SAP NOW AI Tour: Applications: Streamlined (Legacy) Data Management and Archiving combined with Selective Data Transition to S/4HANA

In this session, Justin Bullock (Consulting Director, cbs ANZ), Ron van Riet (Senior Manager, Libertas), and Ivan de Oliva (Technology Advisory) tackled one of the most pressing challenges for organisations embarking on an S/4HANA transformation: legacy data management. They stressed that addressing historical data is not optional but essential for ensuring cost-effectiveness, compliance, and system performance during and after migration. The conversation explored strategies for archiving, deletion, and selective data transition, showing how careful data volume management can reduce costs and improve efficiency.Key takeaways: Legacy data management is a mandatory first step for successful S/4HANA migrations, ensuring smoother commercial interactions and system performance. Post-S/4HANA, organisations should focus on three pillars of data management: balancing hot and warm operational data using SAP Native Storage Extension, implementing archiving and deletion policies, and managing ECC archive solutions for ongoing access to historical information. Finally, migration presents a unique opportunity to harmonise data, restructure company codes, and remove redundant information, setting up organisations for long-term success on S/4HANA.