When it comes to switching to SAP S/4HANA, there is more than one way to do it. And the coveted greenfield implementation is one of them. Hence, in this article, we will focus on this process and help you learn more about it before you try it out yourself.
So, without making any further ado, let’s begin.
What is Greenfield Implementation?
The term ‘greenfield implementation’ refers to the process of integrating SAP S/4HANA in a structure where no previous SAP system ever existed. And, even if it did, you will have to get rid of the entire infrastructure before implementing the newer one in it.
The procedure usually involves developing a brand-new system from scratch and configuring the infrastructure in accordance with your organizational requirements.
The word ‘greenfield’ implies that the integration should begin from a clean or new slate. If it has an old system or software, which is still in operation, you have to delete it.
Once it’s done, you can integrate the new software program into your system. Yes, it will take a lot of time and resources to get completed. However, this way, you won’t have to deal with the issues that were prominent in the previous system. And there’s no need to adapt to anything.
What Does the Process Involve?
A regular greenfield implementation approach usually involves an all-inclusive analysis of the corporation’s requirements, business processes, and goals. This evaluation can help the person who’s in charge of the process to identify the necessary features, modules, and functions that a newly-introduced SAP-based software needs to support.
Once the evaluation is complete, the team will start designing and configuring the new system based on the needs and requirements of your corporation. This can include customizations to meet all of the specific needs of your consumers, users, and the company.
Once everything is gathered in a single place, the necessary data will be migrated to the new system. And after that, you can start your operational activities on it again.
Benefits of SAP Greenfield Implementation
SAP greenfield implementation is, in essence, the right option for people who are considering starting without any strings attached. Or, if you are someone who wants to eliminate all of the issues your previous infrastructure had, this option is the right way to go.
Apart from that, some other benefits of this procedure can include the following too –
1: Customization
A greenfield implementation procedure enables you to customize an SAP software program on the basis of your needs and requirements. This, in turn, can help improve your productivity or efficiency in a positive manner. As the system will be closely tailored to your own business, it can also improve the existing operational functionalities even more.
2: An Increased ROI
Implementing an SAP-based system from the beginning can be time-consuming and expensive. However, it can also help you get a significant return on investment by enhancing a company’s operational capabilities and increasing its productivity. Besides, it might also reduce quite a bit of your expenses, as you can manage your resources much better than usual.
3: Better Data Quality
Integrating the SAP system from scratch can also ensure that the data that’s being used is well and truly accurate. It can also reduce the risk of inconsistencies found in a datalog and proffer an error-free display. Besides, you will also be able to delete whatever wrong information was available in the previous system and use it without any issue at all.
4: Reduced Requirement of Maintenance
In this approach, there will be no trace of any pre-existing system at all. Thus, it will be easier for you to maintain the outdated structure or throw it away entirely. The new system will be a lot more organized than the previous one and, therefore, will not require any maintenance and management-related assistance at all. It will have a better all-around structure than the former.
5: Streamlined Processes
By optimizing or evaluating business processes during or throughout the implementation, you can easily automate and streamline whatever operation you’re working on. This way, the issue of manual intervention will get reduced while your overall efficiency will increase greatly.
6: Competitive Advantage
With a newly-introduced SAP system, you can get a competitive advantage by improving the efficiency of your business operations by a mile. Furthermore, it can also help you reduce the costs related to operational advancements to some extent. So whether we are talking about efficacy or budget management – you’ll excel in everything, unlike your competitors.
7: Overall Scalability
Integrating SAP from zero will enable you to design and configure your system to support all of your current needs and requirements. Hence, you can scale it up or down or do whatever you want to ensure that your organization keeps evolving, no matter what.
Disadvantages of SAP Greenfield Implementation
Like the benefits, greenfield implementation also comes with a few disadvantages as well. We have enlisted a few of them here to help you come up with a decision quickly too.
1: Cost
You’re going to implement everything from scratch with the greenfield implementation. Thus, the upfront cost of the process will be quite high and convoluted. You’ll have to make a huge investment in the front of hardware, software, and consulting services too.
2: Time-Consuming
Building and developing a brand new SAP system will be quite time-consuming, as you need to – eliminate the previous infrastructure and update the new one after collecting whatever you need. Besides, the installation process can take quite a bit of time to complete as well.
3: Risk of Failure
If the person, who is implementing the entire thing, does not have much knowledge, they may end up failing to complete the integration. It, in turn, will lead to a massive loss of money and time on your part. Besides, it might also cause other operational issues too.
The Bottom Line
While the system is being implemented, your entire operational development must be stopped and prevented from using. However, once the proceeding is complete, your system is going to be better than before. And the efficacy of your organization will increase eminently too.
So, all in all, it’ll be more beneficial for you than harmful.
