Introduction: Why 2025 is the Pivotal Year for SAP S/4HANA Migration

The global SAP ecosystem is at a defining crossroads. SAP has officially announced that support for SAP ECC (ERP Central Component) will end in 2027, with extended support available until 2030 at a significant premium (SAP, 2020). For enterprises across the USA and Canada, this looming ECC to S/4HANA deadline in 2027 represents more than just a software upgrade—it is a business transformation mandate.

By 2025, enterprises that have not yet begun their SAP S/4HANA migration risk falling behind. Migration projects are complex and resource-intensive and often take 18–36 months depending on the size of the business and complexity of the SAP landscape (Gartner, 2024). This makes 2025 the year enterprises must commit to action or risk entering a crowded migration rush in 2026 and 2027 when qualified consultants, skilled developers, and proven SAP migration vendors in the USA and Canada will be in short supply. The clock is ticking; start your SAP S/4HANA migration journey with BJIT today, book your free consultation session with BJIT, and stay ahead of the 2027 ECC deadline.

The Market Context: SAP Adoption Trends in the USA & Canada

In the USA and Canada, the situation is no different. Despite SAP announcing the ECC sunset years ago, many enterprises have been hesitant to migrate due to:

• Concerns about business disruption during migration – For enterprises running mission-critical operations on SAP, any downtime or misstep in migration can have serious consequences, such as interrupted supply chains, delayed financial reporting, or regulatory non-compliance. Many CIOs worry about the potential risk of disrupting day-to-day operations, making them cautious about when and how to begin the migration.
• Perception of high upfront costs—Moving from ECC to S/4HANA is often seen as a large capital expenditure, involving licensing, infrastructure, consulting, and training. For some organizations, especially mid-market enterprises, this cost can appear prohibitive, even though long-term efficiency gains and lower total cost of ownership (TCO) outweigh the initial investment.
• Shortage of experienced SAP migration vendors in North America – While there is a growing pool of SAP consultants, the number of vendors with deep, hands-on S/4HANA migration expertise remains limited. Enterprises often struggle to find partners who combine local presence in the USA & Canada with proven global delivery capabilities, making vendor selection a bottleneck in planning.
• Lack of clarity around the business case for modernization – Some decision-makers still view migration as a “technical upgrade” rather than a transformation opportunity. Without a clear articulation of the benefits—such as AI-readiness, faster analytics, process automation, and cloud integration—enterprises delay investment, underestimating how migration can drive competitiveness and long-term growth (Gartner, 2024).

Yet, analyst firms like Gartner forecast a massive acceleration in S/4HANA migration services demand from 2025 onward, as CIOs, CTOs, & Tech Heads face growing pressure from boards and regulators to ensure compliance, modernization, and competitiveness (Gartner, 2024). Work with a migration partner who understands the unique challenges of USA & Canada enterprises; book a discovery call with BJIT’s SAP experts now.

Risks of Delaying Migration Beyond 2025

For CIOs and IT directors, the risks of deferring migration until the last minute are significant:

1. Cost Overruns

Delaying until 2026 or 2027 means competing with hundreds of other enterprises for the same limited pool of certified SAP consultants in the USA and Canada. Rates are already rising, and last-minute migrations can cost 30–50% more than well-planned transitions (IDC, 2024).

2. Compliance & Security Concerns

Many industries—such as banking, healthcare, and government contractors—require software to be fully supported and compliant. Running ECC post-2027 without official support could expose enterprises to audit failures, data breaches, and regulatory penalties (SAP, 2020).

3. Business Performance Bottlenecks

ECC lacks the agility, AI-readiness, and integration capabilities that modern enterprises need. Competitors migrating earlier will gain faster reporting, better customer insights, and improved automation—leaving laggards at a strategic disadvantage (Gartner, 2024).

4. Resource Scarcity

SAP migration requires experienced architects, developers, and industry consultants. As the deadline nears, finding a reliable SAP migration vendor in the USA or Canada will become increasingly difficult. Enterprises waiting until 2026 risk stalled projects due to resource shortages (IDC, 2024).

Benefits of SAP S/4HANA Migration for North American Enterprises

Migrating to SAP S/4HANA is not just about avoiding risks, it’s about unlocking opportunities. Enterprises in the USA and Canada that modernize early will enjoy:

1. Cloud-Native Agility

S/4HANA supports seamless integration with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud), enabling enterprises to scale operations, optimize infrastructure costs, and accelerate digital transformation (SAP SE, 2025).

2. AI & Analytics Readiness

With SAP’s embedded analytics and machine learning capabilities, enterprises gain real-time insights, predictive forecasting, and automation—crucial for staying competitive in fast-moving industries (Gartner, 2024).

3. Enhanced Performance

The in-memory HANA database powers faster transaction processing and reporting, reducing delays in decision-making and improving enterprise efficiency (SAP SE, 2025).

4. Improved User Experience

SAP Fiori offers a modern, intuitive interface across devices, enhancing workforce productivity and reducing training overhead (SAP SE, 2025).

5. Future-Proof Compliance

By migrating early, businesses ensure they meet regulatory requirements, avoid disruptions, and stay aligned with SAP’s roadmap for innovation (IDC, 2024).

