Clean Core in SAP

Finally, clean core that really works for you!

Clean core is a strategic game changer, but are you playing it right?

Clean core determines how flexible and innovative your organization will be. But what does it mean for your business, and how do you get it right?

Our SAP experts reveal how to avoid pitfalls, reduce complexity, and turn clean core into your competitive advantage.

Ready to master clean core? Your expert guidance starts below!

VIDEO: Q&A with experts

Discover how a Clean Core approach keeps your SAP system future-ready while enabling innovation without risk. Learn how SAP BTP empowers extensions and integrations, turning complexity into agility and business value.

VIDEO: Clean core at our customers

At Expertum, we already helped different customer by defining and executing their clean core approach. In this video, our experts share why clean core projects were initiated, what role we played, and the key lessons learned along the way.

Frequently asked questions

What is Clean Core and why should we care post-S/4HANA migration?

Clean Core means keeping your SAP S/4HANA system upgradeable by avoiding custom modifications to SAP’s core code. Instead of building inside SAP, you extend functionality through side-by-side applications on BTP, APIs, standard configuration, and in-app tools. This keeps you current with SAP’s latest innovations like AI and automation without being blocked by incompatible customizations. The payoff? Smoother upgrades, lower maintenance costs, and access to new capabilities that can actually transform your business.

How should we handle our legacy customizations?

Start with an honest audit of what you actually need versus what you think you need. Most organizations discover they can eliminate 30-40% of customizations that seemed “essential” but aren’t really used anymore. For the rest, decide whether to refactor using Clean Core methods or keep as-is. Tackle the riskiest customizations first – especially anything that’s blocking you from new SAP features or making upgrades painful. This isn’t optional maintenance; it’s about staying relevant with SAP’s direction.

How do we get business users to accept standard processes?

Stop telling them what they can’t do and start showing them what they’ll gain. Run workshops that demonstrate how SAP’s standard processes often work better than your old customized versions – better reporting, fewer manual steps, less room for errors. Give users a voice in redesigning their workflows within standard boundaries. Most resistance comes from fear of change, not attachment to bad processes. When users see the benefits firsthand, they become your biggest advocates.

How can we measure Clean Core success?

Track what matters: how much faster your upgrades are, how quickly you can deploy new SAP features, and what percentage of your code is actually standard. But don’t ignore the business side – are processes more efficient? Can you respond to business changes faster? Are you finally able to use those SAP innovations you’ve been hearing about? If upgrades still feel like root canal procedures, you’re not there yet.

Where should we start with limited budget?

Pick your battles wisely. Focus on customizations that are both high-risk for upgrades and relatively straightforward to fix – these give you quick wins that build momentum. Prioritize anything that’s actively preventing you from using new SAP functionality your business wants. Don’t try to fix everything at once; this is a marathon, not a sprint. Start with integration points or reports since these often have good standard alternatives and high visibility.

What's the business case for investing in Clean Core now?

Every day you wait, you fall further behind. Your customizations are locking you out of SAP’s AI capabilities, new modules, and cloud services that could give you real competitive advantage. Most organizations see upgrade costs drop by 40-60% and can deploy new features in weeks instead of months. The question isn’t whether Clean Core costs money – it’s how much you’re losing by staying stuck while your competitors move ahead with modern SAP capabilities.

Clean Core Maturity Assessment

Everyone talks about Clean Core. Few implement it sustainably.
Move beyond slides and intentions with a practical baseline that shows where you stand today and how to grow maturity with confidence.

Webinar: Honest about the struggles, excited about the possibilities

An open conversation between you, SAP and Expertum where we are going to talk about real challenges, from real people, with real solutions.

Welcome to a conversation where you can ask questions, where we admit when something is difficult, and where we look togethet at how you can take the first step tomorrow.