Speeding up the Switch from SAP BPC

As companies undertake the digital transformation initiative of moving to SAP S/4HANA, many other projects are taking a back seat. Unfortunately, this can delay the process of improving and implementing other vital systems that can replace SAP Business Planning and Consolidation (BPC).

Though moving to SAP S/4HANA is important, companies do not have to wait to complete that project to bolster their Commercial Project Management (CPM) workflows. To help companies in this situation, the experts at CCH Tagetik underscored just how important it is to move on from SAP BPC quickly, as well as laying out a roadmap for how to get that move done.

Making the Move to SAP BPC

CPM systems deliver immediate benefits for financial consolidation, planning, and reporting, operating independently of implementation timelines. Implementing a modern CPM solution offers faster value, reduces risk, and ensures a seamless future integration with SAP S/4HANA.

The truth of the matter is that companies cannot afford to wait for a full SAP S/4HANA migration before replacing SAP BPC. These migrations are complex and lengthy projects that can take years and often face delays, cost overruns, and integration challenges. During this time, finance teams still need to perform critical tasks like closing books, consolidating results, and forecasting business performance. Waiting for completion would mean missing years of opportunities to enhance financial performance.

Maximizing SAP S/4HANA

There is a misconception that SAP BPC replacements should follow SAP S/4HANA implementation In reality, finance and operations evolve on different timelines. ERP implementations primarily focus on transactional processes while finance needs to drive business performance in real-time.

By implementing a modern CPM platform immediately, finance teams can standardize financial processes across multiple ERPs, leverage AI-powered planning and analytics, and eliminate reliance on spreadsheets and outdated manual processes. When SAP S/4HANA is ready, the CPM system will integrate seamlessly, ensuring continuity without disruption.

Prioritizing SAP BPC replacement delivers immediate value by providing a fast and scalable platform for financial consolidation, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting. Because it operates independently of the SAP, finance can maintain efficiency while IT focuses on the SAP S/4HANA migration. By the time the S/4HANA deployment is complete, the CPM solution will already be delivering a return on investment.

Reducing Risk

While SAP is directing customers towards its new cloud-based planning tools, these solutions may lack the maturity and comprehensive CPM capabilities of dedicated corporate performance management platforms.

By implementing a good CPM solution now, organizations gain a proven, scalable, and finance-first solution rather than waiting for SAP’s evolving roadmap. This approach reduces the risk of making a last-minute, rushed decision when BPC becomes non-viable and ensures a full finance transformation rather than just a basic planning tool implementation.

What This Means for SAPinsiders

It is never too late to make the right decision. Companies that postpone SAP BPC implementation risk missing out on months of benefits from enhanced workflows. Organizations do not have to wait until the SAP S/4HANA transition is done to move on from SAP BPC. Many organizations work with CCH Tagetik on this project because it is the only non-SAP CPM vendor running natively on SAP HAN. It guarantees the continuation of SAP investment and does not interfere with the S/4HANA initiative, allowing companies to move at their own pace.

Find solutions for today and tomorrow. A well-chosen CPM solution can future-proof a company’s investment. The best next-generation CPM solutions are designed to be ERP-agnostic, meaning they can integrate seamlessly with both legacy SAP systems and S/4HANA. These solutions should also run efficiently on SAP HANA for fast data processing and provide continued value after the S/4HANA migration without requiring a second replacement. This ensures that companies avoid wasting money and instead invest in a platform that will connect smoothly with S/4HANA when it goes live.

Employ advanced technologies. CCH Tagetik provides AI-powered forecasting and scenario planning, automated financial consolidation for quicker close cycles, and a centralized, unified platform for all financial data. These solutions will be viable and powerful for years to come, giving companies a consistent boost to their CPM workflows.