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Migration Approaches and Archiving – How Data Archiving Supports SAP S/4HANA Transitions

Migration Approaches and Archiving in SAP S/4HANA Projects

Migration Approaches and Archiving in SAP S/4HANA Projects

The move to SAP S/4HANA is a defining moment for any enterprise. But while much of the focus is placed on the target architecture and business transformation, one element is often underutilized—data archiving. Regardless of which migration path you choose, archiving plays a pivotal role in shaping the success, cost-efficiency, and performance of your S/4HANA landscape.

Understanding S/4HANA Migration Approaches

There are three primary migration approaches to SAP S/4HANA:

1. System Conversion (Brownfield)

  • Migrating an existing SAP ERP system to S/4HANA with minimal disruption
  • Retains existing data and configurations

2. New Implementation (Greenfield)

  • Complete reimplementation of SAP S/4HANA from scratch
  • Clean data and processes from the ground up

3. Selective Data Transition (Hybrid)

  • Move only specific business units, processes, or data subsets
  • Combines elements of both greenfield and brownfield

How Data Archiving Adds Value to Each Approach

System Conversion

Archiving before a system conversion reduces the data volume that needs to be migrated to the HANA database, cutting down conversion runtime, memory requirements, and infrastructure costs. Archived data remains accessible for audit and reporting but is excluded from the technical conversion process—improving performance and project success rates.

New Implementation

In a greenfield approach, archiving is key to decommissioning legacy systems. Data from old ERP systems can be archived and stored in accessible formats (via ILM, WebDAV, or Retention Warehouse). This allows historical reporting and audit access without bloating the new system with outdated records.

Selective Data Transition

For hybrid migrations, archiving ensures only relevant and current data is migrated to S/4HANA. Legacy data can be securely archived and managed separately, supporting compliance while streamlining the new environment. This approach works well for complex global landscapes with phased rollouts.

Strategic Benefits of Archiving Before Migration

  • Reduced Conversion Time: Smaller datasets result in faster migrations.
  • Lower TCO: Decreased infrastructure and HANA memory costs.
  • Compliance Assurance: Legal and audit data is retained but does not obstruct project timelines.
  • System Simplification: Only relevant data is brought into the new environment.

Best Practices

  • Analyze data volume using tools like SAP DB02 or TAANA
  • Prioritize high-volume objects such as FI_DOCUMNT, MM_MATBEL, and SD_VBRK
  • Align with legal and compliance teams for data retention policies
  • Incorporate ILM retention and legal hold rules during archiving

Conclusion

Archiving isn’t just a clean-up activity—it’s a strategic enabler for successful SAP S/4HANA migrations. By embedding data archiving into your migration roadmap, you reduce cost, mitigate risk, and build a streamlined, compliant foundation for your digital core. Whether you’re executing a brownfield, greenfield, or hybrid strategy, archiving is your first step to a leaner, faster, and more intelligent future.

Author: Kumar – SAP ILM & S/4HANA Transition Specialist

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