Either way, the course has been set and the train toward modern integration is already rolling. Companies that jump on board now can plan, test, and optimize at their leisure. Those who hesitate too long will have to play catch-up later with greater speed and risk.
SAP Integration Suite: The modern successor to PI/PO
SAP has announced that it will end support for Process Integration (PI) and Process Orchestration (PO) by the end of 2027, with an optional extension until the end of 2030. For companies that have relied on these proven integration solutions for years, this means a fundamental change of course. The SAP Integration Suite, as the designated successor, not only brings new technologies, but also requires a strategic realignment of the entire integration architecture.
But that's not all. The challenge goes far beyond a simple technology change. While PI/PO has served as the central middleware solution for complex B2B and A2A integrations for years, the modern IT landscape demands more agile, API-driven, and cloud-native approaches. Companies are faced with the task of not only modernizing their technical infrastructure, but also fundamentally rethinking their integration strategy.
Understanding the challenges of PI/PO migration
SAP PI and PO have proven themselves over many years as robust middleware solutions, enabling complex integration scenarios. Their strengths lay in the centralized management of interfaces and support for various protocols. However, it is precisely these characteristics that bring specific requirements with them during migration.
Many PI/PO landscapes have grown organically without always following an overarching architecture strategy. The result is often highly complex integration landscapes with hundreds of interfaces whose dependencies and business relevance are not fully documented.
Complex message mappings, orchestrated workflows, and specific adapter configurations must be analyzed and translated into new paradigms.
The organizational aspects should not be underestimated: teams have specialized in PI/PO, processes are geared towards it, and expertise is often concentrated in a few experts. Migration therefore also means a transformation of working methods and responsibilities.
SAP Integration Suite: A paradigm shift in integration
The SAP Integration Suite represents a fundamental reorientation away from traditional PI/PO approaches. Instead of centralized middleware, the Integration Suite relies on decentralized, API-driven processes and is thus closer to the reality of modern business processes.
The most important difference lies in the architectural philosophy: Instead of a central integration engine, the Integration Suite relies on distributed, specialized services. The core component for former PI/PO users is Cloud Integration, which takes over many of the classic middleware functions but also offers modern concepts such as graphical development environments and ready-made integration packages.
The Event Mesh component, which enables event-driven architectures, is particularly innovative. Unlike the traditional request-response patterns of PI/PO, systems can now respond to business events in real time. API management also enables the development of reusable APIs that can be used by different applications. Those familiar with PI/PO will experience the Integration Suite as a transition from tube TV to streaming services: same basic idea, but on a completely different level—more modern, more flexible, and closer to today's requirements. But how exactly does this transition work?
Practical migration strategy: From assessment to implementation
A successful migration requires a structured approach that goes far beyond a simple technology change. Our experience in SAP Integration shows that a methodical approach is crucial for project success.
The first step is a complete inventory of the existing PI/PO landscape. This includes technical documentation of all interfaces, assessment of business relevance, and identification of system dependencies. Based on this assessment, the integration architecture is strategically realigned.
This often reveals that not all existing interfaces are needed in their current form. Redundant integrations can be consolidated, individual solutions replaced by standard APIs, and synchronous point-to-point connections converted to event-driven architectures.
The actual migration takes place in controlled iterations, starting with less critical interfaces. Pilot projects allow valuable experience to be gained before more complex scenarios are tackled. Temporary parallel operation of old and new solutions minimizes risks.
Organizational transformation and new skills
Migration to the Integration Suite requires not only technical changes, but also organizational changes. The traditional role of the PI/PO administrator is giving way to a broader spectrum of specialized functions such as integration architects, API product managers, and DevOps engineers.
New tools require new ways of thinking: technical training, agile working, and a learning culture that grows with the organization are the ingredients for a successful transformation. While the Integration Suite enables technical connections between systems, other solutions such as the SAP Business Data Cloud complement it with advanced data analysis and AI capabilities.
With the greater flexibility of the Integration Suite, governance requirements are also increasing. Standards for API design, security, and documentation must be established, data flows controlled, and uniform security guidelines implemented.
Outlook: The time for strategic decisions is running out
With support for PI/PO set to end in late 2027, companies have a limited window of opportunity to make strategic decisions. Successful migrations require time for organizational transformation and skills development.
Companies that start planning now have decisive advantages: sufficient time for strategic planning, the opportunity for pilot projects, and gradual competence building. For a successful start, we recommend immediately taking stock of the current situation, defining the target integration architecture, and putting together a dedicated migration team.
The forced migration from PI/PO offers companies a unique opportunity to rethink and modernize their entire integration architecture. Instead of a pure technology replacement, organizations can position their integration as a strategic enabler for digital business models.
FAQs
1. When does support for SAP PI/PO end and what options are available?
Regular support for SAP PI/PO ends on December 31, 2027. Companies have the option of extending support until the end of 2030. After that, SAP will no longer provide updates or security patches, which entails significant compliance and security risks.
2. Can existing PI/PO integrations be easily transferred to the Integration Suite?
3. Is the SAP Integration Suite only suitable for cloud scenarios?
4. What advantages does the Integration Suite offer over PI/PO?
5. How should companies start the migration?
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