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What is the SAP Business Transformation Center (BTC)?

SAP Business Transformation Center

The SAP Business Transformation Center (BTC) is the central SAP framework for transforming existing ERP systems. It helps companies adapt their system landscape step by step and in a way tailored to their business requirements, data strategies, and future target architectures. In doing so, the SAP BTC enables the implementation of various transformation approaches within a unified SAP framework and lays the foundation for a flexible and controlled transformation to SAP Cloud ERP.

What transformation approaches does the SAP Business Transformation Center support?

There are three basic methodologies to choose from for the transformation of existing ERP systems:

1. Brownfield Conversion

In a brownfield conversion, an existing SAP ERP system is technically converted directly to SAP S/4HANA, serving as a proven foundation for the transformation. In this process, companies carry over their processes, customizations, and all data largely unchanged. This transformation approach is particularly well-suited for companies that want to retain their existing system landscape and keep the associated migration effort to a minimum.

2. Lean Selective Data Transition

Lean SDT combines traditional system conversion with targeted data cleansing and is the SAP Business Transformation Center’s greatest value-added feature. Unlike with brownfield conversions, companies decide for themselves which data to migrate, while processes, configurations, and customizations are largely preserved. In this way, the transformation approach combines the reliability of a brownfield conversion with the flexibility of selective data migration. 

3. Greenfield Approach

With the greenfield approach, SAP S/4HANA is implemented from scratch on a proverbial “greenfield site.” All business processes, organizational structures, and master data are rebuilt from the ground up, consistently standardized, and harmonized across the entire system. This transformation approach is particularly well-suited for companies that want to leave their legacy systems behind and fundamentally redesign their entire process landscape.

Why is Lean Selective Data Transition particularly interesting?

Many companies want to reap the benefits of a system conversion while simultaneously reducing their historically accumulated data. This is exactly where Lean Selective Data Transition (Lean SDT) comes into play within the SAP Business Transformation Center.

This transformation approach enables the targeted migration of only the data that is actually needed, while information that is no longer relevant remains in the source system. This streamlines the target system and makes the transformation more manageable, creating the ideal foundation for future innovations.

Key Benefits of Lean SDT

Selective import of historical data

Companies decide for themselves which historical data and time periods (“time slices”) are transferred to the target system. This preserves the business history while intentionally excluding data that is not needed.

Intentionally retaining legacy data in the source system

Historical data that is no longer essential for future operations remains in the source system. This often significantly reduces the time required for archiving or even eliminates it entirely.

Reduction in archiving effort

Even company codes that are no longer needed can remain in the source system. This often reduces or even eliminates the need for time-consuming archiving projects; in particular, it reduces the effort required for carve-out projects.

Data reduction and complexity reduction

Selective data migration results in a leaner system landscape. This reduces project complexity and simplifies subsequent operations. This is particularly valuable for reducing operating costs during a migration to SAP Cloud ERP.

Use of SAP's own framework

Since the Business Transformation Center is provided by SAP, implementation takes place within the SAP tool environment. Compared to third-party solutions, this eliminates the need for additional licensing costs for external SDT tools.

High flexibility in transformation

Lean SDT enables a customized transformation approach: Companies choose the approach that best suits their needs—a middle ground between a traditional brownfield conversion and a greenfield implementation.

Would you like to manage your SAP transformation efficiently?

Every SAP system landscape has different transformation requirements. Together, we’ll analyze your current situation and develop the transformation approach that best fits your goals—from brownfield conversion to Lean SDT to greenfield reimplementation. Schedule a no-obligation consultation and learn how you can make your SAP transformation efficient, secure, and future-proof.

Your Expert

Ein Portrait von Scheer Mitarbeiter Gereon Linnemann

Gereon Linnemann

SAP Solution Architect

Related topics

SAP S/4HANA Cloud

SAP BTC lays the foundation for a flexible and controlled transition to SAP Cloud ERP. Learn more about the benefits of the cloud!