Understanding and Solutions Offered by RISE With SAP for ERP Enterprise

The SAP ECC support deadline in 2027 is fast approaching, pressuring IT teams to act immediately while boards of directors continue demanding clarity on the company’s cloud strategy. Migrating from legacy on-premise systems to a cloud ecosystem is an immensely complex technical challenge, yet this strategic move is absolutely essential to keep your business operations efficient and ahead of the competition.

 

To address that urgency, this article provides a comprehensive deep-dive into the post-Sapphire 2025 update of RISE with SAP. We’ve compiled a thorough guide covering the system’s definition, its five core components, a direct comparison with alternative options, cost structure, and a readiness checklist that Indonesian companies must review before embarking on the migration process.

 

What Is RISE with SAP? The Latest 2026 Definition

Many still believe RISE with SAP is simply a bundled ERP software licensing package. In reality, following its strategic update at SAP Sapphire 2025, RISE with SAP is now officially defined as Business Transformation-as-a-Service (BTaaS).

 

The solution is positioned as a guided transformation journey for safely migrating legacy systems into a modern, cloud-based SAP Business Suite ecosystem. Its primary focus is minimizing internal technical complexity on the company’s side during the transition period.

 

The solution’s impact on global business operations is substantial. Citing official data from SAP Sapphire 2025:

 

“Approximately 40% of global GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is currently influenced by companies whose business operations run on RISE with SAP.”

 

5 Core Components of RISE with SAP

RISE with SAP consists of an integrated combination of technical components designed to support every layer of business operations. For maximum implementation results, here are its five key pillars:

 

SAP S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition

As the next-generation ERP core, this private cloud edition delivers comprehensive business functionality, full control, and enterprise-grade security.

• Powered by AI: Directly integrated with SAP Joule (a generative AI assistant) for task automation and decision-making.
• Tailored Fit: Allows industry-specific architectural modifications tailored to your company’s needs.

 

SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP)

This platform serves as the central hub for system integration and extensibility.

• Seamless Integration: Connects the SAP ecosystem with third-party (non-SAP) applications without friction.
• Extensibility: Enables IT teams to build additional custom applications without burdening the core ERP system.

 

SAP Signavio

SAP Signavio is a Business Process Intelligence solution tasked with evaluating company workflows.

• Process Analysis: Dissects and identifies inefficiency points in current operations.
• Optimization: Supports business process redesign for greater standardization and efficiency prior to migration.

 

SAP Business Network

This component facilitates transparency and external collaboration for the company in real-time.

• B2B Connectivity: Connects the company’s procurement systems to global supplier and logistics partner networks.
• Supply Chain Management: Manages supply chain risks and asset visibility from a single centralized dashboard.

 

RISE with SAP Methodology & Tools

This component encompasses the technical methodology and official SAP execution guidelines to ensure a smooth migration process.

• Readiness Check: A technical evaluation tool to assess the readiness of your on-premise systems.
• Through SAP Cloud ALM and Custom Code Migration, organizations can comprehensively manage the application lifecycle and selectively identify legacy custom code that remains relevant for migration to the new system.

 

Why Is RISE with SAP Relevant for Indonesian Companies Right Now?

Transitioning to a cloud ecosystem has become an urgent necessity for companies in Indonesia. This decision is driven by shifts in local market dynamics and SAP’s global policy deadlines. Here are the three primary reasons:

 

The SAP ECC 2027 Support Deadline

The discontinuation of official support for the SAP ECC system in 2027 requires companies to begin planning their migration immediately. Delays in transition will expose companies to security vulnerabilities and escalating legacy system maintenance costs.

 

Accelerating Cloud Adoption in the Local Market

On-premise infrastructure is gradually being phased out due to its inflexibility in supporting rapid business expansion. Companies are now moving to the cloud for operational efficiency.

 

National Digital Economy Growth

The scale of Indonesia’s digital market demands scalable IT infrastructure, enabling companies to process high data volumes and remain competitive.

 

Benefits of RISE with SAP: What You Actually Get

Managing IT infrastructure in silos is often time-consuming, resource-intensive, and makes budget oversight difficult. RISE with SAP simplifies this complexity by consolidating all infrastructure, software, and maintenance needs into a single unified service.

