SAP Transition Option

Conversion versus Transition with RISE with SAP

To achieve the goal of a cloud ERP system as part of the new Business Suite 7 plus, either as a public or private cloud edition, SAP customers will need to embark on a "RISE or GROW" journey. The problem with that is: "The RISE product is not necessarily 'more cloud' than an SAP system already running on a cloud infrastructure, as SAP itself admits. It therefore needs to be consistently developed into a unified operating model for all SAP services used. A high degree of integrability into the existing operating and service processes of the user companies is therefore an important success factor," says Sebastian Westphal, Chief Technology Officer of DSAG.

It is particularly important for midsize companies to be able to operate their enterprise architectures comprehensively and uniformly. From the perspective of the German-speaking SAP user association DSAG, it is important that the "RISE Migration and Modernization" program launched last year is continued in 2025 under a new name. SAP is expected to make an official announcement in the coming weeks, possibly at Sapphire Orlando. According to the DSAG Investment Report 2025, the program can now be considered established.

The goal of the SAP ERP, Private Edition, Transition Option is to support larger companies with a large number of SAP systems and complex IT infrastructures. These companies are faced with the challenge of migrating their extensive system landscapes to S/4 without negatively impacting or disrupting ongoing business operations. The goal of the SAP Transition Option is to provide companies with a flexible solution for the gradual migration of their IT infrastructure to the cloud and to support them in doing so. To this end, SAP has decided to extend the deadline until 2033.

Transition with RISE with SAP

The SAP Transition Option is subject to certain conditions. First and foremost, a Rise contract must be in place. Additionally, the relevant ERP systems must be migrated to SAP Private Edition by the end of 2030. Hana will be the only database supported. In addition, further adaptations will be necessary, for example if support for third-party ERP software, such as older Java versions, ends. Customers will need to prepare if they want to take advantage of the 2031 transition option.

SAP itself says: "As we approach 2030 and the end of extended maintenance for on-prem SAP ERP systems, this change will become even more important. Continuing to use these systems beyond 2030 will gradually become more difficult and risky".

According to SAP, a key aspect of the ECC maintenance disaster is the fact that third-party products, such as older Java versions, are no longer supported by their respective vendors. Customers with quite large and complex on-prem landscapes with a large number of ERP systems, sometimes in the hundreds, require the flexibility to move any part of their IT landscape to the cloud quickly and flexibly. With this in mind, SAP has developed a new cloud subscription offering: SAP ERP, Private Edition, Transition Option.

ECC Transition Option with SAP

The transition offering is designed to help SAP's largest and most complex customers plan, execute, and implement their Cloud S/4 migration. This new offering is an ERP cloud subscription with SAP ECC 6.0 as the core component. A range of specialized services will support companies in their transformation to cloud ERP. It also supports business continuity with patches for security, regulatory, and software issues.

The transition option will be available for purchase starting in 2028 and for use between 2031 and 2033. SAP will announce this offer in advance, as customers with complex landscapes will need to be notified. This is an additional, non-mandatory offer. Customers who plan to complete their transformation by the end of 2030 will not require it. SAP ERP, Private Edition, Transition Option is for customers who need additional time and support.

SAP surrenders to the ERP market

SAP is capitulating to the complexity of its own customers. The question remains: does SAP still know its own market and what its customers want? This year, the German-speaking SAP User Group (DSAG) again asked companies in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland about their investment plans. Here are the key findings: the general willingness to invest in IT solutions, including SAP solutions, continues to grow. With regard to the ERP solutions Business Suite 7 (old), S/4 On-prem and S/4 Cloud, it is clear that S/4 Hana continues to gain in importance.

When asked about the ERP solutions in use, ECC 6.0 or the old SAP Business Suite 7 was again in the lead with 51percent, followed by S/4 On-prem with 42 percent. The use of S/4 Private Cloud and S/4 Public Cloud is growing significantly. For example, 33 percent rely on private cloud and 13 percent on public cloud. "The results show a clear shift towards cloud solutions. Here, too, this trend reversal must be read against the background of the changed survey structure. It is often large companies whose digital transformation strategy is a reason for migrating to the cloud," summarizes DSAG CEO Jens Hungershausen: "Many larger companies have a company-wide cloud strategy or requirements to modernize IT processes. At the same time, they usually have greater investment power.