SAP S/4HANA Reviews

Nowadays, I have been implementing SAP S/4HANA and I have managed areas like analysis and blue print. I have lately started off with the configuration of the system. I have made some SAP Fiori training programs for people with a few reports, but I must say that I am not a reporting specialist.

It is expensive to implement SAP in companies, making it an area of concern where improvements are required.

I have worked with SAP S/4HANA for a year, but with SAP, I have eleven years of eleven years.

Only big companies use the tool.

I will be using SAP Signavio and SAP Process Manager soon, but I don't have experience with them since my company will be starting to use the product today.

The product's initial setup phase is almost the same as the previous ERP system my company had. I don't see a lot of changes in the configuration, especially from my point of view after I look at all the modules. I see that there are a lot of changes in the modules offered by SAP S/4HANA, especially when compared to SAP ECC.

As per the plan for the project where I work, I had to deploy the span of two years for four companies, but it had to be postponed to three years. I don't know about the background and finances associated with the product. I think it takes a very long time to deploy the product. I don't see any technical problems with the solution. I believe that the long time the product is in use is because of the finances attached to the product.

Each company using SAP S/4HANA can save some money because everything can be done in one system. If a company already has an old ERP system and wants to implement a new one, I don't think it will be able to save some money because it will have to spend a few million Euros to implement the new system. If it is a green field, then such a company can implement its first SAP tool and save 100 percent of money since everything can be done in just one system. Companies can have different systems for finances, production, and logistics, and everything needs to be connected, which is a very difficult process. With SAP S/4HANA, you can have everything under a single roof, you can see the connections across all departments, and you can find everything in my system. You can create one report, and you have got everything from all departments, including the life cycle of all the products that can be seen in one system, so it is helpful.

Everyone says that it is expensive to implement SAP in companies. I have heard others saying that SAP is only for big companies that have money. If you want to sell your company and you say that you have got SAP in your company, the price can be quoted high. It is exclusive to have SAP in your company. It is the best system in the world.

I use the solution in my company, and I feel SAP Fiori is very nice since it is modern. There are better functions in SAP systems and the configuration, but not in SAP Fiori. In SAP Fiori, everything looks better, but it is not user-friendly for me because you are not able to find a lot of things in it. You have to scroll a lot and it is not better, but some users say that it is a good tool since the reporting is much better in SAP Fiori. I feel SAP S/4HANA is better than SAP Fiori.

The data processing speed is the area in SAP S/4HANA that has the most improvement in comparison with the old SAP system because it now works in a different type of database, which is very fast.

I rate the solution a ten out of ten.

It has been used across various verticals, including billing, sales, business, and pharmaceuticals. It has been implemented in different business verticals.

Apart from the core business processes, the performance has been drastically improved. The speed of executing reports has increased significantly. We no longer need day-minus-one business processing.

In the past, we had to extract, transform, and load data (ETL cycle), and only then would we get critical dashboards and reports the next day. Now, it's available in real-time data, within the same instance, on a single click. This is a major improvement.

Everything is available in S/4HANA. It's really good. There might be some restrictions in the public cloud, but in the private cloud, anything you can think of can be made available. That is the best part of S/4HANA.

S/4HANA stands for high-performance analytic appliance. 90% of activity is done on the hardware side, as it supports fast memory executions.

Initially, it was SAP ECC 6.0, but then they introduced faster execution processes and best practices for different verticals. It gives an advantage on top of what is being used across different businesses. They have introduced best processes altogether.

The implementation time has also been reduced drastically. We start by showing the customer the best practices and configurations. This is a major difference from before when we used to understand their "as-is" process and then design the "to-be" process.

Now, we get acceptance on the best practices early on and only do customizations where necessary. Most customers prefer this approach because they are changing their business to match best practices rather than us changing the software to match their business.

Additionally, there are public and private editions of the product. The private cloud is owned by the customer, giving them full control over customizations. The public cloud is controlled by SAP, which offers only best practices that customers accept, knowing they align with industry standards.

