Third-Party Support for SAP ECC After End of Support

Third-Party Support for SAP ECC: Navigating End-of-Support

As SAP’s legacy ERP ECC (ERP Central Component) nears end-of-support, enterprises face a pivotal decision. Many IT Asset Management (ITAM) leaders are exploring third-party support for SAP as an alternative to costly upgrades or extended maintenance.

This advisory outlines what third-party SAP support is, why it’s gaining traction ahead of ECC’s 2027 support deadline, and how organizations can leverage it to reduce costs and risk — all while planning a future SAP roadmap on their terms.

SAP ECC End-of-Support: A Looming Deadline

SAP ECC, the core of SAP’s older Business Suite, has an official support deadline approaching. Standard support for ECC 6.0 is scheduled to end in 2027 (with SAP offering costly extended support until 2030).

After these dates, SAP will no longer provide patches, legal/regulatory updates, or fixes for ECC. For ITAM professionals, this deadline is critical:

• Widespread Impact: Analysts estimate nearly half of SAP’s customers will still be running ECC by 2027. Many large enterprises have not fully migrated to S/4HANA due to the high cost, complexity, and risk associated with such projects.
• Rising Maintenance Costs: SAP has increased its annual maintenance fees in recent years (e.g., +5% in 2024), adding pressure to IT budgets. Paying a premium for extended support through 2028-2030 further strains costs.
• Upgrade Pressure: The looming end-of-support is a tactic by SAP to push customers toward S/4HANA or RISE (its cloud offering). However, many organizations cannot realistically move all processes to a new platform by the deadline without business disruption.
• The Options: Enterprises essentially have three choices: (1) migrate to S/4HANA before support ends, (2) pay SAP for extended ECC support (until 2030, with a ~2% fee premium), or (3) run ECC past 2027 without SAP support – which is risky unless a third-party support provider steps in.

Key Takeaway: End-of-support for ECC is a major inflection point. It forces ITAM and procurement teams to evaluate support strategies that strike a balance between cost, risk, and flexibility.

This is where third-party support enters the conversation.

Third-Party Support for SAP: What Is It?

Third-party support for SAP refers to outsourcing your SAP software maintenance to an independent provider, rather than relying on SAP itself.

These third-party firms (e.g., Rimini Street, Spinnaker Support, and others) offer maintenance services for SAP ECC and other SAP products once you leave SAP’s official support.

In practice, third-party support typically includes:

• Break-Fix Issue Resolution: Diagnosing and fixing software bugs or performance issues in your SAP system, even after SAP’s support has lapsed.
• Regulatory Updates: Providing updates for tax, legal, and regulatory changes (for example, payroll tax tables or VAT changes) to keep your ECC system compliant, since SAP won’t deliver these after EoS.
• Customization Support: Assisting with problems in custom code or integrations. Notably, SAP’s standard support covers only standard software; custom modifications are usually “your problem.” A third-party support provider will often troubleshoot and fix custom code issues as part of their service.
• Security and Patches: Monitoring for security vulnerabilities and developing necessary patches or workarounds. (You generally apply all final SAP-issued patches before switching over, then the provider handles new critical issues that arise.)
• Ongoing Helpdesk: 24/7 support availability, usually with defined SLAs and often a dedicated team familiar with your environment.

Importantly, with third-party support, you continue to own and use your SAP licenses (ECC is typically a perpetual license), but you cease paying SAP’s annual maintenance. Instead, you pay the third-party provider for support services.

These providers are legitimate and used by many Fortune 500 firms – their business model is helping customers safely run stable SAP systems for years without vendor support.

Who are these providers?

Rimini Street is the most well-known third-party support vendor, boasting thousands of clients for SAP and Oracle globally. Others include Spinnaker Support, Support Revolution, and smaller regional players.

They employ former SAP engineers and product experts who can support older versions (ECC 6.0 and even earlier) long after SAP’s timeline.

For example, some providers have pledged to support SAP ECC well into the 2030s (and possibly even 2040), giving organizations the option to keep their ERP running for as long as needed.

