With the imminent end of the on-prem option for SAP Commerce, many companies are faced with a crucial question: should they take the plunge into the SAP Commerce Cloud or should they opt for a different solution? The migration to the SAP Commerce Cloud promises many advantages, but also brings with it some challenges that are often underestimated.
In this blog post, we take a look at eight key reasons why companies should be careful when migrating to the SAP Commerce Cloud - and which pitfalls to avoid.
Tip: You can find out more about the background to the end of SAP Commerce in this blog post.
Reason 1: Impending budget nightmare with SAP Commerce Cloud migration
We've all been there: after long discussions and intensive deliberations, a system is chosen - with a clear budget limit, of course. But as soon as you start, the ‘budget nightmare’ appears. Why? Quite simply, the actual costs often exceed the initial calculations.
Particularly with large systems such as the SAP Commerce Cloud, high licence costs have to be factored in from the outset. But that's just the beginning. In addition to complex implementations, there are also regular upgrades, development costs and the constant need for external support (such as hosting or support). These ongoing costs and adjustments quickly add up and can significantly exceed the originally planned budget.
Our tip: To avoid nasty surprises, be sure to create a total cost of ownership (TCO) calculation before the migration. Take into account not only the obvious costs such as licences and implementations, but also long-term expenses for maintenance, updates, support and necessary adjustments. It is advisable to consult an experienced service provider who will help you to make all possible cost factors transparent and identify hidden costs at an early stage.
The whitepaper on the topic: Plan your migration with realistic figures! In our white paper "SAP Commerce on the brink of extinction: successor and alternatives in a cost check", we not only show the actual costs of SAP Commerce Cloud, but also compare them with two alternative shop systems. Discover which system is worthwhile for your business in the long term - and avoid expensive surprises.
Reason 2: Vendor lock-in - a golden cage
At first glance, it sounds practical: everything from a single source. This is exactly what SAP offers with a wide range of applications that can cover almost any business need. But what initially sounds convenient can become a problem in the long term.
With an SAP Commerce Cloud migration, you are tied to the SAP infrastructure for the long term. What does this mean for your company? A later detachment from SAP will not only be complicated, but also expensive and time-consuming. In addition, for better or worse, you are dependent on SAP delivering regular updates - a point where a large corporation like SAP does not always excel in terms of speed. This is because large organisations have complex decision-making processes and the mills grind correspondingly slowly.
The risk: While the competition can flexibly focus on innovations, you may be forced to work with outdated or inadequately customised solutions. This can significantly impair your competitiveness.
Our tip: Before you decide in favour of an SAP Commerce Cloud migration, check exactly how flexible you will really remain afterwards. Clarify how easy or difficult it could be to switch to another platform. Consider whether a platform with a stronger focus on continuous innovation is a better fit for your strategy - and make sure you keep all your options open.
Reason 3: Not a pure commerce platform
The SAP Commerce Cloud is not specifically designed as a pure e-commerce platform, but rather as part of the comprehensive SAP ecosystem. While this can offer advantages for companies that are already deeply integrated into the SAP world, it also brings with it considerable challenges:
- Complexity: companies without an existing SAP infrastructure have to familiarise themselves with a highly complex system that often goes beyond what they actually need.
- Lack of specialisation: Compared to modern, specialised commerce platforms, the SAP Commerce Cloud often lacks flexibility and speed of innovation. This can be a significant disadvantage, especially in the dynamic e-commerce environment, where trends and technologies change quickly.
- Performance and scalability: Systems that are not primarily designed for e-commerce often reach their limits when it comes to specific requirements such as high scalability or seamless integration of third-party tools.
Our tip: If your focus is clearly on e-commerce, it is worth taking a look at specialised platforms that have been developed precisely for these requirements. Check whether alternatives can offer you more flexibility, better performance and faster innovation in order to remain competitive in the long term.
The whitepaper on the topic: Are you looking for an e-commerce platform that is specifically tailored to the needs of B2B companies? Our "B2B shop system guide" provides you with the answers! We have analysed and compared 13 leading systems - from functions to scalability and innovation potential. Find out which solution is perfect for your company.
Reason 4: Overly optimistic time estimates
Migrating to the SAP Commerce Cloud is rarely a straightforward endeavour. The complexity of the SAP system and the necessary adjustments to existing data, processes and integrations are often underestimated.
Unexpected challenges often only become apparent during implementation:
- Data migration: transferring large amounts of data - from product information to customer data - is time-consuming and error-prone.
