The SAP ECC deadline is not an IT deadline – it is an operational deadline

• The SAP ECC deadline is indeed an operational deadline, as mainstream maintenance for its Business Suite 7 core applications, including SAP ERP 6.0, will end on 31 December 2027.
• The deadline has significant implications for African manufacturers and mining companies, who face complexities such as multiple sites, ageing assets, accumulated customisation, and limited resources.
• Organisations that fail to select extended maintenance or transition to S/4HANA by the deadline may move to customer-specific maintenance, which could lead to increased costs and operational risks.