Haufe-Lexware: Salesforce Data Migration During Live Operations as the Foundation for SAP S/4HANA
Success Story
One Salesforce Org, Two Data Models and Three Million Records
As part of its group-wide IT strategy, Haufe-Lexware replaced its existing on-premises ERP solution, SAP ECC, with the cloud-based SAP S/4HANA solution, creating a future-proof, high-performing system landscape. In the previous system environment, Salesforce was closely integrated with SAP ECC and served as the leading solution for managing customer-related processes. The project aimed to establish Salesforce as the long-term leading system for customer master data and integrate it into the new ERP architecture.
To achieve this, Haufe-Lexware and H+W CONSULT, a Salesfive subsidiary, fundamentally adapted the existing Salesforce data model to meet the new requirements and carried out a large-scale, complex data migration.
During the migration from Salesforce to Salesforce, the project team transferred more than three million records to the new object model. Throughout the transformation, both data models remained operational in parallel within the Salesforce Org: the existing model aligned with SAP ECC and the new model adapted to SAP S/4HANA. Bidirectional real-time synchronisation kept both models consistent.
A bespoke Python-based migration tool made this possible. Existing automations, validations and external interfaces continued to run without interruption.
Overview
What We Implemented
As part of its SAP S/4HANA implementation, Haufe-Lexware successfully completed a complex Salesforce data migration. H+W CONSULT supported the company as a specialist integration partner.
Development of a Python-based migration tool for data transfer
Bidirectional real-time synchronisation between the old and new data model
Design of a mapping and transformation framework for SAP S/4HANA requirements
Migrating external applications from connected apps to external client apps
Technologies
These Technologies Were Used
Systems are only as effective as the technology behind them. That is why we rely on modern solutions from the Salesforce ecosystem in our clients’ digitalisation projects. At Haufe-Lexware, we implemented the following technologies, among others.
Salesforce Flow
Salesforce Flow is a low-code/no-code tool within the Salesforce platform that enables you to automate business processes and recurring tasks easily and visually.
Apex
With the object-oriented programming language Apex, you can develop bespoke business logic and complex processes on the Salesforce platform.
Python
The Python programming language is widely used for data analysis, artificial intelligence, web development and automation.
SAP
SAP is a provider of enterprise software for managing business processes.
“The collaboration was highly professional from the outset. During the initial conversation, the team asked insightful questions about the framework conditions, project requirements and potential solution options, clearly setting themselves apart from other providers.”
Challenges
This Was the Starting Point
The migration to SAP S/4HANA required a complete restructuring of the Salesforce data model within a complex international system landscape, while ensuring all systems and processes continued to operate without disruption.
With SAP ECC support ending in late 2027, migration to SAP S/4HANA became unavoidable. However, the existing Salesforce data model was designed for SAP ECC and could not be transferred directly to the SAP S/4HANA architecture. The object structures differed fundamentally, requiring a complete redesign in Salesforce, including transformation logic and mapping tables.
Additional complexity arose from the system landscape: two SAP systems and several connected peripheral systems, including the web shop, customer service and Haufe Akademie, needed to remain integrated with the new environment.
Running both systems in parallel placed high demands on data consistency: changes to master data in one model had to be immediately available in the other to prevent inconsistencies that could disrupt business processes.
Two specific requirements also arose from running the models in parallel: duplicate rules could only apply within the relevant data model, not across models. In addition, record visibility needed to vary depending on the data model – a behaviour that differs from Salesforce standard logic.
Over three million data records, primarily customer master data, needed to be migrated to the new object model. Data quality, consistent structures and the precise alignment of business logic between Salesforce and SAP S/4HANA were critical.
Haufe-Lexware’s international footprint made the quality requirements particularly clear, for example when handling telephone numbers: different formats, leading zeros and varying country codes had to be standardised without losing information. Standard migration tools could not meet these requirements.
The existing Salesforce system was closely linked to automations, validation rules and custom developments, all aligned with the SAP ECC-based data model. We needed to analyse and adapt each component to ensure it continued to function in the new model, including forward and backward compatibility with connected systems.
External applications that accessed Salesforce via Connected Apps were also added. This access also had to be maintained throughout every project phase.
Solution
Project Success in Detail
From a data model designed for a legacy ERP system, Haufe-Lexware has created a stable foundation for its SAP S/4HANA transformation. The company migrated its data records to a newly structured Salesforce object model during ongoing operations, ensuring end-to-end data consistency between the old and new models.
Python-Based Migration Tool
Three million records were transferred to the new model in a controlled manner. Every step is traceable, every deviation identifiable.
This is made possible by a custom Python-based solution: the migration tool processes large volumes of data flexibly, accounts for technical edge cases in its logic and enables a phased migration.
Mapping and Transformation Framework
In the new model, each data record follows the correct structure, including standardised data formats across all international locations.
The foundation is a structured mapping and transformation framework that precisely reflects the requirements of SAP S/4HANA. Transformation logic and mapping tables are documented as a binding template for every migration step.
Bidirectional Real-Time Synchronisation via Orchestration Flow
Master data changes are immediately available consistently in both models – a prerequisite for uninterrupted parallel operation.
Behind this is an orchestration flow called via Apex. This master flow controls data manipulation and, depending on the use case, calls specialised subflows that handle the bidirectional transformation and assign each record to the correct model. Before going live, the team validated the architecture in a proof of concept (POC).
Data Integrity Through Record Types and Apex Triggers
Duplicate Rules and Visibility Settings remain clearly separated for each data model, forming a key foundation for data integrity during parallel operation.
Two targeted mechanisms ensure that duplicate rules are defined by record type for each data model, while a Before Insert Apex Trigger overrides the standard data visibility logic so that records are only visible in the relevant data model.
Robust Processes with Trigger Framework and Best Practices
Existing developments remain largely intact following the model change, without disrupting processes or losing functionality.
All automations, validation rules and custom developments were migrated to the new data model using Salesforce Flow Transform components and Apex logic. To support structured implementation, a standardised trigger framework was introduced, embedding best practices and ensuring long-term maintainability.
Migration of External Applications
The web shop, customer service and Haufe Akademie retained reliable access to Salesforce throughout every project phase.
To achieve this, we fully inventoried the surrounding systems and gradually migrated them from Connected Apps to External Client Apps, with targeted restrictions to the legacy data model to ensure clear separation during parallel operation.
“The team drove its work forward independently, despite significant content dependencies on other project stakeholders. As the project lead, I could confidently delegate specific tasks and rely on their delivery.”
Company
About Haufe-Lexware
Haufe-Lexware Services GmbH & Co. KG is part of the Haufe Group, a leading B2B provider of integrated business and workplace solutions. Based in Freiburg im Breisgau, the family-owned company supports organisations in their digital development with high-quality content, intelligent software and practical training.
Founded in 1951, the Haufe Group now employs around 2,700 people across twelve locations. Its best-known brands include Haufe, Haufe Akademie and Lexware. More than one million customers – from freelancers to DAX-listed corporations – rely on the solutions provided by this DACH-based company.
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