When a global distributor signed up for RISE with SAP, the promise was enticing: faster innovation, fewer headaches, and a cloud-first future. But six months in, their optimism gave way to frustration. Confusion over service responsibilities, incompatible legacy processes, and unclear change management roles created bottlenecks. RISE didn’t fail them – but their approach to it did.
RISE with SAP is a powerful framework – but it’s not a shortcut. Without clear alignment, readiness, and expert guidance, businesses risk turning a transformation opportunity into a drawn-out ordeal.
CIOs are being sold the dream of seamless transformation. But the reality often includes:
- Misunderstanding what RISE covers – and what it doesn’t.
- Ill-prepared internal teams.
- Legacy customisations that complicate cloud migration.
- Underestimating integration needs – especially with SAP BTP.
RISE is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Without tailored strategy, it becomes a complex project with an ambiguous ROI.
The secret to a successful RISE transformation?
Strategic fit and informed execution. Instead of diving in, organisations need to step back. Assess where RISE brings the most value, identify gaps in capability, and create a roadmap with experienced SAP partners.
When done right, RISE becomes more than just a contract – it’s a lever for real business agility.
What can your business do NOW?
Run a Readiness Assessment
Look at process maturity, data quality, and current infrastructure. Identify what needs to change before RISE can deliver value.
Clarify Roles and Responsibilities
Establish who owns what between SAP, your internal team, and external partners. Document this clearly.
Plan for BTP Integration
SAP BTP is not optional – it’s essential for extensibility and innovation. Make it part of your RISE plan from day one.
Rationalise Customisations
Clean up the past before moving to the future. Redundant or overly complex custom code can derail your RISE journey.
Invest in Change Management
Equip your teams for the journey ahead. RISE affects more than IT – it reshapes how the business operates.
The distributor eventually found success with RISE – not by expecting it to fix everything, but by taking ownership of their transformation journey. RISE isn’t magic. But with the right preparation and a grounded strategy, it can be the launchpad for faster, leaner, and smarter operations. The question isn’t whether to use RISE – it’s how to make it work for you.