Digital transformation is no longer optional—it’s a critical requirement for staying competitive in today’s business landscape. But every step in this journey matters, especially when it involves a fundamental shift like moving to the cloud. When properly planned, migrating your SAP system to the cloud can make your business more agile, scalable, and future-ready.
This is where Rise with SAP stands out—not just as a software solution, but as a complete transformation roadmap. Designed to simplify your transition to the cloud, Rise with SAP helps organizations modernize their IT infrastructure while enabling continuous innovation and process optimization.
But what should you consider during this transition? What preparations are essential for a successful move? In this guide, we provide a strategic overview of Rise with SAP, highlighting the key factors and benefits businesses need to keep in mind before embarking on their cloud journey.
What is Rise with SAP?
Rise with SAP is SAP’s Business Transformation as a Service (BTaaS) offering—a comprehensive package designed to support companies through their full digital transformation journey. At its core, it facilitates the migration of existing SAP ERP systems to SAP S/4HANA Cloud, streamlining the process and minimizing complexity.
However, Rise with SAP is more than just a technical migration tool. Unlike traditional ERP transitions, it combines cloud infrastructure, technical support, business process intelligence, and tools like the SAP Business Technology Platform into a unified solution. This integrated approach empowers companies not only to move to the cloud but to reimagine their business processes with greater flexibility and efficiency. It’s a smarter way to transform—strategic, seamless, and scalable.
2. What Are the Core Components of Rise with SAP?
The Rise with SAP package is designed to deliver a comprehensive, end-to-end business transformation. Here are its key components that empower businesses to transition seamlessly into the digital age:
SAP S/4HANA Cloud
At the heart of Rise with SAP is SAP S/4HANA Cloud—the intelligent, modern ERP system delivered in the cloud. With multiple deployment options (such as Public Cloud and Private Cloud), it offers the flexibility businesses need to choose the model that best fits their requirements. It enables the digitalization and optimization of core business processes.
Cloud Infrastructure (Hyperscaler of Choice)
Rise with SAP allows businesses to run on the cloud infrastructure of their choice—AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform, or SAP’s own infrastructure—offering flexibility and scalability.
Business Process Transformation
Using tools and methodologies based on SAP best practices, businesses can analyze and redesign their current processes, identify improvement areas, and increase operational efficiency.
Access to the SAP Business Network
Gain access to a vast business network that connects suppliers, logistics providers, and other partners—enabling seamless collaboration and integration.
Platform as a Service (PaaS) Layer
This component provides a robust development environment where companies can build custom applications, manage integrations, and accelerate innovation.
Embedded Tools and Services
With built-in analytics, artificial intelligence, and other advanced tools, businesses can make data-driven decisions and operate more intelligently.
Managed Services Under a Single Contract
Rise with SAP bundles licensing, technical infrastructure, maintenance, and support into a single contract—simplifying procurement, streamlining communication, and reducing total cost of ownership.
3. Advantages and Disadvantages of Cloud Transformation with Rise with SAP
According to Gartner, by 2028, cloud computing will go beyond being a technological revolution and become a strategic necessity for maintaining competitive advantage in business.
Migrating to the cloud with Rise with SAP offers a range of significant benefits—but there are also a few considerations to keep in mind:
Advantages:
Cost Efficiency: Reduces expenses related to infrastructure investment, maintenance, and energy consumption.
Scalability and Flexibility: Easily adapts to growing workloads and dynamically scales resources as needed.
Rapid Innovation: Provides quick access to SAP’s latest features and technological advancements.
Enhanced Security: Comes with robust data protection mechanisms and enterprise-grade security measures.
Business Continuity: Includes advanced disaster recovery and continuity capabilities.
Access from Anywhere: Cloud systems can be accessed from any location with an internet connection.
Simplified IT Management: Infrastructure is managed by SAP, allowing your internal IT team to focus on strategic initiatives.
Disadvantages:
Dependency on Internet Connection: A stable and high-speed internet connection is required to access the system.
Data Security Concerns: Storing data with a third-party provider may raise security concerns—making provider selection critical.
Customization Limitations: Cloud environments may limit the extent of customizations compared to on-premise systems.
Vendor Lock-in Risk: There’s potential for dependency on a specific cloud provider.
4. Cloud Migration Steps with Rise with SAP
According to a comprehensive study by McKinsey, many organizations face inefficiencies in managing their cloud migrations, leading to unexpected costs and delays. In contrast, companies that successfully complete the transition often have CEOs who actively support the process, develop a comprehensive implementation plan, and involve skilled employees or vendors throughout the journey.
