Data management and scalability: the key lies in customization

Digital transformation is a key challenge for many companies. With "Rise with SAP", SAP is pursuing the goal of helping companies to
to the cloud and optimize processes at the same time. The use of technologies such as generative AI (SAP Joule), business process management (SAP Signavio) and the central Business Technology Platform (BTP) offers new opportunities. Nevertheless, many SAP customers are still faced with unanswered questions and challenges.

Challenges at Rise

Despite the numerous advantages of a cloud-based ERP solution, companies are often faced with key tasks that require careful consideration. One crucial aspect is the cost factor: companies need to ask themselves how the operating costs of such a solution can be justified and which financial benefits outweigh the costs in the long term.

Another important topic is data management. As non-alienated copies of productive data are often no longer permitted, the question arises as to how test data can still be used sensibly. The long-term profitability of programs such as Rise with SAP also raises questions: Is the investment worthwhile for your own company and will it bring sustainable benefits?

Data migration is also a critical point. Companies need to evaluate which strategies and technical options enable efficient migration to the private cloud without jeopardizing business processes. There are also questions of licensing and scalability: which models are not only attractive in the short term, but also make sense in the long term and are flexible enough to grow with the company's requirements?

These challenges show that a cloud-based ERP strategy must be carefully considered in order to offer a future-proof solution both economically and technically.

Cost optimization under Rise

A frequently discussed aspect is the cost structure. The size of the database has a significant influence on license costs. Targeted optimization, for example by reducing historical data, can help here.

Many companies opt for a one-to-one copy of their system to the cloud (brownfield approach). This often overlooks the fact that specialized solutions, such as Epi-Use's DSM suite, make it possible to exclude inactive company codes and reduce historical data in a targeted manner. This can reduce the size of the database by over 50 percent, resulting in direct savings in license costs. The original source system can then be transferred to an archive system, such as Archive Central.

Cost factor Q-systems

Another cost factor concerns the so-called Q systems, which are given the same size as the production system in terms of licensing. Storage requirements can be reduced by using selective data copies. For example, a P system with 1.5 TB storage could be reduced to 500 GB for the Q system through a selective client copy with a time cut. This would create additional storage space, which in turn could be used for further system copies - an economical alternative to the expensive purchase of additional sandbox systems.
In its contracts, SAP prohibits the use of unalienated production data in test environments. One solution is to anonymize sensitive information. With tools such as "Data Secure", test data can be consistently anonymized without compromising its quality for test scenarios.

In this way, data security is maintained while companies can continue to carry out realistic tests. This is particularly relevant for sensitive information such as component designations or personal data.

The combination of client copies and alienation ensures that no sensitive data is transferred to test systems in an uncontrolled manner. At the same time, data consistency is maintained across system boundaries - a crucial factor for complex IT landscapes.

Rise with SAP offers companies the opportunity to scale their systems flexibly. This applies not only to the infrastructure, but also to the modular expansion of functions within the SAP environment. By using SAP BTP as a central integration platform, existing systems can be connected with new technologies and adapted to changing business processes. Another crucial question is the choice between public and private cloud. While public cloud solutions are particularly attractive for medium-sized companies with standardized processes, the private cloud offers greater control and individual customization options. Companies should carefully consider which model is best for their requirements.

Is Rise with SAP worth it?

The answer to this depends on the individual requirements of a company. As a SaaS model, Rise with SAP offers a flexible and future-oriented solution. With the right optimization approaches, not only can the benefits of the model be exploited, but costs can also be reduced in the long term and compliance requirements met.

The gradual migration to the cloud can be facilitated by structured methods. Solutions such as "System Builder" enable a targeted transfer of system components. First, a new target system is installed before master and transaction data is selectively migrated. Tools such as "Object-Sync" or "Client-Sync" offer flexible customization options to streamline systems and prepare them efficiently for the cloud environment.

Conclusion

The introduction of Rise with SAP brings challenges, but these can be solved through targeted optimization. A careful data strategy, combined with the right tools, enables companies to drive their digital transformation, reduce costs and meet regulatory requirements. The key lies in customization - making Rise with SAP a sustainable investment in the future.

Companies that develop a clear strategy for data migration, license optimization and scalability at an early stage can benefit from the cloud transformation in the long term and secure competitive advantages.

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