Do You Really Need a Systems Integration Partner for Your SAP S/4HANA Journey—Or Can You Go It Alone?

Migrating to SAP S/4HANA is a monumental shift. It touches every part of the business, from finance to operations, and requires a rethinking of both processes and technology. For many companies, the instinct is to bring in a big-name systems integration (SI) partner to lead the charge. But is that always necessary? Or can you take on this transformation with your internal team?

The answer, as always, is complicated. But here are some key factors to consider before deciding whether to engage an SI partner or to manage your SAP S/4HANA migration internally.

1. Internal Expertise: Are You Prepared?

One of the most important questions to ask is whether your team has the necessary expertise—not just in SAP, but specifically in SAP S/4HANA. This isn’t just another version upgrade; it’s a complete re-engineering of the system, with significant changes to functionality, user interfaces, and data models.

If your internal team doesn’t have the deep expertise required for such a transformation, an SI partner can help you avoid costly mistakes. However, if you already have experienced talent in-house, you might be able to handle more of the migration internally, relying on external support only for specialized tasks.

2. Scope and Complexity: Is Your Migration More Than a Technical Project?

The scope of your migration is another critical factor. Many companies treat their SAP S/4HANA journey as a purely technical project—an approach that almost always leads to trouble. The reality is that this migration involves deep changes to business processes, data structures, and organizational behavior.

SI partners bring battle-tested methodologies and the ability to integrate different parts of the transformation. If your scope is broad and touches multiple areas of the business, an SI partner might be essential to keeping everything on track. On the other hand, if your migration is narrowly focused, your internal team might be able to handle the transition with minimal external help.

3. Budget Considerations: Is an SI Partner Worth the Cost?

Let’s be frank: systems integrators are expensive. Depending on the size of your project, engaging with an SI partner can drive up the cost significantly. The question is whether that cost is justified by the value they bring in terms of expertise, project management, and risk mitigation.

It’s important to weigh the costs of a partner against the potential risks of going it alone. If your team makes costly mistakes during the migration, the price of fixing them can often exceed what you would have spent on a solid SI partner from the start.

4. Speed to Execution: How Fast Do You Need to Move?

Time is another crucial factor. SI partners can help accelerate your project by bringing in experienced teams with well-defined processes. If you’re under pressure to meet a tight timeline, having an SI partner with the resources and personnel to scale up quickly can be invaluable.

However, if your timeline is more flexible, an internal team can potentially achieve the same results at a slower pace, without the high costs associated with external consultants.

5. Risk Tolerance: Are You Willing to Bet on Internal Success?

Finally, there’s the question of risk tolerance. Migrating to SAP S/4HANA involves navigating a complex maze of potential pitfalls, from data migration errors to organizational change issues. If your company is risk-averse, bringing in an experienced SI partner can provide a safety net. They’ve done this before and know where the landmines are.

But if your organization is comfortable taking on more risk in exchange for controlling the process and potentially saving costs, going it alone—or with minimal external support—might be a viable option.

The decision to engage a systems integrator for your SAP S/4HANA migration is not black and white. It depends on your internal expertise, project complexity, budget, timeline, and risk appetite. Some organizations thrive with an in-house approach, while others benefit from the guidance and experience that an SI partner can bring.

Before making your decision, ensure you’ve thoroughly assessed your organization's readiness and have a clear understanding of the challenges that lie ahead. No matter which path you choose, preparation and planning are key to a successful S/4HANA transformation.