SAP Business ByDesign Pricing 2026 | UK Costs & Migration Guide in GBP
SAP Business ByDesign pricing for UK businesses. ByDesign has been sunset — see UK migration costs to S/4HANA Cloud or Business Central in GBP.
SAP Business ByDesign Pricing 2026: UK Costs & Migration Guide
Important: SAP Business ByDesign has been sunset. SAP announced the end of mainstream support for Business ByDesign, with customers expected to migrate to SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud or alternative platforms. If you are currently running ByDesign, your priority should be planning your migration path. If you are evaluating new ERP, ByDesign should not be on your shortlist.
This guide covers the legacy pricing of SAP Business ByDesign for UK businesses still running the platform, and — more importantly — provides guidance on UK migration costs and options in GBP.
Running SAP Business ByDesign in the UK? Our advisors can help you evaluate migration options to S/4HANA Public Cloud, Microsoft Dynamics 365, or other alternatives.
SAP Business ByDesign at a Glance (UK Context)
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Status | Sunset — end of mainstream support announced by SAP |
| Target market | Mid-market businesses (50–500 employees) |
| Deployment | Cloud only (SaaS) |
| UK customer base | Several hundred UK businesses, primarily in professional services and distribution |
| Legacy pricing | Was ~£100–£175/user/month before sunset announcement |
| SAP's recommended migration | SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud (via RISE with SAP) |
| Migration deadline | Customers should plan migration by 2027–2028 to avoid unsupported status |
Legacy SAP Business ByDesign Pricing (UK)
For reference, the pricing structure that existed before the sunset announcement:
| Licence Type | UK Price (GBP) | Access Level |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Service User | £20–£35/user/month | Basic access (time entry, expense reports, approvals) |
| Team User | £70–£100/user/month | Department-level access (HR, procurement, projects) |
| Enterprise User | £130–£175/user/month | Full access to all modules |
| Annual platform fee | Included in subscription | Hosting, updates, support |
Typical UK ByDesign Annual Costs (Legacy)
| Organisation Size | Users | Typical Annual Cost (GBP) |
|---|---|---|
| Small (single entity) | 20–50 | £30,000–£80,000 |
| Mid-market (multi-entity) | 50–200 | £80,000–£250,000 |
| Upper mid-market | 200–500 | £250,000–£600,000 |
Migration Options for UK ByDesign Customers
Option 1: SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud (RISE with SAP)
This is SAP's recommended migration path. S/4HANA Public Cloud is the closest functional equivalent to ByDesign within the SAP portfolio, though it is a more comprehensive (and more expensive) platform.
| Cost Component | UK Estimate (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| S/4HANA Public Cloud subscription | £120–£200/user/month | Higher than ByDesign pricing |
| Migration project | £80,000–£250,000 | Data migration, re-configuration, testing |
| Data migration | £15,000–£50,000 | ByDesign to S/4HANA data conversion |
| User re-training | £10,000–£30,000 | New interface, changed processes |
| Change management | £5,000–£15,000 | Internal communications, stakeholder engagement |
| Total migration cost | £110,000–£350,000 | Excluding ongoing subscription |
Considerations for UK businesses:
- S/4HANA Public Cloud includes native MTD compliance and UK localisation
- Pricing is typically 20–40% higher than ByDesign was
- SAP may offer migration incentives or credits — negotiate firmly
- UK consulting market for SAP migrations is tight; start planning early
Option 2: Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
For UK ByDesign customers who find S/4HANA too expensive or complex, Dynamics 365 Business Central is a strong alternative, particularly for organisations already using Microsoft 365.
