#Japan #Tokyo #SAP S/4HANA #SAP ERP #Dentsu Research

Dentsu Research Launches the 2025 SAP User Awareness Survey

Dentsu Research, based in Minato, Tokyo, under the leadership of President Hirohisa Iwamoto, has recently shared detailed findings from its latest survey titled the "2025 SAP User Awareness Survey." Conducted with participation from 295 domestic companies utilizing SAP's ERP systems, this comprehensive research will be released on December 17, 2025.

The survey builds upon Dentsu Research's ongoing annual studies, which have been executed and compiled since 2018. Its primary goal is to reveal current trends, user perceptions, and challenges faced by companies employing SAP ERP systems. For this year's analysis, the research includes a time series analysis over the past three years (2023–2025), thus allowing for a clearer visualization of the evolution in companies using SAP ERP systems.

Background of the Survey

Dentsu Research has been operational in providing SAP-related solutions since 1995. The company has accumulated an impressive portfolio, being involved in over 350 SAP-related projects, including new implementations and lifecycle upgrades, plus BI system builds aligned with SAP’s systems. Dentsu Research also emphasizes maximizing ROI on investments in SAP ERP systems by offering additional solutions that help resolve various business challenges, including data utilization.

Overview of the 2025 SAP User Awareness Survey

• - Survey Period: September 9, 2025 - October 31, 2025
• - Sample Size: Approximately 1,300 domestic companies using SAP ERP systems
• - Methodology: Direct calls by Dentsu Research Marketing Department, email-distributed web surveys, and mailed questionnaires
• - Valid Responses: 295 companies, including 165 users of "SAP ERP Central Component (ECC) 6.0" and 130 users of "SAP S/4HANA®". Those using both solutions are included in the calculations for each group.
• - Full Data Download: Available for free at Dentsu Research

Key Findings of the 2025 Survey

1. Increased Adoption of 'SAP S/4HANA': The percentage of companies using "SAP S/4HANA" has risen by 5.7 percentage points compared to last year. While the growth rate in users has slowed, a cumulative increase of 16.6 percentage points represents a significant trend over the three-year span.

2. Migration Methods to 'SAP S/4HANA': For those using "SAP ECC6.0," the most common anticipated method for migration to "SAP S/4HANA" remains the conversion method. An increasing number of organizations are examining alternatives, such as moving to third-party support or adopting different ERP solutions.

3. License Type Expectations Post-Migration: Anticipations regarding license types after the migration to "SAP S/4HANA" show a growing inclination towards cloud-based ERP solutions. Companies responding positively have grown by 4.3 percentage points compared to last year.

4. Migration Costs: Over half of the responding companies expect the costs associated with migrating to "SAP S/4HANA" to exceed 500 million yen, with 26% estimating costs of over 1 billion yen.

5. Future Focus Areas: Both "SAP ECC6.0" and "SAP S/4HANA" users identified AI utilization as the most critical area for future efforts. Other priorities include enhancing business data analysis efficiency and low-code application development tools.

Dentsu Research continues to position itself at the forefront of technological evolution, dedicating itself to creating solutions through the collaboration of systems integration, consulting, and think tank functionalities. Their vision promotes an advanced social structure where both technology and human resourcefulness thrive.

For complete insights and additional updates related to the survey, interested parties are encouraged to visit the provided links. Dentsu’s commitment to innovation ensures that it remains a driving force in the evolution of businesses adopting SAP's advanced ERP systems and associated technologies.