Review the key features of GROW with SAP and RISE with SAP offerings and embark on the right digital transformation path.

GROW with SAP vs. RISE with SAP: Key Differences Explained

Rapid digitalization makes businesses adopt cloud solutions for further streamlined growth and borderless development. Eventually, many enterprises transition to SAP S/4HANA, SAP’s latest ERP cloud solution, to speed up digital transformation and stay ahead of the market. More so, SAP’s current clients are also encouraged to migrate to S/4HANA because the previous versions of SAP will no longer be supported from 2027.

Digital transformation is a complicated process, that’s why SAP has developed two options — GROW with SAP and RISE with SAP — to help businesses successfully move to and adopt S/4HANA. While these services do share many similarities, they are still different and cater to different audiences.

In this post, we’ll explore the difference between GROW with SAP and RISE with SAP to help you make the best choice for your business's digital transformation.

GROW with SAP Overview

GROW with SAP is an ERP adoption solution by SAP that is tailored for medium-sized businesses transitioning from traditional ERP systems for the first time (i.e., greenfield approach users). It’s designed to streamline the implementation process, providing services, solutions, and resources to ensure a smooth transition.

GROW with SAP was launched in 2023 and is a public cloud-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution that facilitates rapid and standardized ERP deployment.

GROW with SAP is built on the SAP S/4HANA Cloud public edition and integrates artificial intelligence alongside industry best practices developed over decades.

This offering is ideal for companies new to cloud ERP implementation, i.e., “greenfield” approach users. The solution has preconfigured features that enable companies to quickly implement the SAP S/4HANA Cloud public edition with minimal customization. GROW with SAP also incorporates the SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP), which allows businesses to optimize their operations by combining analytics, application development, automation, integrations, and AI.

Key features

GROW with SAP has a set of specific features that make it the best choice for implementing S/4HANA for the first time, such as:

• Preconfigured standard processes. GROW with SAP has prebuilt workflows that ensure quick and easy implementation of the SAP S/4HANA Cloud public edition. These features are built on years of industry expertise, ensuring a seamless transition with minimal customization.
• AI integration and industry best practices. By integrating AI, the solution enhances business processes and decision-making. Leveraging decades of industry-specific best practices, it aims to improve operational efficiency and streamline workflows.
• Fast adoption with minimal IT involvement. GROW with SAP is designed for businesses that want to adopt ERP solutions without heavy reliance on IT teams. The standardized processes and comprehensive support ensure a swift adoption experience.
• Access to SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP). GROW with SAP users can benefit from the capabilities of SAP BTP, which offers tools for analytics, application development, automation, integration, and AI, allowing businesses to optimize their processes.

Use cases

GROW with SAP is perfect for businesses seeking a quick, cost-effective cloud ERP deployment with standardized solutions. It is especially beneficial for companies in growth stages looking to enhance overall processes and boost development. This package offering is well-suited for mid-sized businesses and scale-ups requiring an out-of-the-box ERP system that supports rapid adoption with minimal effort.

RISE with SAP Overview

RISE with SAP is a comprehensive ERP implementation solution designed to help big enterprises transfer from traditional on-premise ERP systems to the cloud without compromising data security or operational integrity. This all-in-one solution combines customized ERP capabilities, transformative services, expert guidance, and powerful business analytics to create a tailored pathway to adopting SAP S/4HANA Cloud, specifically the public edition.

Launched in 2021, RISE with SAP is a subscription-based offering from SAP aimed at helping both new and existing SAP customers move to the cloud. The service provides flexible cloud options — both public and private — ensuring a customized approach to adopting SAP S/4HANA Cloud.

The focus of RISE with SAP is to accelerate growth and improve revenue by integrating industry-specific best practices. Its implementation methodology enables businesses to quickly understand, refine, and optimize their processes, ensuring scalability and efficiency. By using RISE with SAP, companies benefit from continuous insights that empower sustainable process improvement and transformation.

