Experts have warned that many companies are struggling to successfully implement and manage Systems, Applications, and Products (SAP), despite rising spending on technology, especially as more organisations invest heavily in digital transformation and enterprise software.

They noted that a growing number of firms face delays, cost overruns and operational disruptions during SAP upgrades and cloud migration projects, especially as they transition to SAP S/4HANA. The challenge, they note, is not just the technology itself but the ability to properly manage complex systems and deliver projects efficiently.

A United States-based SAP programme and service delivery expert, Gururaj Veershetty, said many organisations underestimate the level of coordination required to run modern SAP environments.

“SAP systems today are no longer just one platform. They involve multiple applications working together. The real challenge is managing everything in a coordinated way so that business operations are not affected,” he said.

According to him, older approaches to managing SAP projects, where teams work in isolation and respond only when problems occur, are no longer effective for today’s large-scale digital programmes.

He explained that companies now require stronger oversight across different departments, vendors and systems to ensure smooth delivery and avoid costly disruptions.

Drawing from his experience, Veershetty cited a major energy and utilities company where he led the deployment of cloud-based SAP solutions, including tools for travel management and human resources. The project delivered cost savings through automation and improved processes.

He also supervised the migration of over 70 applications in a data centre transition and helped onboard more than 700 suppliers onto a digital procurement platform, improving efficiency.

In another project involving a global technology company undergoing mergers and acquisitions, he managed SAP system integration across multiple business units.

“When companies merge, combining their systems is very complex. Beyond the technical work, you have to ensure proper coordination so that operations continue without interruption,” he said.

Veershetty added that improving how IT teams handle system issues can significantly impact business performance. In one case, better management processes reduced unresolved issues by 65 per cent, allowing teams to focus on improving services rather than constantly fixing problems.

He noted that companies that invest in strong project management and clear accountability tend to achieve better results from their SAP investments.