We migrated from ECC to S/4HANA — Now what?

I’ve walked into more than a few S/4HANA environments where the dust had settled after go-live, and the mood was… underwhelmed. Users were still punching in GUI transactions. The Fiori UI was either unimplemented, ignored or misunderstood. And the processes? Largely unchanged. One article I read recently summed it up: “S/4HANA is no faster than ECC.” And you know what? That’s not entirely wrong.

It reminds me of that classic Steve Jobs moment — the one where he’s challenged by an audience member and responds with humility and vision. Watch it here. He acknowledges the criticism, then zooms out to show the bigger picture. That’s exactly how I feel about the criticism that we hear about S/4HANA on occasion.

Yes, you can migrate from ECC to S/4HANA and choose not to use any of the new features. If you’re still using GUI, you won’t see a massive performance boost, because, let's face it, ECC generally wasn’t slow to begin with. But if that’s where you choose to stop — well, let's just say that you’re keeping your V12 engine in first gear.

The issue isn’t S/4HANA itself. It’s how it’s being implemented. Most system integrators have spent 20+ years deploying ECC. That’s what they know. And S/4HANA doesn’t force you to change that approach. So many clients moved just to stay supported by SAP — not to transform. Now we’re here. So what’s next?

What S/4HANA Actually Offers — If You Let It

Let’s be clear: S/4HANA isn’t just ECC with a new UI. It’s a fundamentally different platform with embedded analytics, AI, and process simplification baked into the core. But none of that matters if you don’t activate it. Below are the native features that every customer can — and should — be using today. These aren’t bolt-ons. They’re part of the product. And they’re backed by real use cases and measurable outcomes.

Fiori UX — Your ERP Should Feel Like a Dashboard

Fiori isn’t just a prettier GUI. It’s a role-based, analytical launchpad that turns your ERP into a cockpit. Each user sees what matters to them — KPIs, alerts, tasks — right when they log in. No more memorizing transaction codes or digging through menus.

• Why it matters: Fiori reduces clicks, improves task completion time, and enables embedded analytics and AI features that GUI simply can’t support.
• Real-world impact: SAP’s own benchmarks show that Fiori-based workflows can reduce user effort by up to 64% compared to classic GUI screens.
• If users aren’t using Fiori: That’s a red flag. It usually means roles weren’t designed properly or training was skipped. Fiori adoption is a change management exercise — not just a technical one.

Embedded Analytics — Reporting Without the ETL Headache

In ECC, operational reporting often meant replicating data to BW, building models, and waiting for batch jobs. In S/4HANA, you report directly on live transactional data using CDS views and Smart Business KPIs.

• Why it matters: You get real-time insights without needing a separate data warehouse. Reports are faster, more accurate, and easier to maintain.
• Real-world impact: Customers have reported reducing report development time by 50–70% using embedded analytics compared to BW-based approaches.
• Bonus: You can expose these reports directly in Fiori — turning your launchpad into a live dashboard. You can also consume this data in real-time, in the reporting tool of your choosing.

Business AI Applications — Real Use Cases, Real ROI

These aren’t futuristic experiments. They’re embedded, documented, and ready to deploy. And they represent a major leap forward from ECC’s static, rule-based automation. Here’s how each one improves the experience:

• Predictive Material Requirements Planning (pMRP): ECC’s MRP was deterministic — it reacted to demand but couldn’t simulate future scenarios. pMRP uses historical data and simulations to forecast shortages before they happen. Business impact: Reduces stockouts and excess inventory, improves service levels, and lowers carrying costs.
• Automated Invoice Processing: ECC relied heavily on manual entry and basic matching rules. S/4HANA uses AI to extract invoice data, match it to POs, and post automatically. Business impact: Cuts manual effort, reduces errors, and accelerates accounts payable cycles.
• Cash Flow Forecasting: ECC offered static cash position reports. S/4HANA applies machine learning to payment behavior and open items to predict future liquidity. Business impact: Improves treasury decisions and reduces reliance on manual forecasting spreadsheets.
• Sales & Demand Forecasting: ECC required external tools or manual extrapolation. S/4HANA uses embedded ML to detect trends and seasonality. Business impact: Optimizes inventory, production planning, and revenue forecasting with greater accuracy.
• Intelligent Goods Receipt: ECC required manual entry of inbound freight details. S/4HANA uses AI-based document extraction to automate the process. Business impact: Speeds up logistics operations, reduces manual data entry, and improves accuracy.

These are built into S/4HANA and don’t require custom models or external platforms. They’re designed for business users — not data scientists.

Joule — The Copilot That Actually Understands ERP

Joule is SAP’s conversational AI embedded in the Fiori launchpad. It helps users navigate, summarize, and act — even if they don’t know the transaction code or report name.

• Why it matters: Joule shortens the path from question to answer. It can summarize financial variances, suggest actions, and even generate insight cards.
• Real-world impact: SAP has documented time savings of up to 88% for Smart Summarization and 65% for financial insight generation.
• Tip: Joule only works if Fiori is enabled and roles are properly designed. It’s not a magic wand — it’s a productivity multiplier.

New Embedded Features — The Foundation of S/4HANA

These aren’t flashy. They’re foundational. But they change everything.

• Universal Journal (ACDOCA): Combines FI and CO into one table. Eliminates reconciliation. Enables real-time margin analysis.
• Simplified Data Model: Removes redundant tables. Speeds up reporting. Reduces batch dependencies.
• Business Partner Master Data: Replaces separate customer/vendor records. Improves data quality and relationship management.
• MRP Live: Runs planning in-memory. Cuts runtime dramatically.
• Advanced ATP: Real-time availability checks with simulation.
• Mandatory Material Ledger: Enables multi-currency valuation and actual costing.
• Embedded PP/DS: Advanced scheduling now part of core ERP.
• Flexible Workflows & Situation Handling: Configurable approvals and alerts without custom code.
• Group Reporting & Treasury Enhancements: Faster consolidation and smarter cash management.

These features are available out-of-the-box. No extra licenses. No bolt-ons. Just native S/4HANA. These are real, new features, that your organization should be leveraging. Today.

Final Thought — Don’t Stop at Migration

If you’ve moved to S/4HANA and stopped there, you’ve missed the point. The real value comes from activating the features that change how people work. That’s what CONTAX helps clients do every day — not just stay supported, but get ahead.

Want help identifying which features will deliver the biggest impact for your business? Visit www.contax.com or reach out to info@contax.com.