Why Enterprises Are Embracing Third-Party Support

Third-party support for SAP has gained momentum as the end-of-support for ECC nears. ITAM and sourcing teams are drawn to several clear benefits:

• Significant Cost Savings: The headline appeal is saving money. SAP annual support fees are typically ~20–22% of the initial license cost. Third-party support providers generally charge around 50% of SAP’s fee for comparable coverage. Enterprises often achieve maintenance savings of $ 1 million or more per year by switching, depending on their SAP spend. Moreover, third-party contracts often lock prices for multiple years, avoiding the inflation-based hikes that SAP has imposed. These savings can be redirected to fund innovation or an eventual S/4HANA migration on your schedule.
• Extended System Life (No Forced Upgrade): With third-party support, there is no hard end date for using ECC. You can run your stable SAP ERP system for as long as it continues to deliver value. This is crucial for organizations that are not yet ready to undergo a massive migration. Third-party providers will continue to support ECC well past 2027 – so you avoid a rushed, high-risk upgrade or the steep fees of SAP’s extended support. In short, you regain control of your ERP roadmap and timing.
• Focus on Stability and Essentials: Many enterprises on ECC have mature, heavily customized systems that already meet business needs. They aren’t looking for new features from SAP; they value stability. Third-party support aligns with this mindset: it keeps what you have running smoothly (and in compliance with the law) without introducing new software changes for organizations where an S/4 transformation is a “when (not if) – but not now” scenario; third-party support buys precious time.
• Better Support Experience: Ironically, customers often report better support quality from third-party vendors than they received from SAP. As a direct-paying client (as opposed to one of the tens of thousands), the provider is highly motivated to ensure your satisfaction. Support models typically assign a dedicated engineer or a small team to your account, offering faster response times (e.g., 15-minute response for critical issues) and a deeper understanding of your environment. Additionally, third-party providers will troubleshoot issues even if they stem from customizations or integrations — a “one-stop” support that SAP never provided without extra consulting fees.
• Predictability and Flexibility: Third-party contracts can be tailored to your specific needs, supporting the modules you use (for example), and often allow for flexibility as your system footprint changes. You’re not tied to SAP’s one-size-fits-all support model. This predictability extends to planning a future migration: you can target a 3-5 year stable period on third-party support, and then switch to S/4HANA when it truly makes sense for the business, not due to vendor pressure.

Real-world example: One global manufacturer saved over 50% on support costs (around $1.1M annually) by moving their SAP ECC and BusinessObjects systems to a third-party provider.

The savings funded new digital initiatives in e-commerce and analytics, while the company avoided an expensive premature ERP upgrade.

They also saw improved support for their custom shop-floor integrations, which SAP’s support had previously struggled to handle effectively.

Comparing SAP vs. Third-Party Support

How does third-party support for SAP ECC differ from staying with SAP’s support?

The following table highlights key differences in cost, service, and strategic impact:

Table: Key Differences Between Staying on SAP Support vs. Switching to Third-Party Support for ECC.

Risks and Trade-Offs to Consider

Third-party support is not a silver bullet; ITAM professionals must weigh several trade-offs and risks before leaping:

• No New SAP Releases: Perhaps the biggest compromise is that you will not receive any new versions, enhancement packs, or innovations from SAP for ECC. If your business requires new ERP functionality, you’ll need to either build it in-house, purchase add-ons, or wait until a future S/4HANA upgrade is available. Essentially, you’re in “maintenance mode” – great for stability, but not for getting new bells and whistles from SAP. In many cases, this is acceptable (even preferable), but it’s a conscious choice.
• Security & Compliance Concerns: Once-off SAP support, you won’t get official SAP security patches. A third-party provider will commit to creating fixes or mitigations for critical vulnerabilities, but this requires trust in their expertise and technical capabilities. Companies should vet how the provider delivers regulatory updates and security fixes. Best practice is to apply all final SAP patches before leaving, and ensure the provider has a strong track record with compliance updates (for example, check references from clients in your industry).
• Rejoining SAP or Migrating Later: If you leave SAP support now and, in a few years, decide to implement S/4HANA or another SAP product, there may be financial implications. SAP historically doesn’t allow a “holiday” on maintenance without penalty – you might have to pay a reinstatement fee or lose credit for your old licenses when migrating. It’s essential to model this scenario: even factoring in such costs, many find that, ultimately, third-party support still saves them money in the interim. Nonetheless, maintain documentation of your license entitlements and be prepared for tougher negotiations with SAP if/when you return for new software.
• Vendor Lock-In (New Kind): While you escape SAP’s timeline pressure, you become reliant on the third-party vendor for support. It’s crucial to choose a reputable provider and negotiate escape clauses or short-term contracts in case their service disappoints. Switching support vendors is rare, but you want the flexibility. Also, consider the provider’s long-term viability; you’ll be running ECC potentially for many years, so pick a stable support partner with a proven record.
• Internal Skills and System Age: Running ECC for an extended period means ensuring you have the necessary internal knowledge (or consulting help) to maintain an aging system. Over time, finding talent familiar with older ECC versions may become more challenging as the world transitions to S/4. Mitigate this by capturing knowledge and possibly using the third-party provider’s consulting services for system health checks. Additionally, very old ECC versions (earlier than EHP 6) may have limited supportability – check that your provider covers your exact version and any surrounding systems (e.g., BW, BusinessObjects).
• SAP Relationship Management: Finally, prepare for some pushback from SAP. Vendors do not like losing maintenance revenue. SAP account executives may attempt retention offers – from small discounts, to bundling deals (e.g., “RISE” incentives), to reminders that any future re-licensing will be costly. This isn’t so much a risk as a political factor. It helps to communicate at a high level with SAP about your decision, emphasizing that business needs drive it. In some cases, SAP might offer a better deal to keep you (if so, get it in writing and evaluate objectively). If not, be professional in the transition; you may still use SAP in the future (e.g., purchasing S/4HANA), so aim to leave on as good terms as possible.