Key features

Here are some of the key features of RISE with SAP:

• End-to-end migration and implementation services. RISE with SAP provides a complete range of services for migrating legacy ERP systems to the cloud, including data migration, system conversion, and integration, ensuring a seamless transition.
• Tailored ERP customization (Private cloud). Unlike GROW with SAP, RISE with SAP offers greater flexibility in customizing ERP solutions. It enables businesses to configure the system according to their unique needs, supporting complex business models and industry-specific processes.
• Access to SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP). RISE with SAP provides access to SAP BTP, empowering businesses to build their own extensions, integrations, and innovative applications to drive digital transformation.
• Advanced financial and sustainability management. The solution includes cutting-edge tools for financial management and sustainability initiatives, helping businesses optimize their financial workflows and align operations with environmental goals.

Use cases

RISE with SAP is perfect for large organizations with complex needs, regulated industries that require private cloud options, and businesses aiming to modernize while preserving their existing ERP investments. It’s an ideal choice for companies looking to implement a holistic digital transformation strategy that encompasses cloud migration, business process optimization, and sustainability initiatives.

Deployment

Let’s compare SAP GROW vs RISE in terms of deployment options.

GROW with SAP, being more predefined and less customizable, is only available for the Public Cloud edition. This eventually allows for faster adoption and implementation.

RISE with SAP offers both Public and Private Cloud editions. The public cloud could be a better option for greenfield implementation scenarios, while the Private cloud offers higher customization options and is the perfect choice for organizations with strict security and compliance standards.

Regardless of the offering and the deployment method, organizations will have access to all the necessary SAP S/4HANA Cloud features that facilitate further digital transformation and ensure business continuity.

Customization

It would not be true to say that GROW with SAP is not customizable at all. On the contrary, it is a highly adaptable cloud solution that can be tailored to fit various businesses in various industries, such as healthcare, manufacturing, retail, etc. Still, there’s a difference between GROW with SAP and RISE with SAP in terms of customization and agility.

GROW with SAP has more standardized and preconfigured processes, all designed to ensure rapid deployment and less complicated settings. Designed for small and medium businesses, GROW with SAP does not need extensive customization options, as the functionality and features are powerful enough to ensure business digital transformation and further cloud technology adoption.

RISE with SAP, being designed for bigger enterprises with complex operations, allows for high customizability and offers tailored solutions. This lets companies create an ERP environment that would meet the most specific operational needs and industry requirements. Flexible configuration options let you integrate SAP S/4HANA with other tools and technologies that are vital for your business, thus being the perfect solution for any environment and industry.

Implementation Time

Comparing SAP GROW vs RISE in terms of implementation time, the difference is quite notable.

While every implementation case is individual and overall time depends on business complexity and legacy landscapes, GROW with SAP needs significantly less time for implementation due to the pre-configured solutions and public cloud specifics. Usually, SAP GROW could be rolled out within weeks, allowing SMEs to shift to a new ERP system quickly.

RISE with SAP implementation may take months. This happens because of multiple customization settings, the initial complexity of big enterprises’ processes, the amount of transferred data, and individual business regulations.

Cost and Resources

In terms of implementation costs, GROW with SAP is definitely less expensive than RISE with SAP. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be affordable to SMEs. Let’s take a closer look at SAP GROW vs RISE cost differences.

GROW with SAP minimizes initial costs due to predefined standard solutions and SaaS models, leading to lower TCO (total cost of ownership). GROW with SAP is available in two editions, Base (for basic SAP S/4HANA Public cloud adoption and process automation) and Premium (for further enrichment and advanced business growth capabilities). Users can always pick optional add-ons, like treasury management or manufacturing execution, to add the custom features they need in the specific industry.

RISE with SAP implementation may take months. This happens because of multiple customization settings, the initial complexity of big enterprises’ processes, the amount of transferred data, and individual business regulations.

Consequently, GROW with SAP requires less implementation resources and IT support. RISE with SAP is far more resource-intensive yet highly customizable and offers advanced enterprise-scale functionalities.

The table below will guide you through the key differences between SAP GROW and RISE so you can make an informed choice.

Conclusion

Both GROW with SAP and RISE with SAP are tailored to cater to SAP S/4HANA Cloud ERP adoption and offer powerful functionalities. Still, they are designed for different types of clients and help reach different business goals. Whatever option you choose for your business, DataLark can help you ensure a smooth data transition and successful implementation.