The following partner insight was authored by Priyank Gupta, Senior Global Product Marketer - SAP at Syntax.
With a framework for digital transformation, Syntax helps stakeholders align solutions with business goals. The most important phase of any digital transformation is the beginning.
The initial discovery phase should involve stakeholders to ensure they make an informed decision about their digital transformation — and help them determine a migration approach.
Syntax Compass for SAP uses a process based on experience to guide organizations through a successful digital transformation to RISE with SAP, beginning with a very intentional discovery phase.
This framework provides a clear approach to the complex cloud migration process, while making sure the project meets the goals of each individual Syntax customer. Along with the Syntax team of experts leading the charge, this partnership builds confidence in a successful cloud journey.
Obtaining executive buy-in is also critical early step in a project, ensuring decision-makers are aligned with operational goals and business objectives. Syntax’s experts also show the various choices for migrations, whether it be greenfield, brownfield, or selective data transition. This blog post will provide insight into the migration approaches available for all core industries and how Syntax Compass offers before, during, and after migration support to customers.
Migration Approaches to Consider
There are a few ways to set up ERP migrations, from using existing data to simply upgrading systems, to beginning with an entirely new system and data.
Greenfield migrations are fresh systems, starting from scratch in a new platform. Companies that choose this approach are more able to explore completely new business processes and overhaul their current operation models for their future business.
A brownfield approach involves upgrading existing ERPs to unlock newer technologies that optimize business practices, while seeing operational continuity and building on existing data.
Syntax offers customers another option. Its Purplefield Migration involves identifying process optimization opportunities and implementing them in the current SAP ECC instance, preparing for an upgrade to the more current technology. Compared to a brownfield migration, which is very technical, or a greenfield approach, which is more associated with business transformation, purplefield looks to optimize the system and provide operational opportunities.
This approach essentially begins with brownfield migration. But after the dev box is ready, the client gains access to that dev box and Syntax conducts workshops within the system. They then talk through opportunities for transformation and continue to build out capabilities that align with their needs and business objectives. Then, customers can move to the new system and be prepared for go-live.
Adopting the ERP, Navigating Challenges
The next phase for Syntax Compass customers is the adoption. Syntax’s team takes a holistic approach to aligning business processes to the ERP and connecting with necessary applications, building the cloud landscape for the organization and modernizing the IT infrastructure.
This isn’t without its challenges.
Especially for global companies that are using separate systems — sometimes with different platforms — it takes time and intentional assessments to build these digital transformation journeys.
With mining companies, for example, a global footprint means accommodating various local rules and regulations to remain compliant. Corporate offices may be located in Canada, but mines might be in the U.S. and Central America. These companies must provide necessary government reports, meaning there is more specialization needed in the ERP.
Syntax uses a pre-configured solution that is built on best practices, as well as a mining-specific configuration based on Syntax’s experience. The experts at Syntax begin with a corporate global footprint and then roll out by region, bundling based on localization and language requirements.
Customers have access to an industry-specific lead at Syntax, who conducts a stakeholder analysis and workshops with business process owners and the Syntax solution architects. This is true for all core industries, including manufacturing, mining, mill products, and more, and Syntax takes a tailored approach based on size of organization and complexity of current systems.
In the mining industry, a main challenge is in the supply chain, especially as it applies to availability of equipment and qualified vendors.
But the entirety of the supply chain is now available for stakeholders to view, made possible by SAP Fiori and SAP Signavio, additional specialties of Syntax. An entire Signavio team at Syntax is encouraging its mining and other industry customers to adopt the technology to help identify gaps or roadblocks to better manage the supply chain. Solution architects investigate how a customer’s current system is used and then provide guidance and recommendations for how to use the data available, as well as adjust operations in a way that will benefit the organization’s future.
Beyond Implementation
While Syntax handles the intricacies of integrating these systems, end users might not understand how to navigate the new landscape. So, the Syntax team educates users on the different SAP systems and how to build their own reports with real-time data.
For future training that Syntax provides, they’re looking to use generative AI to build out more resources. For example, they’re planning on using the existing training information, tapping generative AI to translate for new locations, then having someone local read through for accuracy, so they can provide more training in more languages.
That continuous improvement is the last phase that Syntax Compass spells out: Optimize. Syntax essentially acts as an extension of its customers’ Centers of Excellence (CoE) to keep up to date on the technology and governance to support business goals and improve performance of the SAP solution, well beyond post-go-live.
When looking to move to RISE with SAP or modernize your core ERP, Syntax Compass is a holistic solution to help from the very beginning of the digital transformation process and into the future.
Priyank Gupta is Senior Global Product Marketer - SAP at Syntax.