You’re looking to choose the most suitable SAP solution for your business needs… But which option is best for your organization: RISE with SAP or S/4HANA? To help you find the answer, explore our RISE with SAP vs. S/4HANA comparison now!
In today’s business world, digital transformation is no longer just a technology preference — it has become a core element of sustainable growth and competitive advantage. On this transformation journey, SAP solutions play a critical role in helping businesses modernize their enterprise resource planning infrastructure. At this point, it’s no secret that SAP is a global leader in enterprise software solutions. However, choosing the right SAP solution can sometimes be confusing for professionals. Two frequently considered options shape this decision-making process: SAP S/4HANA or RISE with SAP? In this article, we present a detailed comparison of the scope, technical features, business value, and use cases of both solutions to help you determine the most suitable approach for your digital transformation strategy.
RISE with SAP is a comprehensive “Business Transformation as a Service” (BTaaS) solution package announced by SAP in 2021 to accelerate digital transformation for companies. RISE with SAP includes only the S/4HANA Cloud Edition and brings together SAP S/4HANA Cloud, along with process analysis, technical infrastructure, application lifecycle management, and business network services — all under a single contract. RISE with SAP promises an end-to-end transformation journey for businesses. For more detailed information on this technological solution, you can read our article titled What is RISE with SAP?
SAP S/4HANA, SAP’s next-generation enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, is significantly faster, more flexible, and capable of real-time data processing compared to SAP’s legacy ERP systems. It aims to simplify complex business processes, enhance user experience, and accelerate digital transformation. The S/4HANA Cloud solution can also be licensed independently outside of the RISE offering. For more details, visit our article What is SAP S/4HANA?
| Feature | SAP S/4HANA | RISE with SAP |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | ERP software only (core system) | ERP + infrastructure + support + process intelligence (Business Process Intelligence) + transformation tools |
| Deployment Options | On-Premise, Private Cloud, Public Cloud | Cloud (Private Cloud Edition or Public Cloud Edition) |
| Infrastructure Provider | The customer chooses their own data center or partner | Managed by SAP authorized partners; infrastructure runs on AWS, Azure, etc. |
| Management Responsibility | The customer is responsible | Operational responsibility lies with SAP (as-a-service) |
| Licensing Model | Traditional license (CAPEX) | Subscription (OPEX – ERP as a service) |
| Updates & Maintenance | Handled by the customer (or via outsourcing) | In the cloud environment, SAP plans and executes maintenance and updates automatically |
| Business Process Optimization | Optional, requires separately licensed tools | Included by default (Signavio, BPI) |
| Contract Structure | Separate contracts for software, infrastructure, and support | All components under a single contract |
| Target Audience | Large enterprises with advanced IT departments | Organizations seeking fast transformation and a simplified system architecture |
| Migration Process | More technical and complex | Simplified SAP-supported transformation via RISE |
The most suitable SAP solution for your business depends on your IT infrastructure, digital transformation goals, available resources, and long-term strategy. S/4HANA is a suitable option for organizations looking to invest in their own data center, requiring customization flexibility, needing to keep data on-premises due to regulations, and having a strong internal IT team. With GlassHouse, your SAP infrastructure is in safe hands! If your plans include transitioning to cloud services as a major milestone in your digital transformation journey, if your aim is to simplify IT operations, have a single point of contact with SAP, rely on SAP to guide your digital roadmap, and modernize your business processes through analysis and redesign, then RISE with SAP will likely be the better choice. To help you decide which solution to proceed with, the following table provides a helpful summary of key considerations based on company size, technical capability, and digital transformation goals.
| Criteria | RISE with SAP | SAP S/4HANA |
|---|---|---|
| Easy migration, low IT load | ✅ | ❌ |
| Delegating infrastructure to SAP | ✅ | ❌ |
| High customization needs | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ Extensive |
| Single contract & operational simplicity | ✅ | ❌ |
| Cost control & subscription model | ✅ | ❌ |
| Operating in own data center | ❌ | ✅ |
Industry sector and company size can also influence the right choice. For example, if you operate in a large-scale industry such as manufacturing, energy, or public sector, and require robust customization and integration, SAP S/4HANA may be the better option. If your business is mid-sized, or operates in retail or service sectors, and you are looking for quick deployment with minimal management overhead, RISE with SAP is a strong candidate. Finally, for businesses prioritizing digitalization, RISE with SAP is an ideal solution. Explore Basis Services for RISE with SAP at GlassHouse!
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