SAP ECC (ERP Central Component) has long been a solid and dependable option within the ERP industry, and is used by thousands of organizations globally. However, its end-of-life is rapidly approaching. After 2027, SAP will cease mainstream support, and by 2030, even extended support will end, leaving customers fully responsible for maintaining the platform, including its security and compliance posture.
If your organization is still relying on SAP ECC, now is the time to explore modern ERP alternatives and develop a robust migration strategy. In this article, we’ll explore why migration is essential, your ERP options, and how to choose the best ERP solution for your ECC upgrade.
SAP claim their decision to sunset ECC is tied to their shift toward cloud-first, in-memory computing with SAP S/4HANA. The more likely answer is that they wanted to build their recurring revenue, and forcing people onto S/4HANA is the perfect way to do this.
Despite the reasons why, organizations that aren’t ready or interested in moving to S/4HANA still need to act. This is due to the following timelines:
ERP evaluation and selection can take 6 months, and implementation can take anywhere from 6 months to 3 years. This puts a very limited amount of time between now and the end of 2027, when the system will start to degrade. Even if you want to stay on ECC until 2030, it's prudent to be prepared and plan for your migration immediately.
Postponing your migration from ECC can have steep consequences, not only in terms of cost but also in agility, scalability, and innovation.
As support ends, ECC will become more expensive to maintain:
Running unsupported software can expose your business to:
ECC’s architecture is not built for modern, data-driven, AI-enhanced business models. Today’s leading ERPs offer:
For many organizations, the most straightforward path after SAP ECC is to remain within the SAP ecosystem by migrating to SAP S/4HANA. Built on the in-memory HANA database, S/4HANA is designed for real-time data processing, a simplified data model, and a modern user experience delivered through SAP Fiori.
When considering how to move to S/4HANA, businesses typically choose between three main migration approaches. A greenfield implementation involves starting fresh with a clean slate, giving organizations the opportunity to redesign processes from the ground up while discarding legacy complexity.
A brownfield approach allows companies to carry forward their existing configurations and data with minimal change, reducing disruption but often preserving outdated practices. Finally, a hybrid or selective data transition provides a middle ground, enabling businesses to retain valuable historical data and processes while modernizing critical areas for greater efficiency.
Despite its advantages, S/4HANA is not the right fit for every organization. Licensing and support costs can be prohibitive, implementation timelines are often lengthy, and some businesses are wary of being locked further into the SAP ecosystem.
Deployment choices also introduce limitations, as organizations must decide between on-premise, private cloud, or public cloud options, each with its own trade-offs. These considerations have led many companies to evaluate non-SAP ERP alternatives, which may offer lower costs, greater flexibility, or functionality better aligned with their specific industry or growth strategy.
Oracle NetSuite is one of the leading cloud-native ERP solutions, built specifically for growing and mid-sized businesses. Its unified platform covers financials, CRM, eCommerce, inventory, and more, with strong global capabilities for multi-subsidiary management. As a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform, NetSuite delivers automatic updates, robust scalability, and easy integrations, making it a top choice for companies looking to modernize operations quickly without managing infrastructure.
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For deeper dive into NetSuite pricing, check out our blog. Or if you're looking for a more personalized quote, fill in our NetSuite pricing calculator below.
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NetSuite is ideal for mid-sized to fast-growing businesses across industries like wholesale distribution, SaaS, manufacturing, retail, and professional services. It’s especially suited for companies that want rapid deployment, scalable global capabilities, and a single system to manage finance, sales, and operations.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a flexible and modular ERP and CRM platform that offers deep integration with the Microsoft ecosystem (Azure, Office 365, Power BI). It combines enterprise-level functionality with user-friendly interfaces, making it an excellent choice for businesses that want to tailor their ERP environment. Dynamics 365 can be deployed in the cloud or on-premises, giving businesses flexibility during the transition from ECC.
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Dynamics 365 is well-suited for mid-sized to large organizations with complex operations, especially those already embedded in the Microsoft ecosystem. It excels in companies looking for modular customization, integrated CRM, and AI-powered analytics.
Infor CloudSuite offers industry-specific ERP solutions with deep functionality for manufacturing, distribution, and healthcare sectors. Built on Amazon Web Services (AWS), it provides strong cloud-native performance, analytics, and user experiences through the Infor OS platform. Infor’s strength lies in vertical depth, with out-of-the-box processes tailored for specific industries, reducing the need for customization.
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Infor CloudSuite is most suited to asset-intensive industries such as manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and distribution. It’s a strong option for companies seeking industry-specific functionality out of the box, minimizing implementation time and cost.
Workday is a cloud-native ERP system focused on finance and human capital management (HCM). It brings a modern, intuitive UI and strong people-centric design, making it especially valuable for companies with complex HR, payroll, and workforce planning needs. Workday is known for its continuous innovation, strong analytics, and agile update cycles, typically releasing new functionality twice a year.
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Workday is best suited for people-focused organizations such as healthcare, education, professional services, and tech companies. It’s ideal for businesses prioritizing HR excellence, workforce agility, and real-time financial visibility in a modern, cloud-native environment.