One disadvantage is the introduction of multiple products. In older versions, everything was in a single package. Now, we need separate licenses for different functionalities: S/4HANA Cloud for human capital management, SuccessFactors for talent management, and Ariba for procurement. For advanced components, we need S/4HANA for enterprise portfolio and project management. 

Additionally, if we purchase SuccessFactors, we also need to add integration tools like SAP Cloud Platform Integration. So, it's like buying a basic bundle (starting from 65 or 25 FPUs) and then adding more components and integrations later, each with its own license fees. Essentially, they have changed the model to introduce multiple products with new license fees.

Everything is available and works well in S/4HANA. There might be some restrictions in the public cloud, but in the private cloud, you can make anything available.  

I am a consultant; we don't use it in-house. We work with SAP. It has been almost nine to ten years since we started with S/4HANA side.

The private cloud is 100% stable. The public cloud still needs some time; it's 90% stable, but 10% still needs enhancement.

Private cloud is ten out of ten, and public cloud is nine out of ten.

It is a very scalable solution. 

The customer service and support are good. 

Positive

S/4HANA deployment is easier than previous versions.

Deployment time:

The deployment time depends on the complexity of the business. 

For a public cloud implementation with standard business processes, it takes three to four months, with the fifth month for support. 

For a private cloud implementation, it may take five months or more, depending on the customizations and configurations needed. The number of consultants and the complexity of the business processes are the most important factors.

Moreover, the maintenance is easier now.

Integration into existing infrastructure: 

 There are multiple options for integration depending on the products. For SuccessFactors, you can either use SAP Cloud Platform Integration (CPI) or the SuccessFactors Integration Suite. 

In the Middle East, where I work, there's a government-mandated e-invoicing system that requires integration with S/4HANA. 

Like Ariba, that also needs to be integrated. In this version, integration options have been expanded. Previously, it was only SAP Process Orchestration (PO) that handled integration, but now there are more options available.

For a private cloud implementation, a team of eight or nine people: six consultants for the core modules, one basis consultant, one technical consultant, and one project manager. 

For a public cloud implementation, the number of consultants is reduced to six.

ROI has multiple aspects. In the initial days with ECC, costly hardware with depreciation cycles was necessary. Moving to the cloud reduces those expenses. Within three to five years, ROI is very good. 

Additionally, the need for data centers, DR sites, and skilled maintenance teams is eliminated, drastically reducing costs within five years compared to SAP ECC.

It's expensive when opting for a private cloud but cheaper on a public cloud.

For private clouds, the price could have room for improvement. It is a bit on the higher end. 

The license is subscription-based. The users can lock in licenses for three, five, or even seven years. The agreed-upon pricing on day one applies yearly for the chosen duration. This is available for all SAP products.

Clients don't have to pay extra for support, maintenance, or other things. So, the subscription includes everything.

For S/4HANA, my recommendation is that finance is very strong. They have improved. SD (Sales and Distribution) in finance has been strong since day one, but now they have also improved the purchase cycle significantly. They have introduced multiple products like IBP (Integrated Business Planning), which has improved their planning for production and the entire manufacturing process. 

Considering this, I would recommend S/4HANA Private Cloud as of now. SAP is working very hard on S/4HANA Public Cloud as well, so in one or two years, the public cloud might be the best option.

Overall, I would rate the product a nine out of ten. 

Our organization is into the technology stack. Our customers are big companies from around the globe that all use SAP, either hosting it on public cloud, private cloud or on-premise. Personally, I have 22 years of experience. I deal with the operating systems, databases and the installation of the applications.

S/4HANA is an ERP package that runs on HANA database and LINUX operating systems. Most big companies are running their ERP on SAP. 

S/4HANA is an end-to-end solution. It seamlessly integrates with all the SAP Business Suite products such as IoT, AI, Analytics and all other SaaS solutions. The product is very robust and comprehensive.

Small businesses that have a small user base find this solution too expensive. I would like to see the price come down.

I have been working with SAP and ERP solutions for 22 years. The package is very mature.

