Greenfield, Brownfield: What’s the Best Choice?
(2 minute read)
Greenfield, Brownfield – are these the only options for SAP S/4HANA transition?
Many of our customers are confused about which option is best when they make the move to SAP S/4HANA. For many, it seems to be a binary choice; either start from scratch or simply move existing business processes onto SAP S/4HANA. However, from our perspective, a hybrid option may be the best fit. We think of it as SAP S/4HANA Transformation – Done Your Way.
Our philosophy is that every customer has unique needs, and a “one-size-fits-all” Brownfield or Greenfield approach may not be the best fit. That’s why we decided to offer a hybrid approach to migration, with a twist.
SAP S/4HANA Transformation … with Variations
Up to now, when it comes to SAP S/4HANA transition, you’ve been faced with two choices: Greenfield or Brownfield. While each of these are successful approaches, we believe that the following hybrid options may provide more flexibility for your business:
- Brownfield with “Green Variations” – this option is for customers that want to convert to SAP S/4HANA, carrying forward all of their old processes that support the business, but want to introduce new SAP S/4HANA processes and automation (the “green variations”) based on priorities and targeted value. The beauty of this approach is that you can move your existing business processes to the SAP S/4HANA platform, then implement the new S/4HANA functionality you want now, with the option to turn on additional functionality over time.
- Greenfield with “Brown Variations”– with this option, the customer definitely wishes to re-implement on SAP S/4HANA, but they have some legacy code or processes that they would also like to carry forward on the new platform. This approach allows your business to reset by re-implementing all of your core processes on the new platform, but also pulls in some of the good things from your old system (the “brown variations”), so you don’t have to totally start from scratch.
Our customers have responded in a very positive way to these hybrid approaches, because it allows them to tailor their transition to SAP S/4HANA in a way that best meets their needs.
NTT DATA Business Solutions Can Help
Sooner or later, your business will need to analyze the impact of SAP S/4HANA on its ERP strategy and investment. NTT DATA Business Solutions can assist with your analysis using a framework, broken down into bite-sized pieces, to help assess your current environment, learn more about how SAP S/4HANA will impact your business and identify opportunities to benefit from new SAP S/4HANA functionality. You can choose to start wherever it makes the most sense for your business and build from there at your own pace. We can help you build your roadmap to the future, turn by turn.
If you’d like to learn more about SAP S/4HANA Transformation – Done Your Way, download our expert brief.