Übersicht

H4S4 Readiness Check

What is the H4S4 Readiness Check?

The H4S4 Readiness Check (or: S/4HANA Readiness Check) is an essential tool for all SAP customers who want to embark on the path to “SAP S/4HANA” and “SAP S/4HANA for HCM”. It is a tool from SAP that helps companies to make the transition to SAP S/4HANA (or H4S4) easier.

The check addresses two key aspects: The technical change and the technical upgrade. The technical change refers to the changeover itself, while the technical upgrade ensures that the existing systems meet the requirements of SAP HCM for S/4HANA. Both existing sizing parameters and the coding standard are examined.

In addition, the H4S4 Readiness Check also analyzes process-related aspects, such as simplifications and the functional upgrade. The analysis of these aspects offers companies the opportunity to redesign business processes in order to benefit optimally from the innovative functions and possibilities of S/4HANA.

The comprehensive analysis of the technical and process-related aspects provides companies with a realistic estimate of the effort required to upgrade from SAP HCM to SAP HCM for S/4HANA.

The H4S4 Readiness Check can be carried out via the SAP for Me platform. Here, companies can find a central point of contact for evaluating their systems with regard to the upcoming transformation. As there is no specific tool exclusively for H4S4, the HCM systems are an integral part of the overarching S/4HANA Readiness Check.

How is the H4S4 Readiness Check carried out?

A central aspect of the Readiness Check is the RC_Collect_ANALYSIS_DATA report on the production system. This is used to perform a detailed analysis of the SAP system in order to answer the following questions:

• Which data structures are available?
• Which Z programs are used?
• What other coding adjustments have been made?

The results from the generated report are then uploaded to the SAP for Me page, which is used for the subsequent analysis. The system analysis lays the foundation for informed decision-making and a successful upgrade to SAP HCM for S/4HANA.

Useful hints for the H4S4 Readiness Check

The H4S4 Readiness Check is not only a milestone on the road to S/4HANA migration, but also a crucial building block for successful project preparation.

Here are some tips from our practical experience:

• The H4S4 Readiness Check can be carried out at any time. It is advisable to carry out this process more than once in order to always be informed about the state of the system for the migration to (SAP HCM for) S/4HANA. An early check enables potential challenges to be identified and resolved in good time.
• The H4S4 Readiness Check is a crucial building block for comprehensively preparing the SAP system for the requirements of S/4HANA. The analysis of sizing, coding and simplifications provides a clear overview of the status quo so that targeted (preliminary) measures can be taken to ensure a smooth transformation.

What exactly is behind SAP HCM for S/4HANA?

The maintenance period for SAP Business Suite 7 (ECC) and the previous SAP ERP HCM system as an on-premise solution ends on December 31, 2027 (extension until December 31, 2030 possible with extended maintenance fee, see SAP Note 288178). If the SAP HCM solution is already being operated in the Compatibility Pack (CP) with SAP S/4HANA, the usage rights end on December 31, 2025.

Under SAP’s “Cloud First” credo, “SAP SuccessFactors” is clearly intended as the future solution in HR management. For companies that do not yet want to switch to the cloud, SAP has announced an on-premise version of the HCM system on an SAP S/4HANA instance, which has been available since Q4 2022 – SAP HCM for S/4HANA (“H4S4”). The functions from SAP HCM will also be provided as far as possible with H4S4.

Which SAP HCM functions are no longer available under “H4S4”?

SAP Note 3091160 and the individual “Simplification Items” should always be checked at an early stage. In our experience, some companies are frequently affected by the following aspects:

Managers Desktop (PA-MA)

• The entire functionality of the Managers Desktop (MDT) is no longer supported
• Alternative: Conversion of the functionality used with the help of Manager Self-Services (MSS) based on SAP Fiori and/or Web Dynpro ABAP (WDA)

Our recommendation: Use the possibilities of the SAP Fiori Launchpad with the SAP MSS functionality. An SAP standard app “My Reporting” is available for the simple output of reports via SAP Fiori. Reports can be rolled out more quickly and easily into the SAP Fiori Launchpad using the scdsoft “Reporting Cockpit” app.

