Digital transformation is a critical challenge for 70% of businesses today, according to a recent survey by Deloitte.
According to a study by McKinsey, companies that embrace digital transformation are 23% more profitable than their competitors.
SAP, a global leader in enterprise application software, offers two primary solutions designed to ease this transition: GROW with SAP and RISE with SAP.
Both solutions leverage the power of SAP S/4HANA, but they cater to different business needs and objectives. This article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of these two offerings, helping businesses decide which solution aligns best with their goals.
- What is GROW with SAP?
- Definition and Purpose of GROW with SAP
- Key Features of GROW with SAP
- Ideal Use Cases for GROW with SAP
- What is RISE with SAP?
- Definition and Purpose of RISE with SAP
- Key Features of RISE with SAP
- Ideal Use Cases for RISE with SAP
- How to Choose the Right Solution
- Comparison: GROW with SAP vs. RISE with SAP
- Business Size and Complexity Considerations
- Industry Requirements and Regulatory Needs
- Growth and Innovation Goals
- Budget and Resource Evaluation
- Conclusion
What is GROW with SAP?
Definition and Purpose
GROW with SAP is designed for mid-sized businesses and new SAP customers, often referred to as “greenfield” implementers. It is a public cloud solution offered as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), facilitating rapid and standardized ERP implementation. Introduced in 2023, GROW with SAP aims to help companies transition from traditional enterprise resource planning methods to a modern, cloud-based ERP system.
Key Features
- Preconfigured Standard Processes: GROW with SAP offers preconfigured features that allow businesses to implement the SAP S/4HANA Cloud public edition quickly. These features are built on decades of industry best practices, ensuring a smooth transition with minimal customization required.
- Artificial Intelligence and Best Practices: The solution integrates artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance business processes and decision-making. It leverages industry-specific best practices to streamline operations and improve efficiency.
- Faster Adoption with Minimal IT Support: GROW with SAP is designed for businesses that want to implement ERP solutions with minimal reliance on IT specialists. The standardized processes and comprehensive support make it easier for companies to adopt the solution quickly.
- Access to SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP): Businesses using GROW with SAP can optimize their operations through SAP BTP, which combines information and analytics, application development, automation, integration, and AI.
Ideal Use Cases
GROW with SAP is suitable for businesses looking for quick deployment, standardized solutions, and lower total cost of ownership (TCO). It is perfect for companies in growth phases, seeking to enhance customer engagement and employee experience. This solution is particularly beneficial for mid-sized businesses and scale-ups that need a ready-to-run ERP system with accelerated adoption services.
What is RISE with SAP?
Definition and Purpose
RISE with SAP is a comprehensive, subscription-based offering introduced by SAP in 2021. It aims to help existing SAP customers and new clients with complex needs transition to the cloud. This solution provides a managed cloud service with both public and private cloud options, offering a tailored path to adopting SAP S/4HANA Cloud.
Key Features
- Comprehensive Migration and Implementation Services: RISE with SAP offers a suite of services designed to facilitate the migration of existing ERP systems to the cloud. This includes data migration, system conversion, and integration services.
- Customizable ERP Capabilities: Unlike GROW with SAP, RISE with SAP provides extensive customization options. It allows businesses to tailor the ERP system to their specific needs, accommodating complex business processes and industry requirements.
- Access to SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP): Similar to GROW with SAP, RISE with SAP includes access to SAP BTP. This platform supports extensions, integrations, and the development of innovative applications.
- Advanced Financial Management and Sustainability Tools: RISE with SAP includes advanced financial management tools and sustainability features. These tools help businesses manage their finances more effectively and align their operations with sustainability goals.
Ideal Use Cases
RISE with SAP is ideal for larger enterprises with complex requirements, regulated industries needing private cloud solutions, and businesses aiming to protect existing investments while modernizing their infrastructure. It is particularly beneficial for companies looking for a comprehensive digital transformation strategy that includes cloud migration, process optimization, and sustainability initiatives.
How to Choose the Right Solution
Comparison: GROW with SAP vs. RISE with SAP
Target Audience
GROW with SAP
- New SAP Customers: Primarily targets businesses that are new to SAP and are looking to implement an ERP solution for the first time. This solution is especially beneficial for companies transitioning from traditional ERP systems to a modern, cloud-based ERP.
- Mid-sized Businesses: Ideal for mid-sized enterprises that need a scalable ERP solution without the extensive customization and higher costs associated with larger implementations.
- Greenfield Projects: Designed for businesses starting fresh with SAP S/4HANA Cloud, meaning there is no existing SAP infrastructure to consider. This allows for a clean, straightforward implementation.
RISE with SAP
- Existing SAP Customers: Focuses on businesses that already use SAP systems and are looking to migrate to SAP S/4HANA Cloud. This includes those using SAP ERP, SAP ECC, and SAP S/4HANA on-premises.
- Large Enterprises: Suitable for large organizations with complex needs, including those requiring extensive customization, integration with other systems, and compliance with industry-specific regulations.
- Both Greenfield and Brownfield Projects: Supports both new implementations (greenfield) and the migration of existing systems (brownfield). This flexibility allows businesses to either start anew or transition their current ERP systems to the cloud with minimal disruption.
Deployment Options
GROW with SAP
- Public Cloud Only: Offers a public cloud deployment model, where the ERP system is hosted on SAP’s cloud infrastructure. This model is cost-effective and allows for rapid deployment, but with less customization compared to private cloud options.
