SAP May Be Reconsidering the Support Deadline for SAP Business Suite 7, Including SAP ECC 6.0. According to a recent Gartner report, 60% of SAP customers are still running ECC, and a significant portion may choose to remain on this version beyond 2027 or even 2030.
The key question for SAP is simple: if many customers resist migrating to SAP S/4HANA, the company risks losing a significant share of revenue to third-party support providers like Rimini Street, which is already positioning itself to serve these customers until 2039.
Amid this scenario, rumors have surfaced about a new program called “SAP ERP, Private Edition, Transition Option,” which would allow some companies to remain on ECC for a longer period. But will this be enough? And what does it mean for those who have yet to migrate to S/4HANA?
The History of ECC Support Extension
SAP’s timeline for ending ECC support has already changed before. The original end date for mainstream support was set for 2025, but in 2020, the company announced an extension to 2027, followed by an optional extended support period until 2030, with an additional cost of 3%.
Now, with the emergence of the Transition Option, SAP may be creating an opportunity for some companies to remain on ECC until 2033. However, for now, this program appears to be limited to a select group of customers, particularly those already enrolled in RISE with SAP, an initiative designed to facilitate the transition to S/4HANA.
Why Might SAP Extend Support Again?
According to Gartner, SAP may be compelled to extend ECC support for both strategic and financial reasons:
- Large Number of Customers Still on ECC: More than half of SAP’s customer base continues to run ECC. Projections indicate that 24% of customers will still be using this version in 2030.
- High Migration Costs: Transitioning to S/4HANA is not just a simple upgrade but a complex and costly project, which may discourage companies—especially those with highly customized systems.
- Competition from Third-Party Support: Companies like Rimini Street offer ongoing ECC support at a lower cost than SAP’s official support, which could drive many customers to choose this alternative.
If SAP does not provide a viable option for these customers, it risks losing high-margin revenue from support services—one of the most profitable areas of its portfolio.
The Role of RISE with SAP in the Migration to S/4HANA
SAP has been betting on RISE with SAP as its primary strategy to drive S/4HANA adoption. This offering includes software, services, and infrastructure to streamline the transition to the next-generation ERP.
However, many customers remain unconvinced that SAP’s technological benefits and financial incentives justify the effort and cost of migration. This puts pressure on SAP to find new ways to retain its customer base without jeopardizing its business model.
What Should Companies Do Now?
With so much uncertainty surrounding the future of ECC support, companies should consider several strategic actions:
- Assess the Cost-Benefit of Migrating to S/4HANA: Even if SAP offers further extensions, transitioning to S/4HANA will eventually become unavoidable.
- Monitor SAP’s Moves: The rules for SAP ERP, Private Edition, Transition Option are not yet fully defined, and new programs may emerge to accommodate different customer profiles.
- Explore Third-Party Support Alternatives: Companies like Rimini Street are preparing to offer long-term ECC support. Depending on the cost-benefit analysis, this could be a viable option for some businesses.
Conclusion
SAP faces a challenging dilemma: if it insists on the 2027/2030 deadline for ending ECC support, it risks losing revenue to third-party providers. On the other hand, if it becomes too flexible, it could slow down S/4HANA adoption and weaken its cloud migration strategy.
Companies must stay alert to these developments and carefully assess the best path for their transition. Meanwhile, SAP is expected to soon clarify which customers will qualify for the new support extension, providing the market with greater transparency.
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