Did you know that hybrid cloud solutions are among the most innovative approaches in information technology today? This is not merely a passing trend, but a strategic step that can transform how your company manages data and business processes. In an era of digitalisation and growing data-processing requirements, flexibility and scalability are essential. With RISE with SAP, you can now benefit from the best features of the cloud without giving up the advantages of your own data centre.
But that is not all. What if we told you that you could build such a data centre on servers from various providers, such as Lenovo? Indeed - the possibilities are genuinely broad and adaptable to diverse business needs. In this article, we take a closer look at what this means in practice and what benefits it can bring to your organisation.
Are you ready for a deep dive into the world of hybrid cloud solutions? If so, please read on.
What is a hybrid cloud?
Hybrid cloud is a concept that may sound complicated, but is in fact fairly straightforward to understand. In short, it means using two different types of cloud at the same time: private and public. In practice, this means that some of your data and applications are stored on internal servers - in your own data centre - while others reside in a public cloud managed by an external provider.
If we take Gartner’s definition into account, they speak of the “coordinated provisioning, use and management of cloud services”. What does that mean in plain terms? Imagine standing with one foot in a pool of warm water and the other in a pool of cold water. Depending on how you feel, you can shift more of your body into one pool without leaving the other entirely. That is the power of the hybrid cloud: you can adapt solutions to your current needs without giving up either option.
In this way, the hybrid cloud gives you the best of both worlds. You retain control and data security in the private cloud, together with the flexibility and access to advanced services in the public cloud.
Why RISE with SAP?
RISE with SAP is not just software; it is a comprehensive solution for your company. It offers S/4HANA Cloud in a private edition, with a “CDC” (Customer Data Center) option. What does this mean? You can use S/4HANA as a cloud service directly from your own data centre, while simultaneously benefiting from the innovative RISE components available in the public cloud.
Advantages of the hybrid model
Compliance and security
One of the main challenges in using the public cloud concerns industry regulations and data sovereignty. With the hybrid model, you can meet these requirements while keeping data within your country and in line with local regulations.
Innovation within reach
RISE with SAP allows you to use the latest technologies, such as machine learning, artificial intelligence and large language models, without having to migrate the entire system to the cloud.
Savings and performance
Thanks to the CDC option, you can benefit from an OpEx model for the cloud while maintaining high performance and low latency - made possible by Lenovo servers.
How does it work?
Wondering what using a hybrid cloud within the RISE with SAP offering looks like in practice? The answer is surprisingly simple, yet ingenious in its overall complexity. Let us start with the basics.
Planning and implementation
The first step is to understand your business and technological needs. On this basis, SAP’s cloud experts help you plan the ideal solution. You decide which elements of your system should move to the public cloud and which should remain on internal servers.
The SLA agreement
Once you have decided what your hybrid cloud should look like, the next step is to sign a Service Level Agreement (SLA). This document guarantees that all services will operate to defined standards, covering both the performance and the security of your system.
Implementation and management
Once the agreement is signed, the SAP team proceeds to implement the solution. This is the stage at which your hybrid cloud starts taking real shape. Everything is configured to ensure maximum efficiency and regulatory compliance. Moreover, the entire environment is managed by SAP, meaning you do not need to worry about ongoing maintenance and updates (naturally, with a little help from a partner company such as SNOK, since SAP also needs to know what to do for a given client).
Monitoring and optimisation
The final piece of the puzzle is continuous monitoring and optimisation of your system. Thanks to advanced analytical tools, you can track in real time how your hybrid cloud is performing and where there is potential for improvement.
In this way, RISE with SAP not only provides you with the tools to build a hybrid cloud, but also offers comprehensive support at every stage of its lifecycle. It is a solution that allows you to focus on what matters most - growing your business.
The future with RISE with SAP and Lenovo
Through SNOK’s partnership with Lenovo, we are able to offer even more personalised and efficient solutions. Lenovo servers are renowned for their reliability and performance, making them an ideal choice for your hybrid data centre.
Summary
Hybrid cloud solutions within the RISE with SAP offering represent a genuine revolution in how data and business processes are managed. With the CDC option and the partnership with Lenovo, the possibilities are truly impressive. Are you ready for a future in which the boundaries between private and public cloud begin to blur?
Is this not fascinating? What do you think about applying such solutions in your company? Are you ready to take on the challenge and move to a higher level of data and process management? The answer lies in your hands.