Integrating SAP S/4HANA is about more than system modernisation. It’s about creating the kind of architecture – and data landscape – that enables agility, security, and long-term business innovation.
We’ve previously covered why a clean core matters in SAP-centric landscapes, particularly from a technical and architectural perspective.
Minimising custom code, adopting standardised processes, and simplifying integrations all help reduce technical debt and support cloud-readiness. But increasingly, organisations realise that Clean Core is not just about code – it’s also about data.
In SAP’s evolving Clean Core strategy, data has become a central pillar. Poor data governance, inconsistent master records, bloated archives, and unmanaged personal data can all undermine your transformation goals – even in the most technically sound S/4HANA environment.
So, what does a Clean Core data approach involve? And how can your organisation adopt it in a way that supports both compliance and innovation?
Clean Core Data: More Than a Tidy-Up Exercise
The term “clean data” is often misunderstood. It’s not just about deleting old records or cleansing duplicates. In the context of SAP S/4HANA, Clean Core data refers to a holistic approach to managing enterprise information so that it is:
- Accurate and trustworthy
- Aligned with business processes
- Compliant with data protection laws
- Governed by clear ownership and lifecycle policies
- Kept within systems only as long as it provides business value
SAP breaks this down into five key dimensions:
- Data Governance – clear roles, responsibilities, and rules
- Data Strategy Alignment – ensuring data decisions support business outcomes
- Data Quality – consistent, validated data inputs
- Data Volume Management – removing outdated or unused records
- Data Protection – aligning with GDPR and similar regulations
These aren’t just theoretical best practices. They are fast becoming operational necessities, especially as more organisations transition to SAP S/4HANA Cloud, where standardisation and compliance take centre stage.
Data Protection: A Foundation, Not a Feature
With global data privacy regulations tightening, compliance is now a baseline requirement – not an optional add-on.
A Clean Core approach to data means embedding data protection by design across your S/4HANA systems. That includes:
- Ensuring personal data is only stored for a defined purpose and duration
- Automating deletion or archiving processes after retention periods expire
- Enabling user access and data portability upon request
- Establishing legal bases for all personal data processing activities
SAP offers technical enablers, such as Information Lifecycle Management (ILM) and the Data Privacy Integration (DPI) service. But these tools only deliver value if supported by the right governance model and operational workflows.
In short, you cannot separate Clean Core from data compliance. If your personal data is unmanaged or uncontrolled, your transformation effort remains exposed – regardless of how well the system is configured.
Data Quality: Driving Trust and Performance
Data quality issues don’t just slow down transformations. They erode confidence in reporting, disrupt operational processes, and compromise the performance of emerging technologies, such as AI.
We frequently encounter organisations that discover major quality issues mid-way through an S/4HANA migration – missing fields, duplicate vendors, inconsistent customer records, and more. These cause costly and avoidable delays.
Clean Core data practices promote a continuous quality management mindset that includes:
- Deduplication before (and after) migration
- Data validation rules built into workflows
- Use of tools like SAP Master Data Governance (MDG) and Master Data Integration (MDI) to maintain consistency across systems
- Proactive monitoring of reference and transactional data
As organisations move towards data-driven decision-making, Clean Core data becomes more than a hygiene issue – it’s critical infrastructure.
Not Just for Projects: Ongoing Clean Core Data Management
It’s easy to see Clean Core as something you “do” during a migration. But SAP is clear: Clean Core is an ongoing state, not a one-off effort.
The tools and practices that support Clean Core data – whether MDG, ILM, or data quality services – can and should be used beyond transformation projects, across BAU operations. This includes:
- Automating compliance checks
- Maintaining harmonised master data across regions
- Continuously improving data quality through feedback loops
- Reducing storage costs through smart archiving strategies
At On Device Solutions, we advise clients to embed Clean Core data practices into their everyday governance, so they’re not reinventing the wheel with every system change or audit.
Where to Start
If your organisation is planning or has already started an S/4HANA journey, Clean Core data should be a priority alongside system architecture.
We recommend:
- Mapping data ownership and governance across business units
- Auditing existing data quality to identify critical gaps
- Defining retention and deletion policies based on legal and business needs
- Using toolsets like MDG, MDI, and ILM early in your planning
And just as importantly, focus on sustained adoption. Clean Core data is not a one-time cleanse – it’s a cultural and operational shift.
Whether you’re preparing for an S/4HANA transition or looking to improve your current SAP environment, don’t overlook the importance of data in achieving a true Clean Core.
To learn more about how Clean Core strategies can improve your enterprise architecture, reduce risk, and support digital innovation, revisit our blog: Why a Clean Core Matters in SAP-Centric Landscapes
And if you’re ready to explore how Clean Core data practices could apply to your organisation, we’re here to help.
