From Technical Debt to Business Agility: Why SAP Clean Core is No Longer Optional

Written by Harry Gordon | Jun 16, 2025 9:45:44 AM

As AI, BTP, and S/4HANA adoption accelerate, businesses with cluttered SAP environments are falling behind. Here's why "Clean Core" has become mission-critical - and what to do about it.

What is clean core - and why now?

The “Clean Core” concept is SAP’s answer to a long-standing challenge: how to maintain flexibility without compromising upgradeability or innovation. In simple terms, a clean core means minimising custom code and relying on standard SAP functionality - pushing any extensions or integrations out to SAP BTP (Business Technology Platform).

For years, businesses have modified their SAP systems to fit bespoke processes. But those modifications now represent technical debt that’s slowing down transformation and putting up roadblocks to AI readiness, cloud adoption and S/4HANA migration.

At SAP Sapphire 2025, the message was clear: Clean Core isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s the foundation for what’s next.

Technical debt is now a competitive risk

Over-customised SAP landscapes have always been harder (and more expensive) to maintain - but now they’re actively preventing progress. We’re seeing:

Delayed S/4HANA migrations due to incompatible custom code

- Inability to adopt SAP Joule and AI tools that rely on standardised architecture
- Mounting upgrade costs and instability from non-upgrade-safe customisations
- Missed opportunities for agility, innovation and cross-enterprise automation

In today’s landscape, businesses with clean, modular SAP environments will respond faster, innovate sooner and scale more easily.

The Clean Core-AI Connection

A clean core isn’t just about tidying up - it’s about unlocking what's next. SAP’s AI assistant Joule, for instance, draws on real-time data across the enterprise. That only works if your SAP system is clean, standardised and integrated with cloud-based tools like BTP.

Put simply:

AI doesn't work well on messy foundations.

Clean core allows you to:

- Use prebuilt AI services more easily
- Enable better data flow and insight generation
- Build flexible, upgrade-proof extensions
- Make your system truly ready for future transformation

So, what should you be doing now?

1. Assess Your Technical Debt
Start with a clear view of your existing customisations. What’s business-critical? What can be retired, replaced, or moved to BTP?

2. Build an extension strategy
Start shifting enhancements off the core and onto SAP BTP. It gives you the flexibility to innovate without locking up your system.

3.Plan for incremental transformation
You don’t need a big-bang reimplementation - but you do need a roadmap. Start making choices today that won’t hold you back tomorrow.

4. Upskill or partner for clean core capability
This isn’t just a technical job. It needs architectural thinking, change management and the right blend of SAP and cloud expertise.

Talent Implications: A Shifting Skillset

The move to Clean Core is creating new demand for:

- SAP Solution Architects with S/4HANA and BTP experience

- Extension developers who can work within the SAP Business Technology Platform

- Freelance specialists to help audit, clean, and replatform

- Transformation leads who understand the business and technical journey

We’re seeing a particular spike in project-based hiring as companies look to fast-track their readiness for AI and S/4HANA.

Need clarity in a complex SAP landscape? Let’s talk

Whether you’re just starting your Clean Core journey or need the right people to accelerate transformation, Trillion can help. We’ll connect you with the talent and expertise you need to make the shift - without disruption, without delay.

Contact us today and explore how we can support your Clean Core and S/4HANA goals.

We're here to help simplify the complex, cut through the noise and deliver the right expertise - fast.

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