Decision Path

ECC Continuity

If your ECC system is stable and the business case for migration isn't there yet, continuity can be a valid strategy—but only with a disciplined operating model.

2027

Mainstream support ends

2030

Extended support ends

+2%

Extended maintenance premium

50%

Typical 3rd party savings

Overview

What "ECC Continuity" Actually Means

Continuity means understanding support options, reducing operational risk, tightening security controls, and modernising selectively to keep users productive. It is not simply "do nothing and hope."

A credible continuity strategy addresses four dimensions: support (what happens when things break), security (how you stay protected), operations (how you maintain stability), and skills (how you retain expertise).

Support

What happens when things break

Security

How you stay protected

Operations

How you maintain stability

Support Options

Your Three Options

Each option has different cost, risk, and flexibility profiles. The right choice depends on your timeline and relationship with SAP.

A

Limited SAP Support

Negotiate with SAP for limited support after mainstream ends. Clarify contractually what is and isn't covered. Best for organizations actively planning a transition.

Critical security patches only
No enhancements or features
Contract terms vary
B

Extended Maintenance

Pay the premium for SAP extended maintenance through 2030. Provides more comprehensive support than limited options.

+2% on maintenance fees
Security & legal/tax updates
You own operations
C

Third-Party Support

Engage a third-party support provider (e.g., Rimini Street, Spinnaker). Often 50% cost reduction but with different service models.

Custom fixes, no SAP patches
May affect SAP relationship
Best for stable landscapes

Solution Manager Replacement Options

Moving to third-party support typically means losing access to SAP Solution Manager. These alternatives can replace key functionality.

Monitoring & Alerting

  • • Avantra (formerly Syslink)
  • • Basis Technologies ActiveControl
  • • IT-Conductor
  • • AppDynamics / Dynatrace

Change Management

  • • Rev-Trac
  • • Basis Technologies ActiveControl
  • • ServiceNow integration
  • • Custom CTS+ workflows

Test Automation

  • • Tricentis Tosca
  • • Panaya
  • • Worksoft Certify
  • • Original Software TestBench

Operational Excellence

Maintaining Automation Without Solution Manager

If you lose Solution Manager access (through third-party support or otherwise), these four areas require alternative tooling and processes.

Change Control Management

Transport management, code review, and release orchestration across your landscape.

  • Transport release approval workflows
  • Cross-system import coordination
  • Conflict detection and resolution
  • Deployment audit trail

Monitoring and Observability

Job monitoring, interface monitoring, and performance dashboards for proactive operations.

  • Batch job monitoring and alerting
  • Interface/IDoc error tracking
  • Performance trend analysis
  • System health dashboards

System Management

System administration, user management, and landscape management without SolMan.

  • Landscape documentation (LMDB replacement)
  • User provisioning workflows
  • Scheduled maintenance windows
  • Incident tracking integration

ABAP Test Cockpit (ATC)

Custom code quality, security scanning, and S/4HANA readiness checks.

  • Local ATC runs (available in ECC)
  • Code Inspector integration
  • Security vulnerability scanning
  • S/4 simplification item analysis

Optimization

Modernisation Without Migration

Staying on ECC doesn't mean standing still. You can modernise the user experience, automate operations, and reduce risk without a full S/4 migration.

Learn more about modernization

UX Modernisation

Fiori apps, portals, targeted UI improvements

Basis Automation

System copies, transport management

Security Hardening

Role cleanup, SoD analysis

Testing Automation

Regression testing, data masking

Action Plan

Your 90-Day Continuity Plan

01
Days 1-30

Stabilise & Document

Audit current state, document dependencies, identify SME risks. Create a clear picture of what you have.

System auditDependency mappingSME identification
02
Days 31-60

Secure & Automate

Implement quick-win automation, tighten security controls. Address the highest-risk items first.

Security hardeningQuick-win automationRisk mitigation
03
Days 61-90

Monitor & Govern

Establish KPIs, set up monitoring dashboards, define governance. Build the operating rhythm.

KPI definitionMonitoring setupGovernance model

Get Your Personalized Continuity Plan

Take the 7-minute ERP Path Selector assessment to get a customized continuity strategy based on your specific landscape and constraints.

Start Assessment