SAP Launches SAP S/4HANA Future Ready Service Package

SAP announced availability of SAP S/4HANA service packages to help enable fast and effective support for implementations of SAP Business Suite 4 SAP HANA (SAP S/4HANA) and provide a base for adopting future innovations.

The new service packages are provided by Digital Business Services organization of SAP, which was renamed April 1 from Global Service & Support to reflect its role in enabling customers’ digital transformation.

The service packages cover all project phases and scenarios of SAP S/4HANA, including system conversion, landscape transformation and new implementations as well as all deployment options of SAP S/4HANA – on-premise, cloud and hybrid. They were designed to help customers transform their businesses by transitioning to a digital platform. The service packages combine the expertise of Digital Business Services with the broader partner ecosystem.

“Continuing the evolution that Digital Business Services began in 2015, this offering highlights our commitment to our customers on their digital transformation journeys,” said Michael Kleinemeier, member of the Executive Board of SAP SE, Digital Business Services. “We want them to know that regardless of how they choose to perform their SAP software implementation, we will be there to support them.”

“The offering is built on our business priorities to move our customers to the cloud, make the digital enterprise real and establish SAP S/4HANA as the digital core,” added Kleinemeier. “By taking a collaborative approach with SAP partners, these packages deliver the best from Digital Business Services and instill confidence in our customers.”

The packages use SAP Activate innovation adoption – a framework that combines SAP Best Practices packages, implementation methodology and guided configuration to help customers streamline deployment of SAP S/4HANA.

This packaged approach symbolizes the future of how Digital Business Services will deliver on its mission to lead global “servitization” in the new digital economy. Last year, Digital Business Services simplified engagement with customers and delivery of services by introducing a new model that provides one simplified service portfolio under one contract from one single global unit. Digital Business Services advises, deploys and provides a tailored engagement experience while implementing only what is necessary.

The SAP S/4HANA service packages consolidate diverse services and embedded support in four distinct offerings, each with an increasing level of engagement.

·         SAP ActiveEmbedded for planning and safeguarding of SAP S/4HANA: This offering serves as the foundation service. It includes guidance on impact, challenges and the benefits of adopting SAP S/4HANA. It provides expertise on demand from a dedicated technical quality manager as well as access to a mission control center located remotely at an SAP facility.

·         SAP ActiveEmbedded for technical implementation of SAP S/4HANA: This offering supports technical implementation, with experts providing detailed implementation planning. This service offers an innovation road map tailored to the customer’s needs, and individualized technical architecture and infrastructure documentation.

·         SAP ActiveEmbedded for functional implementation of SAP S/4HANA: This offering supports implementation of innovations and new business scenarios for SAP S/4HANA. It provides modified custom code based on specific system needs to give customers more time to innovate and focus on value-added business practices. With this guidance, customers can progress swiftly through an optimized business transformation based on SAP S/4HANA.

·         SAP MaxAttention™ for innovation with SAP S/4HANA: This offering delivers full business experience focused on SAP S/4HANA end to end. Advanced expertise provides guidance for anticipating the new business process scenarios required in the digital world.

“With this latest announcement, SAP continues the successful evolution of its services and support offerings to more closely match customers’ wants and needs as they move to achieve the full benefits of implementing SAP S/4HANA,” said John Madden, IT services practice leader at Ovum. “Digital transformation is top-of-mind among SAP customers, and they need consolidated, packaged services and support, delivered reliably and quickly, to accelerate their digital projects.”