RISE with SAP
- Public and Private Cloud: Provides both public and private cloud deployment options. The private cloud option is particularly beneficial for organizations requiring higher levels of customization, security, and compliance. This flexibility ensures that businesses can choose the deployment model that best fits their specific needs and regulatory requirements.
Customization and Flexibility
GROW with SAP
- Standardized and Preconfigured Processes: Emphasizes rapid deployment through standardized and preconfigured business processes. This reduces the need for extensive customization and accelerates the implementation timeline. It is designed to meet the common needs of mid-sized businesses and industries with less complex requirements.
RISE with SAP
- Highly Customizable, Tailored Solutions: Offers a high degree of customization, allowing businesses to tailor their ERP system to meet specific operational needs and industry requirements. This includes extensive configuration options and the ability to integrate with other systems and technologies, providing a bespoke solution for complex business environments
Implementation Time
GROW with SAP
- Rapid Implementation (4-8 Weeks): Designed for quick deployment, typically taking between 4 to 8 weeks. This is achieved through the use of preconfigured processes and a streamlined implementation methodology, allowing businesses to go live with minimal disruption and rapid time-to-value).
RISE with SAP
- More Comprehensive Implementation Timeline: Involves a more detailed and comprehensive implementation process, which can take longer than GROW with SAP. This extended timeline is due to the higher level of customization, integration, and data migration involved, especially for businesses transitioning from existing SAP systems (brownfield projects) (SAP) (Ccelera) (Nsight Tech).
Cost and Investment
GROW with SAP
- Lower Initial Costs with a Focus on Reducing TCO: Aims to minimize initial costs using standardized solutions and a SaaS model. This approach reduces the total cost of ownership (TCO) by simplifying deployment, maintenance, and support. It is particularly attractive for mid-sized businesses with budget constraints.
RISE with SAP
- Higher Initial Investment for Comprehensive Migration and Customization: Requires a larger initial investment due to the extensive customization, integration, and migration services included. However, this investment can lead to significant long-term benefits by providing a tailored, scalable solution that aligns closely with business needs and strategic goals. The potential for enhanced operational efficiency and agility can offset the higher upfront costs over time
Business Size and Complexity
Assess the size and complexity of your business processes. GROW with SAP is suitable for mid-sized businesses with standard processes, while RISE with SAP is ideal for larger enterprises with complex, custom requirements.
Industry Requirements
Consider regulatory and industry-specific needs. RISE with SAP provides options for private cloud deployments, making it suitable for regulated industries.
Growth and Innovation Goals
Determine whether your primary goal is rapid deployment and growth (GROW with SAP) or comprehensive transformation and sustainability (RISE with SAP). GROW with SAP focuses on quick implementation and growth, while RISE with SAP supports long-term digital transformation.
Budget and Resources
Evaluate your budget constraints and available IT resources. GROW with SAP requires a lower initial investment and less IT support, whereas RISE with SAP involves higher initial costs but offers extensive customization and advanced features.
Here is a detailed comparison table for GROW with SAP and RISE with SAP based on the research findings:
| Feature | GROW with SAP | RISE with SAP |
|---|---|---|
| Target Audience | New SAP customers, mid-sized businesses, greenfield projects | Existing SAP customers, large enterprises, both greenfield and brownfield projects |
| Deployment Options | Public cloud only | Public and private cloud |
| Customization and Flexibility | Standardized and preconfigured processes | Highly customizable, tailored solutions |
| Implementation Time | Rapid implementation (4-8 weeks) | More comprehensive implementation timeline |
| Cost and Investment | Lower initial costs with a focus on reducing Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) through standardized solutions | Higher initial investment for comprehensive migration and customization, potential for significant long-term benefits |
| Key Features | – Preconfigured standard processes – AI and best practices for various industries – Faster adoption with minimal IT support – Access to SAP BTP | – Comprehensive migration and implementation services – Customizable ERP capabilities – Advanced financial management and sustainability tools – Access to SAP BTP |
| Business Technology Platform (BTP) | Access for optimization of operations through combined information, analytics, application development, automation, integration, and AI | Access for extensions, integrations, and innovative application development |
| Advanced Financial Management | Not included in the base offering | Automated |
| Sustainability Tools | Not a primary focus | Tools and capabilities to measure, manage, and report on environmental and social impacts |
| Suitability | – Rapid deployment- Standardized solutions- Lower TCO | – Complex requirements – Regulated industries – Protection of existing investments- Long-term digital transformation |
| Industries Covered | Key industry scenarios and selected line of business | All industries as SAP S/4HANA On-Premises |
| Customer Engagement and Innovation | Focus on enhancing customer experiences and optimizing business models | Emphasis on comprehensive digital transformation, including cloud migration, process optimization, and sustainability initiatives |
| Ongoing Support and Maintenance | Included but focused on standard solutions | Extensive ongoing support and maintenance for tailored solutions |
| Deployment Scenarios | Greenfield (new implementations) | Greenfield and Brownfield (existing systems migrating to the cloud) |
| Learning Resources | Access to SAP community, learning hubs, and support for a rapid and predictable onboarding approach | Extensive support with expert guides, business analytics, and tailored implementation services |
Conclusion
In summary, both GROW with SAP and RISE with SAP provide powerful solutions for businesses looking to leverage SAP S/4HANA Cloud. The choice between the two depends on your business’s specific needs, goals, and resources. GROW with SAP is ideal for mid-sized businesses seeking rapid deployment and standardized solutions, while RISE with SAP is suitable for larger enterprises needing a comprehensive, customizable approach to digital transformation.
For more detailed information and to make an informed decision, consult with Embee’s SAP experts. They can provide insights tailored to your business’s unique requirements and guide you through the implementation process.
