Migrating to RISE with SAP® is often celebrated as the final hurdle in a company’s digital transformation journey. Yet, what comes after the migration is equally critical for unlocking the full potential of your SAP environment. Success isn’t just about moving to the cloud; it’s about rethinking how your business operates in this new landscape.
RISE with SAP offers a scalable, cloud-based infrastructure that can drive operational efficiency and foster innovation. But these benefits require a shift in mindset and strategy. Businesses must adapt their processes to fully embrace the flexibility and capabilities of a cloud environment – managing the new SAP system in the same way as before risks underutilising its true power.
RISE simplifies infrastructure management by handling core cloud services such as data storage and networking. However, operational tasks such as performance tuning, system monitoring, and customisation management remain your responsibility. Ensuring optimal performance requires clearly defined division of work between SAP, your internal IT team, and any managed-services providers.
Many businesses discover new challenges after migration. Tasks previously handled in-house may now require specialised expertise to be executed effectively in a cloud environment. For instance, optimising custom workflows or automation routines often falls on your IT team or external partners.
To maximize the benefits of RISE, businesses should partner with experts like EPI-USE Labs to divide operational responsibilities, reduce IT burdens, and focus on strategic initiatives.
A key best practice for RISE is moving toward a “clean core”, which reduces technical debt by minimising customisations. While this simplifies upgrades and system maintenance, it can feel restrictive for businesses reliant on tailored processes. It’s important to note that achieving a clean core is a goal that businesses should work toward over time, rather than expecting it to happen immediately. For many businesses, customisations still play a significant role during their transition.
SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) enables businesses to build custom extensions without modifying the core system. This approach ensures flexibility while maintaining upgrade-friendly operations. For example, businesses with unique regulatory needs can develop custom solutions on BTP, preserving agility without compromising the clean core.
The cloud environment brings new challenges in compliance and data governance, particularly in regulated industries such as finance and healthcare. While SAP ensures secure infrastructure, businesses remain responsible for meeting specific regulatory requirements, such as GDPR or HIPAA.
Establishing robust data-governance frameworks is essential. Clear policies on data access, security, and sharing can prevent costly compliance failures. Real-time visibility into data through SAP’s cloud tools also supports better compliance monitoring and reporting. For instance, ensuring data sovereignty for sensitive information stored in specific regions is crucial for global businesses.
For further insights on compliance and data governance, check out this article on RISE with SAP data refreshes and DPA compliance.
Post-migration, RISE provides powerful tools for real-time insights and automation. Advanced monitoring solutions, for example, enable proactive issue resolution, transforming how businesses manage their SAP environments. However, without proper configuration and expertise, these tools are often underutilised.
Managed services providers can help configure these tools, set automated alerts, and ensure that actionable insights drive continuous improvement. This proactive approach reduces downtime and enhances performance, ensuring that your SAP system operates at peak efficiency.
Migration to RISE is not the finish line but the starting point of ongoing transformation. Businesses that thrive are those that embrace continuous improvement – regularly reviewing system performance, adopting new features, and refining processes.
EPI-USE Labs can help you navigate this journey, ensuring that your SAP environment evolves with your business needs. With our expert guidance and managed services, you can unlock the full potential of RISE and position your business for lasting success.
Learn how to optimise your SAP RISE journey today.
With over 19 years of experience, Bradley is a technology consultant who enjoys focusing on platform, application and migration techniques. He has an in-depth understanding of on-premises, cloud-based and hybridised solutions, and has been involved in many successful implementations, migrations, carve-outs and upgrades. He also has extensive experience of leading Basis teams in technical projects.