When SAP brought its cloud solutions to market a few years ago, few could have predicted how far this technology would go. Initially focused on the private cloud, SAP gradually began offering increasingly sophisticated and flexible options, eventually launching RISE with SAP. This comprehensive solution became a genuine breakthrough for large and complex organisations, offering them not only flexibility but also the ability to tailor the solution to their individual needs. But what about mid-sized companies that also need support for their digital transformation?
The answer came in the form of GROW with SAP. This new approach, aimed at smaller enterprises, offers standardised, “out-of-the-box” solutions that can be deployed in a short time. GROW with SAP addresses the needs of companies that do not require options as advanced as those offered by RISE, but that want to benefit from SAP’s experience and technology.
In this context, SNOK, as an experienced SAP partner, plays a key role in helping organisations select the right solution. Have you been wondering which of these options would be the most beneficial for you? If so, this article is for you. Thanks to years of experience in the SAP field, SNOK can help you understand which of these solutions best matches your needs.
In the era of digital transformation, the choice between RISE with SAP and GROW with SAP is not only a technical matter but also a strategic one. The right decision can affect the efficiency, scalability and innovation capacity of your enterprise. It is therefore worth understanding the differences between these two solutions and how SNOK can help you along the way.
Why is the choice so important? Aspects to consider
Choosing between RISE with SAP and GROW with SAP is a decision that goes well beyond simply selecting software.
What exactly are RISE and GROW with SAP?
Although both RISE with SAP and GROW with SAP are cloud solutions, they differ in terms of the services offered and their delivery models. RISE with SAP is a solution based on the IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) and PaaS (Platform as a Service) model, offering both public and private cloud for SAP S/4HANA. This gives clients greater control over their infrastructure and resources, as well as the ability to tailor the solution to individual needs.
GROW with SAP, on the other hand, is a SaaS (Software as a Service) solution, aimed mainly at mid-sized companies. It offers SAP S/4HANA Cloud in its public edition and focuses on delivering standardised, “out-of-the-box” solutions. However, it does not offer a private cloud version, which may be a limitation for some organisations.
Here are a few aspects worth paying attention to:
Scalability
One of the most important factors is scalability. RISE with SAP offers solutions that can be adapted to your company’s growing needs, while GROW with SAP is more geared towards companies that do not plan significant expansion in the near future, or whose business processes can be easily standardised without special modification.
Costs
Cost is always an important element of any business decision. RISE with SAP may require greater upfront investment due to its flexibility and customisation options, but this can pay off in the long run. GROW with SAP is generally less expensive in the short term, but limitations on customisation may generate additional costs down the line.
Implementation time
Time is money, and rapid implementation can be crucial. GROW with SAP offers faster deployment, which is ideal for companies that need quick solutions. RISE with SAP, being more flexible, may require more time to implement.
Complexity of business processes
If your company has complex business processes that require an individual approach, RISE with SAP will be the better choice. GROW with SAP is better suited to companies with more standardised processes.
Technology and architecture
RISE with SAP offers more options in terms of extensibility (it is built on a three-system landscape: Dev, Test and Prod), including the ability to build custom ABAP code directly on the SAP S/4HANA stack. With GROW with SAP, extensions in ABAP can only be built on the SAP BTP platform.
Support and consultancy
A final, but no less important, aspect is support and consultancy. Through a partnership with SNOK, you gain access to experts who can help you make the best choice and provide support at every stage of implementation.
Pros and cons: RISE with SAP vs GROW with SAP
RISE with SAP
Pros:
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Flexibility: the ability to tailor the solution to your company’s individual needs. The ability to build extensions in ABAP on the SAP S/4HANA system. A three-system architecture (DEV, TST and PRD).
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Scalability: ideal for companies planning expansion that need a system that “grows” with them.
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Cloud options: access to both public and private cloud, giving greater control over data and resources.
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Support for complex processes: ideal for companies with more complicated business processes.
Cons:
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Cost: higher upfront investment.
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Implementation time: may require more time to deploy and configure.
GROW with SAP
Pros:
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Speed of implementation: shorter deployment time, which benefits companies that need quick solutions.
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Cost: generally lower upfront costs than with RISE with SAP.
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Simplicity: more geared towards standard processes, which simplifies management.
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Development on the SAP BTP platform: all custom functionality and processes are developed on the SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP), ensuring consistency and ease of management.
Cons:
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Limited flexibility: fewer customisation options compared with RISE with SAP.
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Limited cloud options: access only to the public cloud.
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Scalability: may be less suitable for companies planning significant expansion.
The ultimate choice between RISE with SAP and GROW with SAP depends on many factors, such as business needs, budget and future plans. With SNOK’s support, you can be confident that you will make the right choice for your organisation’s needs.
SNOK advisory: from analysis to implementation
Analysis stage
Before making any decision regarding the choice between RISE with SAP and GROW with SAP, SNOK carries out a thorough analysis of the client’s needs. This covers both technical and business aspects.
Choosing the methodology: Greenfield, Brownfield or Bluefield?
At SNOK, we consider various implementation scenarios:
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Greenfield: a completely new implementation, ideal for companies wanting to start from scratch or for new clients.
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Brownfield: migration and modernisation of existing systems.
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Bluefield: a combination of both approaches, where some elements are new and others are carried over from existing systems.
Scaling and cost estimation
After analysing needs and selecting the appropriate methodology, we move on to scaling the solution. This involves calculating the resources, time and budget required to deliver the project. As a result, we can ensure that the solution not only meets the client’s expectations but is also cost-effective.
Collaboration with process analysis experts
SNOK works closely with companies specialising in SAP business process analysis. We use the dedicated SAP Signavio tool, which helps support the right decisions. This tool enables not only the mapping but also the optimisation of business processes. As a result, we can identify any “bottlenecks” and other issues that may affect the effectiveness of the solution. More on this topic can be found here.
Summary
At SNOK, we approach every project with an individual approach, bearing in mind the unique needs and challenges of each client. From the analysis stage, through the choice of methodology, to final implementation and support, we are with you at every step. As a result, you can be confident that the choice between RISE with SAP and GROW with SAP will be the best possible decision for your enterprise.