Insights from Gartner, Support from Infobelt
The transition to SAP S/4HANA is a transformative moment for organizations leveraging SAP’s ERP solutions. As the successor to SAP ECC, S/4HANA offers advanced capabilities that align with modern business needs. However, Gartner’s latest research highlights adoption trends and challenges that SAP industry professionals must consider.
This blog distills these insights, offering actionable guidance for leaders navigating this transformation. We also incorporate Infobelt’s perspective, drawn from our vast experience providing practical insights in data management and SAP solutions. The data presented is sourced from Gartner research, with clear citations to ensure accountability and transparency.
Current SAP S/4HANA Adoption Landscape
Adoption Rates and Transition Trends
According to Gartner’s 4Q24 estimates:
SAP’s go-to-market strategies—RISE with SAP and GROW with SAP—are central to its adoption push:
AI-Driven Metadata Enrichment
AI-driven metadata enrichment automates the classification and tagging of unstructured data, reducing manual efforts and enhancing retrieval efficiency. By leveraging NLP and ML, organizations can:
Challenges in Migration: An Infobelt Perspective
Complexity, Costs, and Data Management
Many organizations perceive the migration to S/4HANA as a complex project requiring significant planning and investment. Gartner highlights this complexity, and at Infobelt, we understand that a key component of this challenge is managing the vast amounts of data involved. This is where our expertise in data archiving and application retirement becomes invaluable.
Support Limitations and Infobelt’s Role
Infobelt’s solutions can help bridge these gaps. We provide strategies for managing legacy data and streamlining the transition process, ensuring compliance and minimizing disruption.
Strategic Recommendations for Leaders: Infobelt’s Enhanced Approach
To successfully implement AI-driven archiving, organizations should:
Gartner provides actionable advice for CIOs and ERP leaders considering migration. We, at Infobelt, build upon these recommendations with our deep understanding of SAP environments:
1. Reassess Your ERP Strategy (with Data Archiving in Mind)
SAP S/4HANA is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Leaders should:
Infobelt Insight: Data archiving isn’t just an afterthought; it’s a crucial element of a successful S/4HANA migration. A well-defined archiving strategy reduces data volume, lowers migration costs, and ensures compliance while speeding up migration.
2. Evaluate All Options (Including Data Lifecycle Management)
While transitioning to S/4HANA is encouraged, organizations can consider alternatives such as:
Infobelt Insight: Don’t overlook the power of data lifecycle management. Infobelt’s solutions specialize in application retirement and data archiving, offering a cost-effective way to manage your data, reduce storage and license costs, and also comply with regulatory requirements.
3. Avoid Shortcuts (Plan for Data Complexity)
Migration timelines can span multiple years, particularly for complex environments. Rushing the process may lead to inefficiencies or misaligned outcomes. Leaders must prioritize comprehensive planning and resist enforced approaches based on peer pressure.
Infobelt Insight: Data complexity is a significant factor in migration timelines. Infobelt’s expertise can help you identify and address data-related bottlenecks, ensuring a smoother and more efficient migration.
Opportunities in Cloud ERP Transformation
SAP’s emphasis on cloud delivery aligns with evolving business needs:
These programs offer flexibility but require careful evaluation of their tiers (basic, premium, premium plus) to ensure alignment with organizational goals.
Conclusion: A Strategic Path Forward, Powered by Infobelt
The journey toward SAP S/4HANA adoption is both an opportunity and a challenge for industry leaders. While Gartner’s data underscores the urgency of migration ahead of key deadlines, it also highlights the importance of strategic planning tailored to each organization’s unique needs.
At Infobelt, we understand these challenges and offer comprehensive solutions to streamline your S/4HANA migration. Our data archiving and application retirement expertise, combined with a customer-centric approach, ensures a smooth, cost-effective, and compliant transition.
By leveraging insights from Gartner, incorporating Infobelt’s expertise, and aligning them with your business objectives, leaders can navigate this transition effectively—ensuring their ERP systems remain competitive in an increasingly digital landscape.
Disclaimer: All data points referenced in this blog are sourced from Gartner’s research report published in March 2025.