Implementation and migration of SAP ECC6 to SAP S/4HANA On Cloud environment

1. Core Software Components

• Preservation of Existing System Setup. The existing ECC6 configuration, master data, and transactional data are retained.

• The existing T-Codes custom developments, authorizations, and business logic are analyzed, adapted and migrated to suit with S/4HANA compatibility.

• SAP S/4HANA Cloud (RISE with SAP): Serves as the core enterprise platform managing Finance, Procurement, HR, and Operations functions, delivering real-time insights and streamlined business processes.

• SAP Backup Solution and Veeam Software: Used extensively for backup and restoration.

• Primary benchmark tool for migration, specifically within the SAP ecosystem, is the Software Update Manager (SUM) Benchmarking Tool.

2. Cloud Infrastructure and Equipment

• SAP Cloud Hosted Environment (on Microsoft Azure via RISE with SAP): Provides secure, high-availability cloud hosting with redundancy and disaster recovery capabilities, managed under SAP’s SLA.

• SAP HANA Database Servers: High-performance in-memory database servers designed for rapid data processing, real-time analytics, and improved system performance.

• Virtual Machines & Backup Systems: Support for development (DEV), quality assurance (QAS), and production (PRD) environments, ensuring business continuity and resilience.

3. Auxiliary and Supporting Systems

• Approved architecture design for the migration validated by internal and external team via Architecture Committee Management Committee.

• SAP Integration Suite which facilitates connectivity between SAP and non-SAP systems such as Success factor, SAP Concur, Billing System, 3rd Party Banking System, eInvoice System, FLIRT system and other operational systems used across MAHB airports.

• Cybersecurity for identifying vulnerabilities in the new SAP S/4HANA platform, data protection and network connectivity based on sensitivity to define encryption and handling requirements.

• System Hardening: Ensuring both source and target systems (servers, databases, network endpoints) are configured in the new SAP S/4HANA platform.

• Monitoring & Automation Tools for the implementation and performance monitoring, proactive issue detection, and system automation to ensure consistent uptime and efficiency.

The implementation of the SAP S/4HANA Migration Project was a highly complex and challenging effort due to the scale of the initiative, the age and complexity of the legacy system, the vast volume of data involved, multiple system dependencies, and the critical nature of Malaysia Airports’ core business operations. The project involved not only a technical migration but also significant organizational transformation to align processes, data, and users with the new digital platform. Key challenges encountered during implementation included:

• Legacy System Complexity: Migrating from a 27-year-old SAP ECC6 system with more than 12,000 existing T-Codes customizations required extensive system analysis, code remediation, and process rationalization to ensure compatibility with S/4HANA’s simplified data model.

• Data Migration and Validation : Handling over 5TB of historical and transactional data across multiple business modules demanded rigorous data mapping, validation, and reconciliation to maintain accuracy and integrity.
• The existing Oracle database in SAP ECC6 faced challenges related to data inconsistencies and possible hardware issues. Therefore, the migration needed to be expedited to prevent potential data issues or loss before the transition was completed.

• Integration with Multiple Systems: The need to ensure seamless connectivity with more than 25 system integration between internal and external parties such as Success factor, SAP Concur, Billing System, 3rd Party Banking System, eInvoice System, FLIRT system and other operational systems used across MAHB airports.

• Tight Project Timeline: Despite the scale of the migration, the project had to be executed within a compressed timeline to meet business users maintenance windows for financial closing and payroll activities. Hence requiring strong coordination and efficient resource utilization.

• Managing and enforcing a change request freeze from business users while implementing dual controls between the production and development environments.

• User Readiness and Change Management: With over 1,400 SAP users across the MAHB Group, extensive communication, training, and support were required to ensure user adaptation and minimize disruption during the transition.

• System Cutover and Go-Live Risks: Managing the transition to the new environment without disrupting day-to-day airport operations required detailed planning, simulation, and multiple rounds of testing for more than 1,000 test cases.

Despite these challenges, the project was successfully delivered through strong leadership, structured project governance, active vendor collaboration, and the dedication of cross-functional teams. The experience has strengthened MAHB’s capability in managing large-scale digital transformation initiatives.

The SAP S/4HANA Migration Project represents a significant milestone in Malaysia Airports’ digital transformation journey, marking a strategic move toward a modern, cloud-based enterprise platform. The project, which commenced in April 2024 and completed in October 2025, is led by the MAHB IT Project Management Office. It involves over 50 project team members from various units, more than 100 key business users, and supports approximately 1,400 SAP users across the organization. The key project champions and leadership comprise the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), supported by other members of the management team who played pivotal roles in driving the project’s success.

The project involves the large-scale modernization migrating a 27-year-old legacy system from SAP ECC6 to SAP S/4HANA hosted in a secure cloud environment. This transformation is designed to enhance system performance, ensure continued vendor support, and leverage the advanced capabilities of SAP S/4HANA including real-time analytics, improved reporting accuracy, streamlined processes, and stronger data security.

The project entails the migration of more than 5TB of data and over 12,000 custom objects from the legacy system, involving multiple key business modules such as Finance, Human Capital Management, Procurement, Asset Management, and Maintenance. More than 1,000 test scenarios were executed to ensure seamless integration and system reliability across the enterprise.

Despite the complexities of migrating a 27-year-old system, the project was successfully executed through strong collaboration between MAHB’s IT Division, business users, and strategic implementation partners. The migration follows a Brownfield approach, ensuring business continuity by upgrading the existing system while retaining historical data and customizations.

During the implementation phase, several challenges were encountered, including data consistency issues, connectivity constraints, cybersecurity and limited business downtime due to operational requirements. However, these challenges were effectively addressed through a well-structured mitigation plan, proactive risk management, and a carefully executed phased cutover supported by intensive testing.

Following the successful deployment and migration, a strong change management and support framework was established to ensure smooth user adoption and confidence. The dedicated support team continuously monitored and resolved issues throughout the stabilization period to prevent any business disruption.

The SAP S/4HANA platform empower Malaysia Airports with faster data processing, enhanced user experience, improved decision-making through real-time insights, and future-ready scalability, positioning the organization as a leader in operational excellence and digital innovation within the aviation industry.

The implementation and migration of SAP ECC6 to SAP S/4HANA on cloud environment project encompasses the entire Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) Group, covering subsidiaries across Malaysia including MAHB, Malaysia Airports (Sepang) Sdn. Bhd, Malaysia Airports Sdn. Bhd. (MASB), Urusan Teknologi Wawasan (UTW), MA Niaga, and KLAH (Sama-Sama Hotel).

This enterprise-wide IT initiative, led by the IT Division, spans all 39 airports under MAHB’s management, including Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and regional airports operated by MASB across Malaysia. The project integrates core business processes across Finance, Procurement, Human Resources, Engineering, and Airport Operations, establishing a unified digital backbone for the organisation.

The geographical scope may also extend to MAHB’s international operations in the future, particularly Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (ISG) in Türkiye. Through the centralization of operations on the SAP S/4HANA Cloud platform, MAHB has created a unified digital ecosystem that enhances collaboration, governance, and operational visibility across all airports enabling real-time decision-making, improved efficiency, and greater agility throughout its domestic and international network.