In the ever-evolving world of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, SAP has consistently been at the forefront of innovation. Back in 2015, SAP revolutionized the ERP landscape with the launch of SAP S/4HANA, a complete version of its ERP that utilized the HANA in-memory database. It provided a new interface called Fiori, reinvented processes, and offered artificial intelligence and machine learning predictive features within the ERP itself, making it the foundation of the intelligent enterprise.

At the time, migrating to S/4HANA was considered more of a technical upgrade and database change than a strategic opportunity to accelerate digital transformation. Due to customer concerns, SAP was forced to extend the support and maintenance period of its existing ERP version (ECC) to 2027, providing businesses with additional time to prepare for the transition.

RISE with SAP – Simplifying ERP Adoption and Fuelling Digital Transformation

Fast forward to today, and SAP has unveiled an innovative approach to ERP solutions: RISE with SAP. This offering presents the latest SAP solutions in a subscription-based model, aiming to lower the barriers for businesses to embrace ERP technology and accelerate growth through digital transformation investments. For new SAP customers, RISE with SAP becomes the default path to enter the SAP ecosystem.

RISE with SAP revolves around SAP S/4HANA, offered as a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model, and comes bundled with a comprehensive range of products, tools, and services. Five core elements constitute RISE with SAP: SAP S/4HANA Cloud, Business Process Intelligence (BPI), SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP), access to the SAP Business Network, and various integrated tools and services.

By consolidating these components into a unified package under one contract, RISE with SAP simplifies the subscription process for customers. Additionally, it leverages the SAP BTP (formerly known as SAP Cloud Platform) to enable side-by-side extensibility and the incorporation of various innovations like Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Machine Learning (ML), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) from SAP and its partners. The SAP BTP also serves as a vital integration platform for connecting SAP and non-SAP systems seamlessly.

Unlocking Cost Efficiency and Accelerating Innovation: The Advantages of RISE with SAP S/4HANA Cloud

One of the key benefits of RISE with SAP S/4HANA Cloud is its lower total cost of ownership (TCO) due to increased standardization. Leveraging a multi-tenant server approach, where multiple customers share the same server infrastructure, SAP maintains the technical backend and software services, freeing customers from infrastructure and server management complexities.

S/4HANA Cloud boasts the fastest innovation cycle, with regular release cycles introducing new features and enhancing existing functionalities. SAP actively maintains customers’ systems with bi-weekly hotfixes and ensures smooth upgrade installations on defined release schedules.

For organizations seeking even greater flexibility and control, SAP offers S/4HANA in both On-Premise and Cloud models. The On-Premise model follows the classic license approach, with the ERP hosted in the company’s data center or at a service provider. This option offers high process variance and expandability, and an upgrade to a higher S/4HANA version is recommended after at least five years to remain within SAP maintenance guidelines.

Autonomy and Flexibility: The Advantages of S/4HANA Cloud Model

On the other hand, the S/4HANA Cloud model provides customers with more autonomy. Organizations own their SAP S/4HANA licenses and select a hyper scaler (such as Azure, AWS, or GCP) to manage the infrastructure. This approach allows for brownfield and greenfield transformation approaches, offering a high level of process variance and expandability. However, customers must bear the responsibility for managing their SAP landscape, resources, and support.

Choosing between S/4HANA Cloud and On-Premise depends on factors like customization needs, control over the system landscape, and budget considerations. S/4HANA Cloud caters to mid-sized companies that prioritize performance without wanting to manage the complexities of on-premise solutions.

Revolutionizing ERP Access for the Intelligent Enterprise

The introduction of RISE with SAP brings a game-changing subscription model that simplifies access to the latest SAP solutions, making it easier for businesses to embark on their digital transformation journey. The choice between S/4HANA Cloud and On-Premise allows organizations to tailor their ERP approach to suit their unique needs and objectives. As technology continues to evolve, SAP remains at the forefront, empowering businesses to adapt, innovate, and embrace the future of intelligent enterprises.

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