Rise With Basis

RISE with SAP or Not: Choosing the Right SAP Hosting Solution for Your Business

Three years ago, SAP introduced RISE with SAP, a package combining their software, public cloud infrastructure and operation services. This presents a new option for businesses running SAP systems. However, the decision to migrate to RISE with SAP requires careful consideration.

From “Flexibility and Control” to being locked into the SAP Ecosystem

Three years ago nobody was talking about a clean core. Many existing SAP installations are highly customized to fit a company’s specific needs. This customization was the key reason many businesses choose SAP in the first place. In addition, most customers integrate and use other software solutions than SAP. A shift to RiseWithSAP means to leave the flexibility to create a solution based on your company requirements and heavily rely on the SAP ecosystem for all your business processes.

Ownership vs. Subscription

Another critical difference lies in the licensing model:
  • On-Premise Hosting: You own perpetual licenses, meaning you have paid an upfront cost and have access to the software indefinitely.
  • RISE with SAP: This is a subscription-based model. You pay a recurring fee for access to the software and services, and access terminates when the subscription ends. Once you have converted your license to subscription, there is no possibility to revert back to a perpetual license model.

Weighing Your Options

We in Basis have built a robust hosting factory over a decade, providing significant flexibility for running your current SAP system. This solution likely offers advantages in customization compared to RISE with SAP.
Here are some key factors to consider when deciding:

1. Licenses and cost

A transparent licensing and cost model is crucial for optimizing costs associated with SAP usage. It empowers you to manage SAP licenses effectively and minimize unnecessary spending on subscriptions.

Basis Private Cloud

RiseWithSAP Private Cloud

2. Solution control, security, data residency and compliance

The major component of SAP RISE is S/4 HANA, a hyperscaler and operation by third-party service providers subcontracted by SAP. This limits the customers’ freedom and flexibility because SAP must streamline the operation for a large number of SAP environments. This forces SAP to only deliver basic operations, giving customers many technical constraints. Another consideration for customers is the data residency, data processing, SLA and planned downtime. These topics are paramount concerns for many businesses. Carefully evaluate these aspects to ensure alignment with your business needs and data security regulations.

Basis Private Cloud

RiseWithSAP Private Cloud

3. Support and Service

Responsive Support and flexibility to changes is crucial for any business running SAP. Basis Private Cloud offers a more personalized, service-oriented approach with fast response times and experienced consultants. In contrast, RISE with SAP relies on a standardized support system that may introduce delays and limit direct interaction and customization. Carefully assess these factors to choose the cloud solution that best aligns with your operational needs and service expectations.

Basis Private Cloud

RiseWithSAP Private Cloud

Summary: Migrating to RISE with SAP requires careful consideration.

  • Limited Transformation: Moving to RISE might not deliver significant business process improvements. It is to simply relocate existing SAP systems to the cloud with limited flexibility. Once the customer data is migrated to RIseWithSAP there is not possible to move it back on premise. 
  • Control Concerns: Cloud migration may restrict modification options. RISE offers pre-configured solutions, but these might not adapt well to specific business needs. 
  • Vendor Lock-in: RISE could lock you into the SAP ecosystem, potentially limiting future technology choices. Evaluate if SAP aligns with your long-term vision, especially in areas like AI.
  • Time for Evaluation: On-premise support continues for several years (ECC till 2027, S/4HANA till 2040). It will also be followed by optional extended maintenance for 3 extra years (this comes with a premium of two percent points on the maintenance). Use this time to thoroughly assess your options and explore alternatives before a potential migration.
Our recommendation is to be very careful about choosing the RisewithSAP initiative and don’t rush into a decision you can’t get out of.