SAP cloud migration refers to moving your on-premises SAP applications, databases, and systems fully or partially to a cloud environment. To ensure a successful migration with Rise with SAP, the following steps should be followed:
a) Employee Alignment and Executive Support
Cloud migration is not only a technical shift but also an organizational transformation. It is crucial to identify key personnel and ensure alignment among employees. In addition, executive support is essential for providing the necessary resources throughout all phases and making timely strategic decisions. These elements contribute significantly to effective process management and achieving migration goals.
b) Current State Assessment
Before starting the migration, a detailed analysis of your existing ERP infrastructure is required. This assessment includes identifying which modules will be moved to the cloud, the level of customization within the system, and any system dependencies. The evaluation should also consider infrastructure performance, security vulnerabilities, and future scalability needs. A thorough assessment allows for a well-structured migration plan.
c) Defining the Migration Strategy
Clearly define your business objectives and cloud strategy while evaluating the different components of Rise with SAP and available deployment models (Public Cloud, Private Cloud, etc.). At this stage, it is critical to identify the most suitable migration scenario for your organization:
• Greenfield – Implementing a new system from scratch.
• Brownfield – Migrating the existing system along with its data and structure to the cloud.
• Hybrid – Migrating certain modules to the cloud while keeping others on-premise.
Determine technical and business requirements, identify potential challenges, and build a clear migration roadmap. Also, assess whether your system integrates with non-SAP applications and address security and access requirements. Evaluate potential implementation partners and choose the most appropriate one.
d) Target Architecture Design (Business Process Transformation)
Rise with SAP is not just a technical migration tool—it offers an opportunity to rethink your business processes. Analyze your current processes, identify improvement areas, and redesign them based on SAP best practices. This step helps maximize standardization and automation potential, reduce costs, and accelerate decision-making through improved efficiency. Designing a flexible and scalable target architecture ensures your organization is prepared for future demands.
e) System Setup and Data Migration
At this stage, the selected cloud environment is prepared and configured. A data migration strategy is defined, and existing SAP systems are moved to the cloud. Necessary integrations with other enterprise systems are implemented. System performance is monitored throughout the migration, and any potential issues are managed through automated workflows. This step requires deep technical expertise and meticulous planning.
f) Testing and User Training
Once the migration is complete, it is essential to perform comprehensive testing of your SAP systems in the new cloud environment. Rigorous testing ensures data integrity and confirms that redesigned business processes function as expected. User Acceptance Testing (UAT) allows end-users to validate the system against real-world scenarios. User training and documentation facilitate system adoption and help employees adapt to the new environment.
g) Go-Live and Ongoing Support
The transition to the new cloud environment is executed in a planned manner. After go-live, continuous monitoring and performance optimization of the systems are critical. Providing ongoing user support and training is key to ensuring a successful and sustainable cloud migration.
5. How Does Rise with SAP Simplify the Cloud Transition?
RISE with SAP makes the transition to the cloud more predictable and manageable. With intelligent analysis tools and SAP’s active support, companies can adapt more easily. This transformation not only simplifies the work of IT teams, but also enhances organizational performance and agility.
RISE with SAP offers a three-step transition path, guided by SAP, that simplifies the process of moving SAP systems to the cloud:
1. Business Process Intelligence
This step involves a comprehensive analysis of existing business processes. Instead of time-consuming workshops and interviews used in traditional ERP projects, SAP leverages intelligent tools to carry out these analyses. The goal is to align business processes with SAP S/4HANA standards. This approach reduces the need for customizations, simplifies system maintenance, and accelerates implementation.
2. Business Case
After identifying which parts of the business processes are directly supported and which need adaptation, the cost of transformation becomes clear. The tools provided by RISE with SAP offer insights into the level of customization and the anticipated workload of the transition. This helps determine which departments will require more support and allows for tailored transformation strategies. Furthermore, cloud hosting costs can be compared with the company’s current on-premise infrastructure, enabling informed decision-making.
3. Integration with the Cloud Environment
Within the scope of RISE with SAP, the technical management of the system is handled by SAP. The customer selects the preferred cloud infrastructure, and SAP integrates with this environment to ensure continued operation of the ERP system.
SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP)
The SAP Business Technology Platform, part of the RISE with SAP framework, provides a centralized platform for both SAP and third-party applications. New applications can be securely integrated through the SAP Store.
Thanks to SAP Fiori Launchpad, employees can access all ERP systems through a single entry point. The platform also supports low-code development tools, allowing for rapid innovation and process enhancement. SAP manages the system using a two-mode approach (mode 1 / mode 2), making innovation experiments safer and more controlled.
Seamless Transition with SAP Basis Experts
SAP Basis services play a crucial role in the success of any Rise with SAP project. Professional support in system setup, data transfer, performance optimization, and security ensures a smooth and efficient transition.
If your company is planning to migrate its SAP systems to the cloud, working with a professional company that offers SAP Basis expertise will help minimize technical risks and ensure timely project completion.
6. Step into the Future with Confidence, Powered by Rise with SAP
Rise with SAP simplifies and accelerates your digital transformation journey by offering all the tools you need for a successful cloud transition under one unified framework. Thanks to the flexibility, scalability, and innovation that SAP cloud solutions provide, your company will gain a competitive edge not just technically, but also strategically.
To fully leverage SAP’s modern solutions, develop tailored strategies for your organization, and manage your transition with confidence, feel free to contact us today.