The latest edition of SAP’s popular business suite, SAP RISE, promises to help businesses transition to the cloud with ease. Thanks to SAP’s powerful ERP capabilities, organizations can achieve the efficiency needed to thrive in a competitive business environment. However, like any other technological tool, SAP RISE comes with its set of challenges—that is where SAP RISE with managed services, comes in.
Instead of going about this transition on your own with patchy understanding, a dedicated and experienced partner is the right way forward. It can help you with everything from compliance to foolproof implementation of SAP RISE.
Read our guide to learn about SAP RISE with managed services, why it is a good choice, and the best practices for implementing it.
What is SAP RISE With Managed Services?
In order to fully grasp SAP RISE With Managed Services, it is critical to know the basics of ERP and SAP S/4HANA first.
What is an ERP?
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) refers to software that companies use to manage their activities efficiently, such as project management, accounting, procurement, compliance, and much more. If a firm buys a comprehensive ERP system, it also includes the management of financials, budgeting, forecasting, and the like.
ERP systems have become increasingly popular over the years because they provide a single source of truth. Instead of managing business processes at multiple points, ERP provides a single source for connecting them and ensures smooth data flow. These days, ERP systems are being used by both small and large organizations and are essential to their day-to-day operations.
What is S/4HANA?
S/4HANA is an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software developed by SAP. It is based on the SAP HANA in-memory database (which means it uses RAM instead of disk space), allowing companies to do transactions and analyze data much faster. Pulling out data from the RAM is much quicker than pulling it out from the SSD, which is why SAP developed this system.
SAP’s S/4HANA is the fourth generation of this software, following SAP ECC. It has brought several innovative functionalities like a more simplified data model, a role-based user interface, and a more process-focused system. Another systematic change in this new system is the easy integration of other SAP-based solutions.
Understanding SAP RISE
The SAP RISE or RISE With SAP is a new, intelligent solution by SAP to help businesses transition from SAP S/4HANA to SAP S/4 HANA Cloud. It works on the Business Transformation as a Service (BTaaS) model and provides businesses with the tools and resources needed to adopt a cloud infrastructure for better outcomes. SAP has recently announced the inclusion of an AI copilot, which means more opportunities for exploring the role of AI in IoT devices for manufacturers.
SAP RISE is a complete package that comes with various data analytics tools and transformation services to help companies switch to an innovative cloud-based system. It provides a much better way for businesses to assess the efficiency of various processes and integrate their previous SAP solutions. Users can transfer their previous data to this new system without losing anything.
SAP cloud platform services have captured a decent chunk of the market and will reach the size of $7.2 billion by 2034, which speaks volumes about their popularity and utility.
Alt Text: Cost and Cloud drive SAP RISE’s popularity.
Let’s look at some of the best functionalities and features of SAP Rise.
1. SAP S/4HANA Cloud
SAP S/4HANA is the company’s leading business software with various applications to help businesses optimize their financial supply chains and other initiatives. RISE with SAP provides the whole framework and the right resources for any company to move from legacy systems to the new cloud system. While doing so, SAP deploys AI and machine learning tools to ensure the efficiency and accuracy of data transfer.
2. SAP Business Technology Platform
The SAP Business Technology Platform (BPT) works as a Platform as a Service (PaaS) tool to help businesses optimize data analytics, improve database management, integrate both SAP and non-SAP solutions, and provide valuable insights across teams. SAP BPT is responsible for integrating all tools and applications to drive better outcomes and ensure maximum growth.
3. SAP Business Network Starter Pack
The SAP Business Network Starter Pack connects companies with their business partners, vendors, carriers, and the like to enhance knowledge transfer and data visibility. It is an excellent tool for companies to access a variety of suppliers and manage inventory, which ultimately leads to better business performance.
4. SAP Business Process Intelligence (BPI)
RISE with SAP has seven core capabilities:
- Analyze: Thorough analysis of system data, a clear understanding of how users work within a system, and identifying areas where things need improvement.
- Design: Using the existing business data to design and run business simulations, charting the best path forward.
- Improve: Increase efficiency and data accuracy by using artificial intelligence and automation.
- Deploy: Creating a single source of truth by combining all documentation and promoting team collaboration.
- Monitor: Identify operational gaps in the current system and suggest valuable changes.
- Manage: Enhance collaboration on core business processes by viewing them in a centralized management area.
- Benchmark: Use comparative analysis for business operations and suggest improvements.
