SAP Migration · 6 min read · January 2026
How to choose your SAP BW modernization target
By Thinklytics Partners, SAP S/4HANA Practice
Modernizing SAP BW for S/4HANA means choosing a target based on where you are going, then rationalizing the estate so you only carry what is used.
Topics covered
- BW Modernization
- Datasphere
- Reporting
- S/4HANA
Frequently asked questions
Should we move BW to BW/4HANA or Datasphere?
It depends on your analytics direction, existing investment, and cloud strategy. We assess the estate and recommend a target rather than defaulting to one path.
Why is BW at risk during an S/4HANA migration?
When the data model changes, BW models and extractors break. Classic BW also has an end-of-life path, so migrating it as-is just moves the problem forward.
What is the first step in BW modernization?
Inventory the estate and measure what is actually used. Most estates carry hundreds of objects, many unused, that should be retired rather than carried forward.
Can we keep reporting working during the move?
Yes. Re-point the extractors and models that matter to the new S/4HANA structures and validate they reconcile to source, so reporting continues through the migration.
Is Datasphere a replacement for BW?
It can be the modernization target, depending on your direction. We recommend based on your landscape rather than assuming Datasphere is always the answer.
What happens if we just lift BW as-is?
You carry a decade of clutter and breakage into the new system at high cost. Rationalizing first is cheaper and produces a foundation you can build on.