On 31 July 2026, mainstream support for SAP Commerce On-Premise ends. For many mid-sized manufacturers and wholesalers, this means the B2B platform on which business processes and customer relationships have been built for years loses its technical foundation. Anyone who has not yet developed a migration strategy is under considerable time pressure. The question is no longer whether to migrate, but where to and how. Since 1999, Commerce Partner has supported companies in digital B2B sales and, in more than 2,500 projects, identified three key migration paths that are viable for mid-sized manufacturers.
Why migrating SAP Commerce is more than a system change
Choosing a new B2B commerce stack is not just an IT decision. It affects sales processes, customer relationships, data control, and long-term scalability. Many companies have adapted SAP Commerce to their processes over the years, with custom workflows, pricing logic, and ERP integrations. A system change means reviewing, consolidating, and rebuilding these structures.
At the same time, migration creates the opportunity to modernize outdated processes. Rigid monoliths give way to modular, flexible architectures. New technologies such as headless approaches or composable commerce make it possible to scale sales channels faster and open up international markets more efficiently. Those who use migration strategically gain not only technical stability, but also competitive advantages. Those who delay it risk security gaps, rising maintenance costs, and loss of market share to more agile competitors.
Three proven migration paths compared
In practice, three migration paths have emerged that work for mid-sized manufacturers and wholesalers. Each path has its place, depending on starting point, budget, timeframe, and strategic goals.
Path 1: Shopware as a modern composable alternative
Shopware has established itself in recent years as a leading B2B commerce platform in the German-speaking region. The platform offers a mature architecture that is well suited to complex customer structures, custom pricing logic, and multi-stage sales models. Typical starting point: manufacturers with established SAP structures that are looking for a modern, maintainable solution without becoming dependent on the cloud. Advantages: fast implementation (often 3-6 months), high flexibility through the plugin ecosystem, and strong community and developer availability in the DACH region. Risks: customization can become expensive if legacy processes are recreated one-to-one. Timeframe: 4-8 months to go-live, depending on integration depth.
Path 2: ERP-driven commerce with a tightly integrated system
Some manufacturers rely on a commerce solution that is controlled directly from the ERP, for example through modules such as SAP Customer Activity Repository or specialized middleware solutions. Typical starting point: strong ERP focus, deep processes in inventory management and logistics, and low requirements for frontend flexibility. Advantages: seamless data integration, less interface complexity, and often lower initial costs. Risks: limited marketing and UX options, dependency on the ERP vendor, and more difficult scaling in international markets. Timeframe: 6-12 months, strongly dependent on ERP release cycles.
Path 3: Step-by-step move to headless
The headless approach separates frontend (storefront) and backend (commerce engine, ERP, PIM) technically. This enables maximum flexibility in designing customer experiences and running multiple channels in parallel (web, app, marketplaces). Typical starting point: manufacturers with international markets, high UX requirements, or the wish for a phased migration (for example, web shop first, portals later). Advantages: highest flexibility, future-proof architecture, and easy scaling of new touchpoints. Risks: higher initial development effort, the need for experienced development teams, and the risk of overengineering. Timeframe: 6-18 months, depending on complexity and phase planning.
Decision criteria and ROI considerations
The choice of the right migration path depends on four key factors: time pressure, budget, strategic goals, and internal resources. Anyone who has to migrate by the end of July 2026 cannot afford an 18-month plan; here, Shopware or an ERP-driven solution is recommended. Those who want to open up international markets in the long term should evaluate headless approaches, even if the initial effort is higher.
From an ROI perspective, a well-planned migration usually pays for itself within 18-24 months. Savings come from lower maintenance costs, more efficient sales processes, and access to new customer groups. Example: a mid-sized manufacturer with annual revenue of 50 million euros was able to reduce order processing costs by 30 percent through migration to Shopware and at the same time increase the online share of total revenue from 8 to 22 percent, within two years.
It is important to avoid common pitfalls. This includes trying to transfer all legacy processes one-to-one to the new platform. Often, these have grown historically and are inefficient. A migration is the opportunity to question and standardize processes. Equally critical is underestimating data migration effort. Product data, customer structures, and pricing logic must be transferred cleanly; this ties up resources and should be planned early.
Conclusion: act now, plan strategically
The SAP Commerce end of life on 31 July 2026 is not a threat, but an opportunity to modernize. Those who now develop a solid migration strategy not only secure their technical foundation, but also gain competitive advantages through more flexible, scalable platforms. The choice between Shopware, ERP-driven commerce, or headless approaches should be made on the basis of concrete business goals, timeframes, and resources, not on technology trends.
Commerce Partner has supported manufacturers and wholesalers in strategic platform decisions for 26 years. Use the time that remains and arrange a free 30-minute strategy consultation at www.commerce-partner.com/kontakt. Together, we will assess your starting point, identify the right migration path, and develop a realistic roadmap so your B2B platform remains fit for the future beyond 2026.
