So you’ve completed your SAP S/4HANA migration. Now what?
First, a hat tip to you because completing that transition is no small feat. With SAP’s 2027 deadline for transitioning from legacy systems fast approaching, many companies like yours have prioritized making the switch to stay competitive and supported.
But here’s the truth: the real work — and the real payoff — starts after you’ve gone live.
That’s because migrating to SAP S/4HANA isn’t just a system upgrade; it’s an opportunity to completely transform how your business operates. Better. Faster. Smarter. And it’s about unlocking powerful solutions that drive growth.
However, many companies fail to fully leverage the platform’s capabilities, leaving valuable benefits on the table.
But we suspect you’re here because you don’t want to be one of those companies. That’s why we created this guide to show you how to maximize the return on your SAP S/4HANA investment by moving beyond implementation to optimization.
Leverage Advanced Features for a Competitive Edge
SAP S/4HANA is built to handle the complexities of modern business with features that go far beyond basic ERP functionality. Yet, many companies only scratch the surface of its potential.
The companies who dive deeper will unlock advanced capabilities that can transform their business operations in the following ways:
- Predictive Analytics: Take advantage of embedded AI and machine learning to forecast trends, optimize inventory, and improve decision-making in real-time.
- IoT Integration: Tap into Internet of Things (IoT) data to monitor equipment, streamline manufacturing, or enhance supply chain visibility.
- Digital Boardrooms: Equip leadership with interactive dashboards that display live business data, enabling agile decision-making.
Next Steps: Make a plan to explore and implement these features after go-live. Assign teams to pilot initiatives and measure the impact before rolling them out broadly.
Measure ROI: Set the Right Metrics
One of the biggest challenges post-ERP migration is understanding whether the investment is paying off. Define clear metrics to track the success of your S/4HANA implementation, such as:
- Cost Savings: Monitor reductions in IT maintenance costs, process inefficiencies, and system downtime.
- Operational Efficiency: Measure cycle times, order fulfillment rates, and other performance indicators specific to your industry.
- User Adoption Rates: Evaluate how effectively employees are using the system to perform their roles.
Next Steps: Set benchmarks early and review them regularly to ensure your system delivers measurable value.
Tailor Workflows to Match Business Goals
Every organization is unique, and SAP S/4HANA offers the flexibility to customize workflows to fit your specific needs. Post-migration is the perfect time to re-evaluate your processes and make adjustments that align with your strategic goals:
- Review existing workflows to identify inefficiencies or redundancies.
- Leverage S/4HANA’s tools to automate routine tasks, such as invoice processing or supply chain tracking.
- Work with your IT and functional teams to refine processes that maximize the system’s capabilities.
Next steps: Identify key workflows to evaluate and adjust. Focus on automating repetitive tasks to boost productivity and create a system that evolves with your business.
Continuous Optimization: Keep the Momentum Going
Your SAP S/4HANA system isn’t static, and neither is your business. Post-migration, it’s essential to keep refining and optimizing:
- Feedback Loops: Set up regular touchpoints to gather user feedback on the system and identify areas for improvement.
- Employee Training: Offer ongoing training to ensure employees are confident using advanced features and new workflows.
- System Audits: Conduct periodic system health checks to ensure optimal performance and security.
Next steps: Form a cross-functional team to champion these efforts, ensuring your investment continues to deliver long-term benefits.
Don’t Go It Alone: Partnering for Success
Maximizing ROI from your SAP S/4HANA migration takes functional expertise, time, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Many organizations find that working with experienced IT service partners helps them go further, faster.
At Artemis, we specialize in connecting companies with expert consultants and delivering IT solutions to optimize ERP implementations and beyond. Whether you’re eager to explore advanced features, tailor workflows, or track measurable ROI, we’re here to help you turn your capital projects into long-term success stories.
Ready to take your SAP S/4HANA system to the next level? Let’s build a partnership that works as hard as you do.
