The Rossilyn Group · SAP S/4HANA Trusted Advisory

Senior-Led Advisory for Organizations Ready to Transform with Confidence

Independent, vendor-neutral guidance from advisors who have led transformations like yours — with no implementation business to protect and no incentive other than your success.

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75+
Combined years of SAP expertise across the founding team
100%
Senior-only delivery — no junior consultants, ever
$0
Implementation revenue — our independence is structural
Advisory Model
Fully independent · No SI conflicts
Combined Experience
75+ Years SAP expertise
Client Segment
Deep mid-market focus · $500M–$2B and beyond
Pricing Model
Fixed-price packages · Explicit scope
Our Commitment

Your Trusted Partner Through
Every Phase of Transformation

We serve as an extension of your leadership team — senior advisors with no competing loyalties, no implementation revenue, and no incentive to recommend anything other than what is genuinely best for your program.

From initial discovery through go-live and beyond, we deliver the clarity, accountability, and strategic guidance that transforms complex SAP programs into successful outcomes.

"Independent advice means our success is defined entirely by yours — not by billable hours or project scope."
Four Pillars

What Sets Our Advisory
Apart

True Independence
Zero implementation revenue. Recommendations driven entirely by your program's success.
SAP-Only Depth
Focused exclusively on S/4HANA — not a generalist ERP advisory spreading expertise thin.
Operator Credibility
Founders who have run SAP programs from the client side — with the judgment that only comes from accountability for outcomes.
Fixed-Price Clarity
Fixed scope, explicit deliverables, and clear exclusions on every engagement. No T&M creep, no surprises.
75+
Combined years SAP expertise across our founding advisory team
25+
Years of active S/4HANA architecture and RISE migration experience
$0
Implementation revenue — our model of independence is structural, not aspirational
100%
Senior-level delivery on every engagement, every time
Client Outcomes

What Independent Advisory
Delivers in Practice

Manufacturing
$900M Industrial
Manufacturer
Situation

Evaluating three competing SI proposals with limited internal expertise to assess them objectively.

Outcome

Independent vendor selection and program oversight identified scope gaps across all three proposals. Negotiated a stronger contract, protected the timeline, and delivered measurable savings on day one of implementation.

$2.3M
Savings identified
6 mo
Schedule protected
Distribution
$1.2B Regional
Distributor
Situation

Implementation running four months behind schedule. Executive leadership needed an objective view of program health before deciding how to respond.

Outcome

Configuration and build oversight with structured bi-weekly audits surfaced 47 critical issues before UAT. Remediation plan implemented; program recovered and delivered on time.

47
Issues resolved pre-UAT
On Time
Go-live delivered
Ready to Start the Conversation?
Schedule a complimentary consultation. An honest discussion about your program, your timeline, and whether independent advisory is the right fit.
Schedule a Consultation
Advisory Services

Advisory Packages Aligned
to SAP Activate Phases

Thirteen fixed-price packages — each scoped to a specific phase and a specific advisory role. We assess, review, validate, and recommend. Your SI and internal team execute. That boundary is built into every engagement letter, explicitly.

