SAP PI/PO Migration to Integration Suite Modernizing your SAP integration solution

Below are some important considerations that should be taken into account when planning the migration from SAP PI/PO:

1. Detailed planning should account for the interdependencies of connected projects. Planning an SAP PI/PO migration typically takes 1-2 months.
2. Migration from SAP PI/PO takes from 7 to 16 months, influenced by business and IT strategies, landscape complexity, and other factors.
3. Aligning landscape and integration strategies with overall business and IT goals is crucial for effective, future-focused investments.
4. Assessing the TCO of an integration platform before selection and implementation is essential for strategic and financially sound decisions.
5. A smooth migration and successful post-migration operations depend on consistent resource availability from the client and third parties.
6. The quality and availability of existing documentation (specifications, solution architecture, etc.) impact the migration effort and timeline.

The optimal timing for migrating to SAP Integration Suite in relation to your SAP S/4HANA transformation largely depends on your organization's business needs and the state of your existing systems. Generally, there are two approaches:

1. Pre-Transformation: Migrate before the SAP S/4HANA transformation to stabilize the integration landscape and address potential integration issues early, ensuring a smoother transition.
2. Concurrent Transformation: Migrate alongside the SAP S/4HANA transformation to streamline efforts and reduce redundancy by syncing migration timelines and activities. EPAM often finds the concurrent approach beneficial, though it demands significant client involvement, particularly from product teams providing functional requirements.

Alternatives to SAP Integration Suite include several prominent platforms such as Microsoft Azure Integration Services, Tibco Container Edition, MuleSoft Anypoint Platform, and Boomi, among others. Specific capabilities within the SAP Integration Suite can be replaced by alternatives such as Kafka for Event Mesh and KONG API for API Management. Selecting a target platform should align with your organization's Integration Strategy and be informed by Technology Mapping. EPAM has extensive experience across all major integration platforms and services, enabling tailored solutions for your unique integration requirements.

In most cases, redesigning the integration process may be necessary to align with new system capabilities and ensure the solution is cloud-ready. At EPAM, the preferred approach is leveraging modern cloud-based technologies instead of transitioning legacy on-premise protocols, adapters, and technologies to a cloud environment. Alternatively, developing custom adapters or using third-party solutions to replicate the original systems’ functionality is possible. However, these alternatives are less frequently implemented as they may not provide the same level of integration and future scalability as a redesigned system.

Based on our experience, common migration challenges include:

1. Organizational Alignment: Ensuring the entire organization understands and supports the migration is crucial. Conduct workshops and communication sessions for stakeholder alignment with the migration's objectives.
2. Alignment With Ongoing Initiatives: Migration might conflict with other projects and programs. Develop a roadmap coordinating the migration with other initiatives.
3. Resource Availability: Different teams may have varying availability and capability to support the migration. Assess resources and plan staffing or hire temporary specialists if needed.
4. Documentation Quality: Outdated or inadequate documentation can hinder migration. Review and update existing documentation before the migration.