In summary, thorough due diligence is vital before switching.

Many companies engage independent advisors or conduct thorough internal assessments to ensure they have: the right contract terms, all necessary software downloads and keys from SAP, and a solid plan for the day after SAP support ends.

Planning Your Support Strategy

Navigating the end of ECC support is not just a technical decision, but a strategic one that spans IT, finance, and procurement.

To craft a solid plan, consider these steps and best practices:

• Assess Your Current State: Begin with an internal audit of your SAP landscape. What ECC version and enhancement pack are you on? Are there product components you no longer use (shelfware licenses) that could potentially be retired to reduce maintenance costs? Identify any significant customizations and assess their criticality. This baseline will inform whether third-party support is feasible and attractive. Suppose your system is highly standard and up-to-date; staying on SAP support through migration might be easier. In that case, if it’s heavily customized, third-party support might serve you better (since they’ll support custom code).
• Map Out Future Roadmap: Align with business leadership on the long-term ERP strategy. Is the company committed to migrating to S/4HANA or a different platform within a few years, or is ECC expected to remain in place for the foreseeable future? If a migration is on the horizon (but not immediate), third-party support can be a bridge strategy: it saves money now and funds the eventual project. If the company might never move (or significantly delays beyond 2030), third-party support might even become a semi-permanent solution. Clarity on this vision helps in vendor negotiations on both sides.
• Engage SAP in Negotiations: Before leaping, give SAP a chance to sharpen its pencil. ITAM professionals often succeed by leveraging third-party quotes to negotiate concessions from SAP. This could be a reduced support fee, the ability to drop unused licenses from your maintenance base, or other incentives to stay (SAP occasionally offers custom maintenance extensions or discounts for loyal customers). Even if SAP’s offer isn’t enough, you’ve ensured no option was left unexplored. Remember, SAP’s initial stance is often “all or nothing” on support, but with pressure, they have shown flexibility for some clients.
• Evaluate Third-Party Providers Thoroughly: Treat the move like any critical outsourcing. Issue an RFP or at least have deep discovery calls with providers. Compare not just pricing, but also the scope of services, SLAs, client references, and expertise in your industry or modules. For example, if you run SAP HR Payroll, can the provider deliver country-specific payroll tax updates? Check how they handle GDPR compliance, how they source patches, and their indemnification clause (important for legal protection in case of intellectual property disputes with SAP).
• Plan the Transition Meticulously: If you decide on third-party support, carefully plan and execute the switch. Typically, the best practice is to align it with your SAP maintenance renewal cycle. Provide SAP with the required notice of termination (typically 90 days before contract expiration) to avoid auto-renewal. Download all relevant support materials from the SAP Service Marketplace while you still have access (installation files, last patch notes, etc.). Apply any final patches or upgrades that are available and beneficial before the cut-off. Also, communicate to internal teams about the support change and how they will engage the new provider (usually, you’ll start logging tickets with the new vendor the day after SAP support expires). A well-managed handover ensures a seamless transition in coverage.
• Governance and License Compliance: Even off SAP support, maintain good license hygiene. Keep records of your entitlements and how they are used. Being off support doesn’t mean you can exceed usage rights – an audit is less likely when not engaging with SAP, but it’s still possible should you re-engage with them later. If you’ve optimized licenses (surrendered some) to reduce costs before leaving, document those changes. Essentially, treat this as a renegotiation: you want a clean break with no compliance shadows lurking.
• Monitor and Reassess Periodically: After transitioning, continuously monitor the third-party provider’s performance. Establish KPIs for support (issue resolution time, system stability, etc.). Good providers may even improve your system performance by resolving long-standing issues. However, keep an eye on when your needs change. If, for instance, the business decides to accelerate an S/4HANA project, you might eventually plan to exit third-party support. Stay agile – the support strategy can be revisited if SAP changes its policies or if new opportunities (such as another extension of ECC support or a compelling SAP offer) emerge.