Discover
Packages 1–2
Prepare
Packages 3–5
Explore
Packages 6–7
Realize
Packages 8–9
Run
Pkgs 10–11
Premium · Cross-Phase
Packages 12–13
01
S/4HANA Readiness & Migration Assessment
4 – 6 weeks
02
Business Case & Strategic Roadmap Advisory
6 – 8 weeks
03
Program Foundation Review & Governance Advisory
4 – 6 weeks
04
Solution Architecture Advisory & Design Validation
8 – 10 weeks
05
SAP Licensing & BOM Optimization Advisory
6 – 8 weeks
06
Configuration & Build Quality Oversight
12 – 16 weeks
07
Change Management & Training Strategy Advisory
8 – 12 weeks
08
Testing & Cutover Readiness Advisory
8 – 10 weeks
09
Go-Live & Stabilization Advisory
2 – 4 weeks
10
Post-Go-Live Optimization
8 – 12 weeks
11
Continuous Advisory Retainer
Ongoing
12
Full Program Advisory Partnership
12 – 24 months
Spans all phases · Dedicated senior advisor
13
Independent Quality Assurance (IQA)
12 – 24 months
4 phase-gate validations · Prepare → Run
Assess current state · Evaluate options · Frame roadmap
Validate foundation · Review architecture · Optimize licensing
Oversee quality · Validate design · Assess change readiness
Validate readiness · Review cutover · Guide stabilization
Optimize · Sustain
Independent oversight across the full program lifecycle
Advisory Model
We assess, review, validate, and recommend — we do not execute, build, configure, or manage. Every package is scoped around advisory deliverables only. The SI and your internal team handle execution. That separation is intentional, and it is what makes the advice trustworthy.
Discover Establish strategic clarity before committing to a path
01
S/4HANA Readiness & Migration Assessment
4 – 6 weeks
Current state landscape assessment & readiness scoring Technical debt & custom code complexity analysis Migration approach options evaluation (Greenfield, Brownfield, Selective) Risk assessment with prioritized mitigation recommendations Executive briefing on findings and recommended path forward
Discover
02
Business Case & Strategic Roadmap Advisory
6 – 8 weeks
Business case validation & independent TCO/ROI modeling Multi-year transformation roadmap options assessment Wave & rollout strategy recommendations SI/partner selection criteria & evaluation framework Vendor contract review & negotiation guidance Board-ready presentation of findings
Discover
Prepare Validate the foundation before the build begins
03
Program Foundation Review & Governance Advisory
4 – 6 weeks
Project charter & governance framework review SI project plan assessment & gap analysis PMO approach validation with recommendations Risk management framework evaluation Quality assurance framework recommendations
Prepare
04
Solution Architecture Advisory & Design Validation
8 – 10 weeks
Solution architecture review & independent validation Fit-to-Standard workshop facilitation & gap analysis Integration architecture review & recommendations Custom code remediation strategy assessment Data migration approach validation Security & compliance framework review
Prepare
05
SAP Licensing & BOM Optimization Advisory
6 – 8 weeks
Current licensing landscape analysis & compliance gap review Named user & FUE optimization assessment RISE/PCE vs. on-premise deployment options evaluation SAP BOM right-sizing recommendations Negotiation strategy & leverage point identification Multi-year TCO modeling across licensing scenarios
Prepare
Explore Independent quality oversight through design and build
06
Configuration & Build Quality Oversight
12 – 16 weeks
Bi-weekly configuration quality reviews & findings reports Custom development approach assessment Integration architecture validation Phase gate assessments with go/no-go recommendations Risk escalation & issue triage guidance
Explore
07
Change Management & Training Strategy Advisory
8 – 12 weeks
Change impact assessment & stakeholder analysis Change readiness evaluation with gap recommendations Training strategy & curriculum design review Adoption risk identification & mitigation recommendations Change management approach validation against SI deliverables
Explore
Realize Validate readiness — independently — before go-live
08
Testing & Cutover Readiness Advisory
8 – 10 weeks
Test strategy & coverage assessment UAT approach review & readiness evaluation Cutover plan review & risk assessment Go-live readiness assessment with independent findings report Hypercare planning recommendations
Realize
09
Go-Live & Stabilization Advisory
2 – 4 weeks
Real-time issue triage guidance & escalation advisory Critical decision facilitation during hypercare Daily status assessment & executive reporting Post-go-live stabilization recommendations Transition to support planning guidance
Realize
Run Optimize value and sustain momentum after go-live
10
Post-Go-Live Optimization Advisory
8 – 12 weeks
System performance analysis & tuning recommendations Process optimization opportunities identification User adoption metrics assessment & intervention guidance Benefits realization tracking & reporting recommendations Innovation opportunities roadmap
Run
11
Continuous Advisory Retainer
Ongoing
Monthly strategic advisory sessions Quarterly SAP landscape health check assessments SAP roadmap monitoring & impact analysis Ad-hoc issue resolution guidance & escalation support Quarterly executive business reviews
Run
Premium Packages Cross-phase advisory for programs that need a trusted partner throughout
12
Full Program Advisory Partnership
12 – 24 months
Dedicated senior advisor (20–40% allocation) across all phases All phase-specific advisory deliverables (Packages 1–11) Monthly on-site strategic sessions Unlimited steering committee participation Quarterly executive & board briefings Continuous risk monitoring & early warning advisory
All Phases
13
Independent Quality Assurance (IQA)
12 – 24 months
End-of-Prepare phase validation — governance & foundation assessment End-of-Explore phase validation — design quality assessment Pre-UAT validation — build completeness & risk assessment Pre-Go-Live validation — cutover & readiness assessment Independent findings reports with risk ratings at each gate SI performance assessment & benchmarking Remediation recommendations & executive summaries
All Phases
How Advisory Works in Practice

A Representative 18-Month
S/4HANA Program

This is what an advisory engagement looks like across a typical complex SAP implementation. Every program is different — timelines compress or extend, phases overlap, priorities shift. What stays constant is where independent oversight adds the most value, and when.

