Sound Familiar?
Five Signs Your SAP Systems Are Ready to Leave the Data Center
The hardware under SAP is due for renewal, test systems take weeks to refresh and nobody has tested a full recovery. SAP cloud migration moves your SAP systems, their databases and the links to other systems onto AWS or Azure, in a planned order and within an agreed downtime window. Signisys, an IT services company in Noida, helps businesses across Delhi NCR and India plan and run SAP moves to AWS and Azure.
Where It Applies
Six SAP Problems and What Fixes Them
Find the problem closest to yours, what it puts at risk and what fixes it.
The Risk
A rushed purchase or an unsupported system.
What Reduces It
A planned move to AWS or Azure.
The Risk
SAP moved into accounts with weak controls.
What Reduces It
A secure cloud foundation (landing zone) built before SAP moves.
The Risk
Days of downtime after a failure.
What Reduces It
Recovery to a second region, tested.
The Risk
Paying for peak capacity all year.
What Reduces It
Sizing from use and scheduled non-production hours.
The Risk
Access nobody can trace.
What Reduces It
Named admin access tied to company identity.
The Risk
Decisions waiting on manual extracts.
What Reduces It
SAP data fed into a reporting platform.
Why Now
When It’s Time to Move SAP
Four moments when moving SAP to the cloud deserves a serious look.
The SAP Hardware Quote Arrives
The price of new servers and storage is high enough to put a cloud move on the table.
The S/4HANA Project Gets a Date
The upgrade to S/4HANA, SAP’s current business software suite, has a start date. The team needs extra systems for testing and conversion, and current hardware is slow to supply them.
A Data Center Contract Ends
The facility hosting SAP is closing or up for renewal, and moving the hardware again makes little sense.
An Audit Asks About Recovery
Auditors or the board ask how quickly SAP could be restored, and there is no tested answer.
The Outcomes
What Changes After SAP Cloud Migration
Five changes to look for once SAP runs on AWS or Azure, and how to check each one.
Our Approach
How We’d Approach Your SAP Cloud Migration
We start with your SAP systems, databases, interfaces and peak loads, plan the move with your basis team and move non-production systems before production.
Assess
Map Every SAP System We list every SAP system, its version, database, size and interfaces, and read your monitoring reports for peak use.
You receive Systems ranked by readiness to move. The SAP Cloud Review covers this step.
Plan
Size and Choose the Method We size cloud instances from measured use, choose a migration method and agree on the downtime window with the business.
You receive A move plan with sizing, method and a downtime window your team signs off.
Implement
Move in Stages We help build the cloud foundation, move non-production systems first and rehearse the production cutover (the final switch from your servers to the cloud) before the real one.
You receive SAP running on AWS or Azure, with a rehearsed fallback for each cutover.
Govern
Set Recovery and Support Rules We help set rules for backups, recovery tests and admin access, plus the monitoring SAP and the cloud provider require for support.
You receive Recovery, access and monitoring rules with named owners.
Optimize and Manage
Keep SAP Right-Sized Where ongoing support is agreed, we resize systems, schedule non-production hours and report on cost and recovery tests.
You receive SAP cloud reports on an agreed schedule.
Want to understand how we deliver? Explore our Technology Delivery Methodology
Services
Services to Plan, Implement and Support Your Environment
The services behind the approach. Engagements include only what you need.
Not sure where to start?
Tell us about your goals and we will recommend the right mix of services for your business.
How It All Works Together
How SAP Runs After the Move
SAP application servers and the database run on supported cloud instances inside a prepared cloud foundation. Interfaces reach your sites and partners over planned network links, and a second region holds the recovery copy.
One SAP Cloud Standard
- Supported instance types, sizing rules, downtime limits, recovery targets and access, agreed with your SAP basis lead and finance.
- Reviewed before each major SAP change and each year.
Check Your SAP Setup
Cloud Foundation
Accounts, network, sign-in and logging prepared before SAP moves.