S/4HANA is very stable. All of the big companies are running SAP, for example, British Airways, and UK Babcock are both using it. The solution is reliable. 

The solution is scalable. We have customers that have a 500 user system with 500 clients, and we have customers with 50,000 users and 50,000 clients. S/4HANA is absolutely scalable.

SAP's technical support is one of the best.

The initial setup is very straightforward. However, we required very specialized expertise to implement S/4HANA as it requires customization for the customer. It takes anywhere from six months to twenty-four months to implement, depending on the landscape of the customer.

SAP S/4HANA is affordable for big companies, but is very expensive for small companies. The implementation costs of SAP are substantial.

For large companies, this is a good solution. I understand that CIOs need to walk a tight rope between time to implement and the budget. SAP as a product requires, to a large extent, business process reengineering. It is important that anyone considering this solution understands the mapping of their business processes and how it will run in SAP. You also need to ensure you have all stakeholders buying into the process.

I have seen many companies buy the product thinking that they will implement it within five months only to discover that after five months, nothing has happened and the stakeholders are not aligned. Further, if you adapt the solution independent to your own needs, it will become difficult to maintain and manage. 

It is important to have a core team that understands SAP, and not only rely on an external consultant.

With the right project plan, execution, blueprint, and fully committed stakeholders, the solution will be successful.

I would rate this product a ten out of ten.

I am working with this system for Aalam, CAEPO, and QD. I have some experience regarding these companies. We are currently using S/4HANA for financial management, human resources, and integration with third parties. It's not just about protection, as we manage many online services like Tasee and others.

I am really happy to use HANA since it is highly syndicated with public office systems. They have integrated cloud systems and GP, sorted with security and other features connected with S/4HANA. Analytics are also integrated for reports and designations. The client is very happy to use S/4HANA.

The features from 2021 have a good database use, including PDF views. Most of the tables were reduced in S/4HANA compared to EZ. Overall, the system's indexing of tables and views is good. I have recently focused on BGP. 

I have been working with it for about five years. I am familiar with HANA.

There is no issue with the system's capability. The system is very stable.

The customer tool is very responsive. The support desk phone service is effective and meets expectations.

Positive

The customization and configuration are comprehensive. Many were satisfied before with the Python tenant CEO and MMC. Many consultants are pleased to integrate this technology because configuration is very easy, and our team is happy to use it.

The cost is quite expensive, and some people notice this compared to other solutions. 

I recommend HANA. It is an excellent enterprise system, offering many solutions with integrations to third parties and data on cloud and premises. The system's performance and backup capabilities are impressive. 

Reporting is well-supported, allowing connectivity with any system for report creation, along with mobile integration and notifications. SAP provides numerous services, especially when compared to Microsoft and Oracle solutions. While the cost for consultants and licensing is high, the benefit in terms of data and business communication is significant. 

Most businesses prefer SAP systems for company-wide communication, especially multinational enterprises using S/4HANA. 

The product rating is ten out of ten.

The solution's use cases depend on the market in which clients use it. I usually work with manufacturing companies. They used the tool for manufacturing, using whatever they needed to implement SAP independently. Warehousing users use the solution to manage inventory. Both retail and manufacturing markets use warehousing, and that's another big area where the tool is used.

The main focus of moving from an old ERP to the solution is that the HANA database runs in memory and quickly answers questions. Since it's already in memory, reports need not be created after the data is loaded in the transactional tables.

The solution's most valuable feature is integration. You're still talking about modules, procurement, and business partners. All of these are different modules in SAP S/4HANA. Everything is connected easily because of the integration of the same database in the memory. It's already connected there. You don't need to change the view.

You can change the view from one perspective to another, but it's mostly the same thing. You are not jumping between modules in such a way that you are seeing the same data differently. Since you see the same database, you are not making mistakes when seeing the customer in procurement or inventory. You see exactly the same data because it comes from the same view.

Everything is integrated in that way. There are no more mistakes in the data not being updated. Every time you access something, it is already updated in real-time. From a business point of view, you see the same figure no matter how you access it.