M1
M2
M3
M4
M5
M6
M7
M8
M9
M10
M11
M12
M13
M14
M15
M16
M17
M18
Discover
Months 1–3
Prepare
Months 4–6
Explore & Realize
Months 7–13
Deploy
Months 14–16
Run
M17–18+
Strategy & vendor selection
Program governance design
Configuration oversight · Change management · Quality assurance
Go-live readiness · Cutover validation
Benefits tracking
Phase
Primary Advisory Role
Key Deliverable
Without Advisory
With Advisory
Value Range
Discover
Business case validation, RISE assessment, SI selection management
Independent vendor scorecard & signed contract with clear scope
Proposals accepted at face value · Licensing over-commitment common
Scope gaps identified · Licensing rationalized · SI selected on merit
$800K – $1.5M
Prepare
Governance framework, risk management, solution design validation
Program charter, fit-gap validation, custom code remediation strategy
Design decisions made without independent validation · Rework builds up quietly
Governance in place before the build · Design risks surfaced early
$300K – $800K
Explore
Bi-weekly configuration audits, change management, integration oversight
Phase gate assessments, change readiness reports, issue remediation log
Change orders accumulate · User adoption low · Integration issues discovered late
Issues resolved in-phase · Adoption risk managed proactively
$400K – $1M
Deploy
UAT oversight, cutover plan review, go-live readiness assessment
Go-live readiness report, cutover validation, hypercare plan
Go-live delays of 1–3 months common · Defects surface post-cutover
Readiness confirmed before cutover · Contingency plans in place
$150K – $600K
Run
Benefits tracking, optimization roadmap, post-go-live support
Benefits realization report, optimization backlog
Business case benefits unmeasured · Quick wins left on the table
ROI demonstrated · Roadmap defined for continuous improvement
$300K – $800K
Illustrative total value range
$2M – $4.7Mrisk mitigation & cost avoidance
Typical advisory investment
$400K – $800Kacross the full program lifecycle
Observed return ratio
5:1 – 10:1on advisory spend, program-dependent
Program basis
Ranges based on programs with $10M–$20M implementation budgets. Individual outcomes vary based on program complexity, SI partner, and organizational readiness. These are not guarantees.
Resource Placement Services

Transparent SAP Consultant Placement for Implementation Needs

When you need qualified SAP consultants for execution, our placement practice delivers the same transparency as our advisory — published markups, pre-vetted candidates, no hidden fees.

Contract Placement
20 – 25%
markup on consultant bill rates

Typical rates of $150–$250/hr for specialized S/4HANA expertise. Markup published upfront, always.

Permanent Placement
20 – 25%
of first-year salary as placement fee

Pre-vetted candidates with proven S/4HANA experience. Every candidate reviewed before presentation.

Managed Services
Fixed monthly
rate for ongoing team augmentation

Flexible scaling with consistent quality. Designed for predictable budgeting and steady delivery.

Not Sure Which Package Fits?
We'll recommend the right approach for your situation honestly, and without pressure toward a larger engagement.
Talk to an Advisor
Founding Partner

Senior Leadership.

Every engagement is delivered by a founding partner or senior advisor with 20+ years of hands-on SAP experience. You work directly with the people you meet.

Matthew Hough
Matthew Hough
Founding Partner
Former Global CIO at Cintas with 12+ years leading enterprise SAP transformations across ERP, Data, AI, and Cybersecurity. Matthew brings exceptional expertise in aligning technology initiatives with business goals — and in navigating the organizational dynamics that ultimately determine whether transformations succeed. His experience guiding C-suite leaders through complex programs makes him the advisor clients want in the room when the hard decisions are made.
Digital Transformation ERP Strategy AI & Data Innovation Cybersecurity M&A Integration
Industries We Serve

Deep Expertise Across the
SAP Landscape

Manufacturing

Discrete and process manufacturing with complex production planning, quality management, and shop floor integration.

Distribution

Wholesale and distribution operations with multi-channel fulfillment, inventory optimization, and logistics complexity.

Professional Services

Project-based organizations requiring resource management, time tracking, and complex billing across client engagements.

Industrial Services

Field service operations with equipment maintenance, service contracts, and mobile workforce management.

You Work Directly with the Partners
No account managers. No project coordinators. The people with 25+ years of experience are the people in the room with you.
Schedule a Conversation
Why Independent Advisory

The Right Advisor Changes
the Outcome of the Program

When the advisor's incentives are aligned with your success — not their implementation pipeline — the quality of guidance improves dramatically at every decision point.