Hosts
SAP Database
The database on instances supported for SAP, with backups.
Serves
SAP Applications
Application servers sized from measured use.
Connect to
Users and Interfaces
Offices, banks, warehouses and partners over planned links.
Usage, cost and recovery test results update sizing and the SAP cloud standard
A Peak or a Fault Arrives
Month-end load climbs, or a cloud zone or region has a problem.
Basis team alerted
Capacity or Recovery Steps In
Capacity is added for the peak, or SAP is restored from the recovery copy.
Works With What You Have
- Moves your current SAP release, or prepares it for S/4HANA.
- Uses your existing SAP licenses where SAP’s terms allow.
Security and Governance
- Admin access limited to named basis staff.
- Backups and recovery copies kept apart from production.
- Monitoring set up as the cloud provider and SAP require.
What Is Covered
- Production and non-production SAP systems on AWS or Azure.
- Databases, interfaces, network links and recovery.
Solutions
Solutions That Support Your Business Objectives
The solutions that address the gaps above.
Data Protection and Cyber Recovery
For recovery: backups and tested restore in a second region.
Data Integration and Business Intelligence
For reporting: SAP data in a reporting platform.
Technologies
Tools Behind an SAP Move
Each part below covers one job in moving and running SAP in the cloud, from the standard to the cost report. If a tool you already pay for covers a part, we use it first.
Your First Step
Start with an SAP Cloud Review
We review your SAP systems, database sizes, interfaces and peak loads, and outline how a move to AWS or Azure would work. Nothing is changed during the review. You get systems ranked by readiness, a first sizing estimate for each one and options for migration method and downtime. The findings are yours to keep.
- We walk you through the findings on a call.
- Then it’s your decision, with no obligation to go further.
Scope
- Production and non-production SAP systems
- Databases, interfaces and peak loads
You Provide
- A list of SAP systems and versions
- Recent EarlyWatch Alert reports
- Time with your SAP basis lead
You Receive
- Systems ranked by migration readiness
- Initial cloud sizing for each system
- Options for migration method and downtime
Cost and Timing
- No charge, with a fixed scope
- Timing depends on the number of SAP systems and interfaces involved, so talk to us
Keep Reading
Explore Insights and Resources
FAQs
SAP Cloud Migration: Frequently Asked Questions
What is SAP cloud migration?
SAP cloud migration is the move of your SAP systems, their databases and their interfaces (the links to banks, partners and other software) from your own servers to a cloud provider such as AWS or Azure. The same business processes keep running, on cloud servers in place of your own.
Does SAP support running on AWS and Azure?
Yes, for the setups SAP lists. AWS’s SAP on AWS overview points to SAP Note 1656099 for the SAP solutions supported on AWS. For Azure, Microsoft’s SAP on Azure guide points to the SAP HANA Hardware Directory for virtual machines certified for SAP HANA.
What is needed for SAP support on AWS?
AWS lists the main requirements from SAP Note 1656250: detailed Amazon CloudWatch monitoring on each instance, the AWS Data Provider for SAP running on each instance, and a Business or Enterprise AWS support plan on every account that runs SAP.
Can we use our existing SAP licenses on AWS or Azure?
Yes, for a move to your own AWS account, according to AWS: existing SAP licenses can be used, and you remain responsible for meeting SAP’s licensing terms. For Azure or any other setup, check the terms of your own SAP contract before the move.
Should we move to S/4HANA before or after the cloud?
Both orders work. Moving the infrastructure first avoids a hardware purchase, and the S/4HANA conversion then runs on cloud systems. Some businesses do both in one project. The choice depends on your support dates, budget and how much change the business can absorb at once.
How long will SAP be down during the migration?
It depends on database size, network speed and the migration method. The cutover is rehearsed on test systems first, so the downtime for production is measured before the business agrees on the window.
Which SAP systems should move first?