With several ERP options available, how do you decide which one best fits your business?
The first and arguably most important consideration is your business size and industry. Certain ERPs have price points and features that cater more towards specific industries. For example, IFS ERP focuses on manufacturing for large enterprises, whereas Odoo is an open source ERP catered towards small to medium size businesses. Make sure you find an ERP that is suited to your requirements.
Companies have different processes and therefore different requirements from their ERP. Make sure you are aware of what you need out of an ERP, for example if you handle sensitive data and need high levels of security, then on-premise is the way to go. Once you have identified your preference, you can filter out ERPs that do not cater to this.
Can the ERP integrate with your existing apps, BI tools, or legacy systems? Will it scale as your business grows globally or adds complexity?
Sadly, your ERP license isn't the only thing you'll have to consider when migrating from ECC. As much as SAP try to say that a move to S/4 Hanna is a quick and easy one, it isn't. It requires a full re-implementation, so you'll need to take into account those costs, and also:
Choosing the right ERP system is only the beginning. A successful transition from SAP ECC depends heavily on how well the migration is planned, phased, and executed. Without a clear strategy and alignment across business and technical teams, even the best ERP platform can fail to deliver value. Below are key best practices to ensure a smooth, low-risk migration.
The first step in any ERP migration should be comprehensive data assessment and cleansing. This involves conducting a detailed audit of your existing data to identify redundant, outdated, or incorrect information. Obsolete records should be archived or eliminated, and master data such as customer, vendor, and product information must be standardized and cleaned for accuracy.
It’s also essential to map legacy ECC data structures to those of the new ERP system to ensure compatibility. This upfront investment in data quality reduces complexity, prevents errors during migration, and sets the stage for better analytics and reporting in the new system.
Next, organizations need to focus on timeline planning and phased deployment. Expecting a full enterprise-wide go-live all at once is rarely realistic, particularly for large or complex organizations. A more effective approach involves running pilot implementations in selected business units or geographic regions to test the new system and workflows.
Once validated, the ERP can be rolled out in phases across other parts of the organization. Many companies also opt for a period of parallel run, where both the old and new systems operate simultaneously. This reduces risk and allows teams to identify and fix issues without disrupting operations.
Another critical success factor is user training and change management. A new ERP system can introduce significant changes to daily workflows, and without buy-in from end-users, adoption may lag or fail altogether. Training programs should begin early and continue post-implementation, targeting not just system usage but also process understanding.
Identifying internal champions within departments helps build momentum and provides peers with go-to resources. Additionally, a structured post-go-live support plan ensures users have the guidance they need in the critical first months of transition, minimizing resistance and boosting long-term success.
Together, these practices form the foundation of a high-impact migration strategy.
SAP ECC served the enterprise world well for over two decades. But the future belongs to cloud-native, agile, and intelligent ERP systems. Whether your path leads to SAP S/4HANA or a non-SAP alternative, the key is to start your evaluation and planning now, not in 2026.
The longer you wait, the more complex and costly your transition becomes. Choose the ERP that aligns best with your strategic vision, operational needs, and technological aspirations, and start building your migration roadmap today.
Q: What happens to my SAP ECC instance after 2027 and 2030?
A: After 2027, SAP will no longer provide mainstream support, which means no new features, bug fixes, or legal/regulatory updates. By 2030, extended support will also end, leaving organizations responsible for their own maintenance, patches, and security. Continuing to run ECC beyond these dates exposes businesses to significant risks, including higher operational costs, compliance failures, and increased cybersecurity threats.
Q: How long does an SAP ECC migration take?
A: Migration timelines vary depending on system complexity, data volumes, and chosen ERP solution. On average, a full-scale ERP migration can take between 12 and 36 months, with phased rollouts often preferred to minimize business disruption.
Q: How much does it cost to migrate from SAP ECC?
A: Costs vary widely depending on your business and which ERP you are migrating to. A move to S/4HANA often involves significant licensing, infrastructure, and implementation expenses, while cloud-native alternatives like NetSuite or Workday may have lower upfront costs but subscription-based pricing. Businesses should factor in not just licensing, but also consulting, training, and ongoing support.
Q: What risks are involved in delaying ECC migration?
A: Delaying migration can increase costs over time, as fewer resources and consultants remain available for ECC support. There are also heightened risks of data breaches, compliance failures, and operational inefficiencies. Additionally, companies that wait too long may face “last-minute rush” costs when competing for limited migration expertise close to 2027.
Q: Can I still run SAP ECC after 2030 if I want to?
A: Technically yes, but it’s highly discouraged. Without SAP support, businesses will be responsible for creating their own patches and updates, which is costly, risky, and unsustainable long term. Most organizations view staying on ECC beyond 2030 as a stopgap at best, not a viable strategy.
Q: Are there tools to make SAP ECC migration easier?
A: Yes, several third-party tools and accelerators, such as SNP, Panaya, and Celonis, help automate data transformation, test scenarios, and streamline migration. These tools can significantly reduce the time and cost of moving off ECC.