What is an important aspect of the customer upgrade projects in SAP S/4HANA Cloud?

In SAP S/4HANA Cloud, the upgrade projects are typically conducted on an annual basis. This scheduling allows organizations to implement new features, enhancements, and innovations provided by SAP. By upgrading once a year, companies can effectively manage their resources and align their internal processes with the latest capabilities offered by the cloud solution.

Frequent upgrades ensure that organizations take advantage of continuous improvements while maintaining a stable cloud environment. This strategy also helps them mitigate risks associated with outdated system functionalities, thereby improving the overall performance and competitiveness of their business processes.

The annual upgrade approach differentiates it from more frequent processes like monthly releases, which may not involve comprehensive changes but are instead focused more on bug fixes and minor updates. Also, while customization may occur during upgrades, it is not the primary focus, as they aim to leverage standard updates and functionalities that come from SAP. Lastly, upgrades are not limited to key user roles; they generally impact the entire organization and improve the user experience across various roles within the company.