Employee and manager self-services (ESS/MSS)

• ESS based on the ITS  
• ESS based on Web Dynpro for Java 
• ESS based on BSP 
• ESS/MSS UI5 from HR Renewal

Our recommendation: The above-mentioned technologies must be replaced with SAP Fiori or Web Dynpro ABAP (WDA) applications.

Parts of SAP HCM Time Management are no longer supported

• Infotype 0005 “Leave entitlement” must now be finally converted > Our recommendation: Conversion to IT 2006 “Absence quota” 
• Infotype 0083 “Compensation for leave entitlement” must also be finally converted > Our recommendation: Conversion to IT 0416 “Time quota compensation”
• Infotype 2005 “Overtime” is no longer supported > Our recommendation: Conversion to IT 2002 “Attendances”
• Connection of time recording terminals: The KK1 interface is no longer supported > Our recommendation: Switch to HR-PDC

SAP Travel Management “FI-TV” on the SAP HCM system

• According to the diagram on the solution scope of SAP HCM for S/4HANA (H4S4), “FI-TV” is considered part of SAP S/4HANA. In future, it can or may no longer be operated on the HCM system, i.e. “H4S4”

Our recommendation: Operating “FI-TV” on the SAP S/4HANA system. However, this is only possible in the SAP S/4HANA on-premise operator model. One of the S/4HANA Cloud Editions (e.g. Private Cloud Edition) does not provide for the operation of FI-TV. Additional check of the use of SAP Concur as a cloud solution.

Concrete roadmap for the migration to “H4S4”

Before you upgrade to H4S4, you should put together a concrete roadmap. We recommend treating the migration from SAP HCM to SAP HCM for S/4HANA like a move in “real life”.

• What are my circumstances in the new building? Will my existing furniture fit in?
  • Simplification Items (SAP Note 3091160)
  • H4S4 Readiness Check (SAP Note 2913617)
    • SAP Basis Release?
    • Database?
    • EhP?
    • Unicode-ready?
• What do I want to take with me? Tidying up and clearing out.
  • Thinning out structures, blocking & deleting data
    • DSGVO!
    • Review the required HR company and personnel structure
    • Critical review of all modifications in SAP HCM
    • Review of all Z programming and all interfaces
• What are the neighbors doing – in the old house and in the new house?
  
  • Coordination with SAP ERP or SAP S/4HANA project team absolutely necessary!
• Rental/purchase agreement
  
  • Contact SAP Account Management at an early stage regarding license conversion

General thoughts on the SAP HR IT strategy

In addition to a concrete roadmap for H4S4, we also recommend drawing up a broader roadmap of where you want to go with the SAP HR system.

What are the dependencies on the ERP system and its S/4HANA plans?

• The H4S4 implementation is often driven by Financial Accounting (FI). There are also dependencies on the HCM system (new general ledger, conversion of company codes/cost accounting areas/cost centers/charts of accounts, new business partner model, etc.). 

What could be future hosting options for the SAP (HCM) system?

• In addition to “classic” operation as an on-premise solution, operation in the Private Cloud Edition (PCE) via SAP at a hyperscaler can also be considered (keyword “SAP RISE”). This must also be considered in the overall context of the S/4HANA system.

How do I use this to digitalize and optimize my HR world?

The switch from Business Suite 7 to “H4S4” offers several opportunities to expand the digital HR transformation:

• On the one hand, some SAP Fiori self-service applications are being newly developed and made available for “H4S4” by SAP. 
• Some previous functionalities are no longer available under “H4S4” and must be replaced by SAP Fiori applications or SAP SuccessFactors applications (see “Simplification Items”).
• The new license model for H4S4 no longer recognizes the classic named user metrics for employee and manager self-service users. This offers new opportunities for companies that have previously shied away from investing in self-service licenses.

What functionalities does SAP SuccessFactors offer?

• Examination of the requirements for future (global) HR management software: What requirements does talent management have that are not yet adequately met today? SAP SuccessFactors is particularly strong in these modules (Recruiting, Onboarding, Performance & Goal Management, Succession Planning, Learning Management) and should always be considered when selecting a software solution. 
• Is thera need for global employee master data management? Then the use of Employee Central (PA & OM in the cloud) should be validated in conjunction with a core-hybrid approach. 

If you need support with a planned upgrade of your SAP HCM system to H4S4, we will be happy to advise you. We have created offer packages that are tailored to your needs.

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Autor: Joachim Ritter