Each enterprise’s path will differ, but the overarching goal is the same: maintain control over your SAP environment’s fate, rather than being solely dictated by SAP’s deadlines.

Third-party support is a valuable tool in the ITAM toolkit for achieving control, especially when used judiciously and in alignment with a long-term plan.

Recommendations (Practical Tips)

1. Build a Business Case Grounded in Data: Gather hard numbers on your current SAP maintenance costs, potential third-party fees, and migration expenses. A solid cost-benefit analysis (including intangibles like risk avoidance) will be essential to get leadership buy-in for whichever path you choose.

2. Negotiate “Stay or Go” Options with SAP: Don’t assume SAP’s standard policy is final. Proactively engage SAP about options. For example, ask about partial termination of support on unused licenses, or explore SAP’s Product Support for Large Enterprises (PSLE), which can be cheaper if you qualify. If SAP knows you’re considering leaving, they might present creative solutions – leverage that in your favor.

3. Leverage Timing to Your Advantage: The best time to evaluate third-party support is 12–18 months before your ECC support deadline (or contract renewal). This gives you time to negotiate with SAP, run an RFP for a third party, and avoid last-minute pressure. Don’t wait until Q4 2027 in panic mode; start planning early so you can make a calm, well-informed decision.

4. Ensure License Continuity: Before leaving SAP support, double-check that you have perpetual rights to use the software versions you run. Most SAP ECC licenses are perpetual; however, if any component is subscription-based or tied to cloud services, address this accordingly. Confirm with SAP in writing that discontinuing maintenance does not forfeit your right to use the software (it shouldn’t, but it’s wise to have clarity).

5. Maximize Value Before You Switch: Take full advantage of SAP support while you have it. Download the latest support packs, documentation, and tools. If you have the capacity, consider implementing any last high-value notes or minor enhancements available for ECC. This “last refresh” can give your system a clean bill of health and up-to-date baseline to carry you forward under third-party care.

6. Contractual Safeguards with Third-Party: When signing with a third-party support vendor, include SLAs and penalties for non-performance to hold them accountable. Also, clarify how they will handle critical scenarios (e.g., a high-severity security issue). Look for an indemnification clause where the provider takes on liability if their support actions trigger any IP claims from SAP. This protects your organization legally.

7. Plan for an Eventual Transition (Exit Strategy): Even as you enter a third-party support agreement, keep the future in mind. If your goal is to ultimately move to S/4HANA or back to SAP’s fold, maintain an exit strategy. For instance, a clause that allows you to cancel after each contract year without incurring steep penalties can be valuable if business priorities shift. Having this flexibility ensures you’re not stuck longer than you intend to be.

8. Communicate with Stakeholders: Moving off vendor support is a big change; keep your stakeholders (IT operations, security team, procurement, and business units) in the loop. Ensure that everyone understands both the “why” and the “how” of the new support model. This will smooth internal adoption and ensure cooperation. It also reassures executives that the risks are mitigated and the decision is proactive, not reactive.

9. Monitor SAP’s Policy Changes: Keep an eye on SAP announcements regarding ECC and S/4HANA. If SAP extends deadlines again or introduces a new offering (for example, a **2023 announcement allowed some customers to run ECC until 2033 via private cloud arrangements), update your strategy accordingly. The landscape is evolving; a decision to go third-party now doesn’t mean you ignore SAP news going forward.

10. Foster Peer Connections: Connect with other companies (via user groups or industry forums) that have chosen third-party support. Peer insights are invaluable – they can provide lessons learned, recommend providers, and even share sample negotiation tactics for both SAP and third-party deals. This community knowledge can validate your approach and highlight things you might not have considered.

Checklist: 5 Actions to Take

1. Audit Your SAP Licenses and Usage – Inventory all SAP ECC licenses and how they’re used. Identify unused users or modules (also known as “shelfware”) that you can potentially eliminate. This cleanup will reduce maintenance costs whether you stay or leave SAP support. Ensure you are aware of your contractual renewal dates and notice period.

2. Explore Support Options (Internal Due Diligence) – Form a cross-functional team (ITAM, SAP basis team, procurement, finance) to evaluate the post-2027 support options. This includes discussing retention offers with SAP, as well as reaching out to third-party support providers for preliminary discussions or proposals. Document the pros, cons, costs, and risks of each path.

