You could be years behind the competition without even knowing it. Learn more details about the end of SAP Enterprise Support for the SAP ECC version:

If we could list one reason for a business's success, it would probably be: leveraging investments made (ROI) and turning them into opportunities. Companies that do not have this mindset will hardly remain competitive, increasing the chances of a possible crisis. With this in mind, the purpose of SAP Enterprise Support is to protect existing investments, streamline operations, and, through SAP's recent innovations, act as a true business partner.

But do you understand what SAP Enterprise Support is and what business opportunities are at your fingertips right now?

What is SAP Enterprise Support?

SAP Enterprise Support is a technical support and consulting service provided by SAP for companies using SAP solutions. The service offers a wide range of resources, including:

• Technical support: SAP Enterprise Support provides 24/7 technical support to help companies resolve issues and incidents.
  
• Consulting: SAP Enterprise Support offers specialized consulting to help companies make the most of SAP solutions.
  
• Updates and patches: SAP Enterprise Support provides updates and patches for SAP solutions, ensuring that companies are always on the latest and most secure versions.

Why is SAP Enterprise Support ending?

SAP has decided to end support for SAP ECC 6.0 and earlier versions for several reasons. One of them is the need to meet the demands of customers seeking the latest technological innovations. ECC 6.0 and earlier versions do not offer the same level of features and functionalities as the latest versions, such as SAP S/4HANA.

Another reason for ending support is the need to reduce operational costs. SAP estimates that the cost of supporting ECC 6.0 and earlier versions is $1 billion per year. By ending support for these versions, SAP can reduce this cost.

Finally, SAP has also decided to end support for SAP ECC 6.0 and earlier versions to simplify its IT infrastructure. The company believes it is more efficient to support a smaller number of platforms.

Continuous Improvements and Innovations that SAP Enterprise Support delivers:

• New software versions of the licensed Enterprise Support Solutions, as well as tools and procedures for upgrades. 
  
• Support packages - correction packages to reduce the effort of implementing single corrections. Support packages may also contain corrections to adapt existing functionality to changed legal and regulatory requirements.
• For releases of the SAP Business Suite 7 core applications, SAP may provide enhanced functionality and/or innovation through enhancement packages or by other means as available. SAP´s current practice is to provide one enhancement package or other update per year.
• Technology updates to support third-party operating systems and databases.
• Available ABAP source code for SAP software applications and additionally released and supported function modules.
• Software change management, such as changed configuration settings or Enterprise Support Solutions upgrades, is supported for example with content, tools and information material.
• SAP provides Customer with up to five days remote support services per year from SAP solution architects:
  
  → To assist Customer in evaluating the innovation capabilities of the latest SAP enhancement package and how it may be deployed for Customer´s business process requirements.
  
  → To give Customer guidance in the form of knowledge transfer sessions, weighted one day, for defined SAP software/applications or Global Support Backbone components. Currently, content and session schedules are stated at the SAP Enterprise Support Academy. Scheduling, availability and delivery methodology is at SAP´s discretion.
  
• SAP gives Customer access to guided self-services as part of SAP Solution Manager Enterprise Edition, helping Customers to optimize technical solution management of selected Enterprise Support Solutions.
• Support is much more than a help desk. State of the art support is an enabler to help you meet your company goals.

Challenges of migrating to SAP S/4HANA

THE Migrating to SAP S/4HANA is a complex process that requires careful planning and execution. Companies still using SAP ECC 6.0 and earlier versions should start planning their migration as soon as possible.

One of the main challenges of migrating from SAP ECC to SAP S/4HANA is the lack of skilled labor. The SAP job market is hot, and companies are competing for qualified professionals.

Another challenge is the cost of migration. Migrating to SAP S/4HANA can be an expensive process, which may require significant investments in hardware, software, and consulting services.

Recommendations

Companies still using ECC 6.0 and earlier versions should start planning their migration to SAP S/4HANA as soon as possible. Here are some recommendations to help companies prepare for migration:

• Start assessing your needs and requirements. What do you need from the new system? What are your business goals?
• Conduct an assessment of your current infrastructure. Do you have the necessary hardware and software to run SAP S/4HANA?
• Start looking for consulting partners. A consulting partner can help you plan and execute your migration.

Migrating to SAP S/4HANA is an important investment for companies using SAP's ECC ERP systems. By carefully planning and executing the migration, companies can ensure they are prepared for the future.

SAP Enterprise Support: +1450 services and tools available and coverage for any situation.

• Find business and improvements through the SAP Enterprise Support opportunity report.
• Tailored to your organization with industry benchmarks.
• Get advice, optimize, and continuously improve through SAP Enterprise Support value maps.
  
  → Example: Reduce unused transactions through custom code management.
• 7,400 customer transactions and reports in your systems cause adjustment and test efforts for you every year.
• SAP estimates that 74% of your custom code objects are unused. The benchmark in industry is 30% unused custom code.
• 1,625 hour's effort savings annually can be achieved by eliminating 3,250 objects to reach the industry benchmark.

Now that we understand the importance of Enterprise Support and what are the opportunities that SAP offers through it, we need to explain that you may be using this tool completely wrong. Without the ability to constantly update, your business may be outdated, without taking advantage of the investment (nothing small) that’s being made by your corporation.

Learn about the fastest S/4HANA conversion case in history, built and delivered alongside the RFM Developer. Read about the record case of conversion done in just 18 days!

See also: 1st Market Research on S/4HANA in Brazil

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