 

For companies, this centralized model is an effective strategy for reducing operational costs while accelerating the adoption of new technology. Here is a breakdown of the tangible benefits:

 

Key Benefit	Direct Business Impact
Single Contract & SLA	Streamlined vendor management. All software licenses, cloud infrastructure, and maintenance are consolidated into a single contract directly from SAP.
Continuous Innovation	Automatic technology updates. The system remains perpetually current with direct access to SAP Joule and more than 130 Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities.
Cloud Flexibility	Freedom to choose infrastructure. Companies are free to select the cloud provider (hyperscaler) that best suits their regulatory requirements, such as AWS, Azure, GCP, or Alibaba Cloud.
Predictable OPEX	Predictable cost transition. The subscription-based model eliminates the need for large upfront IT capital expenditure (CAPEX) allocations.
Migration Incentives	Transition cost efficiency. SAP provides dedicated programs to reduce migration costs. [DATA VALIDATION NEEDED: this program is claimed to reduce migration costs by up to 50% (source: ASUG)].

 

RISE with SAP vs. GROW with SAP vs. On-Premise: Which Is Right for You?

Choosing the right ERP system architecture depends heavily on your business scale, operational complexity, and the level of control mandated by your company’s regulations. SAP offers three main pathways, each designed for a different business profile.

 

To avoid a costly misstep in your investment decision, here is a technical and functional comparison of the three options:

 

Comparison Aspect	RISE with SAP	GROW with SAP	S/4HANA On-Premise
Target User	Existing SAP users & Enterprise-scale companies	Net new users & Mid-market companies	Companies with strict regulatory requirements / Requiring independent infrastructure control
ERP Edition	S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition	S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition	S/4HANA On-Premise
Customization Level	High (Allows specialized architectural modifications)	Standard (Based on system built-in best practices)	Highest (Full control over code modifications)
Cost Model	Subscription-based	Subscription-based	One-time License + IT Maintenance Costs
AI Access (SAP Joule)	Fully Integrated (✓)	Fully Integrated (✓)	Very Limited

 

Pros and Cons of RISE with SAP

Making an enterprise-scale investment decision requires an objective perspective. RISE with SAP offers many operational conveniences, but that doesn’t mean it’s without challenges that your management team and IT department must carefully weigh.

 

In the interest of transparent evaluation, here is a breakdown of its key strengths and potential weaknesses to anticipate:

 

Key Strengths

• Centralized Resolution Hub: You have a single point of contact directly with SAP, making technical issue resolution significantly faster.
• Reduced IT Workload: Your internal IT team is freed from daily server infrastructure maintenance, allowing them to focus on business innovation.
• Centralized Security: Cybersecurity updates and regulatory compliance standards are automatically managed by the cloud provider.
• Business Scalability: Computing capacity can be scaled up flexibly and rapidly to meet surges in the company’s operational demands.
• Instant Access to Innovation: Your company will always be among the first to access SAP technology updates, including generative AI capabilities.

 

Drawbacks and Critical Considerations

• Vendor Lock-in Risk: Because the entire ecosystem is consolidated, your company will have a very high degree of dependency on a single primary vendor.
• Customization Limitations: Although more flexible than the public cloud edition, the scope for custom code modifications remains less open than a pure on-premise system.
• Brownfield Migration Complexity: Carrying over large volumes of historical data and intricate legacy configurations to the new system can potentially be time-consuming and costly.
• Third-Party Integration Adaptation: Integration with non-SAP (third-party) applications may require additional adjustments through the BTP platform.
• Organizational Change Management Challenges: Standardizing business processes to the cloud ecosystem demands a robust change management program to ensure employee adoption of new ways of working.

 

Steps to Begin Your RISE with SAP Journey

Migrating a core business system to an enterprise-grade cloud ecosystem requires precise technical planning. To protect this investment from operational risks, ensure your company follows these five strategic stages:

 

1. Readiness Assessment

Use SAP’s Readiness Check tool to scan the current complexity level of your on-premise IT infrastructure.

