SAP S/4HANA Cloud Reviews

We were migrating from our in-house ERP solution to the solution, which was a more corporate-centralized solution. My role was to lead the team in mapping our processes with the central team. We aimed to find synergies and learn how to handle processes that weren't directly covered.

Sales data processing was cumbersome with many mandatory inputs. We normalized this by pulling the data out, manipulating it, and sending it back. We also had unique requirements for controlling product availability, ATP checks, and prioritization for certain customers. These were areas specific to our business model that we handled outside the tool.

I have been working with the product since 2017. 

Our Singapore team contacted SAP's technical team. I found them in tune with our needs and understanding from my limited interaction. They took time but provided solutions to meet our requirements.

Neutral

The solution helped us save money and time, especially as part of a global central platform. It allowed for standardized, optimized processes across all entities in our global organization. When one entity develops an optimized practice, it becomes available to everyone. This brings both tangible and intangible benefits.

The time it takes to see benefits varies. For a new optimization like procurement planning, it might take 12-18 months to see results. For shorter-term projects like monitoring investments, we might see the impact in three to six months. It depends on the complexity and scope of the project. You can't expect immediate results like adding spice to soup—it takes time to see the effects of these changes.

SAP S/4 Hana isn't cheap, but its value depends on how much you can leverage from it. It's not just about the system but how well your people are trained to use it and adapt to derive benefits.

No specific feature stood out as especially valuable. It's a well-established ERP solution, so all of it was good. We stuck to the original solution in some areas where we couldn't manipulate it much. Where needed, we used our development on an SQL platform, taking relevant data from the tool, manipulating it, and sending it back using interfaces.

We didn't use real-time analytics because we didn't need it. Our data refresh frequency of one to two hours was good enough for us. It wasn't about cost but necessity. We didn't want to load the system unnecessarily when our business needs were met with less frequent updates.

We used SAP S/4 Hana with other tools in our ecosystem. We extracted data through interfaces for multiple ancillary solutions. For example, we integrated it with our warehouse management system, not SAP's. We used real-time interfaces for some things, but for analytics like Power BI and SQL analytics, we updated data every one to three hours, depending on needs.

I'm a strong supporter of integration. You can't expect to have all the solutions on one platform. Different solutions excel in order processing, procurement planning, workflow management, or data analytics. Integration is the best way to combine these strengths.

Integrating tools with SAP S/4 Hana wasn't too difficult because we had a good technical team. It has standard interfaces for sharing critical data. It can be challenging without people who have in-depth knowledge of the modules and processes. But with the right team, it's just a matter of good design, testing, and rollout.

We didn't use AI features as our implementation was in 2017-2019 before AI became prominent. I haven't worked with other equivalent platforms, but from what I hear, the tool is among the top. Nothing is perfect, as it's all man-made, so I'd rate it an eight out of ten. 

SAP S/4HANA Cloud streamlines my client's business and, with the move to the cloud, it is more flexible and efficient.

The most valuable feature of SAP S/4HANA Cloud is its analytics capability. The ability to access and analyze data in real-time has significantly improved our reporting efficiency.

One thing that could be better in SAP S/4HANA Cloud, especially in the public cloud, is how easily you can make changes. Clients, especially those with a lot of existing processes, feel a bit restricted in adapting the system to their specific needs. 

I have been working with SAP S/4HANA Cloud for five years.

I would rate the stability as an eight out of ten.

The scalability of the product is not at the highest level, but it is certainly above average. The number of users for SAP S/4HANA Cloud varies depending on the project. We have worked with small to big businesses.

I would rate the technical support for SAP S/4HANA Cloud as an eight out of ten.

Positive

The initial setup is relatively straightforward. As a partner, getting SAP S/4HANA Cloud up and running involves a few steps. We work closely with SAP, and they handle some initial activities before we jump in. The whole process usually takes about three to six weeks, during which we set up the environment and get everything ready to start working.

The return on investment for SAP S/4HANA Cloud usually becomes clear after about five years, depending on the business case. It is not immediate, but over time, the benefits start to show.

I would rate the costliness of the product as a seven out of ten. It is on the expensive side.

Overall, I would rate SAP S/4HANA Cloud as a six out of ten.

Our primary use case for SAP S/4HANA Cloud is managing and coordinating theatre productions, including handling logistics, accommodations, and technical requirements. It supports our environment by streamlining communication and ensuring seamless event execution across various venues.

The solution has significantly improved our organization by enhancing our ability to manage multiple productions efficiently. It has streamlined coordination between teams, improved communication, and facilitated better tracking of logistical needs, leading to smoother operations and reduced manual errors.

The platform's most valuable features include the integrated scheduling tool, which allows us to coordinate between different teams and venues effortlessly, and the comprehensive logistics tracking system, ensuring that all aspects of our productions are managed effectively.

