SAP Migration · 5 min read · June 2026
Why system integrators underinvest in SAP data cleansing
By Thinklytics Partners, SAP S/4HANA Practice
System integrators underinvest in data cleansing because it is tedious, risky, and low-margin, so it gets staffed junior and cut first. That is the layer that decides the migration.
Topics covered
- System Integrators
- Data Cleansing
- Migration Risk
- S/4HANA
Frequently asked questions
Why do system integrators underinvest in data cleansing?
Because it is tedious, risky, and low-margin for them. It gets treated as a sub-line-item, staffed junior, and cut first when the schedule tightens.
Is this a criticism of the big firms?
No, it is structural. Their model is built to sell and deliver the platform. Data cleansing does not fit that model well, so it gets under-resourced.
Why does that hurt the client?
Because the data layer is the most common cause of stalls and overruns. Under-resourcing it under-resources the actual risk, which surfaces when the data will not load.
What should we do about it?
Own the data layer separately with senior specialists accountable for it, in-house or with a partner who does only this work.
Can a specialist work alongside our SI?
Yes. On many programs the specialist data workstream is what keeps the broader SI program on schedule.
Does headcount fix the data problem?
No. Depth in the data layer beats headcount. A small senior team outperforms a large junior one on the work that decides the migration.