Introduction
As businesses around the world accelerate their digital transformation, SAP continues to lead the ERP software market with a diverse portfolio of solutions. Whether you’re a multinational corporation, a mid-size enterprise, or a fast-growing startup, there’s an SAP product designed to meet your operational and technological needs.
In this guide, we break down the core SAP solutions including SAP ECC, SAP S/4HANA, SAP Business One, and SAP Ariba and explore the transformative RISE with SAP offering that’s reshaping how companies adopt cloud ERP.
SAP’s Core ERP Solutions: From ECC to S/4HANA and Beyond
SAP offers a range of ERP platforms tailored to various business sizes and industries. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- SAP ECC – Legacy ERP platform (on-premise, modular, widely adopted).
- SAP S/4HANA – Next-generation ERP built on the SAP HANA in-memory database.
- SAP Business One – Lightweight ERP for small to medium businesses (SMBs).
- SAP Ariba – Cloud-based procurement and supplier collaboration platform.
S/4HANA, in particular, comes in three deployment models:
- On-Premise
- Public Cloud
- Private Cloud (commonly delivered via RISE with SAP)
SAP ECC vs. SAP S/4HANA: Key Differences
| Feature | SAP ECC (Legacy ERP) | SAP S/4HANA (Next-Gen ERP) |
| Database | Any (Oracle, SQL, etc.) | Exclusively SAP HANA (in-memory) |
| UI | SAP GUI | SAP GUI + Fiori Web UI |
| Data Model | Redundant, complex | Simplified, real-time |
| Anpassung | Very high | High (on-premise), Moderate (cloud) |
| Upgrades | Manual | Streamlined, cloud-enabled |
| Support Timeline | Until 2027 (extended to 2030) | Long-term SAP strategic focus |
| Ideal For | Existing SAP clients needing stability | Companies looking for speed, intelligence, cloud-readiness |
What is RISE with SAP? A Business Transformation as a Service Model
RISE with SAP is not just software it’s a complete digital transformation offering.Instead of purchasing software licenses and managing infrastructure separately, RISE bundles:
- SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud Edition
- Cloud infrastructure (AWS, Azure, GCP, or SAP DC)
- SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) for integration and development
- SAP Signavio for business process intelligence
- Migration tools for ECC-to-S/4HANA transition
- Single contract, single invoice, single point of responsibility
This approach is SAP’s answer to “Business Transformation as a Service” making ERP modernization faster, more manageable, and fully cloud enabled.
RISE with SAP Package Components
| Component | Description |
| S/4HANA Private Cloud | Flexible ERP backbone delivered via cloud, with customization capabilities |
| SAP BTP | App development, integration, and analytics platform |
| SAP Signavio | Business process analysis and redesign tools |
| Cloud Infrastructure | Managed by SAP or hyperscaler partners (IaaS) |
| Migration Tools | Simplified transition from ECC (Readiness Check, Custom Code Migration) |
| Single SLA & Contract | Streamlined operations and vendor management |
Who Should Consider RISE with SAP?
| Business Profile | Why RISE with SAP is Ideal |
| Companies migrating from ECC with customizations | Seamless transition with custom dev options in Private Cloud |
| Firms avoiding infrastructure investment | Infrastructure is managed by SAP (IaaS model) |
| Global rollouts across multiple locations | Centralized architecture, accelerated deployment |
| Companies with limited IT capacity | SAP handles operations, updates, security |
| First-time SAP adopters seeking fast deployment | All-in-one package ensures quicker time-to-value |
S/4HANA or RISE with SAP – Which One to Choose?
It’s important to note:SAP S/4HANA is a product. RISE with SAP is a service model.
While S/4HANA can be deployed on-premise, in the cloud, or hybrid RISE with SAP wraps it with tools, infrastructure, services, and managed support.
Ask yourself: “Do we need only an ERP system, or a full-service transformation journey?”
If the answer is the latter, RISE with SAP is the path forward.
Conclusion: The Future of ERP is Intelligent and Cloud Driven
Whether you’re an ECC customer preparing for a 2027+ migration or a fast-scaling business exploring modern ERP for the first time, SAP offers a solution fit for your journey.
- Im maximum control and customization, S/4HANA On-Premise delivers.
- Im agility and simplified operations, RISE with SAP offers the best of cloud ERP.
- Im SMBs, SAP Business One ensures quick and cost-effective ERP adoption.
- Im procurement transformation, SAP Ariba modernizes sourcing and supplier collaboration.
Start with the right strategy. Scale with the right solution.