The product could be improved by enhancing its user interface to make it more intuitive and by increasing the customization options for tracking and reporting, which would better align with our specific needs.

They should include advanced analytics features for performance tracking and reporting, as well as improved integration with other tools we use for budgeting and scheduling.

The product is generally stable, with minimal disruptions or downtime, which is crucial for maintaining the smooth operation of our productions.

The product is highly scalable, effectively accommodating the needs of both small and large-scale productions without compromising performance.

The technical support team has been responsive and helpful, addressing issues and providing solutions promptly whenever needed.

Positive

We previously used a different solution but switched because the former needed to provide the level of integration and customization we required for managing complex theatre productions.

The initial setup was relatively straightforward but required some customization to fit our requirements. The process involved integrating various components and configuring settings to align with our operational requirements.

We implemented the solution with the assistance of a vendor team.

The return on investment has been positive. The solution contributed to more efficient operations and reduced overhead costs, which impacted our overall budget favorably.

Overall, SAP S/4HANA Cloud has been a valuable asset to our operations. We are taking full advantage of the available training resources to maximize its benefits and provide feedback to the provider for continuous improvements.

I rate it a nine out of ten. 

We are using SAP S/4HANA Cloud as a cost ledger and reports.

The most valuable features of SAP S/4HANA Cloud are the ease of use from the cloud, CapEx analysis report, and everything being connected together well.

The solution could improve by adding a planning model, such as BPC. Additionally, if we need to make changes in the profit center it has to be done manually. It is not connected to the cost center.

I have been using SAP S/4HANA Cloud for approximately 10 years.

The solution is stable. However, we have some connectivity issues but this is due to our network and our factory being away from the city.

The scalability of SAP S/4HANA Cloud is good.

We used a contractor for the support in our company. We had some difficulties.

I rate the support from SAP S/4HANA Cloud a seven out of ten.

Neutral

We switched from SAP ERP to SAP S/4HANA Cloud because SAP S/4HANA Cloud has better connections to our models and is newer. Most solutions only last approximately five years and a switch have to change.

The initial setup of SAP S/4HANA Cloud is easy.

I rate the initial setup of SAP S/4HANA Cloud an eight out of ten.

The price of SAP S/4HANA Cloud is expensive. However, the benefits are good. We did not purchase any upgrades.

The solution is very good, I love it. It is a complete feature set.

I rate the price of SAP S/4HANA Cloud a four out of ten.

I rate SAP S/4HANA Cloud a nine out of ten.

We use the product for handling configurations and managing user requirements across different modules.

The product's most valuable features include its real-time data storage and integration capabilities through SAP connectors. These features have enhanced operational efficiency by allowing seamless data processing and connectivity.

We have encountered challenges with integration projects, particularly between SAP and non-SAP systems, which have caused delays. While these issues are being gradually addressed, I recommend improving the user interface of the SAP ticketing portal. Making it more user-friendly and searchable would help submit tickets more effectively and ensure they reach the correct team for resolution.

I have been working with SAP S4HANA Cloud for approximately three years.

We have encountered issues with updates and delays in receiving timely information regarding component readiness for updates. 

I rate the stability a four out of ten.

I rate the platform's scalability as seven out of ten. 

Support tickets are often unresolved for extended periods, and the support team needs more understanding.

Negative

The initial setup is moderately difficult, with the deployment process varying depending on the complexity of the development. 

Complex developments can take hours, whereas simpler ones can be completed in minutes.

I rate the process a six out of ten. 

The product implementation was handled through a vendor team.

The return on investment has been lower than expected, as the rising costs have not translated into proportional gains.

The solution's costs have significantly increased, and we have not seen any anticipated cost savings.

I advise those considering the solution to ensure proper training and support. Having a well-informed front-end team and receiving regular updates to address customer needs is crucial. 

I rate it a five out of ten.

SAP S/4HANA Cloud is very powerful compared to previous versions regarding enterprise process management, data retrieval, and reporting. SAP S/4HANA Cloud is way better than the previous versions because of the data architecture and new technology adopted by SAP.

SAP S/4HANA Cloud's robustness in data accessibility and reporting, GUI change, end-user experience, and accessibility on mobile have improved our organization. The traditional layout change of SAP is improvised on SAP S/4HANA Cloud.

The reporting that we are doing from SAP S/4HANA Cloud is a valuable feature. Also, SAP S/4HANA Cloud has improved the data retrieval time, system speed, user accessibility, and user experience.

SAP S/4HANA Cloud's customization can be improved. 

SAP S/4HANA Cloud can incorporate basic procurement, material management, and HR-related functionality like in other cloud-related services, such as SAP Ariba. The incorporation of these additional features could be a very good offer.

I have been using SAP S/4HANA Cloud for the last five years.

I would give SAP S/4HANA Cloud an eight out of ten rating for stability.

