A Practical Guide to Using SAP S/4HANA Migration Cockpit

by

Introduction of SAP S/4HANA Migration Cockpit

Migrating data to SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition is a key step in moving from your legacy system to a modern ERP environment. The SAP S/4HANA Migration Cockpit is designed to make this process easier by offering two main approaches:

  1. Migrate Data Using Staging Tables
  2. Migrate Data Directly from SAP System

This guide walks you through the basics of both approaches, explains the steps involved, and shares tips on mapping, simulation, and error handling.

1. Understanding the Migration Cockpit

The Migration Cockpit is a built-in tool in SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition. It uses predefined migration objects to transfer master and transactional data. These migration objects define what data is transferred, such as customers, products, or banks, and in what sequence.

2. Approach 1: Migrate Data Using Staging Tables

With this method, the system creates staging tables in either:

  • SAP S/4HANA Database Schema (ideal for uploads of XML or CSV templates)
  • The system also creates a Remote SAP HANA Database Schema, which can be utilized with ETL tools like SAP Data Services or Smart Data Integration. Services or Smart Data Integration.
SAP S/4HANA Migration Cockpit

Step-by-Step Process

  1. Create Migration Project
    • Go to the Migrate Your Data app, click Create, and choose Migrate Data Using Staging Tables.
    • Enter the project name, Mass Transfer ID, and schema location.
    • Add migration objects, ensuring you also include dependent objects.
  2. Download Templates
    • Download XML or CSV templates for each migration object.
    • XML is simpler for beginners; CSV is flexible but needs more experience.
  3. Populate Templates
    • Fill mandatory fields (marked with “*”) and follow the delimiter settings for CSV.
    • Avoid changing delimiters after downloading the template.
  4. Upload Files
    • Upload filled XML or zipped CSV files to the cockpit.
    • Check for the “Data Successfully Transferred” status.
  5. Mapping Tasks
    • Map source values to target system values.
    • Maintain mappings directly in the cockpit or use download/upload options.
  6. Simulation and Migration
    • Simulate data load to catch errors early.
    • Migrate once errors are resolved.
  7. Data Validation
    • Use the Migration Results view or relevant apps to verify migrated data.

3. Approach 2: Migrate Data Directly from SAP System

This method allows you to directly import data from an SAP ERP source system into SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition without using staging tables.

Technical Prerequisites

  • Source system: SAP ERP (ECC 6.0 or higher)
  • Target: SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition, three-system landscape
  • Installed component: DMIS 2011 SP25 or higher
  • Configured Communication Arrangement (SAP_COM_0816)
  • Required authorizations in target system

Process Overview

  1. Create Migration Project
    • Choose Migrate Data Directly from SAP System.
    • Enter project name, source system connection, and select organizational units.
  2. Add Migration Objects
    • Choose objects and their predecessors.
    • Missing objects can be requested via SAP’s Customer Influence Portal.
  3. Select Data
    • Run Select Data to pull records from the source system.
    • Use reselection if data changes in the source system.
  4. Prepare Mapping Tasks
    • The system proposes mappings between source and target values.
  5. Simulate and Migrate
    • Test the load with simulations.
    • Migrate selected instances or all successfully simulated records.

4. Mapping and Value Management

Mapping ensures that data values from the source system match those in the target system.
You can:

  • Maintain mappings directly in the cockpit
  • Download mapping templates, edit them in Excel, and upload them back

Options allow you to replace existing values, add new ones, or confirm values automatically.

5. Error Handling and Troubleshooting

During migration, you may encounter four types of messages:

  • Error – must be fixed before proceeding
  • Warning – can proceed but needs review
  • Success – operation completed
  • Information – general details

Ways to Check Errors

  1. View all messages for a specific activity
  2. Check which instances are linked to a message
  3. View messages for a single instance
  4. See all messages from a migration run

You can download these messages for offline review and filtering.

6. Additional Features

  • Migration Object Update: When a new SAP release changes migration objects, you may need to update them to use the latest templates.
  • Job Management: Adjust the number of background jobs to improve performance.
  • Mass Processing: Run actions like simulate or migrate on multiple instances at once.
  • Situation Handling: Receive notifications when simulations or migrations are completed.

7. Best Practices for an Easy Migration

  • Always include dependent migration objects to avoid data gaps.
  • Use XML templates unless you have a strong reason and experience to use CSV.
  • Validate data in the target system after migration using standard SAP apps.
  • Keep mappings consistent if using both approaches (direct and staging).
  • Regularly check for migration object updates after release upgrades.
  • Use simulations to reduce the risk of data errors during migration.

Conclusion

This SAP S/4HANA Migration Cockpit is an efficient tool for moving information from old platforms into S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition. By understanding both of its primary approaches – staging tables and direct transfer – and developing an organized migration process, errors during migration should be reduced while data integrity remains secure.

No matter if you use an XML template or directly connected connections, the key to successful SAP S/4HANA Cloud migration lies in carefully organizing data sets, mappings and results after transition. With proper planning and steps taken during migration, migration should be smooth.

You might also find the following articles interesting.

facebookShare on Facebook
TwitterTweet
FollowFollow us

We are a group of SAP Consultants who want to teach and make studying tough SAP topics easier by providing comprehensive and easy-to-understand learning resources.

...

Leave a Reply

error

Enjoy this blog? Please spread the word :)