SAP S/4HANA is an expensive solution.

I have been using SAP S/4HANA for 10 to 12 years.

If there are no customizations, SAP S/4HANA is a very stable product.

You can add more transactions, materials, customers, and vendors. Scaling the solution is not a problem because you are in a private cloud. You need more servers, but the system is prepared to work that way. The solution is more suited for medium to enterprise businesses. Some small customers want to have this kind of ERP, but the problem is that it is expensive.

Without any changes, the solution's initial setup is easy. The process is very, very easy to implement. If there are changes, we need to recommend that SAP incorporate those modifications because they may be standard.

That is a long shot because SAP filters everything, as there are many customer requests. They filter them and implement only the ones they think are useful to everybody. Those modifications are taken into account for the next release. It's a problem for the customer if they need something that is not standard for SAP S/4HANA. If it is a standard for SAP S/4HANA, it's easy to implement.

I rate the solution’s initial setup ten out of ten.

Some customers needing this kind of software don't consider the costs. They think about the profitability they can achieve with the solution's implementation. People concerned about the costs need to evaluate whether implementing this system is profitable.

It depends on the perspective. You need to consider whether this investment is enough to get you to what you are looking for. It's basically a market evaluation of what you are doing.

With the solution's real-time analytic options, you don't need to use anything else. You already have the data in memory, and you can build any query to extract something that was hard to extract earlier.

The business process works fine because there are not too many steps now. Since everything is in memory, the processes are simpler than before. The business processes are cleaner because you don't need to go through too many steps to get the results done. You now have a 360-degree view of a customer.

Whether you are accessing the customer by invoicing or by a business partner, you get the view of these customers all around, and you don't need to jump between modules. Everything is now more easily integrated.

The first approach was to have this ERP implemented on-premises. Now, the solution is going to the cloud. The idea is to deploy the tool depending on the requirements of the customer or the client. The products are already built, and you don't need to do anything else.

You are accessing the solution in a way that is already customized for the customer. You don't need to do anything additionally. The ERP is already ready to be used. Then, you have hybrid implementations, partly in the cloud and partly on-premises.

Also, you can have everything on-premises but in a private network. So, it depends on the client's requirements. Everything can be done depending on the client's requirements, but the solution can be deployed everywhere.

Customers are currently looking to migrate from ECC into S/4HANA. The improvements or benefits will come from implementing S/4HANA. These customers are not so worried about how it is going to work because they want to do the initial migration. A lot of customers are doing that at this time, and it is a potential market for us as implementers on which we can rely for a long time.

SAP provides a module that facilitates migration from any system, not only ECC, to SAP S/4HANA. The idea here is to provide layouts already built. The customer or client only needs to populate this layout and then push it into the solution, which is easy. However, depending on the client, some things may not completely reflect what the customer or client needs. So, they need to do customizations.

Those customizations need to be done before in SAP S/4HANA, and then this special module for data migration needs to be modified. It could be totally different from what the standard SAP is doing. So, they need to do other programming to get this data loaded into specific modules being modified for that client.

The idea is to get the benefit of what SAP S/4HANA is offering. The idea is not to customize anything. However, we always have something that is not specific for a client and needs to be modified. The module itself is capable of modifying what is required. If you modify the tool too much, the next version will not be implemented quickly.

That's why the recommendation is not to modify anything. The processes already built into the solution are enough for any kind of market. However, if you are doing it, you need to comply with what SAP recommends. If the new version is coming, you can implement it quickly, or you will have issues like in the past. Heavily customized ERP systems are complex to migrate to the new versions.

Overall, I rate the solution a nine out of ten.

We use SAP for business processes.

SAP S/4HANA has significantly improved processes by enabling a more intelligent enterprise. With tools like SAP Business Technology Platform services and AI scenarios, data processing and decision-making have become much smarter and efficient.

The features that I find most helpful in my day-to-day operations with SAP S/4HANA are primarily related to data management. Real-time data analytics has significantly enhanced decision-making processes by providing instant insights into business processes and trends. The user experience with the SAP S/4HANA interface has also seen notable improvements, particularly in terms of a more friendly and personalized UI.