I would give SAP S/4HANA Cloud an eight out of ten rating for scalability.

The initial setup is a bit complex.

We do see a ROI with the use of SAP S/4HANA Cloud.

The pricing of SAP S/4HANA Cloud is on the higher side. Traditionally, SAP is always a heavy product for any organization.

We currently use a free version. We started with a very basic version around five years back and then did two upgrades. Around 2,0000 people are using SAP S/4HANA Cloud in my organization, and we have plans to increase the usage in the coming years.

My advice would be to evaluate whether your organization needs this kind of product because it is a high-end product and may not be relevant for a small-scale or medium-scale organization. Your business processes should be standardized instead of adapting the tool because we normally believe adopting the tool is the solution to our business processes or business problems. First, fix the business process-related issues, streamline and standardize them, and then go for this implementation of SAP S/4HANA Cloud. When I compare SAP S/4HANA Cloud on-premises with SAP RISE, I feel there must be some more control available on SAP RISE.

Overall, I rate SAP S/4HANA Cloud an eight out of ten.

We're a manufacturing company that uses S/4HANA for managing finances and other business processes. 

I like S/4HANA's automated features, readymade processes, and user interface. It supports various processes required by large international companies, like logistics, procurement, payments, sales, etc. All of these features were available in previous SAP solutions, but HANA has an updated user interface and improved integration with other systems. The readymade processes make HANA a good option if you're adopting a greenfield approach.

S/4HANA isn't ideal for managing contracts and subscriptions. There isn't a feature to notify us when a contract for a service we need is approaching its end or a product is no longer supported. You need a separate solution for that.

I have used S/4HANA for the last eighteen months.

S/4HANA is stable, but it needs resources. 

S/4HANA is scalable. 

I have contacted SAP support in Germany and Spain many times and also SAP partners. SAP support is excellent, but the support from partners varies depending on who you get. Some are more experienced than others. 

I have used other SAP ERP solutions that were more appropriate for small and medium-sized companies, like logistics warehouses. They didn't have good enough support. S/4HANA is easier to use and suitable for large, complex organizations. 

You need to prepare before deploying S/4HANA. You need to do a feasibility study and have a team analyze the current processes. It involves several groups of employees, like testing, configuration, and interface teams. Before implementing, you need to know what resources are needed. It's easier if you are adopting a greenfield approach. It can take two years or more for a large company to deploy S/4HANA company fully. It's at least one year.

The system requires ongoing maintenance. You need people who can code and understand SAP logic. It's hard to maintain if you have to change something.

The license for S/4HANA is expensive, and the licensing structure is hard to understand. The admin license is something like 500 euros per user. Other ERP solutions allowed you to pick only the modules you need. The SAP ECC version requires you to take all the modules even if you are not using them.

You take the whole system and pay your monthly fees. S/4HANA can define licenses based on roles, series, etc., but there are so many kinds of licenses and fees. It's more complicated than the licensing for Microsoft Dynamics or other SaaS ERP tools.

I rate SAP S/4HANA eight out of 10. Before implementing an ERP tool, you should understand your needs, processes, and business requirements. 

We have some interim back-end systems that we want to protect. We plan to bring in an API management system to take care of all the traffic and everything. This way, the consumers will not have direct access to the back-end system. We are evaluating what makes the most sense because, in our organization, there are multiple technologies. However, our principle is to keep the API gateway closest to the back-end gateway.

Currently, our organization is using SAP S/4HANA Cloud extensively for core back-end processes, and we have plans to increase its usage in other areas as well. Looking at the trends, it is processing more than ten million transactions per month or per day. So, the probability is it may go up to ten times.

Our organization's core back-end is on-prem SAP, and we are on a journey of transformation. Since SAP S/4HANA Cloud is a SaaS application, it is already providing a lot of standard out-of-the-box features, which is interesting. We don't have to build in a lot of bolt-on customizations.

I'm just discovering SAP S/4HANA Cloud right now. Although, in the next release, I would like to see a feature where it allows integration with more platforms.

I have you been using it for one year. I am using the latest version, which is 2.28.

The on-prem solution is very stable because we have used it for the last two decades. The public cloud version is something that we are currently evaluating for transformation. However, with the pilot implementation, it is stable. There are around 1000+ users in my organization using this solution.

Scalability is pretty good. It runs on AWS again. So it has auto scalers. Therefore, scalability-wise, there are no issues.

Customer support is very quick.

The setup is straightforward. Since it is a SaaS application, it is fully managed by SAP. However, the customer also has some shared responsibilities, but a careful guide would be provided to make it user-friendly.

If those who are still on the on-prem version of it, then I recommend they start looking towards transforming into the cloud-based version. Because the on-prem version will be out of support by 2030, it's the right time to start looking at the validity stuff and try to move to the cloud-based version.

Overall, I would rate it a nine out of ten.