| Cost Component | UK Estimate (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Business Central licence | £50–£80/user/month | Essentials or Premium tier |
| Migration project | £40,000–£120,000 | Typically simpler than S/4HANA migration |
| Data migration | £10,000–£30,000 | Export from ByDesign, transform, load |
| UK localisation | Included | Native MTD, UK VAT, UK chart of accounts |
| Total migration cost | £60,000–£180,000 | Excluding ongoing subscription |
Option 3: Other Alternatives
| Alternative | UK Year 1 Cost (50 users) | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Oracle NetSuite | £60K–£150K | Multi-entity, high-growth businesses |
| Sage Intacct | £40K–£100K | Finance-led organisations, nonprofits |
| Acumatica | £50K–£120K | Manufacturing, distribution |
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UK-Specific Migration Considerations
Making Tax Digital (MTD)
If your ByDesign instance was configured for MTD compliance, ensure your target platform supports the same level of MTD functionality. S/4HANA Public Cloud and Dynamics 365 Business Central both offer native MTD support. Third-party platforms may require bridging software.
UK GAAP (FRS 102) Reporting
Verify that your chart of accounts structure and financial reporting setup can be replicated in the target platform. If you use FRS 102 reporting templates within ByDesign, budget for re-creating these in the new system.
Post-Brexit Trade
If your ByDesign instance handles EU trade with customs declarations or Intrastat reporting, ensure the target platform offers equivalent functionality. S/4HANA has strong trade management; Business Central may require add-ons.
Data Retention
UK businesses have legal obligations to retain financial records for a minimum of six years (longer for some regulated industries). Plan for data archiving from ByDesign to ensure ongoing access to historical records after migration.
Migration Timeline Guidance
| Phase | Duration | Key Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment & planning | 4–8 weeks | Evaluate options, select target platform, secure budget |
| Partner selection | 4–6 weeks | RFP, partner evaluation, contract negotiation |
| Design & build | 8–16 weeks | Configure target system, design data migration |
| Data migration & testing | 6–10 weeks | Migrate data, test thoroughly |
| Training & go-live | 4–6 weeks | User training, parallel running, cutover |
| Total | 6–12 months |
UK ByDesign customers should aim to complete migration by 2027 to avoid running on an unsupported platform. Given the demand on UK SAP consultants, starting the planning process in 2026 is strongly advisable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SAP Business ByDesign still available for new UK customers?
No. SAP is no longer actively selling Business ByDesign to new customers. Existing UK customers can continue using the platform until end of support, but should be planning their migration to an alternative.
How much will it cost to migrate from ByDesign to S/4HANA in the UK?
UK migration costs from ByDesign to S/4HANA Public Cloud typically range from £110,000 to £350,000, excluding the ongoing S/4HANA subscription. The primary cost drivers are data migration complexity, the number of entities, and the extent of process re-engineering required.
Will SAP offer migration credits for UK ByDesign customers?
SAP has historically offered migration incentives for customers moving between SAP products. UK ByDesign customers should negotiate firmly for credits, extended transition periods, or discounted S/4HANA pricing. Engaging an independent advisor can help you understand what concessions are available.
Can I migrate from ByDesign to a non-SAP platform?
Yes. There is no obligation to stay within the SAP ecosystem. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, Oracle NetSuite and Sage Intacct are all viable alternatives for former ByDesign customers. Migration to a non-SAP platform is typically simpler from a data perspective, though you will lose SAP-specific integrations and workflows.
What happens if I do not migrate before end of support?
Running on an unsupported ERP platform carries significant risk: no security patches, no regulatory updates (including MTD changes), no bug fixes, and potential compliance issues. UK businesses in regulated industries face particular risk from running unsupported software.
Need help planning your ByDesign migration? Our advisors provide independent guidance on migration options, partner selection and cost management.
Related pages:
Compare the vendors mentioned in this article
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Vendors Mentioned in This Article
SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud
Standardised cloud ERP with quarterly auto-upgrades and low TCO
SAP Business One
SMB-friendly ERP from the SAP ecosystem
SAP Business ByDesign
Cloud ERP for midsize subsidiaries and project-based firms
Oracle NetSuite
The original cloud ERP — built for fast-growing companies
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