Charting a course from SAP ERP HCM to cloud-based human capital management solutions from SAP: A practical guide for senior IT leadership
As organizations adapt to an increasingly digital world, transforming HR operations from the on-premises SAP ERP Human Capital Management (SAP ERP HCM) solution to the SAP SuccessFactors HCM suite is becoming increasingly important. This practical guide is designed to help IT leaders that work with HR navigate their transition to the next-generation, cloud-based HCM suite from SAP. Dokument herunterladen
As organizations adapt to an increasingly digital world, transforming HR operations from the on-premises SAP ERP Human Capital Management (SAP ERP HCM) solution to the SAP SuccessFactors HCM suite is becoming increasingly important. This practical guide is designed to help IT leaders that work with HR navigate their transition to the next-generation, cloud-based HCM suite from SAP. Charting a course from
SAP ERP HCM to cloud-based
human capital management
solutions from SAP
A practical guide for senior IT leadership
SAP ERP HCM to cloud-based
human capital management
solutions from SAP
A practical guide for senior IT leadership
2 | 140
Table of contents
Foreword by HRGUG.........................................................................................................................................................................................4
Foreword by ASUG .............................................................................................................................................................................................5
Foreword by SAP Customer Evolution....................................................................................................................................................6
Introduction: From SAP ERP HCM to SAP SuccessFactors solutions....................................................................................7
Part one - Strategic choices .................................................................................................................................. 9
Key takeaways.......................................................................................................................................................................................................9
A case for cloud....................................................................................................................................................................................................10
Cloud options ........................................................................................................................................................................................................11
Implementation and deployment options ...........................................................................................................................................13
End of mainstream maintenance: A critical deadline...................................................................................................................................................................13
Deployment models: Options, implications, and impact on your IT landscape ....................................................................................................14
Data migration, integration, and cost considerations ..................................................................................................................................................................15
Clean core principle ..........................................................................................................................................................................................17
Integration with other SAP solutions .......................................................................................................................................................19
Transition options for business warehouse and HCM analytics ..............................................................................................22
Transition options for an HCM solution ..................................................................................................................................................25
SAP S/4HANA compatibility packs for HCM—a possibility to extend .................................................................................28
The latest innovations in SAP SuccessFactors HCM .......................................................................................................................29
Changes in cloud operations ........................................................................................................................................................................31
Key decision drivers ..........................................................................................................................................................................................34
Future readiness .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................34
Current and future system landscape .....................................................................................................................................................................................................35
Your data is your gold ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................35
Know your simplification items .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................38
Custom code rethink and cleanup, add-ons, and extensions ..............................................................................................................................................39
Transition speed considerations..................................................................................................................................................................................................................41
Part two - Ingredients for project success ...................................................................................................... 44
Key takeaways.......................................................................................................................................................................................................44
This is not an IT project: Organizational change management ................................................................................................45
Before you start: Phase 0 to prepare your foundation for success ........................................................................................47
Build your skills ....................................................................................................................................................................................................49
Project setup..........................................................................................................................................................................................................50
SAP Activate methodology...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................50
Alignment with RISE with SAP Methodology ......................................................................................................................................................................................53
Start with the employee experience in mind......................................................................................................................................................................................53
Leverage content provided by SAP ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................56
Leverage the power of the SAP ecosystem .........................................................................................................................................................................................56
Explore partner migration tools on SAP Store ..................................................................................................................................................................................59
Table of contents
Foreword by HRGUG.........................................................................................................................................................................................4
Foreword by ASUG .............................................................................................................................................................................................5
Foreword by SAP Customer Evolution....................................................................................................................................................6
Introduction: From SAP ERP HCM to SAP SuccessFactors solutions....................................................................................7
Part one - Strategic choices .................................................................................................................................. 9
Key takeaways.......................................................................................................................................................................................................9
A case for cloud....................................................................................................................................................................................................10
Cloud options ........................................................................................................................................................................................................11
Implementation and deployment options ...........................................................................................................................................13
End of mainstream maintenance: A critical deadline...................................................................................................................................................................13
Deployment models: Options, implications, and impact on your IT landscape ....................................................................................................14
Data migration, integration, and cost considerations ..................................................................................................................................................................15
Clean core principle ..........................................................................................................................................................................................17
Integration with other SAP solutions .......................................................................................................................................................19
Transition options for business warehouse and HCM analytics ..............................................................................................22
Transition options for an HCM solution ..................................................................................................................................................25
SAP S/4HANA compatibility packs for HCM—a possibility to extend .................................................................................28
The latest innovations in SAP SuccessFactors HCM .......................................................................................................................29
