SAP Readiness Check vs. Simplification Item Check: The Key Differences

The SAP Readiness Check is an essential tool for companies planning a migration to SAP S/4HANA. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the existing system landscape and identifies critical areas that need attention during the transition. At its core is the evaluation of simplification items, which highlight the changes necessary for a successful transition to SAP S/4HANA.

What is the SAP Readiness Check?

The SAP Readiness Check is a cloud-based tool that provides companies with a comprehensive overview of the necessary steps for transitioning to SAP S/4HANA. It identifies potential challenges such as incompatible system components or outdated processes and outlines the adjustments or optimisations required to ensure a smooth migration.

Key categories of the Readiness Check

The key categories covered by the SAP Readiness Check include:

• Simplification Items: Identifies which functions in SAP ERP are no longer supported and the necessary changes for SAP S/4HANA.
• Custom Code: Checks which custom developments may not be compatible with SAP S/4HANA.
• Hardware Sizing: Determines the hardware resources needed to run SAP S/4HANA efficiently.
• Fiori App Recommendations: Provides suggestions for which Fiori apps can be used to optimise processes, such as the “My Inbox” app to improve workflow processes.
• Add-on Compatibility: Analyses whether the existing add-ons will still be supported in SAP S/4HANA or if adjustments are necessary.

This comprehensive analysis helps companies minimise risks and prepare effectively before starting the actual migration process.

Difference between the Simplification Item Check

The Simplification Item Check is a technical tool that examines the relevant simplification items between SAP ERP and SAP S/4HANA. These simplification items cover changes that require adjustments to system processes. The Simplification Item Check covers two essential areas:

• Relevance Check: Identifies which simplification items are relevant for the specific system based on the source and target versions.
• Consistency Check: Ensures that the system is technically consistent and that all necessary preparations for a successful migration have been made.

The SAP Readiness Check, on the other hand, offers a broader analysis and integrates the Simplification Item Check as part of its functionality. While the Simplification Item Check focuses solely on the technical aspects of the system migration, the SAP Readiness Check provides additional information regarding overall system readiness, including hardware requirements and custom code. This makes it a more comprehensive tool for migration planning.

Note: The Simplification Item Check performs detailed checks of individual databases and tables to ensure the system remains consistent. For example, the PSTX table is checked to determine the relevance of certain data for the migration. This offers deeper technical analysis that is not as detailed in the overall analysis provided by the SAP Readiness Check.

How is the SAP Readiness Check conducted?

The SAP Readiness Check is provided as a cloud-based service through the SAP Support Portal. Companies upload their system data to the cloud, where the analysis is carried out. The results are then presented in a user-friendly dashboard that clearly structures the various areas of analysis.

Steps to use the SAP Readiness Check

1. System Preparation

Before running the SAP Readiness Check, certain SAP Notes must be implemented in the system to ensure that all checks can be carried out correctly and potential issues are identified early. For more details, refer to our article on the SAP Readiness Check Procedure. The key SAP Notes include:

• SAP Note 2399707: Contains important corrections and the framework for checking the simplification items. Implementing this ensures that all simplification items are correctly identified and checked.
• SAP Note 2502552 (optional): Provides consistency check classes that allow for a detailed consistency check of the system. This note is particularly useful for identifying potential issues ahead of migration but is not strictly required to run the SAP Readiness Check.

2. Data Export and Analysis

The system exports relevant data, including system configurations, custom developments, and technical information, which are then analysed in the SAP Cloud. This process ensures that the analysis is based on the current system environment.

Important: Perform the consistency check in Client 000, as the Software Update Manager (SUM) uses this client to ensure all relevant data is fully analysed. Running the check in other clients may result in incomplete outcomes.

3. Results and Interpretation

The results of the check are divided into various categories, including Simplification Items, Custom Code, Hardware Requirements, Fiori App Recommendations, and Add-on Compatibility. This categorisation provides a comprehensive overview, helping companies take targeted action to optimise the system and mitigate risks before migration.

Conclusion

The SAP Readiness Check is an essential tool for companies planning a migration to SAP S/4HANA. It provides not only a comprehensive overview of the necessary steps but also helps to identify and address potential obstacles early on. The Simplification Item Check is an integral part of the Readiness Check, ensuring that all technical requirements are met to enable a smooth transition.

Summary

The article explains how the SAP Readiness Check supports companies in migrating to SAP S/4HANA by analysing the system landscape and highlighting potential risks. The Readiness Check provides a comprehensive analysis covering Simplification Items, Custom Developments, Hardware Sizing, and Add-on Compatibility. It differs from the Simplification Item Check, which focuses on technical consistency and relevance. Both tools play a critical role in migration preparation, helping to identify and resolve potential issues early.