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S/4 Conversion: The Foundation for Composable ERP

The foundation for a global, composable ERP system lies in the database. Why “Clean Database” and “Clean Core” are two different things.

August 11, 2026
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S/4 Conversion: The Foundation for Composable ERP 1

S/4 conversion is not a release upgrade.

The foundation for a global, composable ERP is laid in the database.

In our view, today’s S/4 conversion of existing ERP landscapes is not a technical release upgrade—a term that is now obsolete—but rather the foundation for a global, composable ERP with a cleanly structured database, as well as AI and agentic AI.

This transformation requires knowledge and tools for the business processes in each company, as well as data management for a company-specific “clean database.” Over the past few months, BDF has diligently prepared for this transformation process for existing SAP customers.

BDF offers best practices such as Cleanfield, optimal IT tools, and comprehensive ERP expertise in the areas of PLM/PPG and Treasury as existing SAP customers shape the future of ERP with a Clean Database (not to be confused with Core) and Business Data Fabric.

In the coming weeks, we’ll be examining the individual layers: the Clean Database as the foundation, the Business Data Fabric, composable ERP, and Agentic AI within the process. We’ll also explore what Cleanfield looks like in specific projects—from PLM/PPG and from Treasury.

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