What Is RISE with SAP?
RISE with SAP is SAP’s way of helping companies move to S/4HANA Cloud—without having to piece everything together themselves. It’s not just a license or a cloud subscription. It’s a bundled service that includes the software, the infrastructure, tools for automation and process improvement, plus ongoing support—all managed by SAP under one contract.
The idea is to make digital transformation more structured and less fragmented, especially for mid-sized to large businesses that want to modernize, but don’t want to manage ten different vendors to do it.
Unlike traditional on-premise deployments, where you own and operate the full stack, RISE shifts much of that responsibility to SAP. You still make the decisions that matter, but SAP handles the technical heavy lifting. It’s a different kind of partnership. One where the focus moves from just “running SAP” to actually evolving how the business works over time.
Who is RISE for SAP best suited for?
RISE with SAP is best suited for companies that want to modernize without managing the entire ERP stack themselves. It’s designed for businesses that are ready to move toward standardization but still need flexibility around deployment and scalability.
While it can technically support various business sizes, it’s especially practical for those with more complex needs. Some common fit indicators include:
Mid-sized to large enterprises with multi-country operations
Companies replacing heavily customized legacy ERP systems
Organizations lacking internal cloud infrastructure expertise
Businesses committed to digital transformation with defined goals
Teams open to adopting SAP best practices and fit-to-standard processes
It’s not one-size-fits-all—but if the direction is clear, RISE can simplify the journey.
Deployment Models and Hosting Options
RISE with SAP gives you structure where you need it—and flexibility where it still matters. While SAP handles the technical operations behind S/4HANA Cloud, you get to choose where your environment is hosted. And that choice isn’t just technical. It can shape how your systems integrate, who manages what, and how the setup evolves over time.
1. RISE with SAP on AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud
The most common path is running RISE on a hyperscaler. SAP supports Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). Each one is certified for S/4HANA, and all are deeply integrated into SAP’s cloud roadmap. If your IT teams are already using one of these providers, sticking with it can make operations and security policies easier to manage.
Performance is strong across the board. But some companies lean toward Azure for Microsoft compatibility, or AWS for global coverage. GCP occasionally comes up when data and analytics are a priority.
2. SAP Data Centers
If neutrality or simplicity is the priority, SAP’s own data centers are also an option. These are managed fully by SAP, with no hyperscaler in the mix. It can be helpful when you want fewer parties involved, or when procurement prefers direct agreements.
3. Customer Data Center (CDC)
This one’s rare, but still available. If your company has strict rules around data control—or operates in a regulated environment—SAP will run RISE inside your own infrastructure. It’s still SAP-managed, but physically on your side. It’s not for everyone, and honestly, most don’t need it.
What to Think About Before Choosing
Regardless of where it’s hosted, SAP handles system maintenance, upgrades, backups, and performance monitoring.
A few factors that influence which environment you choose:
Existing cloud vendor relationships
Latency and regional performance needs
Internal cloud maturity and integration strategy
It’s still RISE, wherever it runs. But the hosting decision plays a bigger role than it seems at first.
Benefits of RISE with SAP Deployment
When companies first look at RISE with SAP, they tend to focus on S/4HANA Cloud itself—what it does, what it replaces. But where it runs, and how it’s managed, makes a bigger difference than most expect. The deployment model behind RISE isn’t just a technical choice. It affects how much control you retain, how your teams interact with SAP, and even how quickly you can respond to change later.
Whether you’re hosting it on AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, or within SAP’s own data centers, the foundation matters. Some companies want to keep things simple. Others need to align with existing cloud investments. A few don’t really have a choice—they’re bound by data privacy laws or industry-specific rules.
That’s why it’s worth slowing down before you pick. The benefits can be real—but they show up differently depending on how you’re set up today, and where you want to take things next.
1. Simplified Infrastructure Decisions
You choose the cloud provider—SAP, AWS, Azure, or GCP. But once you do, SAP handles the rest. That includes provisioning, patches, backups, and scaling.
- No separate contracts with hyperscalers
- SAP stays your single point of accountability
- Less back and forth between IT and vendors
2. Standardized Deployment, Flexible Hosting
Whether you're on a hyperscaler or SAP data center, the operating model stays consistent. That means fewer unknowns during the rollout phase.
- Same support process regardless of platform
- Predictable handoffs between teams
- Room to scale or shift later, if needed
3. Better Alignment with Internal Strategy
Already running workloads on AWS or Azure? Hosting RISE there can cut down complexity and help IT teams reuse what they already know.
- Security and policies stay consistent
- Fewer new platforms to manage
- Easier to integrate with non-SAP systems
4. Reduced Risk During Migration
RISE comes with tools and services that make moving from ECC or legacy systems less painful—especially when paired with hyperscaler reliability.
