cbs Brownfield+

SAP S/4HANA Conversion on your own terms.

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Why cbs Brownfield+

Brownfield conversions are rigid, typically requiring customers to take their existing systems, data, and often obsolete custom code as is. This leaves customers with a big-bang deployment approach and limited opportunity to clean, simplify, or modernize. As time runs out, customers feel forced to proceed with a Brownfield conversion, despite struggling to justify the investment.

cbs Brownfield+ addresses the needs of the moment. Fast and minimally disruptive conversions, with pinpoint value adding innovations.

Focus on system harmonization and become a data driven enterprise.
Reduce database size to lower application and infrastructure spend.
Mitigate risk and disruption to the business by adding choices on how you deploy S/4 across your organization.

Flexible conversions on your own terms.

Build your S/4HANA Journey

Targeted Process Improvement

Apply targeted changes to organizational structures, business processes, and finance models where business or cost impact is clear and intentional, without expanding the effort into a full-scale transformation.

Project Flexibility

Incorporate business-driven initiatives such as M&A’s during the project lifecycle. Integrate new functionalities as the business grows familiar with S/4HANA without jeopardizing project stability.

Deployment Options

Choose between Big Bang or wave-based deployment, decide whether to run S/4HANA on-premise, in the cloud, or on RISE, and select the level that fits your business with near zero downtime.

Lower Data Footprint

Selective data migration and time-slice approaches lower database size, hosting costs, and long-term cloud spend.

Data Harmonization

Create a single, consistent foundation for business data and enable more transparency, faster decisions and data-driven operations.

AI Infusion

Leverage embedded and custom use cases to drive efficiency and scalability in core business processes.

Technical Debt Reduction

Retire unused custom code, remove obsolete modifications, and simplify technical objects to reduce system complexity and lower long‑term operational cost.

Downtime Reduction

Leverage tailored cutover strategies and optimized migration tooling to minimize business disruption and shorten downtime windows during the S/4 conversion.

Targeted Process Improvement

Data Harmonization

Create a single, consistent foundation for business data and enable more transparency, faster decisions and data-driven operations.

AI Infusion

Leverage embedded and custom use cases to drive efficiency and scalability in core business processes.

Data Reduction

Reduce data footprint through archiving, housekeeping, and selective history migration, lowering hosting and cloud costs while enabling near-zero-downtime scenarios.

Technical Debt Reduction

Retire unused custom code, remove obsolete modifications, and simplify technical objects to reduce system complexity and lower long‑term operational cost.

Reduced Total Cost of Ownership

Selective data migration and time-slice approaches lower database size, hosting costs, and long-term cloud spend.

Flexible Deployment

Design and execute phased migrations and time-slice scenarios. Add ad-hoc business changes such as organizational updates or M&A to the scope of your ongoing transformation.

Project Flexibility

Incorporate selected business-driven changes during the project lifecycle, providing controlled flexibility up to the defined freeze point without jeopardizing project stability.

Downtime Reduction

Leverage tailored cutover strategies and optimized migration tooling to minimize business disruption and shorten downtime windows during the S/4 conversion.

cbs Brownfield+ gives you the power to shape your S/4 conversion on your own terms. Choose which processes, configurations, and data you want to carry forward and decide where targeted improvements make sense. You define the scope and pace while maintaining the value of your existing SAP environment. Build the journey that fits your organization, with the flexibility to focus on what matters most and move forward with clarity and control.

Case Studies

See how organizations have successfully executed their S/4HANA conversions with Brownfield+

JBS USA

Risk Reduction by wave base deployment

JBS, the world’s largest protein producer, successfully migrated one-third of their US operations to SAP S/4HANA, leveraging cbs’ Enterprise Transformer (ET) for a seamless transition with minimal downtime. This strategic move involved over 60 legal entities in North America, enhancing their system with a lean configuration of two years of transactional data, over 50 key innovations including 120 FIORI apps, and a shift to BW/4HANA for advanced analytics. The transition was executed with minimal business disruption, marking a significant milestone in their digital transformation journey.

Global Scale: Migrated one-third of JBS’s US operations to SAP S/4HANA.
Efficient Transition: Achieved minimal downtime during the go-live phase.
Data Streamlining: Adopted a lean system with two years of transactional data.
Innovations: Implemented over 50 key innovations and introduced 120 FIORI apps.
Risk Management: Selected a data transition approach to manage risks effectively.

Kemira

Cloud-based S/4HANA transformation on a global scale

Kemira successfully implemented its move to SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud as part of a global transformation initiative. The project modernized Kemira’s SAP landscape while retaining critical core processes and enabling a standardized, future-ready platform across regions. The scope balanced system conversion with targeted innovation to support long-term business objectives. In addition to harmonizing finance and operational processes, the initiative introduced enhanced analytics, cloud integration, and improved reporting capabilities. The result was a scalable S/4 HANA environment that strengthened Kemira’s competitive position while maintaining stability throughout the transition.