Vendor Selection Guide: Choosing the Right SAP Migration Partner in USA & Canada

Selecting the right SAP migration vendor is the most critical decision enterprises will make. Here’s what CIOs and IT directors in the USA and Canada should prioritize when evaluating partners:

1. Proven Experience—Vendors with a strong track record in large-scale SAP S/4HANA migrations.
2. Certifications & Partnerships—Certified SAP implementation partners with direct access to SAP’s latest tools and methodologies.
3. Local Presence with Global Expertise—Knowledge of North American compliance and regulations combined with global delivery models.
4. Industry-Specific Knowledge—Experience in healthcare, finance, manufacturing, or retail tailored to USA & Canada enterprises.
5. End-to-End Services—Beyond migration: SAP consulting, modernization, and post-go-live support. (Gartner, 2024)

Why 2025 is the Right Time to Start Migration

1. Avoid the 2026–2027 Rush—Ensure access to top SAP migration vendors in North America before bottlenecks hit.
2. Resource Availability—Secure certified consultants while availability remains high.
3. Time for Business Process Redesign—Migration offers the chance to rethink processes and integrate AI-driven solutions.
4. Strategic Alignment – Early migration allows enterprises to align projects with broader digital transformation goals. (IDC, 2024; Gartner, 2024)

BJIT: A Trusted SAP Migration Vendor in USA & Canada

At BJIT, we understand that SAP S/4HANA migration is not just a technical upgrade; it is a strategic transformation journey. For more than a decade, BJIT has been helping enterprises in North America and Europe modernize their SAP landscapes, ensuring smooth transitions from ECC to S/4HANA while aligning IT with broader business goals. Let’s have a discussion.

As a global technology services company, BJIT brings unmatched expertise in SAP consulting, implementation, and modernization, having delivered successful SAP projects for Fortune 500 companies, mid-market leaders, and fast-scaling enterprises worldwide. Our commitment is simple: deliver enterprise-grade quality with cost efficiency so organizations in the USA & Canada can modernize confidently without breaking budgets.

Why Enterprises Choose BJIT as Their SAP Migration Partner

• Proven Track Record of Over a Decade: BJIT has successfully executed large-scale SAP migrations for more than 10 years, supporting enterprises across North America and Europe. Our longevity demonstrates not only technical expertise but also a consistent ability to adapt to SAP’s evolving ecosystem and industry best practices.
• Certified SAP Experts with Industry Depth: Our team consists of certified SAP consultants and architects with deep knowledge in industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, finance, retail, and utilities. This ensures every migration is tailored to the client’s unique regulatory, operational, and market needs.
• Cost-Effective Offshore + Onshore Delivery Model: By combining onshore consulting in the USA & Canada with a highly skilled offshore delivery center, BJIT enables clients to reduce migration costs by 30–40% compared to traditional models—without compromising quality. This hybrid approach allows clients to access local expertise for strategic planning and governance while leveraging offshore efficiency for execution.
• End-to-End SAP Migration Services: From ECC landscape assessments and roadmap creation to system conversion, greenfield/brownfield implementations, and post-go-live optimization, BJIT delivers the full spectrum of S/4HANA migration services. We don’t just move systems—we ensure enterprises emerge stronger, leaner, and more agile.
• Innovation-Driven Modernization: Migration with BJIT means more than simply “lifting and shifting.” We help clients embed AI, analytics, IoT, and cloud-native capabilities into their SAP environments, ensuring that their S/4HANA platform becomes a true engine of digital transformation.
• Local Presence with Global Strength: With a strong focus in the USA & Canada, supported by delivery centers across Asia and Europe, BJIT offers the best of both worlds: local understanding and global scale.

In short, BJIT enables North American enterprises to modernize smarter, faster, and more cost-effectively, turning the 2027 ECC deadline into an opportunity for competitive advantage.

Conclusion: Act Now Before the 2027 ECC Deadline

The ECC to S/4HANA 2027 deadline is approaching faster than many Tech Heads, CIOs, and CTOs realize. For enterprises in the USA & Canada, 2025 is the year to start acting. By choosing a trusted SAP migration vendor like BJIT, businesses can:

• Secure top resources before the migration bottleneck.
• Avoid inflated costs of last-minute projects.
• Modernize operations with AI, analytics, and cloud readiness.
• Ensure compliance, agility, and long-term competitiveness.

Don’t wait until the 2026–2027 migration rush. Schedule your free SAP S/4HANA migration consultation with BJIT today and ensure your enterprise is ready for the future.

References

BJIT. (2025). SAP migration services and consulting. BJIT Global. https://bjitgroup.com/blog-details/sap-s-4hana-migration-in-2025-why-you-can-t-wait-until-2027 

Gartner. (2024). Competitive Trends in SAP S/4HANA Application Services Market trends. Gartner Research.

IDC. (2024). Worldwide SAP S/4HANA adoption forecast and market outlook. IDC Market Research.

SAP. (2020). SAP to extend maintenance for SAP Business Suite 7. SAP News. https://news.sap.com

SAP SE. (2025, July). The business value of SAP Business Technology Platform with SAP business applications—Executive summary. https://www.sap.com/documents/2025/07/c69586c5-147f-0010-bca6-c68f7e60039b.html