As businesses look to modernize their SAP environments, many assume that moving to RISE with SAP is just a licensing shift. In reality, it’s a fundamental transformation that affects infrastructure, operations, and long-term IT strategy.
In a recent webinar, Andrew Juric, SVP of Global Advisory at Lemongrass, and Haroon van Rikxoort, Transformation Advisor at SAP, explored what organizations need to consider before making the move. Their conversation covered the strategic drivers behind RISE, common challenges companies face, and the practical steps to ensure a smooth transition.
Why RISE with SAP? A New Era of Cloud ERP
SAP has spent the last 15 years evolving its Cloud strategy, moving beyond traditional licensing models to offer a fully managed Cloud ERP solution. But what does this mean for customers?
Haroon explained SAP’s vision: “Customers need more than just software licenses—they need a complete Cloud business suite that includes security, governance, and managed services. That’s what RISE delivers.”
He highlighted that RISE with SAP provides:
- Cloud-based infrastructure managed by SAP and hyperscaler partners like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud.
- SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) to drive innovation and extensibility.
- End-to-end governance, security, and managed services to simplify SAP operations.
For organizations wondering if RISE with SAP is right for them, Haroon was clear: “SAP has taken a strategic path to the Cloud, and we are fully committed to supporting customers on this journey.”
Common Challenges: Where Companies Get Stuck
While the promise of a fully managed Cloud ERP is compelling, Andrew noted that many companies struggle with the details. “RISE isn’t just about moving to the Cloud—it’s about how you operate SAP in a fundamentally different way,” he said.
Understanding What’s Included
A common misconception is that RISE is simply a Cloud-hosted version of SAP. “Customers often think they’re getting the same SAP, just in the Cloud,” Andrew pointed out. “But RISE is an outcome-based service, which means SAP takes responsibility for things like infrastructure and core application management.”
Licensing Complexity
Licensing under RISE requires a shift in thinking. Many organizations have third-party integrations, legacy contracts, and operational models that may not align with SAP’s shared responsibility framework.
Andrew shared a common pitfall: “Customers need to look beyond just the RISE subscription cost. What about OS patching? Backups? Support contracts? These are areas where businesses can get caught off guard.”
Managing Non-SAP Systems
SAP may be the heart of the enterprise, but most organizations rely on multiple non-SAP systems that need to work seamlessly together.
Haroon acknowledged this challenge: “From SAP’s perspective, our focus is on the SAP universe—and it’s a big one. But there’s always a non-SAP environment to consider, and that’s where companies need the right strategy.”
Technical Debt and Clean Core
One of the biggest barriers to a smooth transition is technical debt—the accumulation of custom code, outdated processes, and deeply embedded modifications that can make a move to RISE more complex.
Andrew urged businesses to rethink their approach: “The most successful transitions start with a ‘clean core’ mindset. Don’t just lift and shift years of customizations—take this as an opportunity to modernize.”
How to Prepare: A Strategic Approach
Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, businesses must assess their starting point and choose the right path forward. Andrew outlined three common approaches:
More than 70% of Lemongrass’s advisory engagements now focus on the practical aspects of adopting RISE, helping businesses align not just their IT systems, but also their people, processes, and governance models.
- Cloud First: Lift and shift existing ECC environments to the Cloud, then move to S/4HANA later.
- S/4 First: Upgrade to S/4HANA on-premise, then migrate to the Cloud once business processes are stabilized.
- Parallel Approach: Build a new S/4HANA environment in the Cloud while maintaining ECC until cutover.
Andrew emphasized that choosing the right approach is critical to avoiding disruptions and maximizing ROI. “The worst thing you can do is rush into a move without a plan. Every organization is different—what works for one might not work for another.”
How Lemongrass Helps
Lemongrass plays a key role in helping businesses navigate the complexities of RISE with SAP. As Andrew put it, “We live and breathe SAP on Cloud. It’s all we do.”
With over 700 experts supporting more than three-quarters of a million SAP users, Lemongrass offers:
- Cloud ERP Advisory – Helping organizations with strategic planning, architecture design, and roadmap development.
- Technical and Data Strategy – Assessing migration options, right-sizing infrastructure, and managing technical debt.
- Integration Support – Ensuring SAP and non-SAP systems work seamlessly together.
Final Thoughts: Moving Forward with Confidence
For businesses considering RISE with SAP, this is more than just a technology shift—it’s an organizational transformation. The key to success? Early planning, stakeholder alignment, and the right expertise to navigate the journey.
Andrew left the audience with a final piece of advice: “Don’t underestimate the change. RISE is the future of SAP, but it requires a clear strategy. Get the right team in place, ask the right questions, and move forward with confidence.”
If you’re exploring RISE with SAP and want expert guidance, Lemongrass is here to help. Reach out today to discuss how to make your transition a success.
Watch the full SAP and Lemongrass webinar here: Exploring the Possibilities: Preparing for RISE with SAP
