SAP, the German developer of business process management software, has begun informing its Russian partners and customers that official support for its products will wind down by December 31, 2023. This update was reported by Kommersant, a Russian business daily with strong industry coverage. The notices signal a clear shift in how SAP software will be maintained for users inside Russia and prompt organizations to consider alternative support paths or migration strategies.
Sources cited by Kommersant indicate nearly a hundred distinct organizations in Russia that continue to rely on SAP software have received these end-of-support notices. In response, several of these users have started transitioning the ongoing technical support for their SAP systems to domestic IT providers. Among the new service providers emerging as successors is Lab SP, a company established by former SAP Russia division employees. Lab SP positions itself as a fully capable partner for maintaining SAP-based infrastructures within the Russian market, emphasizing its familiarity with the local operational context and regulatory environment.
Lab SP has stated that it is prepared to support Russian SAP customers, asserting that its team already collaborates with multiple dozens of organizations whose digital ecosystems are built around SAP technology. The move to domestic support reflects a broader trend in which Russian enterprises seek local alternatives to foreign software platforms, aiming to reduce exposure to international sanctions and logistical constraints while maintaining system reliability and data governance. Industry observers note that such transitions require careful planning, given the complexity of SAP deployments and the critical roles these systems often play in finance, supply chain, and customer management functions.
Experts consulted by Kommersant warn that migrating away from SAP to domestic solutions is a challenging process that will unfold gradually. They point to local players such as 1C and Lanit as credible native options that could fill the gap left by SAP in many enterprise environments. 1C is recognized for its comprehensive enterprise software ecosystem, including financial and payroll modules, while Lanit is a prominent systems integrator with extensive experience in deploying and supporting complex IT infrastructures in Russia. Together, these alternatives illustrate a developing landscape where domestic software and services can meet a broad range of business needs previously addressed by SAP—though the transition requires substantial resource investment, data migration planning, and staff upskilling to ensure continuity and performance.
In related branding developments, Moscow’s transit authority, the Moscow Metro, previously registered a new trademark named “Vzglyad,” signaling ongoing rebranding and technology partnerships within the city’s expansive urban infrastructure. This move underscores a larger trend of Russian institutions reinforcing self-sufficiency in technology procurement and branding strategies amid evolving geopolitical and economic conditions.