5. Embedded Tools and Services
From data analytics to business scenario planning, SAP S/4HANA provides all the resources a company needs to switch to the Cloud. SAP S/4HANA has advanced embedded tools like the Asset Intelligence Network and Logistics Business Network that can help advance your business goals. The embedded services are also excellent if you need more support regarding migration and implementation.
Understanding SAP RISE With Managed Services
SAP RISE is a relatively new and innovative tool that demands a major cultural and technological shift in an organization. It is unsurprising that not all organizations have the technical capacity to deal with this change and need someone to guide them through this turbulent process. That is where ZirkelTech SAP Managed Shared Services becomes part of the picture.
We are pioneers in the SAP space with class-leading expertise in the SAP Analytics Cloud and SAP RISE. Our SAP RISE Managed Services bring 35-45% faster performance, 50-60% reduced instances of downtimes, and 100% compliance, thanks to advanced security and monitoring.
Here are the core features of our SAP Managed Services:
1. SAP Application Management
- We monitor all of your SAP applications to ensure that problems do not hamper your business activities.
- Even if a troublesome incident occurs, we are always there to tackle it head-on. As a result, we ensure minimal disruption to your business.
- We do regular performance testing to keep your SAP applications running at full throttle so you get the best performance.
2. SAP Infrastructure Management
- We keep your SAP RISE environment running smoothly with perfect optimization.
- Don’t worry about losing your data; we back it up completely.
- We keep your SAP system up-to-date with regular patches and updates.
3. Security & Compliance Management
- As a cloud system, your SAP RISE is always at risk of cyber threats, and we are always ready to take them down.
- We know the ins and outs of all regulatory frameworks, so you can sit back while we handle the compliance space.
- ZirkelTech protects your sensitive data by installing foolproof identity checks and access controls.
4. Optimization and Innovation Management
- We identify the inefficiencies hampering your system, remove them, and make it more productive.
- We provide tailored solutions to your unique business environment and needs so that you stay ahead of the competition.
- You have invested in SAP to produce results, and we ensure you get them by developing a comprehensive roadmap.
5. Insightful Reporting
- ZirkelTech believes in transparency, which is why we produce reports that accurately gauge the performance of your SAP system and identify weaknesses.
- Our reporting leads to a constant evolution of your business to align with the ever-evolving SAP system.
SAP RISE with Managed Services: Major Benefits
SAP RISE is a highly popular product that becomes even more effective with managed services. Here are its major benefits.
1. Developing a Strategic Focus
It is true that SAP Cloud is highly beneficial for your business, but you need expertise to gain that benefit and make the most of this fast-paced digital environment. SAP Cloud has many intricate and time-consuming tasks, and you wouldn’t want your best team members to be consumed by them. However, with managed SAP RISE services, you can forget to worry about the day-to-day management of this system.
2. Better Efficiency
SAP RISE management services ensure that your applications are constantly monitored for performance and issue detection. When errors are identified on time, the support team from the management service works to remove them and keep the system running smoothly. According to IDC, thanks to the better efficiencies of SAP HANA, businesses achieved revenue gains of $34.1 million per organization.
3. Flexibility and Scalability
Quality SAP RISE management services are highly flexible and accommodate evolving business needs in their strategy—increasing data volumes, adding more functionalities, or supporting more users. In addition, it also becomes much easier to integrate third-party applications into your system and make the most of your investments.
4. Integrated Digital Twin Solutions
The combination of SAP and digital twins becomes an excellent tool for data analysis and testing the system through various conditions. Those working in the manufacturing sector know how digital twins draw data from the real world and inform businesses how well they are performing and where they need adjustments. SAP professionals can take this data, analyze it, and directly adjust the SAP RISE strategy.
Common Challenges (Potholes) with SAP RISE with Managed Services
Here are some of the biggest challenges organizations face when implementing SAP RISE.
Alt Text: Challenges with SAP HANA migration.
1. Implementation Complexity
Implementing SAP RISE with managed services is often daunting for organizations transitioning from legacy systems. The complexity arises because SAP’s cloud-based solutions must be integrated precisely with existing IT infrastructure. Misaligned expectations, lack of technical expertise, and inefficient planning can result in a prolonged implementation timeline.
5. Limited Customization
SAP RISE with managed services, offers standardized solutions to various industries, which can come at the cost of organization or industry-specific customizations. Businesses with unique operational requirements can find these generic solutions inadequate. This is not to say that customization isn’t possible, but it does require additional investment that everyone might not be able to accommodate.
Use Cases of Digital Twins in Manufacturing with SAP RISE
Digital twins are virtual or digital replicas of physical machines or systems. Manufacturers use various sensors to bring various parts and processes of a real-world machine to the digital world and study its performance in detail. This helps them understand a machine much better, study its various parts and how they interact with each other, design better maintenance strategies, and more.
