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Choosing the Right SAP Solution: A Complete Guide to S/4HANA, RISE with SAP, Business One, and Ariba

Introduction


As businesses around the world accelerate their digital transformation, SAP continues to lead the ERP software market with a diverse portfolio of solutions. Whether you're a multinational corporation, a mid-size enterprise, or a fast-growing startup, there's an SAP product designed to meet your operational and technological needs.

In this guide, we break down the core SAP solutions — including SAP ECC, SAP S/4HANA, SAP Business One, and SAP Ariba — and explore the transformative RISE with SAP offering that’s reshaping how companies adopt cloud ERP.


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SAP's Core ERP Solutions: From ECC to S/4HANA and Beyond


SAP offers a range of ERP platforms tailored to various business sizes and industries. Here's a quick breakdown:

  • SAP ECC – Legacy ERP platform (on-premise, modular, widely adopted).

  • SAP S/4HANA – Next-generation ERP built on the SAP HANA in-memory database.

  • SAP Business One – Lightweight ERP for small to medium businesses (SMBs).

  • SAP Ariba – Cloud-based procurement and supplier collaboration platform.

S/4HANA, in particular, comes in three deployment models:

  • On-Premise

  • Public Cloud

  • Private Cloud (commonly delivered via RISE with SAP)


SAP ECC vs. SAP S/4HANA: Key Differences


Feature

SAP ECC (Legacy ERP)

SAP S/4HANA (Next-Gen ERP)

Database

Any (Oracle, SQL, etc.)

Exclusively SAP HANA (in-memory)

UI

SAP GUI

SAP GUI + Fiori Web UI

Data Model

Redundant, complex

Simplified, real-time

Customization

Very high

High (on-premise), Moderate (cloud)

Upgrades

Manual

Streamlined, cloud-enabled

Support Timeline

Until 2027 (extended to 2030)

Long-term SAP strategic focus

Ideal For

Existing SAP clients needing stability

Companies looking for speed, intelligence, cloud-readiness



What is RISE with SAP? A Business Transformation-as-a-Service Model


RISE with SAP is not just software — it's a complete digital transformation offering.

Instead of purchasing software licenses and managing infrastructure separately, RISE bundles:


  • SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud Edition

  • Cloud infrastructure (AWS, Azure, GCP, or SAP DC)

  • SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) for integration and development

  • SAP Signavio for business process intelligence

  • Migration tools for ECC-to-S/4HANA transition

  • Single contract, single invoice, single point of responsibility

This approach is SAP’s answer to “Business Transformation as a Service” — making ERP modernization faster, more manageable, and fully cloud-enabled.

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RISE with SAP Package Components


Component

Description

S/4HANA Private Cloud

Flexible ERP backbone delivered via cloud, with customization capabilities

SAP BTP

App development, integration, and analytics platform

SAP Signavio

Business process analysis and redesign tools

Cloud Infrastructure

Managed by SAP or hyperscaler partners (IaaS)

Migration Tools

Simplified transition from ECC (Readiness Check, Custom Code Migration)

Single SLA & Contract

Streamlined operations and vendor management



Who Should Consider RISE with SAP?


Business Profile

Why RISE with SAP is Ideal

Companies migrating from ECC with customizations

Seamless transition with custom dev options in Private Cloud

Firms avoiding infrastructure investment

Infrastructure is managed by SAP (IaaS model)

Global rollouts across multiple locations

Centralized architecture, accelerated deployment

Companies with limited IT capacity

SAP handles operations, updates, security

First-time SAP adopters seeking fast deployment

All-in-one package ensures quicker time-to-value



S/4HANA or RISE with SAP — Which One to Choose?


It’s important to note:SAP S/4HANA is a product. RISE with SAP is a service model.

While S/4HANA can be deployed on-premise, in the cloud, or hybrid — RISE with SAP wraps it with tools, infrastructure, services, and managed support.

Ask yourself: “Do we need only an ERP system, or a full-service transformation journey?”

If the answer is the latter, RISE with SAP is the path forward.


Conclusion: The Future of ERP is Intelligent and Cloud-Driven


Whether you're an ECC customer preparing for a 2027+ migration or a fast-scaling business exploring modern ERP for the first time, SAP offers a solution fit for your journey.


  • For maximum control and customization, S/4HANA On-Premise delivers.

  • For agility and simplified operations, RISE with SAP offers the best of cloud ERP.

  • For SMBs, SAP Business One ensures quick and cost-effective ERP adoption.

  • For procurement transformation, SAP Ariba modernizes sourcing and supplier collaboration.


Start with the right strategy. Scale with the right solution.


Thank you for reading!


I hope this article has helped you gain a clearer understanding of SAP solutions and how to approach your ERP transformation journey.Feel free to reach out for any further questions or professional guidance.


Best regards,


Oguzhan VURUSKAN

SAP SD Consultant

 
 
 

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