performance, resulting in slower response times and reduced efficiency. By remediating the code, you can identify and resolve performance bottlenecks, improving overall system performance. 

• Simplification and Standardization:

Over time, custom code can become complex and convoluted, making it difficult to maintain and understand. Remediation allows you to simplify and standardize the codebase, making it more manageable and reducing the risk of errors. 

• Compatibility and Upgradability:

As SAP systems evolve, upgrades and migrations become inevitable. Custom code that is not compatible with the latest SAP versions can hinder system upgrades. By remediating the code, you can ensure compatibility, making future upgrades and migrations smoother. 

Now that we understand the importance of SAP custom code remediation let’s explore the key considerations for migrating to S/4HANA 

Key Considerations for Migrating to S/4HANA: 

The journey to S/4HANA varies for each organization, but there are three primary approaches: Greenfield, Brownfield, and Hybrid (Bluefield). The choice depends on factors like the organization’s size, landscape complexity, and available resources. 

Greenfield: Building the entire S/4HANA system from scratch, suitable for new SAP ERP customers or smaller, less complex landscapes aiming for a cloud-based transition. 

Brownfield: A pure system conversion where ECC is transformed as-is to run on S/4HANA, ideal for organizations with extensive customizations that don’t want to rebuild processes. 

Hybrid (Bluefield): The most common approach, allowing organizations to transform their landscape selectively, keeping chosen customizations and adapting as needed 

Challenges of SAP Custom Code Remediation during S/4HANA Migration: 

•  Legacy Code:

Many organizations have accumulated years of custom code modifications in their SAP ECC system, making it challenging to identify and assess the impact of these modifications during the migration. Legacy code can be poorly documented, outdated, and complex, leading to potential issues during the remediation process. 

•  Compatibility Issues:

Custom code that works perfectly fine in SAP ECC may not be compatible with the new S/4HANA platform. Changes in data models, programming languages, and architectural differences can cause custom code to break or perform sub optimally. Ensuring compatibility and optimizing custom code for S/4HANA is a critical challenge. 

• Code Quality and Performance:

Custom code that has not undergone regular maintenance may have quality issues, such as inefficient coding practices, performance bottlenecks, and deprecated or obsolete functionality. These issues need to be addressed during the remediation process to ensure optimal performance in the new S/4HANA environment. 

• Time and Resource Constraints:

Assessing, analyzing, and remediating custom code can be a time-consuming and resource-intensive process. Organizations need to allocate sufficient time and resources to effectively remediate custom code and address any issues that arise during the migration. 

• Business Continuity:

Custom code modifications often cater to specific business requirements and processes. Ensuring that these requirements are met in the new S/4HANA system without disruption to business operations is a critical challenge. Any changes or adaptations to the custom code must be carefully managed to ensure business continuity. 

Tips and Techniques for SAP Custom Code Remediation: 

• Code Analysis:

Conduct a thorough analysis of the custom code landscape to identify the scope and impact of each modification. Use code analysis tools provided by SAP, such as the Custom Code Lifecycle Management (CCLM) tool, to assess code quality, performance issues, and compatibility.

• Prioritize and Rationalize:

Prioritize the remediation effort based on business criticality, impact, and complexity. Rationalize custom code modifications and assess if specific functionalities can be achieved through standard functionalities in S/4HANA, reducing the need for custom code.

• Optimization and Simplification:

Optimize and simplify custom code to align with S/4HANA best practices and guidelines. Identify opportunities to streamline processes and reduce complexity. Consider replacing custom code with standard functionalities or utilizing SAP Fiori apps. 

• Collaboration and Knowledge Transfer:

Foster collaboration between business process owners, developers, and business analysts to accurately understand the requirements and ensure efficient remediation. Knowledge transfer sessions and documentation can aid in smoother migration and maintenance activities.

• Continuous Review and Monitoring:

Establish a process for continuous review and monitoring of custom code in the new S/4HANA system. Regularly assess code performance, identify potential issues, and proactively maintain and optimize the custom code landscape to minimize future challenges. 

 By understanding the challenges and adopting effective tips and techniques, organizations can successfully manage their custom code landscape, ensuring a seamless transition to S/4HANA and maximizing the benefits of the new platform.     

Conclusion 

Mastering SAP custom code remediation is a critical skill for SAP developers and system administrators. By following the tips and techniques mentioned in this blog post, you can effectively identify, analyze, and optimize custom code to improve system performance, simplify maintenance, and ensure compatibility with future SAP upgrades.  

For any queries or guidance, feel free to reach out to us, by clicking on to this link! 

 

 FAQ’s 

Why is custom code important for S/4HANA migration? 

SAP custom code remediation is crucial because it optimizes system performance, simplifies and standardizes code, and ensures compatibility with the new S/4HANA platform. 

What are the main migration approaches? 

The primary migration approaches are Greenfield (starting from scratch), Brownfield (transforming ECC as-is), and Hybrid (selectively transforming the landscape). 

 How to handle legacy code issues during migration? 

Address legacy code challenges by conducting thorough analysis, using code analysis tools, prioritizing, optimizing, and ensuring compatibility. 

 Which tools optimize SAP custom code? 

Tools like SAP’s Custom Code Lifecycle Management (CCLM) tool can be used for code analysis, assessing quality, performance, and compatibility. 

How to ensure a smooth S/4HANA transition during code changes? 

Ensure a seamless transition by prioritizing code modifications, fostering collaboration, optimizing code, and establishing continuous monitoring to maintain performance and compatibility.