Changes in cloud operations ........................................................................................................................................................................31
Key decision drivers ..........................................................................................................................................................................................34
Future readiness .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................34
Current and future system landscape .....................................................................................................................................................................................................35
Your data is your gold ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................35
Know your simplification items .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................38
Custom code rethink and cleanup, add-ons, and extensions ..............................................................................................................................................39
Transition speed considerations..................................................................................................................................................................................................................41
Part two - Ingredients for project success ...................................................................................................... 44
Key takeaways.......................................................................................................................................................................................................44
This is not an IT project: Organizational change management ................................................................................................45
Before you start: Phase 0 to prepare your foundation for success ........................................................................................47
Build your skills ....................................................................................................................................................................................................49
Project setup..........................................................................................................................................................................................................50
SAP Activate methodology...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................50
Alignment with RISE with SAP Methodology ......................................................................................................................................................................................53
Start with the employee experience in mind......................................................................................................................................................................................53
Leverage content provided by SAP ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................56
Leverage the power of the SAP ecosystem .........................................................................................................................................................................................56
Explore partner migration tools on SAP Store ..................................................................................................................................................................................59
3 | 140
Application..............................................................................................................................................................................................................61
Foundation objects ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................61
Talent intelligence hub as a foundational layer for jobs, learning, and upskilling .................................................................................................63
Role-based permissions ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................64
Mobile apps..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................66
The importance of position management ............................................................................................................................................................................................68
Migrating payroll in SAP ERP HCM to SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central Payroll.....................................................................................70
Migrating time management in SAP ERP HCM ...................................................................................................................................................................................73
Architecture............................................................................................................................................................................................................84
Applying the power of SAP Business Technology Platform ...................................................................................................................................................84
Provisioned landscape and testing for SAP SuccessFactors solutions ........................................................................................................................85
Data architecture ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................87
What to do with your RICEFWs ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................88
Data center and instance strategy ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................89
Part three - Essential SAP tools........................................................................................................................... 92
Key takeaways.......................................................................................................................................................................................................92
Discover and prepare .......................................................................................................................................................................................93
SAP Readiness Check tool for SAP SuccessFactors solutions ............................................................................................................................................93
ROI calculator for SAP SuccessFactors HCM .....................................................................................................................................................................................97
Business transformation utilizing the integrated toolchain .....................................................................................................................................................100
A holistic approach to transformation .....................................................................................................................................................................................................101
SAP SuccessFactors process library and leading practices for HR .................................................................................................................................102
SAP Cloud ALM—for implementation support ................................................................................................................................................................................104
Make decisions ....................................................................................................................................................................................................105
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................105
Architectural leading practices .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................105
Embedded launch activities—including demo instances provided by SAP ............................................................................................................107
Implementation design principles for SAP SuccessFactors solutions ...........................................................................................................................108
Move and deploy .................................................................................................................................................................................................117
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................117
Infoporter .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................117
Using CSV files for data migration ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................119
How to choose between Infoporter and CSV file uploads......................................................................................................................................................120
SAP Best Practices packages for various SAP SuccessFactors solutions—preconfigured content ......................................................121
Run and innovate ................................................................................................................................................................................................123
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................123
Semiannual updates—upgrade center ..................................................................................................................................................................................................123
Cloud application lifecycle management .............................................................................................................................................................................................128
Managing user adoption of continuous updates with WalkMe for SAP SuccessFactors HCM ...................................................................128
SAP LeanIX solutions: Continuous architecture improvement .............................................................................................................................................131
SAP Signavio Process Intelligence: Value realization and monitoring ............................................................................................................................132
Conclusion ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................133
Appendix ...................................................................................................................................................................... 134
Deployment options mapped to transformation terminology known from SAP S/4HANA .....................................134
Selected feature-function and process-level comparison (not comprehensive)..........................................................136
Strategic impact comparison .......................................................................................................................................................................138
Link compendium ...............................................................................................................................................................................................139
