The Proven Alternative to SAP ILM
Keep your data, understand it and use it with AvenDATA.
From R/3 to ECC 6.0 to HANA: we archive SAP systems of every generation and industry solution, from Bank Analyzer to IS-U. Audit-compliant, high-performance and entirely without SAP ILM.
The Challenge
For many companies, SAP legacy systems keep generating substantial costs long after they have stopped being used day to day. The reason is straightforward: for legal purposes — above all to meet statutory retention requirements — these systems cannot simply be switched off.
SAP ILM (Information Lifecycle Management) is SAP’s own answer to data archiving and rule-based deletion. In practice, however, it brings significant challenges. It is deeply embedded in the SAP landscape, it requires a live system, and it is barely usable without extensive configuration.
Typical problems with SAP ILM and legacy systems
- Complex configuration. SAP ILM has to be set up case by case. Tables, archive objects, deletion rules and authorisations all require considerable effort to adapt.
- High implementation effort. Roll-out frequently runs to several months and ties up both internal and external resources.
- Ongoing licence and maintenance costs. Even in a decommissioning scenario, SAP-specific costs continue to accrue.
- Ageing infrastructure. Old hardware and outdated SAP versions drive up operating costs and create security risks.
- Limited flexibility. ILM is tightly bound to the SAP system, and operating it outside the SAP context is barely possible.
The AvenDATA alternative is a faster, more cost-effective and ultimately better approach: a fully web-based solution for audit-compliant archiving of your SAP data. It is independent of the SAP system, requires no lengthy configuration, and is ready to use immediately.
Proven Alternative to SAP ILM
with More Than 17 Years of Project Experience
For more than 17 years, AvenDATA has steadily advanced the archiving of historical SAP data, developing a practical, fully compliant alternative to SAP ILM. Across hundreds of projects, we have refined our solution to meet every requirement that comes from the business, from auditors and from legal enquiries.
At its core is ViewBox, the AvenDATA research platform, proven both in audit practice and in company-wide day-to-day use. It replaces complex ILM configurations with a clear, online interface that is user-friendly, high-performing and fully compliant.
Today, more than 50% of DAX-listed companies rely on ViewBox — a clear signal of its stability, flexibility and suitability for international use. From Europe to Asia and North America, our solution is already live with customers worldwide.
Your SAP Reports Continue, As Interactive Reports
in ViewBox
Even after your SAP system has been decommissioned, your reports remain intact — accessible, traceable and available at any time. AvenDATA does more than transfer the relevant data: we make sure you can keep using it permanently through the browser-based ViewBox platform, entirely without SAP ILM.
Our services at a glance:
- Reproduction of key SAP standard reports and business analyses
- Implementation of custom reports, including customer-specific Z-reports
- Archiving of all associated documents — invoices, accounting documents and orders — to ensure complete traceability
Before the project begins, we work with you to define exactly which reports you will need in future, whether for tax requirements, legal obligations or business analysis. Our experience from numerous SAP decommissioning projects across a wide range of industries feeds directly into that specification.
In ViewBox, these reports stay available for years — for research, analysis or audit. Entirely independently of the original SAP system, and with no ongoing SAP licences.
Whether for tax audits, internal reviews or legal enquiries, ViewBox keeps you in control. It is audit-compliant, searchable and always accessible.
Fast Project Execution and Measurable ROI
Even for Complex
SAP Systems
Decommissioning an SAP system usually takes between one and six months, depending on system complexity and data volume. Our clearly structured, standardised project method lets us archive even large SAP landscapes efficiently and securely.
We have already archived SAP systems holding more than 30 terabytes of data, including standard reports, Z-reports and complete document archives.
Clients see significant savings quickly, particularly across:
- SAP and ECM licences
- Databases and operating systems
- Maintenance and infrastructure costs
- Internal staff time
In most of our projects, the return on investment (ROI) is achieved in under 12 months, driven by markedly lower operating costs and the removal of unnecessary system overhead.
SAP
System Analysis
The first step in decommissioning any SAP system is a detailed analysis of your existing environment. It forms the basis for an accurate assessment of project duration and cost, as part of archiving your SAP legacy system.