- Automated checks and readiness tools
- SAP handles provisioning and scaling
- Built-in monitoring from day one
5. Regulatory Flexibility with CDC Option
If your industry has strict data handling rules, RISE can run inside your own data center. It’s niche—but critical for some.
- Maintains internal hosting without losing SAP support
- Meets data sovereignty or residency mandates
- Same operational model as public cloud
6. One Contract, Fewer Surprises
Instead of juggling licenses, hosting, and services, everything’s bundled. You deal with SAP—and only SAP. That simplifies planning and budgeting.
- Fixed subscription model
- Built-in technical support and SLAs
- Clear visibility into scope and costs
What’s Included in RISE with SAP?
RISE with SAP is a curated bundle meant to simplify your path to S/4HANA and reduce the noise of coordinating multiple vendors. Instead of buying licenses, infrastructure, and tools separately, you get it all under one contract—managed by SAP (great isn’t it)?
Here’s what the RISE with SAP bundle typically includes:
SAP S/4HANA Cloud (public or private edition)
SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) with usage credits
SAP Signavio for process modeling and performance insights
Starter access to SAP Business Network to connect with partners
Cloud infrastructure via SAP, AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud
Technical migration tools and lifecycle management, handled by SAP completely.
It’s structured, but not rigid. You still decide the scope, the pace, and the hosting partner. What RISE offers is a framework that can actually hold together—especially if transformation is the goal, not just system replacement.
Key Considerations Before Choosing RISE
RISE with SAP sounds straightforward but deciding if it’s the right model for your business takes more than just liking the concept. The subscription includes a lot—but also limits how much you can customize. Before jumping in, it’s worth slowing down and asking a few tough questions.
What are you trying to fix, simplify, or future-proof?
How complex are your current systems and customizations?
Are your teams ready to operate in a more standardized, SAP-managed environment?
RISE works well if the business is aligned around transformation. If that’s still fuzzy—or if internal skills are stretched thin—this may take more preparation than expected.
1. Business Readiness
RISE with SAP involves more than a system upgrade. It introduces structured change. Organizations need clarity around objectives, timelines, and stakeholder alignment.
- Leadership buy-in is essential
- Defined goals and priorities
- Change impact clearly communicated
2. Internal Team Capacity
While SAP handles operations, internal teams must support configuration, integration, and adoption. Evaluate team readiness early in the process.
- Assess skill levels and availability
- Review IT workload across projects
- Plan external support if gaps exist
3. Standardization vs. Customization
RISE encourages fit-to-standard processes. If existing systems rely on extensive customization, adjustments will be required.
- Identify non-negotiable custom code
- Use SAP Signavio to review gaps
- Redesign areas that do not align
4. Cloud Strategy Fit
RISE works best when cloud direction is already clear. It complements enterprises that have defined security, integration, and hosting strategies.
- Confirm alignment with enterprise architecture
- Review hyperscaler preferences and policies
- Define ownership between SAP and internal IT
5. Financial Model
RISE uses a subscription-based model. Finance and procurement teams must adapt to the operational expenditure mindset this requires.
- Forecast costs over multi-year terms
- Compare to existing license structure
- Clarify what is bundled and what is not
6. Timing and Focus
Major transformation projects require leadership focus and business availability. Consider whether now is the right time to commit.
- Assess ongoing and upcoming initiatives
- Allocate executive sponsorship
- Ensure bandwidth for training and change
What does a RISE for SAP Contract contain?
A RISE with SAP contract isn’t just a license for S/4HANA—it’s a bundled package meant to simplify the path to cloud ERP. Everything’s rolled into a single subscription, which can sound neat on paper, but it’s worth knowing what’s actually included—and what you’ll still be responsible for. It covers infrastructure, ERP software, support services, and some tools to help drive change.
That said, you’ll still need your own resources for things like project governance, training, and testing. Here’s what typically comes with the contract:
1. S/4HANA Cloud License
The contract includes access to S/4HANA Cloud (public or private edition), licensed based on full user equivalents (FUEs).
- Core ERP modules
- Regular updates included
- Based on subscription
2. Cloud Infrastructure
Your ERP runs on hyperscaler infrastructure (AWS, Azure, GCP, or SAP DCs), bundled in the subscription cost.
- Fully managed IaaS layer
- Geography and provider options
- Security and monitoring handled
3. Technical Operations
SAP handles key technical tasks like backups, system patches, and monitoring as part of the managed service model.
- Basis administration
- Disaster recovery setup
- 24x7 system availability support
4. SAP Business Technology Platform
The contract provides credits for SAP BTP—use them for extensions, integrations, or analytics.
- Use cases include custom apps
- Integration services like CPI
- Event-driven automation
5. SAP Signavio
Process insights are part of the bundle. Signavio tools help model and optimize your current and target states.