Non-production systems, such as development, test and training. They let the team practice the method and test interfaces before production moves.
How is SAP sized for the cloud?
From measured use. SAP monitoring reports such as EarlyWatch Alert show peak CPU, memory and database growth, and those figures set the starting instance sizes. Systems can be resized after go-live.
Is SAP cheaper to run in the cloud?
It can be, through sizing for real use, switching non-production systems off out of hours and avoiding a second data center for recovery. Savings depend on how many SAP systems you run and how large they are. The SAP Cloud Review gives a first sizing for each system, which is the starting point for a cost estimate.
How does disaster recovery work for SAP in the cloud?
A recovery copy of SAP is kept in a second region, and the recovery steps are tested. You agree how long SAP can be down and how much data can be lost, and the design is built to meet those targets.
What happens to SAP interfaces during the move?
Each interface is listed, tested in the cloud before cutover and switched over in the agreed window. Links that move money or stock, such as bank and warehouse connections, get extra testing.
Do we need a cloud landing zone before moving SAP?
Yes. A landing zone is the prepared cloud setup of accounts, network, sign-in and logging, and it should be ready before SAP moves in. Our Build a Secure Cloud Landing Zone use case covers that foundation.
What about RISE with SAP?
RISE with SAP is SAP’s own subscription offer that bundles SAP S/4HANA Cloud with the infrastructure and technical operations, which SAP runs on a cloud provider’s infrastructure. It suits businesses that want SAP to run the infrastructure for them. We can help you compare it with running SAP in your own cloud accounts.
Does the SAP database have to change during the move?
Not when your database and operating system are supported on the target cloud. SAP can then move on its current database, which keeps the migration simpler. If SAP runs on Unix or on a database the cloud does not support for SAP, the move includes an operating system or database change. Changing the database at the same time, for example to SAP HANA, is a larger project with its own testing, and is planned as part of the S/4HANA path.
Who manages SAP after it moves to the cloud?
Your basis team, with runbooks and handover sessions from the project. Where ongoing support is agreed, Signisys can help run the cloud infrastructure under SAP.
How is this different from moving other applications?
SAP has its own support rules, supported instance types and large databases that change the method and downtime plan. For other applications, see Migrate Legacy Applications to the Cloud.
Which platforms do you work with?
We work with AWS and Microsoft as a Technology Partner, running SAP on AWS and Azure with each cloud’s own tools.
What happens in the SAP Cloud Review, and what does it need?
The SAP Cloud Review looks at your SAP systems, database sizes, interfaces and peak loads, and ranks the systems by readiness to move. It needs a list of SAP systems and versions, recent EarlyWatch Alert reports and time with your SAP basis lead. We walk you through the findings on a call. Signisys is based in Noida and works with businesses in Delhi NCR and across India; book through this page or call +91 7669 966 966. A Signisys specialist responds within 1 business day, and there is no obligation to go further.
Discuss a Project
Plan Your SAP Move
A free review sizes your SAP landscape for AWS or Azure and shows which systems are ready to move first.
What happens next?
- We Get in TouchA technology specialist contacts you within 1 business day.
- We Understand Your NeedsWe arrange a 60-minute discovery session to understand your requirements.
- We Assess Your EnvironmentWe evaluate your needs, identify opportunities and recommend the right approach.
- We Define the Way ForwardWe present a tailored proposal with clear scope, deliverables and expected outcomes.
Existing Clients
Already Working with Signisys?
For questions about an ongoing engagement, contact your Signisys account team, or reach us directly by phone or email.
What happens next?
- We Acknowledge Your RequestYour account team responds within 1 business day.
- We Establish OwnershipWe understand your requirement and connect you with the right team.
- We Work on Your RequestThe relevant specialist coordinates with you to address your requirement.
- We Ensure ClosureWe follow through, confirm resolution and keep you informed.
Call Us
+91 7669 966 966Email Us
connect@signisys.comResponse within 1 business day
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