Acknowledgments ..............................................................................................................................................................................................140
Application..............................................................................................................................................................................................................61
Foundation objects ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................61
Talent intelligence hub as a foundational layer for jobs, learning, and upskilling .................................................................................................63
Role-based permissions ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................64
Mobile apps..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................66
The importance of position management ............................................................................................................................................................................................68
Migrating payroll in SAP ERP HCM to SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central Payroll.....................................................................................70
Migrating time management in SAP ERP HCM ...................................................................................................................................................................................73
Architecture............................................................................................................................................................................................................84
Applying the power of SAP Business Technology Platform ...................................................................................................................................................84
Provisioned landscape and testing for SAP SuccessFactors solutions ........................................................................................................................85
Data architecture ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................87
What to do with your RICEFWs ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................88
Data center and instance strategy ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................89
Part three - Essential SAP tools........................................................................................................................... 92
Key takeaways.......................................................................................................................................................................................................92
Discover and prepare .......................................................................................................................................................................................93
SAP Readiness Check tool for SAP SuccessFactors solutions ............................................................................................................................................93
ROI calculator for SAP SuccessFactors HCM .....................................................................................................................................................................................97
Business transformation utilizing the integrated toolchain .....................................................................................................................................................100
A holistic approach to transformation .....................................................................................................................................................................................................101
SAP SuccessFactors process library and leading practices for HR .................................................................................................................................102
SAP Cloud ALM—for implementation support ................................................................................................................................................................................104
Make decisions ....................................................................................................................................................................................................105
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................105
Architectural leading practices .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................105
Embedded launch activities—including demo instances provided by SAP ............................................................................................................107
Implementation design principles for SAP SuccessFactors solutions ...........................................................................................................................108
Move and deploy .................................................................................................................................................................................................117
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................117
Infoporter .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................117
Using CSV files for data migration ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................119
How to choose between Infoporter and CSV file uploads......................................................................................................................................................120
SAP Best Practices packages for various SAP SuccessFactors solutions—preconfigured content ......................................................121
Run and innovate ................................................................................................................................................................................................123
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................123
Semiannual updates—upgrade center ..................................................................................................................................................................................................123
Cloud application lifecycle management .............................................................................................................................................................................................128
Managing user adoption of continuous updates with WalkMe for SAP SuccessFactors HCM ...................................................................128
SAP LeanIX solutions: Continuous architecture improvement .............................................................................................................................................131
SAP Signavio Process Intelligence: Value realization and monitoring ............................................................................................................................132
Conclusion ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................133
Appendix ...................................................................................................................................................................... 134
Deployment options mapped to transformation terminology known from SAP S/4HANA .....................................134
Selected feature-function and process-level comparison (not comprehensive)..........................................................136
Strategic impact comparison .......................................................................................................................................................................138
Link compendium ...............................................................................................................................................................................................139
Acknowledgments ..............................................................................................................................................................................................140
4 | 140
Greetings, fellow HR IT leaders,
As the leader of the SAP HR Global User Group
(HRGUG), I am thrilled to introduce “Charting
a course from SAP ERP HCM to cloud-based
human capital management solutions from
SAP: A practical guide for senior IT leadership.”
This comprehensive guide is designed to equip
you with the insights, strategies, and tools
needed to successfully navigate the transition
from on-premises human capital management
(HCM) solutions to cloud-based solutions such
as SAP SuccessFactors solutions.
In today’s dynamic business landscape, the shift
to cloud-based HCM is not just a trend—it’s a
strategic imperative. The cloud offers outstanding
scalability, flexibility, and innovation that can
transform your HR processes, empower your
workforce, and drive business growth. However,
making this transition is no small feat. It requires
careful planning, a deep understanding of your
organization’s needs, and the right technological
solutions. This is a special challenge for HRGUG’s
members, which are multinational organizations
operating in hundreds of jurisdictions.
This guide aims to be your go-to resource through-
out this journey. Drawing on the collective wisdom
and experiences of SAP experts, customers, and
partners, this document pulls together expert
guidance, links to resources, best-practice recom-
mendations, success stories, and practical advice
to help you chart your course to the cloud. Whether
you are just beginning to explore the benefits of
cloud-based HCM or already in the midst of your
migration, I hope you will find valuable insights to
guide your way.
Within these pages, you will discover:
• Key benefits of cloud-based HCM and how
they can enhance your organization’s HR
capabilities
• Strategies for building a compelling business
case for cloud migration
• Step-by-step guidance on planning and carry-
ing out a successful migration project
• Real-world case studies from organizations
that have successfully transitioned to
SAP SuccessFactors solutions
• Introduction to tools and solutions available
on the SAP Store site to support your migration
For 25 years, HRGUG has been committed to
fostering a community of shared knowledge and
expertise. We believe that by learning from each
other’s experiences, we can collectively achieve
greater success. This guide is a testament to that
collaborative spirit.
I invite you to dive into “Charting a course from
SAP ERP HCM to cloud-based human capital
management solutions from SAP” and use it as
a road map for your organization’s journey to the
cloud. Together, we can unlock the potential of
SAP SuccessFactors solutions and revolutionize
the way we approach HR in the digital age.
Wishing you a successful cloud migration,
Sarah Nehring
Global Lead, SAP HR Global User Group
(HRGUG)
Foreword by HRGUG
Greetings, fellow HR IT leaders,
As the leader of the SAP HR Global User Group
(HRGUG), I am thrilled to introduce “Charting
a course from SAP ERP HCM to cloud-based
human capital management solutions from
SAP: A practical guide for senior IT leadership.”
This comprehensive guide is designed to equip
you with the insights, strategies, and tools
needed to successfully navigate the transition
from on-premises human capital management
(HCM) solutions to cloud-based solutions such
as SAP SuccessFactors solutions.