There is room for improvement in areas such as security features within SAP S/4HANA, which could further enhance the overall usability and effectiveness of the platform.

To make SAP S/4HANA better, there's a focus on enhancing responsiveness and reducing operational costs. This includes improving automation within the system to address strategic needs and accommodate users who primarily speak English, which is an ongoing effort.

I've been working with SAP for around seventeen years, specifically focusing on SAP S/4HANA since around 2015. I work with SAP as a partner.

In terms of stability, I would rate SAP S/4HANA at around nine out of ten. 

The initial setup of SAP S/4HANA was challenging, but it's vital to understand the manual innovations, tool design, and integration, especially with new features and core aspects. Learning and staying updated with new innovations is crucial for IT professionals, as it provides valuable insights into business processes and concepts. The duration depends on specific business requirements, typically taking around four months to complete.

I would rate the pricing at around six to nine out of ten depending on the edition and deployment type.

SAP S/4HANA's integration capabilities are highly impactful on the IT ecosystem due to its seamless integration with both SAP and non-SAP systems through the integration suite. I would recommend SAP S/4HANA to anyone who needs an efficient ERP system with a user-friendly interface, strong security features, and the flexibility of deployment options. For those concerned about security, on-premises deployment is recommended, while for others, a hybrid approach with cloud integration can be advantageous. 

Overall, I would rate the solution a ten out of ten. 

I have two major clients for SAP S/4HANA. The first is in the UAE, using real estate modules, and the second is US-based, CVS or Century Business Solutions. In the US, the solution handles all customer-related activities like sales orders, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and refunds, integrated with both mobile and web apps. For the UAE client, it manages real estate information, allowing customers to place orders and receive offers online via mobile and web apps. After customer confirmation, it facilitates contract agreements and integrates finance and accounts-related information. 

Clients share their requirements via emails, and if I have any confusion, I directly communicate with them through video or audio meetings using Google Meet or other resources. As a technical consultant, I handle both technical and functional aspects. We primarily use FSR forms, which clients deliver via email. We read and verify these requirements from the customers and strive to use standard functionalities to the fullest and implement the required functionalities directly using the standard system.

Regarding migration from previous system to SAP S/4HANA, it had no negative impact on business productivity as data was smoothly transferred using tools like BDCs and LSMWs. Data is crucial, and SAP S/4HANA easily integrates with previous systems, ensuring no errors or hurdles for clients.

SAP S/4HANA delivers all essential possibilities to customers for various sections. In the current modern age, we use SAP for graphical outputs, reports, and smartphone accessibility. If users want to see financial outputs via diagrams, we use SAP by Design. For specific confirmations via mobile app or web app, we use few other applications. If users want only source forms and not hard copies, we use AR forms.

The most advanced functionality in S/4HANA is the OData service. It's crucial because everyone wants to integrate third-party applications with SAP S/4HANA. SAP HANA uses advanced OData services, integrating with Azure HANA. We also use SQL services and Java security, allowing every language to interface with SAP, choosing tools specific for our requirements.

In my opinion, there's room for improvement in SAP S/4HANA based on customer requirements. The solution already includes advanced technologies like AI functionalities, but improvements can be made in areas like UI and pricing. For example, making the UI more user-friendly or reducing the cost could enhance the overall experience for clients and customers. The goal is to provide everything customers need with just one click, ensuring convenience and efficiency in accessing information and performing tasks.

In terms of stability, I have a good impression because when we meet all customer requirements, they are satisfied and find it reliable.

I would rate the scalability of SAP S/4HANA as good, around eight out of ten. Our clients vary in size, ranging from small to medium to large enterprises, covering different levels of businesses.

My experience with the technical support, is about a ten to twenty percent involvement on my end since I primarily handle technical aspects.

My experience with the initial setup of SAP S/4HANA is quite easy, as I've been working with SAP for around nine to ten years. Regarding deployment time, it depends on the complexity of the requirements, ranging from a few days to a maximum of one month.