- Integration of existing systems: Whether ERP, CRM or other tools - smooth integration into the SAP infrastructure often takes more time than originally planned.
- Customised adaptations: Extensive customisations are necessary to optimally adapt the platform to your business requirements. This can quickly throw schedules out of kilter.
- Another factor: SAP systems are known for their complexity. Without experienced partners or a deep understanding of the platform, projects often come to a standstill.
Our tip: Plan generous buffer times right from the start in order to be prepared for unforeseen delays. Carry out comprehensive tests at an early stage in order to recognise and rectify potential problems in good time. Realistic scheduling is the key to a successful migration without costly surprises.
Reason 5: Integration - the downside of complex IT systems
One of the biggest challenges in SAP Commerce Cloud migration is integration with third-party applications - especially when it comes to customised software, as already mentioned in reason four. Many companies have customised systems that are closely linked to other internal solutions. When migrating to SAP, these integrations can come to a standstill, which takes up additional time and resources.
While SAP Commerce Cloud has been optimised to integrate with the SAP world, companies that rely on a variety of third-party applications can quickly run into problems. These difficulties can arise when systems do not communicate natively with each other or when customised solutions are not compatible.
The catch: this does not necessarily mean that such integrations are not possible, but they are often complex and require additional customisation. There may also be unexpected costs that were not taken into account during initial planning.
Our tip: Check in advance whether your existing systems are compatible with SAP Commerce Cloud. This includes analysing interfaces, APIs and the technical infrastructure in detail. In many cases, the use of an iPaaS solution (Integration-Platform-as-a-Service), such as synQup, can be useful to facilitate the integration of third-party applications and ensure a stable, future-proof connection. Planning and selecting the right integration solutions at an early stage saves time and money and prevents long-term problems.
Reason 6: User experience - when the platform becomes a hurdle
Despite its extensive functionalities, the SAP Commerce Cloud can offer end users, both administrators and customers, a cumbersome and unintuitive user interface. Administrators often struggle to manage the platform efficiently, leading to complex and time-consuming workflows. For end customers, in turn, the user interface can be confusing, which negatively impacts the user experience.
Often the use of the platform requires extensive training and ongoing customisation, which becomes a significant resource cost, especially for a growing e-commerce business. As a result, operational efficiency can be significantly impaired.
Our tip: When selecting your solution, make sure that it is not only functional but also intuitive to use. A user-friendly platform that is easy to customise will save you time and money in the long term. If your employees and customers can quickly find their way around, this not only increases efficiency, but also overall user satisfaction.
Reason 7: Performance problems with peak loads
Although the SAP Commerce Cloud relies on cloud technology, there are repeated reports of performance problems during peak loads, such as high traffic or complex processes. The platform sometimes shows performance losses, especially during busy periods, such as special promotions or seasonal sales periods. This could prove problematic under high load if scaling is not fast enough.
Hosting is only possible via Microsoft Azure, which significantly limits freedom of choice. This is a significant disadvantage for companies that want to use other providers or hybrid solutions.
Our tip: opt for a platform that impresses in terms of both scalability and flexibility. Robust hosting is crucial, but it should also give you the freedom to choose between different hosting options depending on your needs. This will ensure that your performance remains consistent even under heavy loads and that you are not restricted in your choice and customisation.
Reason 8: Global rollouts - a race against time
Multinational companies with diverse language and currency requirements often face obstacles with the SAP Commerce Cloud. The platform is not always optimised for global rollouts, which can lead to problems when adapting to local markets. Especially when rolling out in multiple countries, challenges such as multilingual support systems, country-specific tax rates or different payment options can arise - all aspects that often require additional customisation and integration.
Our tip: Test early on how well the platform fulfils international requirements. Put it to the test and check whether SAP Commerce Cloud can seamlessly cover multiple markets without the need for extensive customisation. This will ensure a smooth and cost-efficient rollout in multiple countries.
Conclusion
An SAP Commerce Cloud migration may seem like a promising solution at first glance, but as this article shows, there are numerous stumbling blocks that companies can encounter on the way to migrating to the cloud. From budget nightmares and integration restrictions to performance problems during peak loads - the challenges are many and varied.
Before deciding to migrate, you should thoroughly assess all relevant factors and consider alternative solutions that are better suited to your needs and objectives.
If you need support in selecting the right e-commerce platform or have questions about the potential pitfalls of SAP Commerce Cloud, we will be happy to assist you with our expertise.