With SAP’s mainstream maintenance and support for Business Suite 7 set to end on 31 December 2027, the time to pause and reassess your global payroll strategy is right now. Why? A well-planned SAP migration will future-proof payroll operations across all regions, keeping teams aligned, data clean, and compliance intact.
Is your payroll department ready for what comes next?
If your business is still running SAP ERP 6.0, especially on older enhancement packages like EHP5 and below, this move must be considered as more than just a technical update; it is a decision whether to continue with SAP by upgrading to S/4HANA or explore other ERP solutions.
Why SAP migration matters globally
More than just a payroll engine, SAP is the backbone that supports core global business processes: integrating data across departments, improving operational efficiency and profitability, and enabling real-time functionality across ERP, supply chain, HCM, and CRM. It helps organisations manage everything from financials to human resources through one centralised platform.
That’s why the end of support for SAP ERP 6.0 must be a business-wide priority. As operations scale and compliance demands grow, legacy systems simply can’t keep up.
In Germany, for example, new requirements for communicating with tax and social insurance authorities will come into effect from 2026. All updates that can’t be implemented on older SAP releases. This is not just a German problem; it’s a preview of what’s coming globally: more digitalisation, stricter compliance, and less room for error.
The hidden costs of ignoring your SAP data migration
We’ve seen it too often; organisations delay global payroll migration because it feels overwhelming. But the risks of this delay should not be underestimated, especially when local regulations change faster than systems can adapt. Delaying your SAP data migration can result in serious operational risk.
The longer payroll teams wait, the more your business could face:
- Compliance failures when local laws outpace systems.
- Reporting breakdowns from outdated integrations.
- Security vulnerabilities in unsupported platforms.
In Germany alone, only 33% of companies report payroll accuracy above 90%. That’s not a tech issue; it’s a systems issue – and a warning sign for global teams relying on legacy infrastructure.
SAP migration isn’t just IT; it’s operational resilience
Businesses must approach the upgrade to SAP S/4HANA or other modern platforms as more than a tick-box exercise because payroll touches everything – HR, finance, compliance, and employee experience. When the system starts to wind down and creak, the impact is felt across the board. And when compliance slips or data security falters, yes, the consequences are technical, but they’re also financial, reputational, and operational. This SAP migration S/4HANA initiative is critical for maintaining both compliance and performance.
Modern platforms like SAP S/4HANA bring real-time reporting, better integration, and built-in compliance updates. Unfortunately, getting there is not just a case of flipping the switch. You need a migration strategy that accounts for how teams actually work, where risks really lie, and what success looks like across every region you operate in.
Your SAP migration strategy starts with clarity
At Payrollminds, we give multinational companies a plan for global payroll transformations that works in practice, not just on paper. Our Migration Readiness Assessment is designed to do one thing: give you a clear picture of where you stand and what needs to change in the face of SAP Business Suite 7 end of support.
We help you:
- Map out your current payroll landscape.
- Spot risks before they derail your migration.
- Align your HR, IT, and finance teams.
- Build a realistic, tailored plan with no guesswork, no surprises.
You’ll also receive a score, your Migration Readiness Index, so regardless of the region you’re operating in, you’ll know exactly how prepared you are. The principles are the same: understand your current reality, anticipate what’s coming, and move forward with clarity.
And if you already are looking at other options, make sure to evaluate vendors based on their ability to meet compliance requirements, offer robust support, and provide a roadmap for future updates. Our Vendor Selection Guidance guides you through a rigorous vendor selection process designed to help you identify the optimal partner for your global requirements. Our guidance also helps evaluate options for SAP migration to cloud platforms.
Why start planning for SAP data migration now?
Because 2027 will be here sooner than you think. Waiting until the last minute to plan your global payroll migration means tighter timelines, higher costs, and more payroll disruption.
Starting early gives you the space to test, the flexibility to adapt, and the control to make decisions on your terms.
Ready to move forward with your SAP migration?
The end of SAP Business Suite 7 end of support is a chance to rethink how your payroll systems support your business.
Want to know if your organisation is truly prepared for global SAP migration S/4HANA? Download our Migration Readiness Assessment brochure below.
A clear assessment delivers fewer surprises, smarter decisions, and a smoother path to transformation.
