Brownfield or Greenfield? SAP S/4HANA migrations in the energy sector require clear decisions. Fit-to-Standard workshops, Fit-Gap analyses, and a clean roadmap are critical – ENECON supports utilities with a structured, hands-on approach.
For utilities, migrating to SAP S/4HANA is not a standard IT project. Regulatory requirements, established market roles, and historically grown ERP landscapes demand thorough preparation. Success depends not only on technical execution, but above all on making the right business and strategic decisions before the project even starts.
Brownfield or Greenfield: a fundamental decision
One of the first key questions is: Brownfield or Greenfield?
With a Brownfield approach, the existing SAP ERP system is technically converted to SAP S/4HANA. Processes and data largely remain unchanged. This approach is suitable when:
- the current system is stable,
- core processes are functioning,
- historical data is still required,
- and time pressure is high.
The Greenfield approach means a new implementation. Processes are redesigned, and only selected data is migrated. This path makes sense when:
- processes are heavily customized or inefficient,
- legacy systems have “grown” over many years,
- standardization is a strategic goal,
- or a fundamental organizational realignment is planned.
Between these two extremes, hybrid approaches also exist, combining elements of both worlds through selective data migration.
Why business departments must be involved early
Regardless of the migration path, practical experience shows: without solid business preparation, project risk increases significantly.
That’s why utilities should invest time in Fit-to-Standard workshops before deciding on Brownfield or Greenfield.
In these workshops, business departments compare their current processes with SAP S/4HANA standard processes – aligned with BDEW process models and upcoming regulatory requirements. The goal is not to replicate existing custom solutions, but to consciously decide where standard can be applied and where deviations are truly necessary.
Building on this, Fit-Gap analyses provide the foundation for informed decisions. They create transparency around:
- existing business or regulatory gaps,
- mandatory adjustments,
- and requirements that can deliberately be dropped.
These workshops are time-consuming, but they should be firmly scheduled by business teams. They help avoid rework, cost overruns, and unnecessary custom development later in the project.
Additional key preparation areas
Beyond process alignment, two further topics play a central role:
- Data cleansing: Unneeded master and transactional data should be identified and cleaned up before migration to reduce effort and risk.
- Roadmap: A clear roadmap with milestones, budget planning, and resource allocation makes the program manageable – especially critical in ongoing utility operations.
ENECON supports utilities precisely in this early phase: from structured decision-making between Brownfield and Greenfield, through Fit-to-Standard workshops and Fit-Gap analyses, to defining a realistic migration roadmap.
The goal is to make migrations predictable – business-driven and without unnecessary complexity.