We review both technical and business aspects, including:
- How the SAP system can be accessed
- The type, structure and size of the database
- The scope and relevance of existing SAP reports
- Custom elements such as Z-reports and interfaces
The findings are summarised in a binding fixed-price proposal, giving you maximum certainty in planning and decision-making.
SAP
Project Archiving
Once the analysis is complete, the project itself begins — structured, efficient and with clearly defined milestones.
In a joint kick-off meeting, we agree all organisational and technical requirements with your team. From that point, we take on the bulk of the work, including:
- Setting up system access
- Exporting and transferring the relevant data
- Reproducing key reports and Z-reports
- Documenting every step to satisfy auditors
Depending on complexity, the project runs between one and six months. Our experienced project managers guide you through the whole process and ensure smooth delivery with minimal demand on your resources.
We close the project with structured testing and acceptance phases, carried out jointly with you, to confirm that all data has been archived completely, accurately and traceably.
SAP
Archiving Results
Once the project is complete, all relevant tables, documents and reports from your SAP system sit in ViewBox.
ViewBox is a web-based research platform that lets you and authorised stakeholders reach archived information quickly, securely and transparently — years after the SAP system has been switched off.
A key benefit is the reconstruction of all essential standard and custom reports, including Z-reports, so that business, tax and legal analysis remains possible without an SAP licence.
Once ViewBox is implemented and accepted, the original SAP system can be decommissioned in full.
At the end of the project you receive comprehensive project and procedural documentation recording every step transparently, with particular focus on:
- How the data was migrated
- How the archived content is structured
- Which testing and acceptance phases were carried out
Every step of the archiving process is also documented in an audit-compliant way in our Jira ticketing system — from the initial data export through to final acceptance and, where applicable, later deletion of the source system. Auditors and third parties can therefore always trace exactly how the archiving was performed.
Consideration of ADK Archive Files
and DART Extracts
Alongside full decommissioning and archiving of your SAP system, we also account for:
- ADK archive files.
Data already archived as ADK (Archive Development Kit) files is integrated into our solution and remains accessible. - DART extracts.
Our solution processes DART (Data Retention Tool) extracts, so tax-relevant analysis remains possible after the SAP system has been decommissioned.
ViewBox Making Archived SAP Data Intelligently Usable
The Software and Research Platform from AvenDATA
With ViewBox, AvenDATA provides a powerful, browser-based research platform built specifically for accessing data from decommissioned SAP and other legacy systems.
Through an intuitive web interface, archived information can be found quickly, analysed in a structured way and shared selectively — entirely independently of the original SAP system or SAP ILM.
Your benefits with ViewBox
- Clear access to archived data, years after decommissioning
- Research functions built for internal and external review
- Structured data management supporting audit, tax review and legal enquiry
A standout feature is rule-based deletion. Working from statutory or internal retention periods, ViewBox deletes legacy data automatically — fully compliantly and with no manual effort.
Both the software and the underlying cloud infrastructure hold multiple certifications and undergo regular, independent security and functionality testing, ensuring maximum availability and protection for your sensitive business data.
Ready for the
Next Step?
In a free one-hour expert session, we analyse your SAP system together — whether ECC, S/4HANA or R/3. We will demonstrate live how to decommission it efficiently and keep your data permanently available and usable, without SAP ILM.
AvenDATA offers a powerful alternative to SAP ILM — easier to run, predictable in effort and independent of the SAP licence model. Session agenda:
- Joint review of your data structure, data transfer and reporting estate
- Live demonstration of the ViewBox archiving and research platform
- A look at how we replicate core SAP reports from modules such as FI, CO, MM and SD
- A reliable estimate of project effort, timeline and cost
We work transparently from the outset: our proposals are based on clearly defined fixed prices, with no hidden costs and no renegotiation. Quality, reliability and fair value come first.
Book your expert session now — free of charge, non-binding and with a clear view of your ILM alternative.
Quick answers to your questions
Personal and without obligation — regarding your alternative to SAP ILM.
Personal and without obligation — regarding your alternative to SAP ILM.
Thank you
Thank you for your enquiry.
We will contact you shortly.
We will contact you shortly.