In the context of today’s digital environment, companies of every size are trying to adopt advanced ERP systems that bring flexibility, scalability, and strength. SAP has already provided a solution by offering bespoke cloud transformation packages to cater to specific business requirements. GROW with SAP and RISE with SAP are the two flagship offerings in this category, both revolving around the SAP S/4HANA Cloud; however, each aims at different customer groups with distinct transformation journeys.
For effective strategic decisions regarding ERP systems, understanding the differences between GROW with SAP and RISE with SAP is imperative. To assist businesses in determining the best approach for their organization, this article discusses the core differences and adoption scenarios along with comprehensive benefits associated with either offering.
Prior to analyzing GROW and RISE, we need to examine the underpinning of those solutions. SAP solutions touts its SAP S/4HANA Cloud as next-generation Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) that features real-time data analytics, self-learning automation, seamless system integration, and many more. It also has two primary versions:
- SAP S/4HANA Cloud, Public Edition: a SaaS-based offering featuring predefined implementation timelines, smooth and fast setup, and a one-size-saves-all approach.
- SAP S/HANA Cloud, Private Version: for companies that need some (and not all) customization to take advantage of cloud benefits, their own touch in its environment.
GROW and RISE run on SAP S/4HANA Cloud but reach different customer segments along the transformation journey with different needs vis-à-vis the cloud.
What GROW with SAP Offers
GROW with SAP is a SAP software solution initiative designed exclusively for mid-size companies and initial SAP customers. SAP S/4HANA Cloud + Public Edition — built on top of SAP’s own HANA Cloud infrastructure, optimized for fast roll-out and quick time-to-value.
GROW with SAP Features
- Standard Best Practices: GROW comes with industry-specific suggested best practices so you can start running almost straight out of the box using little or no customization.
- Built-in AI and Automation: Using smarter decision-making through embedded AI, machine learning and predictive analytics.
- Time to value: is heavily reduced (weeks instead of months) with accelerated implementation.
- Low Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): It is a SaaS offering which means infrastructure and maintenance costs are gone.
- SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP): BTP is integrated with SAP BTP allowing extensibility, analytics and integration scenarios.
Target Market
- Fresher net-new SAP customers
- Mid-sized enterprises
- Those driven by growth for driving forward without the burden of legacy systems
- Out-of-the-box ERP types that companies are seeking
RISE with SAP Demystified
RISE with SAP is like reinventing — as a service for full-scale business transformation. The difference between GROW with SAP and RISE with SAP is that RISE targets mid-market companies and existing AWS customers looking to migrate on-premises applications into the cloud.
It is available with both variants of SAP S/4HANA Cloud, Public and Private Edition — gives more flexibility to customize.
SAP Key Features in RISE with SAP
- Business Transformation as a Service: End-to-End ERP (including infrastructure and tools) + service.
- Cloud go-to-market: Customers can pick out which hypervisor (i.e. AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) and Deployment model
- Tools for Legacy Migration: Break out of the box and provide the capacity to convert on-premise ECC systems into SAP S/4HANA keeping your customizations intact.
- SAP BTP and Industry Cloud: Native Integration with SAP BTP, Industry Cloud, and partner solutions
- Automation, Process Discovery & Optimization: Tools such as SAP Signavio for further iterating business processes
Ideal Customer Profile
- Large enterprises
- On-premise SAP ECC or SAP S/4HANA customers
- Environments that are complex or heavily customized
- Intended for enterprises wanting control over the transformation journey
GROW vs. RISE With SAP: Feature Comparison
| Features | GROW with SAP | RISE with SAP |
| Target Customer | Net-new SAP customers, mid-sized firms | Existing SAP customers, large enterprises |
| Deployment Model | SAP S/4HANA Cloud, Public Edition | Public and Private Editions supported |
| Customization | Limited customization | Extensive customization possible |
| Implementation Time | Fast (weeks) | Moderate to long (months) |
| Infrastructure Choice | Managed by SAP | Customer selects preferred hyperscaler |
| Business Process Intelligence | Included via standard tooling | Includes SAP Signavio suite |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Lower due to SaaS model | Varies based on scope and complexity |
| Migration Support | Not designed for legacy migration | Full support for ECC to S/4HANA migration |
| Integration with SAP BTP | Standard integration | Full extensibility and integration |
| Partner Ecosystem | Smaller, simplified partner options | Extensive partner network and support |
When to Say Yes to GROW with SAP
GROW with SAP is something you should think about if
- You are a hyper-scaling business or just making the switch to digital ERP.
- You are looking for a tried and proven ERP model with standardization, not bogged down by heavy IT.
- Speed over customization, simplicity is more critical than ever.
- You want a SaaS-based solution that fits in subscription model.
Is Your Business Ready to RISE? Here’s When to Choose It
You should be considering RISE with SAP if
- You are an existing customer of SAP ECC or S/4HANA cloud on-premises.
- You are developers, such as a migration train with extra help and road-mapping.
- Your ERP landscape is complicated and grossly customized.
- You cannot wait for the ability to choose your cloud infrastructure and slowly transform.
Think Well Before You Make The Right Choice!
GROW and RISE with SAP always talk about cloud ERP as well as digital transformation from the SAP perspective. Their motivation is however not the same, and so are their respective execution methods as well as their intended audiences. GROW with SAP is the efficient, standardized option ideal for net-new customers or the mid-size market. RISE with SAP, meanwhile, once again exhibits a cross-cutting package and is open for customization that is better suited to legacy SAP customers with very complex transformations.
Your business size, current environment, industry needs, and transformation goals will dictate which to pick. Both serve the power of SAP S/4HANA Cloud and will set both offerings towards a more intelligent, agile & future-ready enterprise, regardless of which path you go.
Uneecops’ GROW with SAP and RISE with SAP S/4HANA Services
At Uneecops, we empower businesses of all sizes to embrace the future of ERP with our end-to-end services for GROW with SAP and RISE with SAP S/4HANA. As a leading SAP partner in India, we help you choose the right cloud ERP path based on your business goals, size, and industry needs. Uneecops helps you implement GROW with SAP quickly and cost-effectively—with preconfigured best practices, rapid deployment, and industry-specific expertise to fuel scalable growth. For large enterprises and complex digital transformation projects, Uneecops delivers RISE with SAP—an all-in-one solution that bundles ERP, cloud infrastructure, business process intelligence, and transformation services. With SAP S/4HANA Cloud (Private or Public Edition) at its core, RISE with SAP offers the flexibility, control, and innovation enterprises need to future-proof their operations.
Whether you’re looking to scale fast with GROW or drive enterprise-wide transformation with RISE, Uneecops is your trusted partner for a smooth, guided journey to SAP S/4HANA Cloud.
GROW or RISE – Let Us Help You Piece It Together
