SAP Readiness Check: Key Steps for a Successful S/4HANA Migration

The migration to SAP S/4HANA is a complex task for companies, especially in terms of technical compatibility and process optimisation. The SAP Readiness Check provides an efficient way to analyse the system landscape and identify necessary actions for a successful migration. In this article, we provide you with a detailed overview of how to install and use the SAP Readiness Check to ensure a smooth transition to S/4HANA.

1. Preparing for the SAP Readiness Check

Before running the SAP Readiness Check, certain prerequisites must be met to ensure the process runs smoothly:

• Implement SAP Notes: SAP provides specific notes to ensure that all relevant checks within the SAP Readiness Check can be carried out correctly. The most important SAP Notes include:

  • SAP Note 2399707: This note contains important corrections and the framework for the Simplification Item Check. Implementing it ensures that all simplification items are correctly identified and checked.
  • SAP Note 2502552 (optional): This note provides consistency check classes, allowing a detailed consistency check of the system. It is particularly useful for identifying potential issues before the migration, although it is not mandatory for performing the SAP Readiness Check.
  • SAP Note 2758146: This note serves as the master note for the Readiness Check 2.0.

• Establish system connection: Ensure that your SAP systems have a connection to the cloud or the SAP Support Portal to upload data for the check. If a connection is not possible, data can also be manually exported and uploaded.

It is important to always install the latest version of the necessary SAP Notes to ensure the best possible analysis.

2. System identification and preparing source data

To successfully carry out the SAP Readiness Check, an appropriate ERP system must be identified as the source. Ideally, this should be a productive system or a recent copy that contains at least six months of workload statistics. This data foundation is essential to ensure a meaningful analysis.

Once the system has been identified, the data must be extracted. This is done by running the programme /SDF/RC_START_CHECK via transaction SE38. This programme collects the necessary data to analyse system compatibility, including technical information, custom code, and add-ons. This data is then prepared for the SAP Readiness Check.

Ensure that all relevant data is fully and accurately extracted, as this forms the basis for the subsequent analysis of simplification items and general system compatibility.

3. Starting the SAP Readiness Check

Once the prerequisites are met, the SAP Readiness Check can be started. The collected data package must be uploaded to the SAP Readiness Check application. Further help or instructions can be found here: SAP Readiness Check on the Help Portal or SAP Readiness Check on me.sap.com. Additional details can be found in SAP Note 2913617. Following this, you will receive an overview of system compatibility, including recommendations and identified risks. The analysis covers several important areas, including simplification items, custom code analysis, and the compatibility overview.

4. Analysis of Simplification Items

A key component of the SAP Readiness Check is the analysis of simplification items, which have been identified as potentially disruptive changes in SAP S/4HANA. The Simplification Item Catalogue ensures that all relevant simplifications for your current SAP version are considered. The relevance and consistency of the simplification items are checked to ensure that your system is in a consistent state for conversion.

• Relevance check of simplification items: The check analyses which simplification items are relevant to your specific system landscape. This relevance is based on the source and target version of your system.
• Consistency check: After the relevance check, the consistency check ensures that the system is technically consistent and that all requirements for the migration are met.

More information can be found in the SAP Community Blog: Simplification Item Catalogue, Simplification Item Check and SAP Readiness Check for SAP S/4HANA.

5. Compatibility Scope Check and compatibility analysis

In addition to the analysis of simplification items, the SAP Readiness Check 2.0 expands its functionality by including a compatibility scope check. This check analyses which older components and functions in your SAP system are still compatible with S/4HANA and where adjustments are needed. The compatibility scope check provides valuable insights into the use of compatibility packages in S/4HANA.

• Use of compatible solutions: The check provides an overview of solutions that are still supported and those that need to be replaced. This is especially important if your system landscape relies heavily on specific add-ons or older components.
• Identification of problem areas: This extension of the SAP Readiness Check helps identify potential problem areas early on and plan suitable alternatives or adjustments.

A detailed explanation can be found in the SAP Community Blog on Compatibility Scope Check.

6. Review of custom code

The review of custom code is an essential part of the SAP Readiness Check, particularly for companies using heavily customised SAP systems. Many bespoke developments may not be fully compatible with the new requirements of SAP S/4HANA.

• Custom Code Analysis: The SAP Readiness Check identifies all custom developments and checks their compatibility with S/4HANA. It analyses which adjustments are needed to meet the new standards. To ensure an accurate analysis, SAP recommends implementing SAP Note 2913617.
• ATC Checks (ABAP Test Cockpit): For a comprehensive review, the ABAP Test Cockpit (ATC) is used in a separate testing system that acts as a central check system. These checks identify incompatible developments and provide solutions to ensure a smooth migration. Further information on setting up ATC for custom code analysis can be found on the SAP Help Portal.
• Recommended Actions: After the analysis, you will receive a comprehensive report on the necessary adjustments, including recommendations. These suggestions help you adapt your custom developments to the new requirements or replace them with standardised solutions.

The results of the ATC checks are then integrated into the SAP Readiness Check analysis to provide a complete overview of the custom code compatibility.

Conclusion and Next Steps

The SAP Readiness Check is an essential tool for companies embarking on their journey to SAP S/4HANA. It enables a comprehensive evaluation of your current system and provides valuable insights to make the migration as risk-free as possible. By preparing correctly, installing the relevant SAP Notes, and thoroughly analysing the collected results, you can ensure that your company is optimally prepared for the transition.

 

Further information on implementation and execution can be found in the linked resources. If you have any questions or require further assistance, we are happy to help.