If your organization is planning a rollout of SAP to Asia, there are many aspects to consider — from local tax and legal regulations to language barriers and cultural nuances. A rollout that succeeds in Europe or the U.S. may not automatically succeed in Asia without the right localization strategy.
This guide explores the key differences, challenges, and proven best practices to help you plan a smooth and compliant SAP rollout across Asia, including insights from real-world implementations in Singapore, Malaysia, China, Korea, and Japan.
Understanding the Rollout of SAP to Asia
Expanding your global SAP system into Asia requires more than just a technical deployment. You’ll need to adapt to regional business cultures, government regulations, and market dynamics that differ widely across Asian countries.
Below, we break down the most critical differences and considerations to keep in mind during your SAP rollout in Asia.
1. Cultural Differences Across Asian Countries
Asia is one of the most diverse regions in the world — what works in Singapore may not resonate in Japan or Thailand.
- A “yes” in some Asian cultures (e.g., Japan or Thailand) may simply mean “I hear you,” not necessarily agreement.
- Business interactions in Asia are typically more relationship-driven. Building trust and personal rapport often comes before project discussions.
- Meetings may not always start on time, and communication tends to be less confrontational than in Western contexts.
Understanding and adapting to these cultural norms will make your SAP rollout in Asia smoother and help your team gain stronger buy-in from local users and management.
2. Legal and Regulatory Requirements
Every Asian country has its own tax and compliance rules that can significantly impact your SAP setup.
For example:
- China requires invoice integration with the government’s Golden Tax System.
- Thailand mandates that certain financial documents be printed in Thai.
- Indonesia enforces specific invoice numbering through the Faktur Pajak system.
When planning your SAP rollout to Asia, it’s essential to distinguish between true legal requirements and local business practices. This helps avoid unnecessary customizations, keeps your system standardized, and reduces maintenance costs long-term.
Key Considerations for a Successful Rollout of SAP to Asia
1. Language Strategy
Should your SAP system be implemented in English or localized in each country’s native language?
While using English simplifies central governance, local language support often improves adoption and reduces training time.
Example:
During an SAP rollout in Korea, a hybrid approach was used — the system ran in English, but local teams received bilingual training. The result: improved English proficiency, better system understanding, and long-term sustainability.
Best Practice:
Start with an English-based project, train key users in English, and then let them support local teams in their preferred language. This creates strong in-country SAP champions and builds sustainable internal capability.
2. Template Design and Approach
When organizations plan their SAP rollout to Asia, they often say:
“We just want to roll out our existing SAP template.”
However, copying a European or American SAP template into Asia rarely works perfectly.
a) Shared vs. Separate Client Strategy
Using the same SAP client improves global visibility and integration but limits local flexibility. Separate clients give more freedom to meet local business needs but add complexity.
b) Suitability of Existing Templates
A European SAP solution might be too complex or over-customized for subsidiaries in Malaysia, Vietnam, or China. Instead, many companies benefit from creating an “Asian Template” — built on SAP Best Practices, simplified processes, and aligned to local business requirements.
c) Rollout Sequence Planning
Decide whether to begin with your largest entity, the most complex country, or a smaller pilot rollout to gain quick wins. Prioritize based on readiness, resources, and regulatory urgency.
5 Expert Tips for a Successful SAP Rollout to Asia
1. Plan the Rollout Sequence Strategically
Assess each country’s business operations, change readiness, and language capabilities. Identify which entities can adopt SAP standard processes and which need localization.
2. Start Data Migration Early
Data cleanup is often underestimated. Begin master data validation early to avoid delays during go-live. Outdated or duplicate data can create major issues during the rollout of SAP to Asia.
3. Secure Buy-In from Local Teams
Conduct workshops and in-person visits in key locations such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and Shanghai. Involving local leadership early improves acceptance and ownership.
4. Separate Legal from Business Requirements
Not all requests from local users are legal requirements. Distinguish between mandatory local compliance and existing business habits to prevent unnecessary system customization.
5. Build Local SAP Expertise
Train key users in each country to serve as first-level SAP support. This local competence ensures long-term success and better communication between your global SAP team and regional offices.
Case Study: Successful SAP Rollout in APAC
“Our experience working with Axxis Consulting has been exemplary. The consultants were professional, empathetic, and went beyond the project scope — a key factor for our success. I highly recommend Axxis Consulting for any SAP ERP rollout in the APAC region.”
— Mark Oro, Financial Controller / Company Director
Partner with Experts in SAP Rollouts Across Asia
Axxis Consulting is an SAP Platinum Partner and a member of United VARs, the world’s leading alliance of SAP solution providers for the mid-market.
With deep experience in multi-country SAP rollouts across Asia, we help companies localize efficiently while maintaining global standards.
Whether your goal is to expand SAP S/4HANA, SAP Business One, or SAP Public Cloud across Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, China, Korea, or Japan, our consultants ensure your SAP rollout to Asia is compliant, efficient, and successful.
