5 Major Hurdles and Solutions in Adopting SAP Fiori after S/4HANA Implementation

Authored by Mr. Laeeq Siddique — Leading SAP S/4HANA Innovation & Strategy

Many organizations face SAP Fiori adoption challenges even after moving to S/4HANA. Despite having a modern ERP system, they continue using the traditional SAP GUI instead of adopting Fiori’s user-friendly interface. Based on extensive consultations, this post outlines five major SAP Fiori adoption challenges and provides practical solutions to overcome them.

1. Management-Driven SAP Fiori Adoption Challenges

Many executives still treat SAP Fiori as a “nice-to-have” instead of recognizing it as essential. With other priorities competing for attention, leadership often delays or avoids initiating the shift. This mindset contributes significantly to SAP Fiori adoption challenges in post-S/4HANA environments.

Solution: Leaders must create urgency around SAP Fiori adoption. They need to see Fiori not as a cosmetic upgrade, but as a strategic asset. Its real-time dashboards and role-based insights directly improve decision-making, productivity, and user satisfaction. Highlighting these business benefits can help shift management’s perception and drive action.

2. Power Users and SAP Fiori Transition Challenges

Power users, who often manage several different tasks and transactions, may have a particular affinity for the SAP GUI. They have become experts at navigating its complexities and appreciate having access to everything on one screen. With Fiori’s role-based approach, these power users sometimes view the transition as a hurdle rather than a benefit. Moreover, these power users can influence larger user groups, propagating their resistance to change.

To ensure a smoother transition and maintain user morale, organizations must prioritize emotional safety and user involvement. Learn how in our post Making Employees Feel Safe and Valued Amid ERP Implementation.

Solution: Managing the perceptions and preferences of power users requires a strategic approach. They need to understand that while Fiori does offer a role-based design, it is not restrictive. On the contrary, it empowers users with a more intuitive, streamlined, and efficient way to manage tasks. Fiori’s ability to integrate various tasks and processes into a single, user-friendly dashboard could be showcased to appeal to power users. Additionally, their feedback should be incorporated during the transition phase, which will make them feel valued and more likely to advocate for the new system.

3. Migrating Custom Solutions

Companies often rely heavily on custom applications designed to work with the SAP GUI. These specialized applications can present a significant challenge when considering the transition to the Fiori UI.

Solution: A shift in approach is necessary. Organizations should view the migration of custom solutions to a modern user interface like Fiori as an integral part of the S/4HANA implementation, rather than an afterthought or a separate project. Planning for this migration early in the implementation process allows for better resource allocation and a smoother transition overall.

During this process, it’s important to understand that not all custom applications may need to be migrated at once. A phased approach can be adopted, starting with applications that will benefit most from Fiori’s features.

Over time, more complex applications can be reworked and optimized for the new interface. Don’t miss our other post on: Gap Identification in SAP ERP Implementation

Post-implementation, an extensive review should be carried out to identify any issues or potential areas for further improvement. This iterative approach allows for continuous refinement and optimization, leading to a more efficient system overall.

4.Skills Gap in SAP Fiori Implementation

Many organizations perceive that they lack the necessary in-house technical expertise and knowledge to switch to SAP Fiori.

Solution: Investing in training and upskilling the existing SAP team should be a top priority. If necessary, seek assistance from an external SAP Fiori expert or consultant to guide the initial implementation and training. Online resources and SAP’s extensive training materials are also valuable learning tools.

5. Notion of Insufficient Apps to Cover All Processes

There’s a common belief that Fiori does not have enough apps to cover all the processes, which can be a reasonable complaint in some cases.

Solution: It’s important to clarify that SAP Fiori isn’t just about the apps; it’s about a new, improved way of working. Additionally, at the time of writing, I saw the number was 14371 on the Fiori App Library(not all of them are Fiori apps maybe ) , a number that continues to grow. A detailed audit can help companies identify their specific app needs and find or create suitable Fiori apps.

The transition to SAP Fiori isn’t simply about adopting a new UI/UX—it’s about embracing a more efficient, user-friendly, and data-driven way of conducting business. By understanding and addressing these common obstacles, organizations can make a smooth transition to SAP Fiori and unlock its full potential. As SAP consultants, it is our role to guide them on this journey and aid them in overcoming these hurdles.