Natuvion and NTT DATA Study: 66% of Companies Leave Legacy Data Behind in IT Transformations

Natuvion and NTT DATA Business Solutions reported that 66% of companies surveyed in their Transformation Study 2026 choose not to migrate all existing data and processes, opting instead for a fresh start or selective migration. The findings were published by EIN Presswire on November 12, 2026.

What the Natuvion Study Found on Legacy Systems

Natuvion is a Walldorf, Germany-based enterprise data migration specialist and NTT DATA Business Solutions subsidiary that uses its Data Conversion Suite to deliver SAP S/4HANA transformations and selective data transitions for large enterprises. The study found that 38.4% of replaced systems are more than ten years old, and nearly 10% are over 16 years old.

More than 80% of companies exceed their transformation budgets, while 79.5% fall behind schedule, according to the study. Meeting regulatory requirements was the second most frequently cited unexpected challenge, reported by 25.9% of respondents, up from eighth place in the previous year's study.

Natuvion positions DCS Retire, the system decommissioning module of its Data Conversion Suite, as the answer to the data left behind. The AI-powered tool extracts and archives structured data from database-based source systems in the Natuvion Cloud, and the company said it ensures companies retain only the data they are legally required or permitted to keep. Swiss energy provider schweizstrom used DCS Retire to archive approximately 100,000 historical customer records in compliance with GDPR and audit requirements, then shut down its former production system and terminated its contract with the previous platform provider. German cable solutions provider Radio Frequency Systems also decommissioned its legacy SAP ERP system using DCS Retire.

NTT DATA Business Solutions launched Elevate, an Agentic AI-powered delivery framework combining its aXet platform, Natuvion's data transformation and SAP technologies, to help accelerate SAP transformations, PR Newswire reported on October 12, 2026.

Natuvion's Partner and Project Record

Natuvion is one of only three SAP partners worldwide certified as a Selective Data Transition partner, according to akta.pro company records. The same records list a strategic partnership with Celonis established in July 2024 to combine process mining with DCS-based migration services, and a June 2024 joint SAP S/4HANA selective data transition engagement with JDC Group for Florida Crystals. The records also show more than 1,000 international projects completed and 12 years of experience.

Earlier Natuvion Studies and Publications

Natuvion and PwC launched the Transformation Roadbook, a book on IT transformation based on lessons from over 1,000 projects, available for €99.90, PR Newswire reported in November 2026. A Natuvion study of 1,115 executives found nearly one in four companies transform data due to mergers or acquisitions, with 71% changing migration methodology, PR Newswire reported in September 2026. In August 2026, PR Newswire APAC reported that a 2026 study by Natuvion and NTT DATA Business Solutions found only one in four migrations proceeds according to plan.

How the 2026 Study Was Conducted

For the Transformation Study 2026, Natuvion and NTT DATA Business Solutions surveyed 1,115 executives and IT professionals across 15 countries about their most recent IT transformation. The sample included 210 respondents from the DACH region and 155 from the United States, and 37% of participating companies generate annual revenue exceeding €1 billion.