As for pricing, it depends on the business size and flow. If it's a medium-sized business, it might seem affordable, but for larger businesses with complex processes, it could be considered expensive.

If a client faced challenges with their previous system, I would directly communicate with them, understand the issue, and demonstrate how SAP S/4HANA can address specific reports or modules, ensuring around a ninety-nine percent success rate in resolving issues.

I would rate SAP S/4HANA a ten out of ten because of its seamless integration with third-party software and ease of use.

I'm an architect. S/4HANA is an intelligent enterprise. When an organization needs an application or software to run its operations, S/4HANA comes into play. SAP is the market leader in ERP. S/4HANA is not a traditional ERP anymore, but an intelligent enterprise. That's the power of S/4HANA.

The integration capabilities of SAP S/4HANA and AWS are excellent.  SAP S/4HANA is an intelligent enterprise. It can harness data and provide the right data at the right time for decision-makers to carry forward the operations. 

For integration, you have SAP BTP, a platform as a solution that can work with S/4HANA. There are also other tools like SAP CPI and SAP Process Orchestration. So, there are a lot of tools available for SAP to integrate with the outside world.

AI capabilities are good with SAP S/4HANA. When WE combine SAP S/4HANA with SAP BTP, there is a use case in the healthcare industry where it can detect yearly symptoms and save lives. This is referred to as SAP Business Technology Platform.

S/4HANA is a very large application. There is no one specific tool I can pick. It depends on the customer, the use case, and what the business needs. Different industries will find different business functions helpful. 

If it is a construction industry, probably something related to the construction function will help you. If it is a logistics industry, if it's a logistics function, it's a separate one. So, depending on the type of industry, you will have a different business function that will come into place.

Most of the Fortune 500 companies use SAP S/4HANA, so I don't think it's unfit for any particular industry. But if a customer has limited requirements, like only sales activity, then they can choose Salesforce. They don't need SAP S/4HANA. It's not a proper comparison because we can do a lot with S/4HANA, like HR, sales, distribution, production planning, quality management, transport management, and more.

In future releases, I would like to see more availability zones and VPCs so customers have more freedom to choose. Also, more training so customers can utilize the training enablement.

I have experience with S/4HANA for around seven or eight years.

AWS is premium. From a cost perspective, AWS might be on the higher side. The users have to check if the required availability zone is available in the customer's region. Sometimes, only Azure is available. I don't see any issues of that sort. It's very mature.

The customer service and support are very good. There are options for SAP called RISE with SAP. You can make a note of it. With RISE with SAP, customers can choose their hyperscaler. It can be SAP HANA Enterprise Cloud, AWS, Azure, GCP, or even Alibaba. When it comes to support, you can go with a single contract with the RISE with SAP option, so you get one support contract.

The support comes from SAP, not AWS. The support is the same for AWS or Azure. Some customers will enter into an exclusive contract, while others will go with a generic contract. For the sake of an answer, I can give it an eight out of ten.

Positive

Every implementation has its challenges. Sometimes, the challenges are with the project timeline, sometimes with resource availability, and sometimes with the business process meeting the requirements of the business. 

Especially with a product like SAP, such a big project, there are challenges, and that's when project management comes in to make sure the project is delivered successfully.

We have multiple deployment options. We have S/4HANA on public cloud and S/4HANA on private cloud. Depending on the customer's appetite, we can choose which one they want. 

Even within the private cloud, we have options like greenfield, which means we implement from scratch; brownfield, which means we convert an existing system; or bluefield, which is loosely related to a data migration approach. So, it depends on the customer's appetite.

SAP S/4HANA is a solution, and AWS is just an infrastructure provider. Some customers might prefer S/4HANA on Azure or Google Cloud. It depends on the customer's requirements.

Customers will have access to the latest innovation from SAP and will be updated with the business process libraries. They can stay ahead of their competitors in the market because of the innovations provided by SAP. 

They also have lots of tools or options available to integrate with the outside world.

I would recommend using it. Overall, I would rate it an eight out of ten.