Moving data into SAP is one of the most sensitive parts of any ERP project, which is why working with the right SAP data migration partner is critical from the start. If it goes wrong, everything else suffers. Reports don’t balance. Processes break. Users lose trust in the system. That’s why choosing the right data migration partner matters as much as choosing SAP itself.
This isn’t a decision to rush. A strong partner can reduce risk, save time, and help your team start using SAP with confidence. A weak one can create months of rework. Here’s how to make the right choice.
Start with proven SAP experience.
Not all data migration firms truly understand SAP. Some are general system integrators that treat migration as a technical copy-and-paste exercise. That rarely works.
Look for partners with deep, hands-on experience in SAP environments. Ask which SAP versions they’ve worked with, such as ECC, S/4HANA, or industry-specific solutions. Ask how many full migration cycles they’ve completed, not just planned.
Experience matters because SAP data structures are complex. Business rules, dependencies, and validation logic must be respected. A partner who understands this will catch issues early, rather than fix them after go-live.
Check their understanding of your industry.
SAP is flexible, but every industry uses it differently. Manufacturing, utilities, retail, and healthcare all have distinct data models and regulatory requirements.
A good migration partner knows these differences. They understand which data is critical, what can be archived, and where errors usually appear. This insight helps them design a migration approach that fits your business, not just the software.
Ask for examples from your industry. Ask what went wrong and how they handled it. Real experience shows in specific answers, not slide decks.
Evaluate their migration methodology.
A reliable partner should clearly explain how they migrate data from start to finish. If the process sounds vague or overly technical, that’s a warning sign.
Look for a structured approach that includes:
- Data assessment and profiling
- Cleansing and validation rules
- Mock migrations and test cycles
- Reconciliation and sign-off procedures
- Cutover planning and rollback options
Data migration is not a single event. It’s a series of controlled steps. Partners who skip test cycles or rush validation often leave problems behind.
Ask how they handle data quality.
Poor data quality is one of the biggest reasons SAP projects struggle. Duplicates, missing fields, and outdated records don’t fix themselves once data is in SAP.
Your partner should treat data quality as a shared responsibility. They should help you identify issues early and recommend practical fixes. That might include cleansing rules, enrichment strategies, or decisions on what not to migrate.
Be cautious of partners who promise to “automatically clean everything.” Tools help, but judgment matters more.
Review tools and automation carefully.
Most migration partners use tools to extract, transform, and load data. That’s normal and often necessary. But tools alone don’t guarantee success.
Ask which tools they use and why. More importantly, ask how much manual control they keep over critical data objects. The best partners balance automation with human review, especially for finance, master data, and compliance-related records.
Also, check whether their tools integrate well with your SAP landscape. Poor tool fit can slow the project and increase errors.
Assess communication and collaboration style.
Data migration touches many teams. IT, finance, operations, compliance, and business users all need to be involved. Your partner must be able to communicate clearly with all of them.
Pay attention during early conversations. Do they listen? Do they explain risks honestly? Do they push back when something doesn’t make sense?
Strong partners don’t just follow instructions. They challenge assumptions and flag issues early. That kind of collaboration prevents last-minute surprises.
Look for transparency in pricing and scope.
Migration projects often run over budget because the scope isn’t clear. Extra data objects appear. Legacy systems behave unexpectedly. Testing takes longer than planned.
A good partner is upfront about these risks. They define the scope carefully and explain what triggers additional cost. They don’t hide behind vague estimates or change orders written in dense language.
Ask how they manage scope changes and how often clients face unexpected charges. Their answer will tell you a lot.
Validate references and post-go-live support.
Always speak to past clients. Ask what went well and what didn’t. Ask how the partner behaved under pressure, especially in the weeks leading up to go-live.
Also, ask about post-migration support. Issues often surface after users start working in SAP. The right partner stays involved long enough to resolve these problems and stabilize the system.
If a partner disappears the moment data is loaded, that’s a risk.
Make the decision based on fit, not hype.
The best SAP data migration partner isn’t always the biggest or the loudest. It’s the one that understands your business, respects your data, and works as an extension of your team.
Take time to evaluate experience, methodology, communication, and honesty. A careful choice here can protect your SAP investment and set your project up for long-term success.
When the data is right, everything else works better. That’s worth getting right the first time.