Alt Text: Most manufacturers plan to use digital twins.
The use of digital twins in manufacturing is already making a mark in various industries and will continue to be disruptive. When paired with SAP RISE, digital twins can be a powerful tool for anyone thinking about implementing industrial IoT for efficient manufacturing.
Let’s look at some of these aspects and understand the true impact of the SAP RISE + digital twins combination.
1. Predictive Maintenance
By creating a virtual replica of machinery, manufacturers can monitor real-time data on their screens and predict potential issues before they occur. Advanced analytics and machine learning models are integrated with SAP RISE to analyze historical and live data to identify patterns that signal wear and tear. This approach minimizes unplanned downtimes, extends asset lifespans, and significantly reduces maintenance costs.
Alt Text: Predictive maintenance has several benefits.
2. Production Optimization
With SAP RISE and digital twin technology, manufacturers can simulate different production scenarios and pick the most efficient ones. Digital twins provide a holistic view of the production environment to enable real-time performance tracking. By analyzing key metrics, manufacturers can streamline operations, identify bottlenecks, and utilize resources more efficiently. Integrating IoT data and SAP’s intelligent cloud solutions is worth mentioning here, as it lets manufacturers adapt quickly to changing market demands.
3. Supply Chain Efficiency
Digital twins with SAP RISE provide end-to-end visibility and predictive insights to enhance supply chain efficiency. Manufacturers can create digital representations of their supply chain, enabling them to monitor inventory levels, track shipments, and predict future disruptions. Similarly, by leveraging real-time data and advanced analytics, businesses can optimize logistics and reduce lead times.
Best Practices for Implementing SAP RISE with Managed Services
It is time to learn the best practices for implementing SAP RISE with managed services.
Step 1: Define Clear Objectives
Before embarking on implementing SAP RISE with managed services, organizations should establish clear goals and KPIs. You should already know about the business challenges you want to address with SAP, whether they are better scalability or streamlining operations. Clear objectives mean alignment across teams and provide a roadmap for measuring the success of SAP RISE implementation.
Step 2: Conduct a Readiness Assessment
Determine the organizational readiness for adopting SAP RISE by conducting a thorough assessment of the existing IT infrastructure, processes, and skills. This assessment helps identify gaps in your organization, evaluate the compatibility of your current system with the cloud environment, and prioritize areas that need optimization. It also helps plan a smooth transition and avoid unforeseen challenges in SAP RISE implementation.
Step 3: Choose the Right Implementation Partner
Selecting an experienced implementation partner can make or break SAP RISE with managed services. Look for a partner with a proven track record, extensive expertise in SAP solutions, and a deep understanding of the industry and its evolution. A reliable partner is crucial because it provides technical guidance, ensures best practices, and mitigates risk during SAP RISE implementation.
Step 4: Prioritize Data Migration and Security
Data migration is one of the most critical aspects of SAP RISE implementation. Your data should be accurate and clean before being transferred to the new environment. Additionally, you should prioritize robust security measures to protect sensitive information. You can leverage SAP’s built-in security features and establish governance protocols to maintain compliance with industry regulations.
Take Productivity to the Next Level With SAP RISE With Managed Ser
SAP RISE with managed services, has the potential to transform your organization’s performance and productivity. With the right managing partner, you can kickstart your business’s cloud era without worrying about day-to-day operations.
While many SAP RISE managers are on the market, one name that stands out is ZirkelTech. When it comes to digitally transforming mid-sized organizations, you can trust and confidently rely on us. We offer managed shared services of SAP S/4 HANA at unbeatable prices, no matter which industry you are in.
So, contact us today and join the digital transformation happening in business.
FAQs
What is SAP RISE with Managed Services?
SAP RISE with managed services is a cloud-based service that helps businesses move from an on-premise system to a cloud-based one. It provides tools and services that help businesses optimize their cloud ERP.
How does SAP RISE benefit manufacturing businesses?
SAP RISE can be combined with digital twins to provide businesses with a comprehensive digital framework. This combination can help an organization study the ins and outs of its system using advanced AI and machine learning algorithms.
What challenges can I expect during implementation?
Some of the challenges that arise when implementing SAP RISE are:
- Cost and budget overruns
- Customization limitations
- Implementation delays
- Dependency on the SAP RISE Managed Services
How secure is SAP RISE with Managed Services?
SAP RISE with managed services is a highly secure system that uses robust cloud infrastructure and continuously monitors security. It also ensures that your organization stays compliant with regulations while using SAP RISE.