SAP S/4HANA task force
1. Background
SAP S/4HANA is SAP’s ERP platform for large enterprises. It is the combination of SAP Business Suite 4 and the SAP HANA database. As SAP Business Suite only runs on the SAP HANA database, the product is packaged as one: SAP S/4HANA.
SAP’s classical R3, ERP and ECC based business suite and related products were designed to run on several database platforms. SAP has announced the end of maintenance for SAP ECC by 2030.
Many organisations will migrate to SAP S/4 HANA in the next years. Beltug received a lot of questions on the preparation, so we decided to set up a task force for the interested members.
2. Scope and mission
Many questions remain as to the migration to S/4HANA. The mission of the task force is to allow for information sharing. In order to do so, the task force will:
- Bring together organisations that are migrating to S/4 HANA in a neutral environment
- Offer interested members a platform to share do’s and don’ts
This specialist SAP S/4HANA migration task force meets, discusses and makes suggestions and recommendations to Beltug regarding issues, activities and lobbying efforts that can be undertaken in the relation to the migration to SAP S/4HANA.
Conclusions, best practices and insights may be communicated to the other members via the usual Beltug activities. Organisation of events is not intended to be within the scope of this initiative, as that is already part of the regular Beltug activities.
The set-up of the SAP S/4HANA migration task force is flexible, informal, consensual and determined together with the members of the group. Beltug facilitates the SAP S/4HANA task force. If needed, Beltug cuts the knot on decisions to be taken, always with a view on the interests of the Beltug community and the constructive functioning of the SAP S/4HANA task force.
3. Members: who can apply?
Interested Beltug members can apply at info@beltug.be.
Members of the SAP S/4HANA migration task force are those within their organisations involved in the migration to S/4HANA. Depending on the organisations, these are CIOs, project leaders, members of the project teams or people responsible for the SAP account.
They must be Beltug members, from the user side, and participation in Task Forces is included in their membership (note: a Corporate Basic membership allows your organisation to participate in 1 task force, with a Corporate Premium membership, your company can have delegates in as many task forces as you want). They are knowledgeable people with a high willingness to share their expertise.
The task force may not be used in any way for commercial purposes.
4. Participation
Participation in the SAP S/4HANA task force by its members is a key component of its success. The task force convenes regularly, with the frequency of meetings determined collaboratively by its members. Active involvement is expected from all members, who are encouraged to share their experiences, propose relevant topics, make presentations, and attend gatherings consistently.
Meetings are conducted through both online and in-person formats, providing flexibility for participants. Building trust among members is paramount to facilitate open information sharing, and regular attendance plays a vital role in establishing and strengthening these personal connections.
From time to time, the task force may extend invitations to non-member experts or individuals with specialised experience in specific topics, in order to contribute to the discussions and enrich the collective expertise of the group. This collaborative approach ensures that diverse perspectives are brought to the table for comprehensive insights and solutions.
5. Confidentiality
Meetings follow the Chatham House Rule: participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed. However, the conclusions of the SAP S/4HANA migration task force’s conversations can be used to share knowledge and best practices with the Beltug community.
6. Potential conflicts of interest
In the SAP S/4HANA task force, maintaining ethical conduct and transparency is paramount. If a potential conflict of interest arises during discussions, the concerned member will proactively inform the task force. Subsequently, the member will not be involved in determining Beltug’s position on that particular issue.
This proactive disclosure ensures open communication and helps identify any situations where personal or professional interests may influence decision-making. By excluding the involved member from the decision-making process for the specific issue, the task force preserves objectivity and impartiality in its recommendations.
Through this approach, the task force reinforces its commitment to the highest ethical standards and fosters an atmosphere of trust and collaboration. It ensures that Beltug’s positions are based on collective expertise and are in the best interests of the broader community. Transparency in addressing potential conflicts of interest enhances the credibility of the task force’s contributions and strengthens its impact on SAP S/4HANA-related initiatives.