SAP Data Migration


SAP Data Migration: An Overview and Key Considerations

What Is Data Migration?

Data migration is the process of transferring data from one computer storage type or file format to another. It is a key component of any system implementation, upgrade, or consolidation.

The overall objective of data migration goes beyond simply moving it; the real objective is to maintain data quality during the move, ensure the data is fit for use, and ensure it can support underlying business processes and operational goals.

SAP provides data migration software and a major global portfolio comprising individual services, both called SAP Data Migration.

Vendors like Boomi provide data migration services to help SAP customers with their data migration projects.

SAP Data Migration: An Overview and Key Considerations

What Is Data Migration?

Data migration is the process of transferring data from one computer storage type or file format to another. It is a key component of any system implementation, upgrade, or consolidation.

The overall objective of data migration goes beyond simply moving it; the real objective is to maintain data quality during the move, ensure the data is fit for use, and ensure it can support underlying business processes and operational goals.

SAP provides data migration software and a major global portfolio comprising individual services, both called SAP Data Migration.

Vendors like Boomi provide data migration services to help SAP customers with their data migration projects.

Key Data Migration Considerations for SAPinsiders

Develop a data matrix. Creating a data matrix can help project managers plan and execute a multiple-data-migration project, explains Yogesh Lohiya in an SAPinsider tutorial. Lohiya writes that “with business-driven planning, a well-managed data migration process can produce significant business gain across the enterprise.” After you create the matrix, Lohiya recommends using color coding to help certain elements stand out.

Understand the difference between data validation and data testing strategy. According to Ashvinder Rana, data migration projects should have an effective data migration testing strategy. In this SAPinsider article, Rana encourages project managers to understand the difference between data validation and data testing. Data validation, says Rana, can comprise random sampling methods to ensure that the data is converted accurately as per the data mapping rules.

“However, a data migration testing strategy should comprise a series of iterative ‘mock conversion runs’ for all objects in scope where the converted data is utilized by the business process/functional teams to thoroughly test the integration points/transactions as well. In addition, these iterative ‘mock conversion runs’ also allow for validation or conversion programs, conversion error analysis, and fixes that will eventually lead to a ‘zero-error’ data migration.”

Consider a data migration process specific to SAP S/4HANA. Abhishek Gupta provides a step-by-step guide for SAP customers or consultants who want to migrate master or transnational data from any SAP or non-SAP system to SAP S/4HANA. “It is essential for an organization to execute an appropriate data migration strategy to speed up their drive towards SAP S/4HANA in a profitable way. It would be a challenging task to transfer the data into SAP S/4HANA, and therefore it is required to have a verified data migration technique,” Gupta says.

16 results

  1. SAP Service Insights

    Bolstering Data Reliability with Fivetran

    Reading time: 7 mins

    With the deadline transition to SAP S/4HANA on the horizon and increasing demands for AI and automation capabilities, companies must ensure that they are able to move their data freely and quickly. Yet ELT pipelines are prone to breaking down, making it difficult for organizations to move their data and integrate their data sources with…
  2. The Informatica Guide to SAP Modernization

    Reading time: 6 mins

    As companies begin to move to SAP S/4HANA, there are a litany of considerations they must make throughout the process. One of the most important considerations is in regard to data. Data management is a vital aspect of the move to SAP S/4HANA. It is important that users take a data-centric approach to this change,…
  3. Tackling Data Migration Speed, Cost, and Quality with Syniti

    Reading time: 5 mins

    Many SAP customers are now prioritizing their data management as the end of maintenance deadline gets closer. As per the SAPinsider Data Management Strategies Research Report, organizations must balance short-term cost reductions with long-term investments in data management solutions. Though these companies feel pressure to reduce costs, it is vital that they do not skimp…
  4. Cleansing and Migrating Data into SAP S/4HANA with Data Migration International / JiVS

    Reading time: 7 mins

    Many SAP organizations have yet to begin their SAP S/4HANA migrations – many of them have yet to even enact a planning phase. These organizations are likely to run into significant challenges as they attempt to migrate their data from legacy system. Each company will have their own unique challenges but will want similar outcomes…
  5. Optimize your SAP migration with Sigma

    Reading time: 1 min

    Decommissioning these legacy systems with the OpenText Migration Center by Sigma Business Solutions and migrating this data to OpenText™ InfoArchive, a cost-effective, accessible interface, helps streamline migration, lowers total cost of ownership (TCO), improves access, and simplifies compliance. Read this whitepaper sponsored by Sigma Business Solutions.
  6. Graybar Rolls Out New ERP, Drives Business Transformation

    Reading time: 1 mins

    One particular business process is price cost management, which captures supplier requests for changes to their prices, catalog numbers, product descriptions and other information associated with parts. Because of the frequency and volume of these changes (almost 20,000 per day), Graybar needed a cost-effective way to capture the process of approval routing, in addition to…
  7. Large Energy Sector Company Saves Millions in Infrastructure and Personnel Costs with Modern Information Management System

    Reading time: 1 mins

    A large energy sector company was planning a migration to SAP S/4HANA.  Like many other companies planning for this migration, they faced the complexity of a large and diverse application and system landscape. Secondly, the legal requirements for the storage of legacy information prevented system retirement, or at least until a legally compliant solution could…
  8. Major Fiber-optic Cable Network Wins with SAP Archiving Solution and Consolidated Data Systems

    Reading time: 1 mins

    GasLINE GmbH & Co. KG (GasLINE) runs one of the biggest fiber-optic cable (FOC) networks in Germany, spanning over 10,000 km.  Fast and easy access to critical legacy data is essential to its business. This data is used to issue invoices, verify insurance claims, or check and adjust customer contracts.  The company needed a solution…
  9. Reducing Risk, Cost and Complexity for Zurich Insurance

    Reading time: 1 min

    To reduce costs and improve efficiency, Zurich Insurance Group embarked on a Finance Transformation Program that involved consolidating 23 legacy SAP systems into a single production instance. As a multi-year, multi-wave program Zurich needed a reusable migration solution and methodology for future waves.   Read this case study to learn how Zurich Insurance leveraged automation, rebuilt…
  10. Deploy SAP HANA in Azure Faster with Less Risk and Higher Quality

    Migration to SAP HANA – A Strategic Perspective

    Reading time: 1 min

    A large number of SAP customers are either moving or planning their migration to SAP HANA to meet the SAP deadline. This is a expensive and risky project that requires a well-planned approach and making critical choices. How should SAP customers view this migration? Is it simply a technical move to meet SAP mandates or…...…