In today's data-driven enterprise landscape, successful SAP migrations are only the beginning of the journey. While migrating data to systems like SAP S/4HANA can unlock new efficiencies and insights, maintaining the quality of that data post-migration is paramount to long-term success. Poor data governance can lead to inaccuracies, compliance issues, and operational inefficiencies. This is where robust SAP Data Governance tools come into play, ensuring data remains accurate, consistent, and compliant over time.

Exciting news for the UK and Ireland markets: Q6 DM Software Ltd, trading as Q6Data, a leader in data migration lifecycle management has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with arodek.com for the exclusive distribution of arodek's innovative SAP Data Governance tools, aroSteward and aroExtractor. This strategic partnership aims to redefine SAP data migration and governance in the region, blending arodek's cutting-edge solutions with Q6Data's expertise in streamlined data management. As announced on LinkedIn by both parties, this collaboration promises to empower businesses with tools that automate and secure data processes, making it easier to maintain high-quality data post-migration.

In this blog post for the SAP Community Network, we'll explore why SAP Data Governance is essential for preserving data quality after migration, highlight common challenges, and discuss how tools like aroSteward and aroExtractor can address them.

Understanding SAP Data Governance and Its Role Post-Migration

SAP Data Governance refers to the processes, policies, and technologies that ensure master data such as customer, vendor, and material records are created, maintained, and used consistently across an organization. In the context of SAP systems, this often involves tools that integrate seamlessly with SAP environments to enforce rules, automate workflows, and monitor data quality.

Data migration projects, whether to SAP S/4HANA or other platforms, involve transferring vast amounts of information from legacy systems. While the migration itself focuses on moving data accurately, post-migration phases are where issues often arise. Without proper governance:

• Data can become fragmented or duplicated due to ongoing updates and integrations.
• Inaccuracies may creep in from manual entries or unchecked changes, leading to flawed reporting and decision-making.
• Compliance risks increase, as unregulated data might violate standards like GDPR or industry-specific regulations.

Ongoing monitoring and governance are vital to identify and resolve these issues, ensuring data remains reliable over time. Effective governance frameworks help cleanse, deduplicate, and validate data, turning potential pitfalls into opportunities for enhanced operational efficiency and ROI.

Key Challenges in Maintaining Data Quality Post-Migration

Post-migration data quality degradation is a common nightmare for SAP users. Here are some prevalent challenges:

• Data Inconsistency and Duplication: After migration, data from multiple sources may not align, leading to duplicates or conflicting records. This can disrupt processes like inventory management or customer interactions.
• Lack of Real-Time Validation: Without automated checks, human errors in data entry or updates can propagate, affecting analytics and transactions.
• Compliance and Security Gaps: Migrated data must adhere to evolving regulations, but manual oversight often falls short, increasing risks of violations.
• Scalability Issues: As business grows, data volumes explode, making manual governance unsustainable.

Addressing these requires integrating master data governance early in the migration planning process, rather than as an afterthought. Tools that provide automation, real-time integration, and analytics are crucial for turning reactive fixes into proactive management.

How aroSteward and aroExtractor Empower SAP Data Governance

The new partnership between Q6Data and arodek brings powerful tools to the forefront, specifically tailored for SAP environments in the UK and Ireland.

• aroSteward: Intelligent Master Data Management aroSteward is a comprehensive MDM application that automates the creation, approval, and integration of master data for customers, vendors, and materials. Key features include:
  • Seamless SAP Integration: Real-time data updates without manual intervention, reducing redundancies and ensuring consistency.
  • Workflow Automation: Multi-stage approval processes and portals for streamlined registration and extensions.
  • Data Cleansing and Validation: Automated duplicate removal, standardization, and outlier detection to maintain accuracy.
  • Scalability and Security: Handles growing data volumes with enterprise-grade encryption and access controls.

Benefits post-migration include enhanced decision-making, faster onboarding, and compliance adherence, making it ideal for sustaining data quality in dynamic SAP setups.

• aroExtractor: Advanced Data Extraction Tool Complementing aroSteward, aroExtractor (also known as aroExtracta) leverages Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and Intelligent Character Recognition (ICR) for accurate data extraction from various sources. Features include:
  • Automated Data Capture: Extracts information from documents, images, or mobile inputs without manual typing, integrating directly into SAP workflows.
  • Error Reduction: Ensures high-fidelity data entry, minimizing post-migration inconsistencies.
  • Versatility: Supports seamless extraction for master data setup, aiding governance by providing clean inputs for tools like aroSteward.

Together, these tools help organizations avoid the "garbage in, garbage out" pitfalls, ensuring migrated data evolves with integrity.

Conclusion: A Timely Partnership for SAP Success

As SAP migrations accelerate, the emphasis on post-migration data governance cannot be overstated. Without it, even the most successful migrations can falter under the weight of poor data quality. The MoU between Q6Data and arodek marks a significant step forward, offering UK and Ireland businesses exclusive access to aroSteward and aroExtractor: tools that automate, integrate, and secure data for lasting value.

For SAP Community members embarking on or recovering from migrations, investing in governance is key to unlocking true ROI, improved user experiences, and operational excellence. If you're in the UK or Ireland, reach out to Q6Data.com or arodek.com to explore how this partnership can transform your data strategy.