- Process discovery and modeling
- Gap analysis tools
- Fit-to-standard support
6. SAP Business Network Access
Limited access to the SAP Business Network is included, offering supplier collaboration and basic procurement functions.
- Supplier onboarding
- Basic procurement workflows
- Upgrade available if needed
Implementation Methodology Under RISE with SAP
A Structured Yet Flexible Framework
RISE with SAP is anchored in the SAP Activate methodology. You’ll see that name a lot. It outlines the path to S/4HANA Cloud using a phased, guided approach. The structure is helpful, but it’s not overly rigid. It’s more about staying on track without getting stuck in overdesign.
Fit-to-Standard: The Starting Point
The process leans heavily on Fit-to-Standard workshops. These are meant to explore where your current ways of working fit SAP’s best practices. Some areas will map nicely. Others may spark debates. That’s where early decisions around standardization or customization need to be made—with input from both business and IT.
Delivery Models: Partner, SAP, or Both
Delivery can be partner-led, SAP-led, or a shared model. There’s no universal right choice here. It really depends on your internal team’s experience, availability, and appetite for ownership. Even with external support, someone inside still needs to steer the ship.
Timeline and Key Stages
Most RISE projects take 6 to 12 months. The key phases are:
Discover – Define goals and high-level scope
Prepare – Set up teams, access, and timelines
Explore – Run Fit-to-Standard workshops
Realize – Configure, test, and integrate
Deploy – Plan cutover and go live
Run – Support and evolve
Not Just Technical Delivery
Alongside the system build, you’ll need to factor in training, change readiness, and ongoing support. These are not extras—they are essential parts of the program. A lack of focus here can slow down adoption later.
The Real Variable: Internal Alignment
The framework works—but only if your business and IT teams are aligned. It’s worth spending time upfront getting clear on how decisions will be made. Rushing into configuration without that shared understanding often leads to slowdowns later.
How Can I Help You?
With over two decades in SAP and digital transformation, I’ve seen projects from kickoff to go-live—and the messy middle no one talks about. Sometimes I lead from the start. Other times, I’m brought in to steady the ship when things go sideways.
Either way, my role is the same: connect what the business really needs with what the system can actually deliver. No jargon. No fluff. What you’ll find here isn’t theory—it’s shaped by years in the field, solving real problems under real pressure.
Common Mistakes When Deploying RISE with SAP
RISE with SAP simplifies many technical parts of an ERP project. But that doesn’t mean the hard parts go away. If anything, some of the real challenges shift upstream — to decision-making, ownership, and mindset. A few mistakes show up again and again. Like holding onto assumptions from on-premise systems. Or thinking custom code will just come along for the ride. And sometimes, teams just don’t have a clear sense of who internally is supposed to own what.
Things run more smoothly when:
You involve process owners early, not late
You treat data and integrations as critical paths
You phase deliverables so people can actually absorb the change
Below are six pitfalls that tend to cause the most friction.
1. On-Premise Mindset
Teams sometimes expect the cloud to mirror their old on-site processes. Cloud ERP demands new assumptions around roles and accountability.
- Revisit decision-making structures
- Define clear cloud-specific roles
2. Overestimating Code Portability
Customizations rarely lift and shift cleanly. Many require redesign or moving to SAP BTP for extensions.
- Catalog existing custom code
- Plan for modernization or retirement
3. Weak Internal Ownership
Implementation partners guide the build, but internal teams must steer adoption. Without clear owners, projects lose direction.
- Appoint a dedicated project lead
- Ensure stakeholders stay engaged
4. Underestimating Data Complexity
Data migration often uncovers inconsistencies and gaps. Ignoring it until late causes delays.
- Begin profiling and cleansing early
- Assign data stewards for each domain
5. Rushed Timelines
Compressing phases to meet ambitious dates usually backfires. Phased deliveries offer better control.
- Define clear phase gates
- Align go-live dates with readiness
6. Missing Stakeholder Buy-in
Change fatigue is real. If end users and executives aren’t involved early, resistance grows post-launch.
- Conduct regular stakeholder workshops
- Use real-world scenarios in training
Handling Integrations with RISE with SAP
Integrations in a RISE with SAP project require more attention than people often expect. Just because SAP manages the infrastructure doesn’t mean they handle everything between systems. You still need to plan out what connects where, how data moves, and who owns which touchpoints.
RISE gives you access to SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP), and that’s where many modern integrations now sit. It supports APIs, event-driven flows, and pre-built connectors. But older systems—on-prem or third-party—may still rely on batch jobs or file transfers. That mix can get messy without upfront planning.
It helps to start with a full inventory:
What connects to your ERP today?
What must be real-time, and what can be async?
Are there legacy tools with hard-coded links?
