The Brownfield approach to SAP S/4HANA migration is an upgrade-focused method, allowing businesses to transition from SAP ECC to SAP S/4HANA without starting from scratch.
Unlike a Greenfield approach, which requires a complete reengineering of the system, Brownfield enables the migration of existing workflows and systems, while preserving proven business processes and customizations. This approach minimizes disruption by maintaining key elements, such as interfaces to suppliers and partners, and typically involves a shorter project timeline.
One of the key advantages of Brownfield is that it offers a quicker, less disruptive migration, letting businesses keep their existing setup while upgrading to SAP S/4HANA. Companies can evaluate and refine their processes, retaining the ones that are effective and making improvements where needed.
However, Brownfield has its drawbacks. Since it relies on porting over previous customizations and workflows, it can limit innovation and flexibility. The success of the migration depends on how effectively these existing processes are replicated. Given the complexity of this migration, the Brownfield approach is often best-suited for on-premise deployments. It is ideal for businesses that want a rapid transition with minimal changes to their current systems and processes.
