SAP ECC 6.0


What is SAP ECC 6.0?

SAP’s first client/server business application software suite was SAP R/3, where the “R” stood for “real-time data processing” and the 3 represented “3-tiers” — database, application server, and client. There were four major releases SAP R/3 between 1992 and 2003. In 2004, a newer version of the software with a revised architecture was released and was renamed SAP ERP Central Component (ECC). This was commonly referred to as SAP ECC 5.0. SAP ECC 6.0 was first launched in 2005 and received eight major enhancement packages before the product was replaced by SAP S/4HANA in 2015. The last major release of SAP ECC was SAP ECC 6.0 EHP 8, generally available in 2016.

What is SAP ECC 6.0?

SAP’s first client/server business application software suite was SAP R/3, where the “R” stood for “real-time data processing” and the 3 represented “3-tiers” — database, application server, and client. There were four major releases SAP R/3 between 1992 and 2003. In 2004, a newer version of the software with a revised architecture was released and was renamed SAP ERP Central Component (ECC). This was commonly referred to as SAP ECC 5.0. SAP ECC 6.0 was first launched in 2005 and received eight major enhancement packages before the product was replaced by SAP S/4HANA in 2015. The last major release of SAP ECC was SAP ECC 6.0 EHP 8, generally available in 2016.

Like other ERP solutions, SAP ECC 6.0 contains modules for finance, human resources, procurement, product development, marketing, sales, service, IT, and supply chain management. At one point SAP indicated that there were over 40,000 enterprise ERP customers running either SAP ECC or SAP Business Suite, a broader package of which SAP ECC formed the core modules. SAP announced in early 2020 that mainstream maintenance for SAP ECC 6.0 would conclude at the end of 2027, though premium maintenance would be available for three years following that date. SAP encourages SAP ECC 6.0 customers to move to SAP S/4HANA.

Key Considerations for SAPinsiders:

  • Organizations should begin planning to replace their SAP ECC 6.0 systems. Even if you’re still running SAP ECC 6.0 as your primary ERP system, there are many reasons why you should consider planning for the move to SAP S/4HANA. While the approaching end of mainstream maintenance is a significant factor, many organizations are also looking at the move to SAP S/4HANA as an opportunity to update business processes and streamline customizations that may hinder flexibility. This articlewalks though points to consider when beginning your preparations for a move away from SAP ECC 6.0.
  • While there are preparations that need to be made for the move to SAP S/4HANA, there are several tools that can be leveraged to streamline that process. Implementing a new ERP system is a significant task for most organizations and can involve months of planning and preparation at a minimum. While the actual process involved may have changed slightly since this question and answer session was conducted, four experts from SAP talk about what it takes to move from SAP ECC 6.0 to SAP S/4HANA and best practices for making that move successful.

11 results

  1. SAP Announces Extension of Mainstream Maintenance for SAP ERP 6.0

    Reading time: 5 mins

    By Robert Holland, VP Research and Publishing, SAPinsider SAP announced yesterday that it will now provide mainstream maintenance for SAP ERP 6.0 and other core applications of SAP Business Suite 7 until the end of 2027. This will be followed by an optional extended maintenance that will be available until the end of 2030. In…
  2. How to Enhance Task Information in the SAP Financial Closing Cockpit in ECC 6.0

    Reading time: 11 mins

    Learn how to enhance SAP Financial Closing Cockpit task information to leverage and strengthen this tool to store additional information. If this information is captured in manual applications, such as Excel, or left to user memory or understanding, your period-end closing could be disrupted by errors. Key Concept The SAP Financial Closing Cockpit is a…...…
  3. Simplify Traceability Analysis with the Batch Information Cockpit in ECC 6.0

    Reading time: 13 mins

    Learn how to use the SAP Batch Information Cockpit (BIC) to perform top-down and bottom-up batch traceability. The BIC offers a number of functionalities to end users that can be used without opening multiple sessions. Key Concept The SAP Batch Information Cockpit (BIC) provides a central tool to analyze all the batch use within a…...…
  4. Cross Task List Monitoring in the SAP Closing Cockpit in ECC 6.0

    Reading time: 8 mins

    Learn how to monitor the status of various tasks from multiple task lists in the SAP Closing Cockpit with SAP ERP Central Component (ECC) 6.0. Key Concept The Closing Cockpit is a standard SAP tool to monitor and control the entire period-end closing cycle. In this tool the templates are first defined and then the…...…
  5. How to Comply with the Provisions of IFRS while Recording Capital Asset Transactions in SAP ECC 6.0

    Reading time: 25 mins

    Learn key adjustments that are required to make capital asset management compliant with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). See the changes you need to make in SAP ERP Central Component (SAP ECC) 6.0 while transitioning from US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Key Concept An organization needs to make adjustments in accounting for financial transactions…...…
  6. Implement ATP and Stock Transfer Flows for Virtual Distribution Plants in SAP ECC 6.0

    Reading time: 15 mins

    By Amir Ashfaq Hussain, Infosys Technologies, Limited In business scenarios in which virtual plants are created within SAP ERP systems for administrative purposes, managing available-to-promise (ATP) checks and stock transfers presents challenges. SAP provides two options that address plant-to-plant transfer issues in virtual plants. Based on North American or European business scenarios, these lessons learned…...…
  7. How to Set Up Master Data and Configuration for VMI Using SAP APO 7.0 and SAP ECC 6.0

    Reading time: 8 mins

    Learn how to easily set up the master data, configuration, and technical parameters for the Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI) process. Key Concept Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI) helps with collaboration between the vendor and the customer using SAP applications such as SAP ERP Central Component (SAP ECC) and SAP Advanced Planning & Optimization (SAP APO). However, to seamlessly…...…
  8. Seamlessly Execute Vendor-Managed Inventory Using SAP APO 7.0 and SAP ECC 6.0

    Reading time: 10 mins

    Companies who have vendors manage the inventory in their stores for specific stock keeping units often opt to use Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI). VMI improves customer service, reduces inventory requirements, and improves customer retention. Discover how to seamlessly execute VMI across demand planning, Supply Network Planning, and sales and distribution. Key Concept Vendor-Managed Inventory is an…...…
  9. Tips and Tricks for Your Treasury Migration in SAP ECC 6.0

    Reading time: 11 mins

    There is more to an upgrade for Treasury than just technical steps. See how to handle some pitfalls during the preparation stage of a Treasury migration, including Transaction Manager migration, to SAP ECC 6.0. Key Concept One of the structural changes in SAP ECC 6.0 is the requirement of parallel valuation areas. SAP has moved…...…
  10. Checklists in the New SAP ECC 6.0 Life and Work Events Framework

    Reading time: 5 mins

    Guided Procedures are SAP’s framework for delivering personalized Life and Work Event checklists within the SAP ERP Central Component 6.0 (SAP ECC 6.0) Self-Service platform. Instead of being presented with a disparate list of transactions that are grouped ambiguously within a portal, the user can be guided by a checklist based on real-life, time-bound events…...…