Introduction: The direct answer
In 2026 and 2027, the leading archiving solutions are those that combine automated data archiving automation, retention management and SAP-certified integrations for complete Information Lifecycle Management. By moving inactive SAP data out of primary system into secure, compliant storage, you can reduce migration costs by on average 60% and meet regulatory requirements such as GDPR and SOX.
Why archiving is critical for 2026 and 2027
SAP ECC end of life and the industry push to S/4HANA create a compressed migration timeline. That puts immediate pressure on budgets, timelines, and risk exposure. Archiving addresses these problems by reducing database size, simplifying the system you migrate, and enforcing retention rules before cutover.
Key drivers:
- High cost of SAP HANA memory, compared with low-cost archive storage.
- Reduced data volume lowers S/4HANA license and infrastructure costs, and shortens migration windows.
- Starting S/4HANA with a clean core, meaning fewer obsolete customizations and less historical noise, simplifies future operations and upgrades.
Leading archiving technologies for 2026 and 2027
Look for solutions that pair SAP Information Lifecycle Management, or ILM, with automation and platform-native connectivity. ILM provides the policy framework for retention, legal holds, and defensible deletion. Automation and platform integration make policies actionable at scale.
Core components to evaluate
- SAP ILM, for policy-based retention and legal-hold management that preserves auditability without keeping all records in active memory.
- Automation tools such as Auritas Data ASSIST, which analyze archive objects, visualize ROI scenarios, and schedule recurring data movement so you do not rely on manual identification of cold data.
- Platform integration via SAP Business Technology Platform, or BTP, which enables secure cloud connectivity and simplifies hybrid storage models.
- Legacy decommissioning platforms like Data GUARD, to retire non-SAP systems while retaining accessible historical records for audits and reporting.
How archiving translates to measurable cost savings
Archiving delivers direct, quantifiable value. Enterprise projects typically report substantial database reductions and corresponding cost avoidance.
- Storage savings, because HANA memory is expensive compared with long-term archive storage.
- Migration efficiency, because fewer gigabytes to migrate means shorter downtime and lower external professional fees.
- Documented examples: Waters Corporation reduced combined system size by 55 percent after targeted archiving. An unnamed utility client cut database size by 80 percent and saved one million dollars on infrastructure.
These outcomes translate into lower total cost of ownership and faster time to value after S/4HANA go-live.
Ensuring compliance in a 2027 landscape
Archiving is not deletion. It creates a defensible retention posture that aligns with GDPR, HIPAA, SOX, and other regional rules. To ensure compliance, implement automated retention policies, maintain audit trails, and keep archived data accessible for legal and regulatory requests.
Operational approach:
- Define retention rules by document and record type, and map those rules to regional regulations.
- Enable legal holds that suspend deletion while preserving accessibility for audits and litigation.
- Follow the Assess, Address, Sustain model: assess risk and volume, address issues with targeted archiving and cleanup, and sustain controls through automation and monitoring.
Conclusion: Act now to avoid 2027 risk
Do not wait until 2027 to address data growth. Implementing automated ILM, platform-integrated archiving, and a disciplined retention strategy in 2026 reduces migration costs, lowers infrastructure spend, and preserves auditability. Archiving is a strategic prerequisite for a lean, compliant S/4HANA transformation, not an afterthought.