In today’s dynamic business landscape, the shift
to cloud-based HCM is not just a trend—it’s a
strategic imperative. The cloud offers outstanding
scalability, flexibility, and innovation that can
transform your HR processes, empower your
workforce, and drive business growth. However,
making this transition is no small feat. It requires
careful planning, a deep understanding of your
organization’s needs, and the right technological
solutions. This is a special challenge for HRGUG’s
members, which are multinational organizations
operating in hundreds of jurisdictions.
This guide aims to be your go-to resource through-
out this journey. Drawing on the collective wisdom
and experiences of SAP experts, customers, and
partners, this document pulls together expert
guidance, links to resources, best-practice recom-
mendations, success stories, and practical advice
to help you chart your course to the cloud. Whether
you are just beginning to explore the benefits of
cloud-based HCM or already in the midst of your
migration, I hope you will find valuable insights to
guide your way.
Within these pages, you will discover:
• Key benefits of cloud-based HCM and how
they can enhance your organization’s HR
capabilities
• Strategies for building a compelling business
case for cloud migration
• Step-by-step guidance on planning and carry-
ing out a successful migration project
• Real-world case studies from organizations
that have successfully transitioned to
SAP SuccessFactors solutions
• Introduction to tools and solutions available
on the SAP Store site to support your migration
For 25 years, HRGUG has been committed to
fostering a community of shared knowledge and
expertise. We believe that by learning from each
other’s experiences, we can collectively achieve
greater success. This guide is a testament to that
collaborative spirit.
I invite you to dive into “Charting a course from
SAP ERP HCM to cloud-based human capital
management solutions from SAP” and use it as
a road map for your organization’s journey to the
cloud. Together, we can unlock the potential of
SAP SuccessFactors solutions and revolutionize
the way we approach HR in the digital age.
Wishing you a successful cloud migration,
Sarah Nehring
Global Lead, SAP HR Global User Group
(HRGUG)
Foreword by HRGUG
5 | 140
As CEO of the Americas’ SAP Users’ Group (ASUG),
I have the privilege of engaging with thousands of
SAP customers each year. In conversations across
industries, one theme consistently emerges: human
capital management (HCM) is at the center of
every transformation. It really isn’t about the tech-
nology—it’s about the people who power the
technology to achieve business outcomes.
For many organizations, SAP ERP HCM has been
a reliable foundation for decades. But the future
of HCM lies in the cloud. The opportunities it
brings—faster innovation, stronger security, better
user experiences, and the ability to harness artifi-
cial intelligence (AI) at scale—make this transition
essential. The question is no longer if companies
should move their HCM systems to the cloud, but
how to do so effectively.
That’s what makes this guide so important. It is
designed to provide a clear, practical road map
to chart their course from on-premises HCM to
SAP’s cloud-based solutions. Within these pages,
you will find best practices, options, and consider-
ations gathered from the SAP ecosystem to help
you navigate this transition with confidence.
At ASUG, our mission is to connect the
SAP Community, share knowledge, share
critical feedback with SAP, and support each
other along our journey. My hope is that this
resource serves not just as a guidebook, but also
as a reminder that you are not alone. Your peers,
partners, user groups, and SAP are walking this
path with you.
On behalf of the ASUG community, I encourage
you to use this guide to spark dialogue inside
your organization, make informed choices, and
take the next step toward a cloud future for HCM.
Best regards,
Geoff Scott
CEO, Americas’ SAP Users’ Group (ASUG)
Foreword by ASUG
As CEO of the Americas’ SAP Users’ Group (ASUG),
I have the privilege of engaging with thousands of
SAP customers each year. In conversations across
industries, one theme consistently emerges: human
capital management (HCM) is at the center of
every transformation. It really isn’t about the tech-
nology—it’s about the people who power the
technology to achieve business outcomes.
For many organizations, SAP ERP HCM has been
a reliable foundation for decades. But the future
of HCM lies in the cloud. The opportunities it
brings—faster innovation, stronger security, better
user experiences, and the ability to harness artifi-
cial intelligence (AI) at scale—make this transition
essential. The question is no longer if companies
should move their HCM systems to the cloud, but
how to do so effectively.
That’s what makes this guide so important. It is
designed to provide a clear, practical road map
to chart their course from on-premises HCM to
SAP’s cloud-based solutions. Within these pages,
you will find best practices, options, and consider-
ations gathered from the SAP ecosystem to help
you navigate this transition with confidence.
At ASUG, our mission is to connect the
SAP Community, share knowledge, share
critical feedback with SAP, and support each
other along our journey. My hope is that this
resource serves not just as a guidebook, but also
as a reminder that you are not alone. Your peers,
partners, user groups, and SAP are walking this
path with you.
On behalf of the ASUG community, I encourage
you to use this guide to spark dialogue inside
your organization, make informed choices, and
take the next step toward a cloud future for HCM.
Best regards,
Geoff Scott
CEO, Americas’ SAP Users’ Group (ASUG)
Foreword by ASUG