RISE with SAP or GROW with SAP?

What is Rise with SAP?

Launched in early 2021, the RISE with SAP offering provides a new way to leverage the German software publisher’s leading ERP solution through a subscription that includes many SAP tools:

• S/4HANA SAP application
• Cloud infrastructure
• Managed SAP services
• Access to the Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP)
• A suite of tools and solutions (recently updated)

RISE with SAP was launched in a private cloud configuration (S/4HANA ERP identical to the On-premise version but offered as a private cloud subscription with a choice of hyperscaler) and a Public Cloud configuration (multi-tenant).

Of note, private cloud and public cloud offerings are designed to target different clients.

The private cloud solution has been very successful for SAP-installed base clients wanting to preserve past investments in SAP ERP and migrate to cloud-based S/4HANA for reasons such as security, TCO, and scalability. It also appeals to new customers with complex businesses or those in regulated industries requiring a private cloud solution.

The public cloud solution is popular with smaller clients or those with a limited scope looking for a standardized SaaS “digital core” rather than a comprehensive private cloud solution.

The public cloud delivers the best total cost of ownership (TCO) but remains a standardized cloud solution with fewer configuration or development possibilities within the ERP.

In conclusion, RISE with SAP has been very successful, especially with large companies and upper-to-mid-market SMEs, as well as with the SAP private cloud offering.

How about SMEs?

Today’s reality is that the current ERP market, including its growth potential, lies in the smaller SME market. The RISE with SAP offering, as initially conceived, is intended to attract larger companies, while only partially addressing the needs of smaller SMEs.

Such clients usually have fewer users and do not require tools like Signavio, which is included with RISE with SAP, to assess and improve their processes. Instead, implementing an SAP ERP software tailored to their industry offers a fast and agile option.

What is GROW with SAP?

Out of this realization came GROW with SAP: a public cloud S/4HANA SaaS solution, available in accelerated and standardized implementations for core functions.

GROW with SAP focuses on new SAP clients unfamiliar with SAP systems—referred to in IT jargon as “Greenfield” or “Net New” clients—who seek a plug-and-play solution tailored to their industry.

The offer includes:

• SAP S/4HANA public cloud software (the digital core)
• Basic activation services and project boosters
• Access to the learning hub and SAP community
• Business Technology Platform access for development extensions
• Additional software (based on chosen package)
• Partner services extending SAP “best practices” to industry verticals (e.g., retail, mining, life sciences)

The proposal is to quickly and securely implement a standardized SAP S/4HANA solution in just a few weeks, growing from there instead of starting with a complete solution requiring 10-12 months to implement.

To summarize:

RISE with SAP is ideal for:

• Clients in a SAP environment moving to the cloud while preserving their investment (private cloud focus).
• Upper-to-mid-market clients or large companies with complex processes requiring everything available in the ERP (private cloud focus).
• Regulated industries needing a private cloud.

GROW with SAP is ideal for:

• New implementations (Greenfield/Net New) with a public cloud focus.
• SMEs with smaller scopes looking for specialized add-ons.
• Clients seeking standardization to reduce TCO rather than customization.
• Clients requiring a quick, short-term project based on SAP best practices and industry verticals.