3. Develop a Transition Plan – If third-party support is a serious contender, outline a transition project. Key tasks: timing the move at contract end, arranging knowledge transfer, downloading SAP support resources, and scheduling final patch updates. Also, plan how you will communicate the change to end-users and support staff.

4. Secure Approvals and Communicate Decision – Present the findings and recommendations to senior management. Whether you choose to stick with SAP (perhaps on extended support) for now or to switch, get formal approval. If moving to a third party, inform SAP in writing as required to terminate maintenance if you plan to stay with SAP, possibly on extended support, and budget for the additional fees. In either case, communicate the decision and its rationale to all internal stakeholders.

5. Execute and Monitor – Carry out the chosen plan. If migrating to third-party support, manage the cutover on the agreed date, ensuring the new support team is engaged and ready. If you plan to continue using SAP for an extended period, continue to monitor SAP’s updates and your migration readiness. After execution, regularly review support performance: Are issues getting resolved promptly? Is the system stable? Use these metrics to report back on the success of the strategy and adjust if needed.

FAQs

Q1: What exactly happens when SAP ECC support ends in 2027?
A1: After Dec 31, 2027, SAP will no longer provide standard support for ECC 6.0. This means that most users will receive no new patches, fixes, or legal updates from SAP. (Some specific older ECC versions lose support even earlier, and only those paying for extended maintenance get support until 2030.) Essentially, if something breaks or a new tax law comes out in 2028, SAP won’t help unless you’re on extended maintenance – which costs extra – or you’ve moved to S/4HANA. Companies still on ECC at that point either run “at their own risk” or rely on alternatives, such as third-party support, to keep their systems up-to-date and secure.

Q2: Is third-party SAP support legitimate and allowed?
A2: Yes. If you own valid licenses for your SAP software, you are allowed to choose who provides support for it. Third-party support is a legitimate industry, with well-established providers serving hundreds of SAP clients. SAP’s terms do not prohibit you from ending maintenance and using an outside firm (though there may be clauses about not sharing SAP intellectual property – reputable third-party providers take care to operate within legal boundaries). Many governments, large enterprises, and regulated industries utilize third-party support, making it an accepted practice. Just ensure your contract with the provider includes protections in case of any disputes with SAP (like the provider indemnifying you).

Q3: How much can we save by switching to third-party support?
A3: Most organizations see immediate savings of 50% or more on their annual support fees. For example, if you currently pay $2 million per year to SAP, a third-party provider might charge around $1 million for support of the same scope, resulting in an annual savings of $1 million. Over several years, this is a substantial amount. Additionally, indirect savings can accrue: avoiding a forced $20M migration for a few years can be seen as a financial benefit too, when calculating ROI. However, remember to factor in one-time transition costs and any potential future costs (like if you need to re-license something when moving to S/4HANA later). Even with those, the business case often remains very attractive in favor of third-party support for the medium term.

Q4: What do we lose if we leave SAP support?
A4: The primary things you lose are access to SAP’s updates and SAP’s direct help. Concretely: no new SAP patches, no ability to upgrade to new SAP versions (without buying new licenses later), and no SAP hotline for problems. You also lose usage of SAP’s support portal and tools. That said, a good third-party provider will replace a lot of this: they become your hotline, provide fixes (excluding those from SAP), and offer their own update mechanisms for legal changes. You do not lose the right to use your existing SAP software – your licenses remain valid. It’s a bit like owning a car but choosing a local mechanic instead of the dealer’s service center once the warranty expires. You still have the car (software), but you’re getting service elsewhere. Just as the local mechanic can’t do manufacturer recalls, a third-party can’t give you new SAP-released features. But they can keep the car running reliably for as long as you need.

Q5: Can we still migrate to S/4HANA later if we use third-party support now?
A5: Absolutely. Using third-party support for a few years doesn’t preclude you from future SAP projects. What it does mean is that, when you decide to migrate to S/4HANA, you might have to negotiate a new license or conversion deal largely from scratch, since you won’t have an active SAP maintenance contract. SAP typically allows existing ECC customers on maintenance to convert their licenses to S/4HANA, providing some credit for what they already own. If you’re off maintenance, those credits may not apply, or SAP might require payment of back maintenance fees to reinstate support before a conversion. This varies case by case. Many companies find that even if they have to spend later to adopt S/4HANA, the savings from the interim years still make third-party support a worthwhile investment. The key is to save a portion of the maintenance fees you’re not paying SAP, and earmark that for your future S/4HANA project. Also, maintain an open dialogue with SAP – let them know you’re still considering S/4HANA down the road, so they remain interested in winning your business back with a reasonable offer when the time comes.

Schedule a call with us to discuss how we can support your organization in moving to third-party support.

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