Navigating the 2027 SAP PI/PO Migration: Find Your Ideal Partner

The clock is ticking for enterprises relying on SAP Process Integration (PI) and Process Orchestration (PO). With the 2027 sunset deadline fast approaching, the urgency to migrate from these legacy integration platforms to a modern, future-proof solution is paramount. For many organizations, delaying this critical transition isn’t just about missing out on new capabilities; it’s about risking operational disruptions, security vulnerabilities, and a significant competitive disadvantage. What’s at stake? The very backbone of your business processes, the efficiency of your data exchange, and your ability to innovate and adapt in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Understanding the shift: from SAP PI/PO to SAP Integration Suite

For years, SAP PI/PO served as the backbone for countless enterprise integrations, facilitating communication between disparate systems. However, as technology evolved, so too did the demands on integration platforms. SAP PI/PO, while robust in its time, is an on-premise, monolithic solution not designed for the agility and scalability required in today’s cloud-first world.

Enter SAP Integration Suite, the strategic successor and SAP’s comprehensive, cloud native integration platform as a service (iPaaS). This suite represents a fundamental shift:

• Modular Architecture: A collection of loosely coupled services (e.g., Cloud Integration, API Management, Open Connectors, Integration Advisor) that can be consumed independently, allowing for tailored integration solutions.
• API-First Approach: Emphasizes API-driven integration, promoting reusability, agility, and streamlined connectivity.
• Cloud and on-premises integration: Build and run integration flows across cloud, on-premise, and hybrid landscapes.

Migration challenges enterprises face

The journey from SAP PI/PO to SAP Integration Suite, while necessary, is not without its hurdles. Enterprises often grapple with:

• Legacy Dependencies and Custom Interfaces: Years of highly customized integrations built on PI/PO can be complex to untangle and re-architect for a new platform.
• Security Concerns and Compliance: Ensuring that sensitive data remains secure and that all integrations comply with evolving regulatory standards throughout the migration process is a significant challenge.
• Downtime Risks and Business Continuity: The fear of disrupting critical business operations during the migration often leads to delays. Minimizing downtime is a top priority.
• Skills Gap within Internal Teams: The specialized knowledge required for cloud native integration, API management, and the intricacies of SAP Integration Suite may not be readily available within existing IT teams.

Why choosing the right migration partner matters

Given the complexity and criticality of SAP integrations, attempting this migration alone can be a risky endeavor. Specialized support is not just beneficial; it’s essential. A seasoned migration partner brings:

• SAP-Certified Expertise: Deep knowledge of SAP’s integration landscape, best practices, and the intricacies of both legacy and modern platforms.
• Hybrid Cloud Expertise: Proficiency in navigating complex hybrid IT environments, ensuring seamless integration between on-premise SAP systems and cloud-based services
• Automation Capabilities: Leveraging tools and methodologies to automate repetitive tasks, accelerate migration, and reduce manual errors.
• Proven Methodologies: A structured approach to assessment, planning, execution, and post-migration support, minimizing risks and ensuring a smooth transition.

How SUSE Rancher for SAP applications supports seamless migration

As you consider your migration strategy, a robust and flexible underlying infrastructure is crucial. This is where SUSE Rancher for SAP applications plays a pivotal role. SUSE Rancher is an enterprise Kubernetes management platform that enables the seamless deployment and management of containerized SAP applications, including components of SAP Integration Suite.

Here’s how it supports a smooth migration:

• Cloud Native Deployment: Provides a consistent and scalable platform, offering the agility and elasticity of cloud native environments even on-premises or at the edge.
• Support for SAP Edge Integration Cell: Crucially, SUSE Rancher for SAP applications is ideal for running SAP Edge Integration Cell, a key component of SAP Integration Suite designed for hybrid scenarios. This allows you to process integrations closer to your on-premises SAP systems, reducing latency and ensuring high availability for critical business processes.
• Enhanced Security: Leveraging Kubernetes’ native security features and SUSE’s hardened Linux distributions, Rancher provides a secure foundation for your integration landscape.
• Automation and Scalability: Automates deployment, scaling, and management of integration workloads, ensuring that your integration layer can adapt quickly to changing business demands.

Real-world value: SUSE’s track record with SAP

SUSE’s commitment to the SAP ecosystem is deep-rooted and spans decades. Our long-standing partnership with SAP is built on co-innovation, exemplified by the close collaboration in the SAP Linux Lab in Walldorf. SUSE Linux Enterprise Server has been the leading platform for SAP HANA since its inception, powering mission-critical SAP environments globally. This history of trust and technical excellence underscores SUSE’s ability to support your most critical SAP initiatives, including this vital integration migration. Our customers consistently rely on SUSE for the stability, performance, and security of their SAP landscapes.

Preparing for migration: next steps

The 2027 deadline may seem distant, but the complexity of this migration demands early action. Here’s a brief checklist to begin your journey:

• Conduct a Comprehensive Assessment: Identify all existing PI/PO interfaces, their dependencies, and business criticality.
• Develop a Phased Migration Plan: Prioritize integrations for migration based on complexity and business impact.
• Evaluate Partner Options: Engage with potential migration partners, assessing their expertise, methodologies, and complementary technologies.
• Pilot with SAP Integration Suite: Conduct proofs of concept (PoCs) with SAP Integration Suite and consider leveraging SUSE Rancher for SAP applications to deploy Edge Integration Cell for hybrid scenarios.
• Invest in Skill Development: Plan for upskilling your internal teams on SAP Integration Suite and cloud native technologies.

Migrate with confidence

The transition from SAP PI/PO to SAP Integration Suite is more than just a technical upgrade; it’s a strategic imperative for future-proofing your enterprise. While the journey presents challenges, choosing the right strategic partner can transform it into an opportunity for innovation and enhanced business agility.

By leveraging expert guidance and robust platforms like SUSE Rancher for SAP applications, you can confidently navigate this migration, ensuring a seamless transition to a modern, scalable, and secure integration landscape. Don’t wait until the deadline looms; start your strategic planning today and position your organization for success in the integrated future.