Data load preparation is performed in the Realize phase, where you prepare the data migration objects and upload the data files. This is based on the SAP Activate methodology, which defines four phases for SAP S/4HANA Cloud implementation: Prepare, Explore, Realize, and Deploy. In the Prepare phase, you set up your project and activate your SAP S/4HANA Cloud system. In the Explore phase, you confirm your business requirements and scope your solution. In the Realize phase, you configure your solution, perform data migration, and test your processes. In the Deploy phase, you prepare for go-live and transition to operations.

Before the first Fit-to-Standard workshop, the consultant does two activities: evaluate the Business-Driven Configuration Questionnaire responses, and review the integration requirements collected from the Digital Discovery Assessment. The Business-Driven Configuration Questionnaire is a tool that helps you collect information about your business requirements and scope items. The consultant evaluates the responses to understand your business needs and prepare for the Fit-to-Standard workshop. The Digital Discovery Assessment is a tool that helps you assess your current business processes and compare them with the SAP Best Practices content. The consultant reviews the integration requirements collected from this tool to identify any gaps or dependencies that need to be considered during the Fit-to-Standard workshop. The consultant does not deactivate scope items that are not part of the Statement of Work/Digital Discovery Assessment or upload customer master data in the starter system using migration templates before the first Fit-to-Standard workshop. These activities are done in later phases, such as Realize or Deploy.

You can use SAP Cloud SDK to develop your own cloud applications for SAP S/4HANA Cloud. SAP Cloud SDK is a set of tools and libraries that help you develop, extend, and integrate cloud applications. You can use it to create applications that run on SAP Business Technology Platform, consume SAP S/4HANA Cloud services, or connect to other SAP or third-party systems. You cannot use SAPUI5 SDK, SAP ADK, or SAP HANA Studio to develop your own cloud applications for SAP S/4HANA Cloud. These tools are used for other purposes, such as developing user interfaces, creating add-ons, or managing SAP HANA databases.

Customers can scope pre-defined scenario bundles that contain SAP Best Practices for SAP S/4HANA Cloud1. They can also scope scope extensions that provide additional functionality or integration with other SAP solutions1. Additionally, customers can scope the countries where they want to run their business processes and activate the relevant localizations1. Non-standard scenarios and public sector processes are not supported by SAP S/4HANA Cloud with Central Business Configuration.

You can transport custom business objects and variants and changes using the Software Collection apps in SAP S/4HANA Cloud. The Software Collection apps are apps that allow you to collect, transport, and activate your custom developments and extensions in SAP S/4HANA Cloud using a guided and simplified process. You can use different Software Collection apps for different types of custom developments and extensions, such as Custom Business Objects, Custom CDS Views, Custom Fields and Logic, or Variants and Changes. You can use the Software Collection apps to create software collections that contain your custom developments and extensions, transport them from your Quality System to your Production System, and activate them in your Production System.