Manufacturers have always thrived on resilience. When a supply chain falters, a production line goes down, or a global crisis disrupts operations, the industry finds a way to adapt. But now, a different kind of challenge looms on the horizon: SAP ECC’s end of support in 2027.
SAP has been relentless in pushing its customers toward S/4HANA, with an even bigger push for RISE with SAP—an all-in cloud solution. But for manufacturers, it’s not that simple. Moving to a fully cloud-hosted ERP, as RISE demands, introduces risks that few can afford. After all, production floors don’t stop for software migrations.
Cloud vs on-premise ERP: Manufacturing’s Need for On-Prem Stability
At the heart of the problem is this: manufacturing environments demand uptime, and uptime demands control. Robotics, automation systems, and shop-floor integrations rely on real-time data with minimal latency. Many of these mission-critical processes are tightly woven into on-premise systems for a reason: stability.
SAP itself acknowledges the challenge of fully moving manufacturing operations to the cloud. In their whitepaper, “SAP S/4HANA Cloud Manufacturing Strategy and Scope” (which you can find here), SAP states:
“There are limitations in fully cloud-based solutions for discrete and process manufacturing scenarios.”
This is SAP’s own admission that not everything belongs in the cloud just yet.
The Risks of Going All-In on Cloud
The reality is that cloud connectivity can—and does—fail. A lost connection between a cloud-hosted ERP and an on-prem manufacturing system can bring production to a grinding halt. Downtime is costly. In high-precision industries like automotive, pharmaceuticals, and electronics, even a momentary disruption can lead to massive financial losses.
Beyond connectivity, there’s the issue of control. Manufacturers have spent years refining their ECC environments, customizing them to meet regulatory requirements, unique workflows, and deeply integrated supply chains. A forced migration isn’t just a technical shift—it’s a fundamental disruption.
A Smarter Path: Hybrid Resilience with Third-Party Support for SAP ECC
For manufacturers looking at ERP modernization strategies, a hybrid model presents a compelling alternative. Keeping core ERP functions on-premise while leveraging the cloud for analytics, innovation, and extended business processes provides the best of both worlds.
Many manufacturers are already extending ECC’s life beyond 2027 with third-party support, allowing them to maintain stability while exploring their next move—on their own terms. Third-party support, such as Spinnaker Support, not only keeps existing ECC environments running smoothly but also provides expert consultation on the best options moving forward. Whether as an interim or long-term solution, third-party support enables manufacturers to evaluate their next steps without pressure, unnecessary costs, or operational risks.
Migrating to S/4HANA or RISE is a complex, time-consuming, and expensive process that may not add tangible value to your manufacturing line. With third-party support, businesses can extend the lifespan of their ECC environment, avoid disruptive downtime, and develop a future-proof strategy that aligns with their unique operational needs.
The Takeaway: Don’t Let SAP Set Your Agenda
SAP’s roadmap might be cloud-first, but your business reality is uptime-first. The decision to migrate, maintain, or modernize your ERP landscape should be based on operational needs—not vendor pressure.
Manufacturers that take strategic control of their SAP migration decisions can extend the life of ECC, explore hybrid models, and plan a future migration when (and only when) it makes sense for their business. The key is resilience, not rushing.
After all, in manufacturing, precision matters—and so does timing.
