End of Support for SAP BW 7.5: What Now?
The deadline of 2027 is fixed, and migrating a growing SAP Business Warehouse is not an IT project that can be completed overnight. For many companies, SAP BW is thus becoming a strategic project. The question is no longer whether action must be taken, but rather, how to chart the optimal path forward.
The good news? This transformation is an opportunity to prepare your data landscape for the era of AI and the cloud, not just a mandatory task.
The problem is that historically evolved SAP BW systems are often rigid and tie up valuable resources, hindering an agile data strategy. Many companies face various challenges.
The problems
- Unclear dependencies: Hardly anyone knows exactly what in the evolved landscape is truly business-critical.
- Data silos: Information is isolated, preventing a unified view of the enterprise.
- Custom coding: Customizations whose full implications are no longer understood.
- Technical legacy issues: Countless interfaces and largely unevaluated legacy structures.
Without thoroughly analyzing and modernizing BW systems, companies risk falling behind the competition, as outdated architectures can barely keep up with today’s requirements for scalability, agility, and AI readiness.
Overview of the strategic options for your SAP BW
With the end of maintenance approaching, existing customers face a critical decision. Depending on your IT strategy, there are three main paths:
Option 1: Gain time (lift to PCE).
You migrate your SAP BW 7.5 to the Private Cloud Edition (PCE) of the Business Data Cloud. This immediately extends support from 2027 to 2030, buying valuable time for the final transformation.
Option 2: Modernization (BW/4HANA).
A switch to SAP BW/4HANA (on-premises or in the cloud) ensures support until at least 2040. This option is suitable for companies that want to retain full control over their infrastructure.
Option 3: Cloud-Native (Greenfield)
Companies without a complex BW history can start from scratch with SAP Datasphere in the SAP BDC and develop a modern, cloud-native architecture.
What is the SAP Business Data Cloud (BDC)
The BDC is much more than just a storage location. It functions as a “Business Data Fabric” that seamlessly connects SAP and non-SAP data without losing the business context. As a fully managed SaaS solution, the BDC brings together several core components:
Core Components of the SAP BDC
- SAP Datasphere Modeling: Build your data architecture and semantic layer.
- SAP Analytics Cloud: Access powerful analytics and reporting features.
- SAP Databricks: Harness AI power for machine learning and advanced analytics.
- Data Products: Use pre-built, semantically rich data modules.
- Intelligent Applications: Access AI-powered, ready-to-use dashboards.
Lessons Learned
- Early stakeholder alignment: Get all relevant decision-makers, from IT management to business units, on board early on. A BW migration is not purely a technical project. Without clear commitment from the business side and a shared vision, even technically flawless plans can fail due to internal resistance or budget disputes.
- Choose a partner early on to ensure a dual-review process during technical planning. Complex migrations require expertise that is often not fully available internally.
- AI Focus from the Start: Use the Business Data Cloud as the foundation for Business AI. This transforms your warehouse from a mere data archive into an active driver of innovation. Incorporate AI use cases into your plans as early as the architecture phase.
Take action now instead of waiting
With only about two years until the end of 2027, there is little time for an ambitious, complex migration project. Those who don’t start planning now will have to make rushed decisions that could burden the company for years to come.
The good news is that: With the SAP Business Data Cloud, SAP offers a proven transformation path that:
- Protects existing investments
- Saves valuable time by extending maintenance through 2030
- Opens the door to modern technology and AI
- Enables a phased transformation
Use the remaining time strategically. Gain transparency into your legacy system, clear up technical legacy issues, and validate the added value of modern platforms like SAP BDC through concrete use cases. This is the only way to ensure your company remains compliant and is ready for AI applications and data-driven innovations.
Your next steps
Start now with an assessment of your systems. PCG will support you every step of the way, from analyzing your existing BW landscape to operating successfully in the cloud.
Our BW assessment includes:
Inventory:
- Detailed analysis of your existing BW architecture, including data models, data flows, reports, and queries
Feasibility study:
- Assessment of migration effort
- Identification of complexities
- Creation of a clear roadmap with milestones and priorities
Architecture design:
- Design of the target architecture in the Business Data Cloud.
- We will determine which BW functions will be migrated to SAP Datasphere, as well as which new services (e.g., Data Lake) will be utilized.
Our goal is a smooth, risk-free transition that maximizes value for your business.
Want to know where your BW system stands today? Request an assessment now!
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