Implementation of SAP S/4HANA Cloud, Public Edition

Optimise your business with SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud

The digital age and technological advancements require organizations to process and analyze more data to improve flexibility, reduce response times to changing market conditions, and increase the accuracy of assessing their business situation. SAP offers the S/4HANA Cloud, Public Edition solution, to meet these challenges.

Find out how we can help your organization

What is SAP S/4HANA Cloud, Public Edition?

S/4HANA Cloud, Public Edition is a modular and ready-to-run ERP solution that meets the needs of different industries and businesses. This cloud-based solution allows small, medium, and large enterprises to leverage their capabilities to streamline operations and manage their business efficiently.

By implementing S/4HANA Cloud, Public Edition companies can leverage the power of advanced analytics, real-time data processing and intuitive user experiences to drive growth, make data-driven decisions, and remain competitive in today's rapidly evolving marketplace.

The wide range of S/4HANA Cloud, Public Edition industry solutions is designed not only for small and medium-sized enterprises. By using the SaaS model and comprehensive ERP system packages, companies do not have to worry about providing hardware infrastructure, maintenance, and ongoing support, making SAP S/4HANA Cloud, Public Edition, also attractive for large corporations.

PwC's team of experts has hands-on experience with SAP S/4HANA Cloud implementations in companies across multiple sectors and business scales. As of July 2021, more than 26,000 European PwC users have been actively using the SAP S/4HANA Cloud solution, Public Edition.

PwC's team of experts was recognized as a key SAP partner, receiving the Top Cloud CEE Global Strategic Service Partner award.

SAP S/4HANA Cloud, Public Edition - how is it positioned?

A solution for ERP SAP users
 

  • The solution is aimed at both net new names considering implementing S/4HANA Cloud, Public Edition from scratch and current SAP users considering migrating from On-Premise to Cloud solutions.
  • The use of the SAP Activate methodology, which in the case of SAP S/4HANA Cloud, combines a structured project management approach with Agile - an efficient method of planning and implementing deployment work.
  • Use of predefined Best Practice scenarios to accelerate the implementation process.
  • Access to 59 local versions provided by SAP with support for 33 language editions.

The offering of SAP S/4HANA Cloud, Public Edition is:

  • Cost-effective - lower TCO by using the SaaS model
  • Innovative - agility, flexibility, and cyclical upgrades to the highest system version 
  • Optimised - the use of the SAP Activate methodology speeds up and simplifies implementation

Stages of implementation

We start with the Discovery phase—our implementation assessment according to the PwC methodology—to make an initial recommendation on whether SAP S/4HANA Cloud, Public Edition, is the right tool for your organization. We use the SAP Activate methodology and provide our support backed by the years of experience and expertise of the PwC network.

How we can help you implement SAP S/4HANA Cloud, Public Edition

Evaluation of PWC's implementation of S/4HANA

Typical challenges for users

  • Lack of in-house expertise on SAP S/4HANA Cloud, Public Edition
  • Complex processes and systems that make it difficult to verify the feasibility of implementing SAP S/4HANA Cloud, Public Edition
  • Uncertainty resulting from a standardized, simplified, and dynamically changing set of functions and applications (e.g. through regular updates) and new cloud technology

Our service

  • Implementation assessment for S/4HANA Cloud, Public Edition
  • DDA workshop conducted with SAP tools and a set of topics concerning organization, processes, and functions
  • Presentation of an initial assessment of the suitability of SAP S/4HANA Cloud, Public Edition
  • A list of potential constraints and necessary changes that the organization should consider in detail in its further activities

Benefits for user

  • Familiarisation with the SAP S/4HANA Cloud, Public Edition approach, and the potential opportunities and limitations
  • Initial general assessment of the extent to which SAP S/4HANA Cloud, Public Edition is suitable for the organization
  • Early identification of potential limitations and necessary organizational and process changes as a basis for further actions

Preliminary study and action plan for S/4HANA Cloud

Typical challenges for users

  • Difficulties in selecting the right SAP S/4HANA solution that meets specific requirements
  • Complex IT systems architecture that must be adapted as part of the transformation project
  • Consideration of all relevant tasks and dependencies when creating a complete roadmap
  • Lack of in-house expertise on SAP S/4HANACloud, Public Edition

Our service

  • Initial analysis of S/4HANA Cloud and development of an action plan
  • Analysis of existing processes and system architecture
  • Development of target IT architecture (including a list of interfaces and extensions)
  • Optional support in the development of a business plan
  • Development and coordination of the action plan
  • Definition of necessary SAP Best Practice based on existing processes and specific business requirements

Benefits for user

  • A realistic and robust roadmap for SAP S/4HANA Cloud, Public Edition for the digital transformation project
  • Identify and clarify key SAP S/4HANA Cloud, Public Edition project issues
  • Consider potential obstacles to the introduction of the new system environment and build on the findings of the initial analysis
  • Identify benefits and success factors for use in the transformation project

New functionalities

Typical challenges for users

  • Prolonged and slow implementation of innovations
  • High costs due to low process automation
  • Lack of transparency in key business processes