Global Rollout: Deployed SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud across 400 plants in 37 countries.
Standardized Core Processes: Harmonized finance and operational processes internationally.
Accelerated Timeline: Delivered transformation within a 15-month schedule with structured governance.
Advanced Analytics: Enabled modern reporting and planning using SAP Datasphere and cloud analytics.
Business Stability: Sustained operational continuity through targeted improvements and controlled execution.

SPS

Consolidate SAP Systems on the way to S/4

SPS Companies, a leading steel service provider, successfully transitioned to SAP S/4HANA Cloud utilizing cbs Corporate Business Solutions’ Selective Data Transition approach. This strategic migration, termed “SPS/4WARD,” allowed SPS to implement a completely new system landscape while preserving valuable historical data and custom processes. The project resulted in a modernized financial structure with streamlined operations, significant data volume reduction by 89%, and enhanced system transparency. This pioneering effort not only minimized operational disruptions but also set a robust foundation for efficient and cost-effective system operations, establishing a blueprint for future cloud migrations.

Migrated from SAP ECC to SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud using a selective data transition approach
Preserved critical historical data while significantly reducing overall data volume
Simplified and modernized the SAP landscape without redesigning core business processes
Completed the migration in a compressed timeline with minimal disruption to operations
Established a scalable, cloud-ready S/4HANA foundation to support future growth

BorgWarner Phinia Spinoff

Brownfield+ in Action: in Flight Data Migration

PHINIA is currently moving from ECC to S/4HANA using the cbs Brownfield+ data migration approach. Leveraging the cbs Enterprise Transformer, PHINIA is selectively implementing key historical data within their new system, while reducing migration downtime, saving on hosting costs, and maximizing business flexibility during the implementation.

Two systems and multiple company codes consolidated into one SAP system
Strategic ET leverage for selective data migration within a Brownfield framework
Enhanced Business Flexibility (Ongoing Currency changes, BP on the Fly)
Supply Chain Shift (Organizational change, legal entity split) throughout project duration

Schneider Electric

Harmonized Chart of Accounts Migration

Schneider Electric migrated 3 SAP ECC systems into one harmonized Chart of Accounts (CoA) for Central Finance, overcoming the challenge of running parallel large-scale conversions within strict downtime limits, while delivering added value through harmonized financial reporting, simplified account structures, and a Digital Finance Layer for advanced analysis.

Near-Zero-Downtime conversion completed utilizing cbs Enterprise Transformer tool
Harmonized financial reporting across multiple source systems
Digital Finance Layer for advanced analysis
Simplification via global account reduction
Long-term benefits for SE Finance community

Why cbs?

Your S/4 Transformation delivered – Proven. Predictable. Pragmatic.

Technology Consulting

Business Consulting

Transformation Advisory

Managed Services

From Strategy to Execution

100% SAP Focused

Fast, measurable business value

Unbiased in project approach

For manufacturing industries

Years of SAP Experience

Specialized SAP Consultants

0 +

Transformation Projects

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SAP Global Preferred Partner

Founding member of the SAP S/4HANA Selective Data Transition Engagement

Enterprise Transformer – unique S/4HANA transformation engine

Brownfield+ Resource Hub

Pre-Study & Selective Scope

Brownfield Plus engagements begin with a targeted pre-study to identify high-impact innovations, define what should change, and protect what should not.

Change Management

Incremental change, focused testing, and role-based enablement ensure adoption stays manageable while the business continues to operate.

SAP BTP & Clean Core

New capabilities are built outside the core using SAP BTP — enabling automation, extensions, and integrations without compromising upgrade paths.

Finance Transformation

Modernize finance in S/4HANA without starting from scratch, improving reporting, close, and decision support while keeping business disruption manageable.

Data-Led Transition & Landscape Transformation

Selective data migration and time-slice approaches lower database size, hosting costs, and long-term cloud spend.

Supply Chain & Manufacturing (SSCM)

Stabilize operations while selectively modernizing planning, execution, and manufacturing processes as part of a Brownfield+ transformation.

Enterprise Transformer (ET)

Software for selective data transition, landscape transformation, and complex SAP system restructuring — enabling carve-outs, mergers, consolidations, and Brownfield+ execution with precision.

Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) & Carve-Outs

Resources and accelerators for handling M&A scenarios — including system separations, integrations, divestitures, and data transitions across SAP landscapes.

Discover Our End‑to‑End SAP Capabilities

Get a clear view of the services and expertise that support every step of your S/4HANA journey.

Your Contact

Your central point for all inquiries

Victor Puente

Head of GTM, North America

Start Your Discovery Journey

Fill out the form below and our expert will contact you to schedule your session.

Assess your SAP S/4HANA and RISE readiness, including data volume, system constraints, and cost drivers.
Identify where a traditional Brownfield approach limits your ability to choose scope, pace, or deployment style.
Explore the cbs Brownfield Plus configuration options available—such as targeted process improvement, data harmonization, lower data footprint, technical debt reduction and AI infusion.
Leave with a clear, no-obligation roadmap. tailored to your system, timeline, and cost goals.