Migration Philosophy
What is this?
Defines how migration must be approached.
This is NOT optional reading.
This is: → The rulebook for all decisions
Core Truth
SAP is a process engine, not a database
SAP S/4HANA integrates business processes across finance, procurement, and logistics into one system. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Fundamental Shift
Oracle
- Data-centric
- Flexible
- Loosely enforced relationships
SAP
- Process-centric
- Strict
- Enforced relationships
Core Principle
You are NOT migrating data
You are reconstructing business processes
What This Means
1. No Table Thinking
❌ Table → Table
✅ Business Entity → Business Object
2. Context is Mandatory
Every object requires:
- Company Code
- Plant
- Process
Without context: → Data is useless
3. Completeness Over Existence
In Oracle: → Partial data is allowed
In SAP: → Incomplete data is rejected
4. Relationships > Data
SAP validates:
- BP ↔ PO
- Material ↔ Plant
- PO ↔ GR ↔ Invoice
Break relationships: → Process fails
5. Validation is Design
Validation is NOT QA.
It is: → Built into SAP
6. Data Quality is the Risk
Most failures come from:
- Dirty data
- Missing context
- Incorrect assumptions
Anti-Philosophy
❌ Copy data
❌ Recreate Oracle
❌ Fix later
❌ Ignore process
Correct Approach
✔ Understand flow
✔ Define objects
✔ Map relationships
✔ Enforce process
✔ Validate continuously
Final Rule
If SAP rejects something
It is correct
Your design is wrong