SAP QIM End of Support 2027: Why Companies should act now
SAP Quality Issue Management (QIM) has been a powerful solution for managing quality issues for many years. However, the technology is based on SAP NetWeaver, whose standard support will end in 2027 together with SAP ERP 6.0. This means no further functional enhancements, increasing operational and maintenance efforts, and growing compliance risks. For companies in regulated industries, this represents a strategic risk.
Why Waiting is not a Strategy
Many organizations are deliberately postponing the replacement of SAP QIM – often with the argument that the system is “still working.” From a management perspective, however, this delay involves significant risks:
- Increasing compliance and audit effort
Legacy systems increase validation effort and make audit evidence more difficult – especially in deviation management and CAPA processes. - Higher migration costs under time pressure
The closer the support end date approaches, the more limited internal resources and external consulting capacities become. Projects carried out under time pressure are almost always more expensive. - Missed modernization opportunities
SAP S/4HANA offers new possibilities for integrated, data-driven quality processes – opportunities that remain unused with a simple “business-as-usual” strategy.
SAP Strategy today: Quality Management in SAP S/4HANA
SAP positions SAP Quality Management (QM) with quality notifications as a central component for deviation management, complaint handling, and CAPA processes in SAP S/4HANA.
<strong>For decision-makers, this means:</strong>
SAP positions SAP Quality Management (QM) with quality notifications as a central component for deviation management, complaint handling, and CAPA processes in SAP S/4HANA.
For decision-makers, this means:
- a centralized data foundation within the ERP system
- fewer interfaces and isolated solutions
- clear governance, roles, and responsibilities
- audit-proof documentation and audit trails
Instead of being an isolated quality management tool, quality management becomes an integral part of end-to-end business processes.
Replacing QIM is not an IT Project – It is a Management Decision
The replacement of SAP QIM affects not only IT and Quality Management, but also:
- risk management
- compliance
- cost and resource management
- the future viability of the ERP strategy
Companies that act early benefit from significantly greater flexibility and planning certainty. They can structure and realistically plan migration scenarios, modernize existing processes in a targeted way, and reduce risks in a controlled manner. At the same time, investments can be strategically prioritized and used efficiently instead of being forced into short-term decisions under time pressure.
Why now is the time to act
The period leading up to 2027 may appear generous at first glance. In practice, however, the following principle applies:
The earlier companies take action, the greater their flexibility and room for strategic planning.
Projects initiated early create the foundation for realistic timelines and enable a well-informed analysis of data and processes. In addition, change management and training concepts can be aligned and implemented in a timely and targeted manner. Last but not least, a proactive approach helps sustainably reduce overall project costs.
How DHC Supports Companies in Replacing SAP QIM
DHC provides end-to-end support for companies replacing SAP QIM and migrating to SAP QM in S/4HANA (link to DHC consulting page) – from strategic assessment to stable operations.
Typical questions our customers ask include:
- What specific risks arise from the end of QIM support?
- Which processes should be optimized as part of the migration?
- How can existing QIM data be migrated cleanly?
- How do we ensure compliance during and after the transition?
SAP QIM Replacement
Frequently asked Questions about replacing SAP QIM (FAQ)
What does the end of SAP QIM Support mean for my Company?
With the end of support for SAP QIM and the underlying SAP NetWeaver/ERP generation, further development and standard vendor support will no longer be available. In the medium to long term, this results in increasing operational effort, higher compliance risks, and limitations in IT security and audit readiness – particularly critical for regulated industries such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and automotive.
Why is it risky to postpone the replacement of SAP QIM?
Is replacing SAP QIM just an IT issue?
No. Replacing SAP QIM is a management decision with implications for risk management, compliance, cost and resource planning, as well as the long-term ERP and S/4HANA strategy. Successful projects involve IT, Quality Management, business departments, and compliance teams working together from an early stage.
When is the right time to start replacing SAP QIM?
How does DHC support the replacement of SAP QIM and the migration to SAP QM in SAP S/4HANA?
DHC provides end-to-end support for companies: from assessing the risks associated with the end of QIM support, defining a target architecture in SAP S/4HANA, and optimizing quality processes, through to migration, CSV/validation, and stable operations. Typical topics include risk analysis, process design (e.g. deviations, complaints, and CAPA), clean data migration from QIM, and ensuring compliance before, during, and after the transition.