How to Plan for SAP System Upgrades?
When it comes to technology, nearly everything associated with it demands a certain structure or a well-defined process. The same goes for SAP system upgrades as well; to effectively implement them and to reduce downtime, it is important to get each step of the process right.
It is generally recommended that you set up the SAP upgrade project plan at least 2-3 weeks before the execution date. However, while this process can seem tedious, if implemented correctly, it is worth the time and effort. To assist you, we’ve designed a systematic approach that will serve as your go-to SAP upgrade guide.
A Step-by-Step Guide for SAP System Upgrades
Start With Downtime Planning:
This is one of the very first and the most important SAP system upgrade steps. Have good clarity on the downtime details – it will help you decide on the measures that are to be taken for downtime optimization. The success of your SAP upgrade strategy will heavily depend on this.
Draft the upgrade strategy:
Another important step of the planning stage is a transition and upgrade strategy and developing an accurate upgrade project plan. It should elaborate on the existing IT structure of your business and the inevitable changes that it will undergo to stay aligned with the vision of the business, and keep up with its growth.
Do A Compatibility Check:
Prepare the mandatory hardware resources (CPU, Disk, User and Memory) required during the upgrade. Always, always consider the additional load for the post-go-live hardware requirement. Ensure that third party plugins that are a part of your existing system are supported by the new system. You may require a database and OS update as well.
Test, A Lot:
Testing holds the key to it all. Plan in a way that leaves you with enough time for testing. Conduct unit and integration tests with development and quality systems. You can replicate any customization made as part of the integration testing in subsequent systems. Make time for documentation as well. This will help you keep a track of the quality of test results and any changes made for the purpose of optimisation.
Study The Current Environment:
Here is where you leverage the power of Maintenance Planner for system transformation. It analyzes the current environment and all business functions, industry solutions and add-ons that accompany it. It allows you to see which ones are supported by SAP S/4HANA. Then, you can run the Software Update Manager to convert your system.
Build A Backup & Recovery Strategy:
This one might seem trivial but serves a very important piece of your upgrade plan. The Backup and recovery strategy is the backbone of your plan! It needs to be prioritised and re-defined well in advance.
Contact PTS Systems and Solutions For Effective SAP System Upgrades
Now that you are familiar with the key SAP upgrade phases, it’s time to have your very own SAP upgrade roadmap in place. SAP ERP systems are designed to operate in multiple industries and to appeal to a wide range of users. The only challenge is the fact that it is subject to change. Business requirements change as a result of growth, workflows, quantities of data, regulations, and such.
At times, these transformation processes can be overwhelming when you are already juggling a thousand things to keep your business at its best. If you are new to the world of SAP, it’s best to turn to the experts. This is where PTS Systems and Solutions comes into the picture.
Having successfully implemented solutions across various industry verticals and geographies, we understand all of the possible requirements you may have. We offer cost-effective solutions in the domain of IT services, ERP & Business Management Application software, SAP ERP Support, ERP System Software, and more. So, if you are looking for experts in SAP system upgrade implementation, feel free to reach out to us!