Our service

  • SAP S/4HANA Cloud, Public Edition supports the use of technology innovation and the intelligent enterprise, including Generative AI, Machine Learning (ML), and predictive analytics 
  • Standardisation and automation enable more transparent business process design

Benefits for user

  • Immediate availability of new functions
  • Automation and optimization of processes using artificial intelligence and machine learning
  • Deployment of dynamically customizable bots, working with SAP S/4HANA Cloud, Public Edition

Project Quality Assurance

Typical challenges for users

  • Complex digital transformation project, including conversion of previous (non) SAP system
  • Insufficient project experience and expert knowledge of SAP S/4HANA Cloud, Public Edition
  • Numerous accounting and system risks to be addressed as part of the transformation project
  • Historically developed, heterogeneous, and complex process architecture and IT systems

Our service

  • Quality assurance for implementation project success
  • SAP best practices supported by our experience and lessons learned from completed projects
  • In-depth assessment of project, risk, quality and integration management
  • Critical assessment of business and technical specifications and concepts (including test management, migration, user access management)
  • Cut-over plan assessment
  • Ensuring proper execution of production migration

Benefits for user

  • Early identification and communication of potential risks in an ongoing transformation project
  • Experienced SAP Partner providing support on SAP S/4HANA Cloud, Public Edition transformation issues
  • Reporting support for annual audit

Governance and Internal Control System (ICS)

Typical challenges for users

  • Insufficiently documented Internal Control System (ICS) and risk management in the current IT process/system architecture makes it difficult to transfer the current governance and ICS concept to the new SAP S/4HANA Cloud, Public Edition environment 
  • Lack of a dedicated department within the organization to centrally manage and support the areas of Governance, ICS, and Change Management if required

Our service

  • Support of ICS and Change Management processes
  • If required, development and establishment of a central management and ICS function within the company
  • Identification of potential risks in the new system and process architecture of SAP S/4HANA Cloud, Public Edition
  • Development of adaptation requirements of the current management and ICS concept, taking into account the future architecture of IT processes/systems (e.g. redesign of internal controls)
  • Technical preparation or revision of the governance and ICS concept about the coverage of identified risks

Benefits for user

  • Established governance and ICS function within the company as required
  • Governance and ICS concept aligned with the new process model and SAP S/4HANA Cloud, Public Edition systems, taking into account relevant accounting practices
  • Targeted identification and minimization of risks

Key benefits of migrating to SAP S/4HANA Cloud, Public Edition

SAP S/4HANA Cloud, Public Edition incorporates artificial intelligence-based technologies, including machine learning, virtual and augmented reality, blockchain, and voice-enabled technology. Operating in the cloud allows companies to access all the features of S/4HANA without committing their hardware resources or databases.

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Business benefits

  • Single platform - Support decision-making with greater transparency across functional areas, considering all relevant information.
  • Simplified business processes - Increase efficiency using a standard set of proven Best Practice scenarios.
  • User Interface - Reduce process complexity with an intuitive and user-friendly interface.
  • Analytics - Enable instant insights using flexible reports based on data sources and the use of built-in predictive features.
  • Regular updates - Facilitated rapid access to new features and process updates with minimal business disruption.
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Technological benefits

  • Fast implementation - Compared to classic On-Premise solutions, thanks to publicly available configuration guides, accelerators, and testing tools.
  • Native integrations - Access to a wide range of cloud-based APIs for immediate integration.
  • Lower total cost of ownership - SAP provides maintenance and ongoing support, reducing the need for internal IT support teams.
  • Dynamic extensibility - The ability to use user extensions, side-by-side, and APIs promotes innovation and creates additional value for the deployed platform.
  • Standardised fit - Standardising processes reduce complexity and promote a systems approach based on Best Practice scenarios without needing costly, tailor-made solutions.
  • Single platform - Support decision-making with greater transparency across functional areas, considering all relevant information.
  • Simplified business processes - Increase efficiency using a standard set of proven Best Practice scenarios.

  • User Interface - Reduce process complexity with an intuitive and user-friendly interface.

  • Analytics - Enable instant insights using flexible reports based on data sources and the use of built-in predictive features.

  • Regular updates - Facilitated rapid access to new features and process updates with minimal business disruption.

  • Fast implementation - Compared to classic On-Premise solutions, thanks to publicly available configuration guides, accelerators, and testing tools.
  • Native integrations - Access to a wide range of cloud-based APIs for immediate integration.

  • Lower total cost of ownership—SAP provides maintenance and ongoing support, reducing the need for internal IT support teams.

  • Dynamic extensibility—The ability to use user extensions, side-by-side, and APIs promotes innovation and creates additional value for the deployed platform.

  • Standardised fit—Standardising processes reduce complexity and promote a systems approach based on Best Practice scenarios without needing costly, tailor-made solutions.

SAP systems implementations

Find out how we can help your organization

Contact us

Adam Bieńko

Adam Bieńko

Partner, PwC Poland

Tel: +48 661 351 005

Marcin Rydlewski

Marcin Rydlewski

Director, PwC Poland

Tel: +48 519 504 583

Paulina Samborska

Paulina Samborska

Senior Manager, PwC Poland

Tel: +48 519 504 338

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