When is SAP retiring its older ERP platforms?

SAP is phasing out earlier platforms, including Business Suite 7, in favour of its cloud-first S/4HANA solution. Mainstream maintenance for the older systems is due to end in 2027, with extended support available only until 2030. Businesses still running on-premise ERP and EDI on these platforms should plan their migration well ahead of these dates.

What does an S/4HANA migration mean for EDI?

It typically means remapping trading partner connections, rebuilding and testing document formats, and learning new EDI management processes, since existing integrations often become incompatible with the new platform. Without careful planning, this can disrupt business as usual, cause failed EDI messages and delay shipments, so it is worth reviewing your EDI setup before migrating.

What is the alternative to legacy, on-premise EDI?

Modern, cloud-based EDI replaces rigid on-premise infrastructure with scalable solutions that integrate frictionlessly between applications and endpoints. Options such as Transalis's Web Connect and Enterprise Connect remove VAN charges and caps on trading partner connections, giving businesses self-service control over onboarding and ongoing management while reducing operating costs.

What results have businesses seen from switching to modern EDI?

One example: Space NK cut £60,000 in annual VAN fees, improved data accuracy and onboarded a new trading partner within a week after switching from an inflexible legacy provider. Results vary by business, but this shows the scale of efficiency gains possible when moving from legacy, VAN-based EDI to a modern, self-service platform.

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How legacy EDI is holding you back

Learn how on-premise, legacy EDI platforms, like SAP Hana, are causing costly issues for businesses and why scalable and agile cloud-based EDI is the smarter choice.

Transalis7 August 2025

Piles of old, ugly and bulky desktop computers on a pavement. Representing Transalis blog post titled: How legacy EDI is holding you back

Key takeaways

Many legacy EDI systems are rigid, expensive to run and dependent on scarce in-house expertise, which increasingly translates into operational risk as the wider technology landscape moves on.
SAP is retiring its older ERP platforms for S/4HANA, with mainstream maintenance ending in 2027 and extended support until 2030, forcing a re-engineering of existing EDI integrations.
S/4HANA migrations are complex undertakings: most projects run over schedule by 30% or more, and nearly two-thirds of businesses report quality issues.
Sticking with legacy EDI limits integration with modern systems, slows trading partner onboarding, reduces flexibility, and increases reliance on scarce internal resources, risking competitive edge and reputation.
Modern cloud-based EDI replaces rigid on-premise setups with scalable, self-service trading network management, helping businesses integrate frictionlessly between systems while reducing operating costs and future risk.

Why is legacy EDI holding businesses back?

Legacy EDI systems are often rigid, expensive to maintain and dependent on scarce in-house expertise, which limits integration with modern systems and slows trading partner onboarding. The retirement of older SAP ERP platforms in favour of S/4HANA adds further pressure, since existing EDI integrations often need re-engineering. Businesses that delay modernising risk losing flexibility, competitive edge and reputation.

Many legacy EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) systems are rigid, expensive, and reliant on in-house expertise.

For decades, EDI has been the backbone of digital supply chains. But the same on-premise systems that once powered global commerce are now struggling to keep up. In today’s fast-moving market, the drawbacks of these systems translate directly into operational risk.

In this blog, we explore how businesses are being affected by legacy systems, including specific examples, and what they can do to future-proof their supply chain operations.

Lead the way with reliable supply chain operations

Transalis is doing EDI differently by putting businesses back in control of their system. Unlimited connections, self-managed setup and ongoing support - our cloud-based solutions provide flexibility and scalability within a set annual cost.

Word of warning: the SAP Hana migration

One of the clearest indicators of the strain on legacy EDI comes from the SAP ecosystem.

SAP is phasing out its earlier ERP platforms, including Business Suite 7, in favour of its cloud-first S/4HANA solution. Mainstream maintenance for these older systems will end in 2027, with extended support only available until 2030.*

For businesses still relying on on-premise ERP and EDI systems, this creates a major challenge. Existing integrations often become incompatible, requiring costly re-engineering to function with the new setup. Typical migration demands include:

Remapping trading partner connections
Rebuilding and testing document formats
Learning new EDI management processes

The complexity is significant. According to CIO, most S/4HANA migration projects suffer from timeline overruns of 30% or more, and nearly two-thirds of businesses report quality issues.** Without careful planning, the transition risks disruptions to BAU, failed EDI messages, supply chain delays, and ultimately, damaged brand reputation/trading relationships.

What this means

Using legacy EDI limits your ability to integrate with modern systems, slows partner onboarding, reduces flexibility, and increases reliance on scarce internal resources. Businesses that delay modernisation risk losing their competitive edge, brand reputation, and even commercial longevity.

The alternative to outdated EDI

Modern, cloud-based EDI offers a way forward. By replacing rigid systems with scalable solutions, businesses can integrate frictionlessly between applications and endpoints, reduce operating costs, and ensure long-term compatibility.

How Transalis is doing EDI differently

Transalis’ new cloud-based Web Connect and Enterprise Connect solutions give businesses full control over their EDI.

With no VAN charges, no caps on trading partner connections, and self-service trading network management, you can scale operations quickly and cost-effectively. Web Connect offers rapid onboarding via a cloud-based web application. While Enterprise Connect supports complex ERP and API integrations for businesses requiring robust supply chain automations.

Space NK’s switch to Transalis highlights the benefits of leaving inflexible providers behind. By replacing a costly VAN model, they cut £60,000 in annual fees, improved accuracy, and onboarded a new partner within a week.

With Transalis, you get modern EDI technology backed by proven client success. Delivering visibility, transparency, and efficiency for the long term. See our bundled product packages below:

Frequently asked questions

When is SAP retiring its older ERP platforms?: SAP is phasing out earlier platforms, including Business Suite 7, in favour of its cloud-first S/4HANA solution. Mainstream maintenance for the older systems is due to end in 2027, with extended support available only until 2030. Businesses still running on-premise ERP and EDI on these platforms should plan their migration well ahead of these dates.
What does an S/4HANA migration mean for EDI?: It typically means remapping trading partner connections, rebuilding and testing document formats, and learning new EDI management processes, since existing integrations often become incompatible with the new platform. Without careful planning, this can disrupt business as usual, cause failed EDI messages and delay shipments, so it is worth reviewing your EDI setup before migrating.
What is the alternative to legacy, on-premise EDI?: Modern, cloud-based EDI replaces rigid on-premise infrastructure with scalable solutions that integrate frictionlessly between applications and endpoints. Options such as Transalis's Web Connect and Enterprise Connect remove VAN charges and caps on trading partner connections, giving businesses self-service control over onboarding and ongoing management while reducing operating costs.
What results have businesses seen from switching to modern EDI?: One example: Space NK cut £60,000 in annual VAN fees, improved data accuracy and onboarded a new trading partner within a week after switching from an inflexible legacy provider. Results vary by business, but this shows the scale of efficiency gains possible when moving from legacy, VAN-based EDI to a modern, self-service platform.

Want this working in your business?

We will look at how you trade today, and show you what moving to Transalis involves, while your business keeps trading.