How Advisory Models Compare
Big 4 Consulting System Integrators Our Advisory
Independence Multiple service lines create cross-sell pressure Implementation revenue creates inherent conflict 100% independent — no SI revenue, no competing loyalties
Talent Model Partner-led relationships, junior staff delivery Variable quality, significant offshore leverage Senior-only consultants, 15+ years minimum experience
Pricing T&M with scope expansion risk Cost-plus model rewards scope growth Fixed-price packages, explicit scope, defined exclusions per engagement
Client Segment Enterprise clients ($5B+) as primary focus Maximize implementation contract size Deep expertise in complex SAP programs — from mid-market to global enterprise
Success Metric Billable hours and practice revenue Longer programs, larger teams, more scope Your go-live. Our only measure of success.
Our Commitments

No Surprises.
No Hidden Agendas.

Vendor-Neutral Guidance

We have zero financial incentive to recommend any particular vendor, technology, or approach. Every recommendation is based solely on what is best for your organization and your program.

Senior Expertise on Every Engagement

No bait-and-switch. No junior consultants learning on your project. The advisors you meet in the sales conversation are the advisors who do the work.

Transparent, Fixed-Price Packages

Published markups on resource placement. Fixed-price advisory packages with explicit deliverables. Explicit "Not Included" sections in every engagement letter. No scope creep, no surprise change orders.

Outcome-Focused Delivery

Our success is measured by yours. We are aligned with your business outcomes at every phase — from strategic clarity at the start to a successful go-live at the end.

The Market Opportunity

2027. An Industry
Transformation Underway.

SAP has mandated that all ECC customers migrate to S/4HANA by 2027. 50,000+ organizations worldwide are navigating this transformation. We bring particular depth to the mid-market segment — $500M–$2B revenue — where enterprise-level complexity meets leaner internal SAP resources. But the need for genuinely independent advisory isn't limited by revenue band. Any organization that would benefit from an advisor with no implementation business to protect is the right fit for this model.

The organizations that succeed are the ones that begin with strategic clarity — and retain an independent advisor whose only interest is their program's success. That's the role we are built to play.

"The right advisory relationship gives you confidence at every decision point — because you know the advice comes without strings attached."
Our independence is structural
No implementation revenue No offshore staffing No SI relationships to protect Fixed price · Fixed scope 25+ years SAP depth
Independent Guidance When It Matters Most
A complimentary consultation to explore where independent advisory could add the most value to your program.
Start the Conversation
Perspectives

Straight Talk on
S/4HANA Transformation

Perspectives from advisors actively working in the field — on the decisions, dynamics, and structural realities that shape SAP transformation outcomes.

Article
Why Your SI's Incentives Are Not Your Incentives
Matt Hough  ·  8 min read
System integrators are paid to implement — and paid more when programs are larger and longer. That's not a criticism; it's a structural reality that every executive team should understand before signing an SI contract. This piece examines how SI incentives diverge from client outcomes, where the gaps most commonly appear in mid-market S/4HANA programs, and what it looks like to have an advisor in the room whose only interest is your go-live.
Program Governance Vendor Selection SI Conflicts
Read Article →
Article
The Mid-Market S/4HANA Gap: Why Enterprise Playbooks Fail for $500M–$2B Organizations
David Hawkin  ·  10 min read
SAP's implementation methodology was built for organizations with dedicated Centers of Excellence, large internal IT teams, and experienced program managers on staff. Mid-market companies rarely have these resources — yet SIs routinely apply the same governance frameworks, the same staffing models, and the same delivery structures regardless. This piece examines why that mismatch predictably produces poor outcomes, and what a purpose-built advisory model for the mid-market actually looks like.
Mid-Market Program Governance Strategy
Read Article →
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Let's Talk About Your
S/4HANA Journey

A complimentary conversation — no sales pressure, no obligations. We'll listen, share what we've seen in situations like yours, and be honest about whether independent advisory is the right fit for your program.

What to Expect
01
Current State Assessment
We listen to where you are: SAP landscape, migration timeline, team concerns, and open questions.
02
Perspective From the Field
We share what we typically see in programs like yours — patterns, opportunities, and considerations worth thinking about early.
03
An Honest Recommendation
We'll tell you which package — if any — we think is appropriate. If independent advisory isn't the right fit for your situation, we'll tell you that too.
"The most useful conversation we can have is an honest one — about your program, your constraints, and what independent advisory can and can't do for you."
Matthew Hough  ·  President, The Rossilyn Group
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