IBM’s rapid move to SAP S/4HANA and RISE: A flywheel for growth with SNP
IBMIBM embarks on a large-scale global transformation
IBM embarked on a large-scale global transformation, migrating its SAP ECC environment to S/4HANA on RISE. This migration was a critical part of IBM’s strategy to modernize its IT infrastructure and streamline its operations, particularly in the areas of quote to cash, record to report processes, and finance. Spanning 18 months and involving 150,000 users across 175 countries, the project was completed in partnership with SNP using their CrystalBridge® solution for selective data migration. According to SAP, it stands as one of the largest and most complex SAP S/4HANA Cloud modernization initiatives undertaken by any SAP customer to date.
Smooth migration two hours ahead of schedule
To address the complexities of migrating IBM's vast and aging SAP ECC system, IBM leveraged SNP's proven expertise in selective data migration. By utilizing SNP's CrystalBridge and BLUEFIELD™ approach, IBM successfully moved critical data while integrating new functionalities into the S/4HANA environment. The project also involved collaboration with smartShift for code remediation and leveraged SAP MaxAttention to resolve challenges related to infrastructure and data migration from a DB2 mainframe.
After iterative test cycles and optimization, the technical go-live was completed with minimal downtime: 34 hours, two hours ahead of schedule. The smooth execution ensured that IBM could maintain business continuity across its global operations.
Solution for business agility
IBM employed SNP’s CrystalBridge solution for selective data migration, allowing the company to migrate critical data while optimizing its IT infrastructure for future scalability and agility. SAP’s Fiori apps and AI-driven automation were implemented to improve user experience and operational efficiency.
SNP & IBM Consulting collaboration over the years
SNP partnered with IBM Consulting to drive enterprise transformations by integrating its CrystalBridge software and BLUEFIELD approach into IBM’s Rapid Move methodology. This collaboration enables selective data migration, optimizing legacy SAP systems as customers transition to SAP S/4HANA.
Since then, joint project teams have successfully executed multiple (100+) projects with numerous go-lives. Additionally, SNP has trained and certified a team of IBM experts from IBM’s Client Innovation Centers, equipping them with the expertise to leverage the SNP software suite in supporting IBM Rapid Move projects worldwide. This ongoing partnership continues to enhance the innovation and capabilities of SNP’s transformation solutions.
Value delivered to IBM
- 30% cost reduction: Streamlined infrastructure and operations, lowering server and data management expenses.
- Accelerated time to value: Faster deployment with minimal risk and disruption.
- 25% data footprint reduction: Optimized storage by migrating 10 TB of critical data out of 14 TB.
- Enhanced operational efficiency: Improved report execution and batch processing performance.
- Real-time insights: Leveraged embedded analytics for faster, data-driven decision-making.
- Simplified IT landscape: Remediated 30,000 custom code objects and modernized 320,000 lines of code, reducing complexity and maintenance costs.
- Global transformation: Achieved a seamless big bang deployment for 150,000 users worldwide.
Key facts
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Project type
Global RISE with SAP S/4HANA move with BLUEFIELD selective data migration
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Downtime
34 hours
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Global
175 countries
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150,000
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Test cycles
Multiple iterative test cycles
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Duration
18 months
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Database size: 14 TB
Large-scale, complex envirtonment
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System
SAP ECC to S/4HANA on RISE
SNP’s software suite and approach to selective data migration was a game-changer in IBM’s rapid move to SAP S/4HANA and RISE, delivering faster time-to-value with minimal risk and disruption to IBM global operations. The IBM & SNP partnership is a powerful catalyst for our internal transformation journey with SAP, driving a flywheel of growth for our organization.
Simone Porcu
Partner, IBM Consulting
About IBM
IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. More than 4,000 government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM's hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM's breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM's long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service.