You’ll also want to loop in both IT and business early. Too often, integrations are scoped by just one side, and it leads to surprises later. Testing is another big one. Don’t assume “it worked before” means it’ll work now.
In short, treat integrations as a workstream, not a task. Allocate enough time and the right people. Otherwise, even the cleanest ERP core won’t deliver the value you expect.
Post-Go-Live Support and Optimization for RISE with SAP
Once the system is live, the nature of the work changes. You’re no longer configuring or testing—you’re running, adjusting, supporting. RISE with SAP provides the technical foundation: infrastructure, system updates, monitoring. That part is handled. But the business layer, the day-to-day operations and decisions, still lives with your team.
This is where things often slow down. Support roles may not be clearly assigned. Change requests start piling up without a way to prioritize them. Some teams catch this early, others don’t until it causes friction.
Tools like Signavio, SAP BTP, and analytics dashboards are included in RISE, but they don’t drive value on their own. Someone needs to take ownership.
A few things that help:
Decide early who handles post-go-live issues—internally and with SAP
Keep a backlog of fixes, updates, and improvements
Review adoption and feedback every few months
Align future enhancements with SAP’s product roadmap
Make space for optimization—not just firefighting
The goal is to keep improving, even after the project is technically “done.” Without a plan for that, the system settles instead of evolving. And that’s usually when gaps start to show.
Preparing for RISE with SAP
It’s also about clarity—on what you’re running today, what you’re willing to change, and who’s going to lead the shift internally.
Start with process visibility. Tools like SAP Signavio can map out how things currently work, but also where things stall or double up. Then there’s LeanIX, which gives a view into your application landscape—especially useful if you’ve built up a lot of custom tools over time. Some of it may not need to come forward.
A few things to consider before you begin:
Run a baseline analysis of your current business processes
Create an inventory of apps, interfaces, and data flows
Review all custom code—what’s critical, what isn’t
Identify decision-makers for scope, exceptions, and approvals
Is RISE with SAP Right for You?
This isn’t just a technology decision. It’s a question of direction—how your business wants to operate and evolve over time. RISE with SAP is built around cloud delivery, process standardization, and shared responsibility. Some organizations adapt quickly to that structure. Others may need to pause and reassess.
Ask yourself:
Are we comfortable adopting SAP’s best practices rather than building everything from scratch?
Is our internal IT team positioned to lead transformation, or more focused on support and delivery?
Can we align with a SaaS-style operating model for our core ERP?
If these questions feel relevant—or even a bit uncomfortable—that’s a good sign it’s worth digging deeper.
We offer guided assessments, readiness workshops, and one-on-one consultations with RISE-certified experts. If you’re unsure where to begin or what to evaluate, starting with a conversation can help clarify the next steps. Let’s find out if RISE makes sense for your business.
1. What does RISE with SAP mean?
RISE with SAP is SAP’s bundled offering that helps companies move to cloud-based ERP. It combines S/4HANA Cloud with infrastructure, tools, and managed services under a single contract.
2. What does the "rising SAP" mean?
This isn’t a technical term. It’s often used informally to refer to SAP’s push toward cloud transformation—primarily through RISE with SAP.
3. What is the difference between S/4HANA and RISE with SAP?
S/4HANA is the ERP product. RISE with SAP is the commercial and delivery model that wraps S/4HANA Cloud with infrastructure, services, and support.
4. What’s the difference between RISE with SAP and GROW with SAP?
GROW is designed for smaller, fast-growing companies and focuses on public cloud only. RISE serves mid-sized to large enterprises, offering more flexibility including private cloud.
5. How is RISE with SAP different from SAP HEC?
SAP HEC was a managed hosting solution. RISE with SAP includes cloud ERP, tools, and services. It’s more comprehensive and built for cloud-first operations.
6. What is the difference between SAP S/4HANA and traditional SAP ERP?
S/4HANA is the next generation of SAP ERP. It’s faster, has a simpler data model, and supports real-time analytics. The older systems (like ECC) rely more on batch processing and have more technical layers. S/4HANA also uses the Fiori interface, which is a big shift from the classic SAP GUI.
7. What is GROW with SAP?
GROW is SAP’s SaaS ERP offering for smaller businesses. It’s pre-configured, public cloud only, and follows standard best practices with faster rollout.
8. What is a RISE with SAP contract?
It’s a subscription-based contract bundling S/4HANA Cloud, infrastructure, tools like Signavio, and SAP-managed services—billed under one agreement.
9. How do I migrate to RISE with SAP?
Start with a readiness assessment. Then choose a deployment path (greenfield, brownfield, or selective). SAP Activate is the standard framework used for the transition.
10. What are the three key elements of RISE with SAP?
The core elements are:
S/4HANA Cloud (ERP platform)
SAP Business Technology Platform (for extensions and integration)
SAP Signavio and Business Network (for process intelligence and collaboration)
