What has happened? The facts at a glance
On 20 April 2026, SAP withdrew Business ByDesign from the market for new customers. If you are using ByDesign today, you have probably noticed the news – and read one or two worried-sounding phrases in trade articles and partner announcements.
The good news first: ByDesign is not being switched off. SAP has not communicated any end-of-life date. Existing customers continue to receive support and maintenance. The German-speaking SAP User Group (DSAG) refers to support being available "at least until 2032".
What has changed: SAP no longer sells ByDesign to new customers and is no longer developing the system further. No new features, no innovation roadmap, no investment in the future of the platform.
That is an important distinction – and it determines how best to proceed strategically from here.
No emergency – but a good moment for strategic planning
If your company is using ByDesign today, there is no urgent need to act. The system works, SAP maintains it, and your operations carry on.
Even so, it is worth taking a clear look ahead now. Because anyone still working on a platform that has not been developed further for years, three to five years from now, faces a different problem: the technology gap will be wider, there will be fewer implementation partners available, and the pressure to migrate will come not from a strategic decision but from necessity.
Plan today and you have time to make a good decision. That is a real advantage.
Which successors are worth considering?
Anyone migrating from ByDesign has two sensible options within the SAP ecosystem – depending on company size, process landscape and how the business fits into a wider group structure.
Option 1: SAP S/4HANA Cloud, Public Edition (SAP Cloud ERP)
SAP Cloud ERP is the strategic successor to ByDesign for midsized companies and for subsidiaries within SAP group environments. Like ByDesign, it is a fully cloud-based SaaS solution – no server of your own, no data centre, no responsibility for infrastructure. SAP delivers new functionality on a half-yearly basis and takes care of operation and maintenance.
For companies that have already worked with ByDesign in the cloud, this is the most direct route: the operating model stays the same, while the platform becomes future-ready.
Suitable for companies that need to map more complex processes in finance, supply chain or manufacturing, that are part of a group with an SAP parent system, or that are looking for a clearly defined growth path within the SAP ecosystem.
PART supports migrations to SAP Cloud ERP with three structured implementation packages: BASIC Finance, BASIC Supply Chain Management and BASIC Manufacturing. These packages make effort and costs predictable from the outset.
→ More about SAP Cloud ERP at PART
Option 2: SAP Business One
SAP Business One is a proven SAP solution for smaller companies, with a large partner community. One important difference compared with ByDesign and SAP Cloud ERP: Business One is primarily an on-premise solution. That means the system has to be run in your own data centre or hosted by an external service provider – a different infrastructure logic from the pure cloud model that ByDesign customers are used to.
Business One is a good fit above all where on-premise operation is wanted or makes sense, where processes are lean and well standardized, and where the company is significantly smaller than the typical SAP Cloud ERP scope.
PART has been implementing SAP Business One for years and knows the migration routes out of ByDesign.
→ More about SAP Business One at PART
Which option suits you?
Three questions help with an initial sense of direction:
- Are you part of a group that also runs SAP, and does your ERP system need to communicate with the parent system?
- Are your processes in production, purchasing or logistics complex – or well standardized and manageable?
- How many employees will use the new system on a daily basis?
You will find a detailed comparison of the two systems in our blog post: SAP Business One or SAP Cloud ERP: which solution fits your company?
How a migration works at PART
An ERP migration is a major project – but a predictable one when it is approached with the right structure. PART works according to the SAP Activate methodology in six phases: from the initial as-is analysis (Discover) through requirements workshops and system configuration (Explore, Realize) to go-live and ongoing operation (Deploy, Run).
What sets PART apart from many other partners: no decision made in advance in favour of either option. If SAP Cloud ERP is the better choice for your company, we recommend SAP Cloud ERP. If SAP Business One is the right fit, we recommend SAP Business One. That independence has a concrete value: you get a recommendation that fits your situation – not one that fits the partner's portfolio.
You can read more about what a migration looks like in practice for midsized companies in our whitepaper: SAP Cloud ERP for midsized companies
Conclusion: act now, without rushing
The withdrawal of SAP Business ByDesign from sale is a clear signal: SAP is no longer investing in this platform. That is no reason to panic, but it is a good reason to invest in strategic planning now.
Start today and you can compare, weigh up and choose the route that genuinely fits your situation, without pressure. In two to three years' time, that room for manoeuvre will be smaller.
PART will support you along the way – whether it leads to SAP Cloud ERP or to SAP Business One.
Still unsure which route is the right one? In a free initial conversation, we will look at your situation together – with no decision made in advance and no sales pressure. → Book a consultation
Frequently asked questions about SAP Business ByDesign
Is SAP Business ByDesign being switched off?
No. As of April 2026, SAP has discontinued ByDesign for new customers only. Existing customers continue to receive support and maintenance. No specific end-of-life date has been communicated; DSAG refers to support being available "at least until 2032".
What is the difference between SAP Business ByDesign and SAP Cloud ERP?
Both are cloud-based ERP solutions from SAP for midsized companies. ByDesign is no longer being developed further and is no longer available to new customers. SAP Cloud ERP (S/4HANA Cloud, Public Edition) is SAP's current offering and receives regular updates, new functionality and the built-in AI assistant Joule.
When should I start planning a migration?
As early as possible – but without rushing. There is no enforced migration deadline. Planning early gives you more room for manoeuvre in terms of budget, resources and choice of system. Experience shows that an ERP migration takes four to nine months, depending on scope and including the preparation phase.
Is SAP Business One an alternative to Business ByDesign?
In certain cases, yes – but with one important difference in the operating model: SAP Business One is primarily an on-premise solution. That means the system has to be run in your own data centre or hosted by a partner. Because ByDesign was a pure cloud solution, SAP Cloud ERP – which is likewise fully cloud-based – is the more direct successor. SAP Business One can make sense where on-premise operation is preferred, or where the company is considerably smaller than the typical SAP Cloud ERP scope.
What does a migration from Business ByDesign cost?
Costs depend on company size, process scope and the solution chosen. PART offers structured implementation packages that make planning and costs transparent from the outset. An initial conversation will give you a first sense of direction.
