RISE with SAP vs GROW with SAP: Which Should You Choose?

5 Jan

When it comes to choosing the right ERP solution, businesses often ask themselves: Do I need a complete digital transformation, or should I focus more on incremental scaling? If you’re considering RISE with SAP and GROW with SAP options, you’re not alone.

Both are designed to help businesses succeed but meet different needs and stages of development. Whether you are a large business looking to reinvent your business or an SME eager to scale without complications, there is a solution for you.

So, which one is the best fit for your business? Let’s dive in and explore the possibilities.

What is RISE with SAP?

RISE with SAP is a comprehensive business transformation service designed to help businesses quickly and securely transition from traditional ERP systems to the cloud. It is a comprehensive package that combines customised ERP solutions, expert guidance, change management, and business analytics. This bundle provides businesses with a transparent, customised path to SAP S/4HANA Cloud adoption, ensuring a smooth and efficient transition.

RISE with SAP integrates industry-specific best practices, enabling businesses to manage the cloud with the right tools available for ease of access while maintaining pure ERP functionality.

Using RISE with SAP, companies can improve their processes quickly and scalably, providing continuous data-driven insights that help improve productivity and efficiency. This is an ongoing support system that ensures businesses stay ahead by continuously improving performance.

What is GROW with SAP?

GROW with SAP is designed to meet the specific needs of small and medium-sized businesses, especially those new to SAP or who want to take a faster, more flexible approach to cloud ERP solutions, unlike RISE with SAP. GROW with SAP delivers flexible, fast services, making it ideal for low-complexity business projects.

This solution leverages the power of SAP S/4HANA Cloud (public edition) and SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP), using pre-configured and pre-optimised systems. This allows businesses to work according to their own schedule for a fraction of the time to focus on growth without long-term adjustments. 

GROW with SAP also offers significant benefits through its pricing groups. It comes with pre-configured pricing modules and industry best practices, making it easier to develop effective pricing strategies from scratch. The additional support offered by SAP BTP also gives pricing teams access to advanced analytics and AI-powered pricing tools, helping them make informed and data-backed decisions.

What sets GROW apart from RISE is its focus on agility and scalability. As businesses expand, so do their pricing needs. Cloud-based solutions, combined with continuous innovation, ensure businesses can quickly adapt to market changes and evolving customer demands, keeping them competitive and ahead of the curve.

RISE with SAP vs GROW with SAP: Which should you choose?

When it comes to SAP’s offerings, businesses of different sizes and needs can choose between two key solutions: RISE with SAP and GROW with SAP. Each caters to a distinct business profile, providing tailored support for companies at various stages of their digital transformation journey. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide which is the best fit for your organisation.

1. GROW with SAP: Designed for Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

GROW with SAP is designed for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are new to SAP and eager to begin their digital transformation. This solution focuses on deploying S/4HANA in the public cloud, giving businesses a fresh start without the limitations of legacy systems.

Key features of GROW with SAP include:

  • Public Cloud Deployment: A pre-configured, standardised solution hosted in the public cloud—perfect for businesses without extensive or complex IT infrastructure.
  • Quick Implementation: Its pre-configured nature allows for rapid deployment, enabling SMEs to quickly adopt and start leveraging the platform.
  • Continuous Innovation: With access to system upgrades and new features every six months, businesses stay current with the latest advancements.
  • Cost Efficiency: GROW with SAP typically requires lower upfront investment due to its standardised, pre-configured setup, making it ideal for cost-conscious SMEs.

GROW with SAP is best for organisations seeking to streamline their operations, drive innovation, and achieve sustainable growth using an easy-to-adopt and manage system. Tools like the Digital Discovery Assessment (DDA) simplify the evaluation process, providing a clear understanding of implementation needs and costs.

2. RISE with SAP: Tailored for Larger Enterprises

RISE with SAP is designed for larger enterprises that are already familiar with SAP and looking to migrate to S/4HANA. This solution offers extensive flexibility and customisation options, making it ideal for companies with complex business environments and existing IT investments.

Key features of RISE with SAP include:

  • Flexible Deployment Options: Businesses can choose between public and private cloud deployments, depending on their needs. Public cloud options allow for hosting on platforms like Google Cloud, Azure, or AWS.
  • Implementation Methods: RISE with SAP offers multiple implementation approaches—Greenfield (starting fresh), Brownfield (retaining existing configurations), or Selective Data Transition / Selective S/4HANA Transition (a hybrid method)—to align with the company’s goals and current IT landscape.
  • Customisation and Control: The system provides extensive customisation capabilities, allowing businesses to tailor SAP to their unique business processes.
  • Comprehensive Support: While SAP offers system-level support, larger enterprises may also partner with third-party providers for additional services and performance optimisation.

RISE with SAP is best for enterprises needing a customisable, flexible solution to manage complex operations and take full advantage of existing SAP investments. Its varied deployment and implementation methods make it a powerful choice for businesses seeking a personalized approach to digital transformation.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, the choice of RISE with SAP and GROW with SAP isn’t about choosing one over the other—it’s about selecting the solution that aligns best with your business needs right now.

  • If you’re looking for a complete overhaul with innovation built on sustainability and long-term strategy, RISE with SAP is your go-to solution.
  • If you are a growing business that needs speed and agility, GROW with SAP provides the flexibility and quick deployment to keep you moving forward.

Ask yourself: Where do I want my business to be next year? The path you choose—whether to innovate or evolve—will shape that future. But no matter the approach, one thing is clear: with SAP, your business won’t just survive, it’ll thrive.