• Primary Objective: Identify critical historical data and sort legacy custom code that can be retired, as it is now fully accommodated by the new system’s standards.

 

2. Select a Certified Implementation Partner

Appointing a consultant with technical expertise and an understanding of local regulations is critical to preventing system failure.

• Expert Recommendation: Partner with an SAP Platinum Partner such as Soltius, which has a long and proven track record in the Indonesian market, to ensure smooth execution.

 

3. Discovery & Business Case

IT leadership must provide a strategic value justification for this project to board members before implementation begins.

• Analysis Focus: Calculate in detail the savings from the CAPEX-to-OPEX shift, and map out the Return on Investment (ROI) for the next 3–5 years.

 

4. Migration Execution

The phase of transferring data to the chosen hyperscaler, guided by SAP’s official methodology.

• Risk Management: Establish a strict downtime strategy to ensure that the company’s daily operations and customer service are not critically disrupted.

 

5. Continuous Optimization

The phase for maximizing investment value after the system has successfully gone live.

• Innovation Acceleration: Streamline workflows using SAP Signavio and activate generative AI capabilities from SAP Joule to enhance daily operational productivity.

 

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions (People Also Ask)

1. Is RISE with SAP mandatory for all SAP users?

Technically, it is not mandatory at this very moment. However, with official support for SAP ECC ending in 2027, transitioning to S/4HANA (now actively promoted through either the RISE or GROW pathway) becomes an operationally essential step to ensure your system continues to receive updates and security protection.

 

2. What is the difference between RISE with SAP and standard SAP S/4HANA Cloud?

SAP S/4HANA Cloud is the software product (ERP). RISE with SAP, on the other hand, is a unified service (Business Transformation-as-a-Service) that bundles the S/4HANA license, cloud hosting infrastructure, migration tools, and maintenance into a single contract.

 

3. Is RISE with SAP compliant with Indonesia’s Personal Data Protection Law (UU PDP)?

Yes. The RISE with SAP framework gives companies the flexibility to choose their cloud service provider (hyperscaler). You can select a provider with data center infrastructure physically located within Indonesian territory (such as AWS or GCP Jakarta Region) to ensure full compliance with the Personal Data Protection Law (UU PDP).

 

4. What is the minimum number of users required for RISE with SAP?

RISE with SAP is generally designed for mid-to-large-scale enterprises. The metric used is Full Usage Equivalents (FUE). The minimum licensing requirement depends heavily on negotiation and your company’s specific profile, but it is typically recommended for operations with a substantial user base.

 

5. Can I migrate directly from a legacy ECC system to RISE?

Absolutely. SAP offers several migration pathways, including direct system conversion (Brownfield) or a fresh implementation combined with legacy data (Bluefield / Selective Data Transition), all supported directly by RISE’s built-in tools.

 

6. What role does a partner like Soltius play in a RISE implementation?

Even though RISE provides a unified service from SAP, you will still need an expert partner for day-to-day technical execution. A certified partner ensures the system is configured in compliance with local Indonesian business regulations, executes data migration without disrupting operations, and trains your internal team.

 

Closing: Action Items for Decision Makers

Transitioning to cloud infrastructure through RISE with SAP is a strategic decision to maintain your company’s operational competitiveness in Indonesia. With official support for SAP ECC ending in 2027, companies must begin planning their migration immediately to avoid systemic risk.

 

As a first step, here are 3 concrete actions your team can execute this week:

 

• Internal Evaluation: Audit your currently running ERP system and verify its maintenance deadline.
• Use SAP Readiness Check: Map the complexity level of your company server’s historical data and custom code.
• Begin the Discovery Phase: Formulate a business case and calculate a Return on Investment (ROI) estimate as the basis for management’s decision.

 

Ready to Begin Your RISE with SAP Transformation?

 

Don’t let technical complexity hold your business back. As an SAP Platinum Partner with a long-established track record in Indonesia, Soltius is ready to ensure smooth migration execution from the Discovery phase through to Go-Live.

 

Contact the Soltius technical team today to schedule an initial consultation and discover the most precise implementation strategy for your system architecture.