In recent years, RISE with SAP has emerged as one of the most transformative offerings from SAP, helping organizations accelerate their digital transformation while maintaining continuity with their existing systems. For companies still running SAP ECC (Enterprise Central Component), RISE with SAP provides an innovative way to transition into the future while continuing to leverage the value of their existing infrastructure.
But how exactly is RISE with SAP helping organizations that are still working with SAP ECC? Let’s dive into the details.
What is RISE with SAP?
RISE with SAP is a comprehensive offering designed to help companies move to the cloud and modernize their business operations. It bundles together SAP’s cloud infrastructure, business process intelligence, and tools for transformation into one package. RISE with SAP essentially provides a “business transformation as a service” to accelerate the transition from traditional, on-premise solutions like SAP ECC to the latest SAP technologies, including SAP S/4HANA, SAP’s next-generation ERP suite.
It’s a flexible, adaptable approach to business transformation, allowing companies to modernize their business processes while maintaining operational continuity and ensuring minimal disruption.
How RISE with SAP Helps Companies Running SAP ECC
For businesses still using SAP ECC, RISE with SAP offers a clear path to upgrade and modernize their systems. Below are several ways RISE with SAP assists these companies:
1. Smooth Transition to SAP S/4HANA
Many organizations running SAP ECC are looking to eventually migrate to SAP S/4HANA, but the process can seem daunting. RISE with SAP simplifies this transition by providing:
- Pre-configured solutions: RISE with SAP provides SAP S/4HANA cloud editions that are pre-configured and tailored to specific industries, ensuring a quicker and more streamlined upgrade from ECC.
- Migration tools: It includes various tools and accelerators to help businesses move from SAP ECC to S/4HANA with minimal risk and downtime, including the SAP Rapid Migration Program.
- Phased migration: Businesses can choose to migrate in stages rather than all at once, making it easier to transition without disrupting day-to-day operations.
By migrating to SAP S/4HANA, organizations can access the latest ERP innovations while continuing to run their core business processes.
2. Cloud Integration and Infrastructure Modernization
One of the key aspects of RISE with SAP is its focus on cloud solutions. This is particularly helpful for companies still operating their SAP ECC systems on-premise. Moving to the cloud offers numerous advantages:
- Reduced IT overhead: By leveraging SAP’s cloud infrastructure, companies reduce the burden of managing on-premise hardware and software. RISE with SAP includes SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP), which provides the infrastructure and tools to integrate SAP ECC with other cloud-based solutions and services.
- Scalability and flexibility: Cloud solutions allow companies to scale their operations more easily, adding new capabilities without the need for large upfront investments in hardware.
- Access to innovations: Cloud-based systems ensure that organizations are continuously updated with the latest features and security patches, enabling them to stay competitive.
This shift to the cloud ensures companies running SAP ECC are equipped for the future, while also enhancing their ability to innovate and adapt.
3. Simplifying Process Optimization
With RISE with SAP, businesses running SAP ECC can benefit from business process intelligence (BPI) to optimize their existing workflows:
- Intelligent insights: RISE with SAP integrates BPI tools that use AI and machine learning to analyze current business processes. These insights help businesses identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and areas where improvements can be made.
- Automated recommendations: Based on process data, RISE with SAP provides actionable recommendations for process optimization and automation, which enhances operational efficiency.
- Continuous improvement: The solution provides businesses with continuous access to tools that help them continually assess and improve their processes, ensuring that their SAP ECC systems remain highly efficient.
As a result, businesses can ensure that their SAP ECC instances are operating at their peak performance, even as they plan and execute future upgrades.
4. Cost Control and Simplification
Transitioning from traditional on-premise SAP ECC systems to the cloud can significantly reduce costs in several areas:
- Lower infrastructure costs: By shifting to cloud-based solutions, companies reduce the costs associated with maintaining and upgrading physical IT infrastructure.
- Predictable pricing: RISE with SAP offers a subscription-based pricing model, allowing businesses to budget more predictably for IT expenses. There are no large upfront investments, and companies pay for what they use.
- Fewer customizations: RISE with SAP reduces the need for heavy customizations in SAP ECC. By using best practices and pre-configured solutions, companies can avoid excessive customization and the associated maintenance costs.
This simplifies the cost structure, making it easier for companies with SAP ECC to control expenses during the transformation process.
5. Access to New SAP Technologies
RISE with SAP is not just about upgrading to S/4HANA; it’s also about integrating new, cutting-edge technologies into the business landscape:
- AI and machine learning: Businesses can easily integrate AI and machine learning capabilities into their SAP solutions to drive smarter decision-making and automation.
- Robotic Process Automation (RPA): With RISE with SAP, organizations can adopt RPA to automate manual processes, improving efficiency and reducing the risk of human error.
- Advanced analytics: With SAP Analytics Cloud, organizations can access advanced analytics tools to help make more data-driven decisions, even when still operating SAP ECC.
These technologies provide businesses with the tools they need to stay competitive while transitioning from their legacy SAP systems.
6. Support for Industry-Specific Needs
For companies using SAP ECC in specific industries, RISE with SAP offers a wide range of pre-configured solutions tailored to verticals such as:
- Manufacturing
- Retail
- Finance
- Healthcare
- Energy
By leveraging these industry-specific solutions, businesses can ensure they are not only upgrading their SAP systems but also aligning them more closely with the unique needs and challenges of their industry.
7. Reduced Risk with Comprehensive Support
For organizations still using SAP ECC, moving to a new ERP system can seem risky. However, RISE with SAP provides a comprehensive set of tools and resources to mitigate these risks:
- End-to-end support: SAP offers dedicated support throughout the migration and transformation journey. This includes pre-built templates, cloud infrastructure, and expert guidance from SAP consultants.
- Business continuity: RISE with SAP ensures business continuity with a hybrid deployment option, allowing companies to run SAP ECC and SAP S/4HANA side by side during the migration. This minimizes disruptions to daily operations.
Conclusion: Empowering SAP ECC Users with RISE with SAP
For companies still running SAP ECC, RISE with SAP provides a clear, structured, and low-risk pathway to modernize and transform their business operations. Whether it’s through cloud integration, process optimization, or access to advanced technologies, RISE with SAP empowers organizations to stay competitive, reduce costs, and enhance overall efficiency.
As SAP ECC approaches its end-of-life (which is slated for 2027), RISE with SAP serves as an excellent solution for those looking to transition smoothly, ensuring that they are not left behind in the fast-moving digital landscape. By adopting RISE with SAP, businesses can confidently embark on their journey to the future, while retaining the value of their existing investments in SAP ECC.