SAP BDC Roadmap: A Structured Path to Modernizing Your SAP BW

The real problem for many SAP BW customers is often deeply hidden within the system. Before deciding on SAP BW/4HANA and Business Data Cloud, you need an overview of the current situation.

Conduct a structured assessment.

• Create an object inventory: Identify all queries, ADSOs, and transformations, and separate the used objects from the unused ones.
• Evaluate legacy issues: Analyze custom coding, technical dependencies, and undocumented interfaces.
• Identify risks: Document critical business processes and their data dependencies.
• Assess migration potential: Only then can the effort, risks, and potential savings be accurately estimated.

Whether you’re migrating to BW/4HANA or switching to SAP BDC, leave the unnecessary baggage behind. Start taking these preparatory steps early:

• Data cleansing: Identify and remove outdated, redundant, or incorrect data.
• Archiving: Archive historical data in compliance with regulations.
• Sizing planning: Plan the architecture precisely to avoid paying for oversized resources with hyperscalers later on.
• Documentation: Update the technical documentation of your data flows.

Phase 1: LIFT The secure path to the cloud.

The first step of the SAP BDC Roadmap is the LIFT phase. Here, you migrate your existing on-premises system to the Private Cloud Edition (PCE).

This becomes the core component of the SAP BDC. The system is operated as a managed service on hyperscalers, such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.

Your benefits:

• Investments in data models are fully preserved, eliminating the need for a costly rebuild.
• You will also reduce operating costs (TCO) by eliminating the need for hardware maintenance and patching.
• You will receive extended support for SAP BW 7.5 through 2030 and for BW/4HANA through 2040.
• Your internal IT resources are relieved.

Phase 2: SHIFT Generating Data Products

After the successful lift comes the shift. With the Data Product Generator, you can transform existing BW structures into modern data products that can be used company-wide.

Your benefits:

• Classic InfoProviders, such as DataStore Objects and CompositeProviders, become harmonized data building blocks.
• Old processes and queries continue to run without interruption.
• Data products are available in SAP Datasphere and can be enriched seamlessly with third-party data.

Phase 3: INNOVATE Unlock the Potential of AI and Begin Migration

The crowning achievement of the SAP Business Data Cloud roadmap. The BDC unleashes its full potential as an artificial intelligence enabler.

Its capabilities:

• Open Data Ecosystem: Seamlessly connect SAP data with non-SAP platforms such as Google BigQuery and Microsoft Fabric.
• Zero-Copy (Delta Sharing): Train AI models directly on your data in SAP Databricks without the need for expensive data copies.
• Intelligent Applications: AI-powered apps will gradually replace legacy BW scenarios.
• Semantic Layer: Business context is preserved thanks to intelligent metadata management.

The long-term goal is decommissioning. The legacy system is scaled down gradually until it can be shut down completely.

Many companies avoid taking the first step because they fear massive project budgets. Instead, evaluate the benefits of the Business Data Cloud with the PCG Fast Track Workshop.

1. Discovery Phase: Joint analysis of your current landscape and definition of a pilot use case with clear success criteria. The result is a clear scope and target vision.
2. Prototyping Phase: Hands-on implementation, including integration of data sources, modeling in SAP Datasphere, and creation of dashboards in SAP Analytics Cloud. The result is a working proof of concept.
3. Roadmap Phase: Based on the prototype, a concrete roadmap for the phased rollout is developed. The outcome is a detailed implementation plan. This plan will form the basis for your long-term strategic planning.

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!