RISE with SAP vs. GROW with SAP: Understanding the Difference and Choosing the Right Fit

Modern businesses navigate an active digital environment while confronting mounting pressure to innovate their operations and scale their operations while remaining competitive. Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems represent the fundamental infrastructure for digital transformation because they help organizations unite their workflows while optimizing their operations while providing real-time data monitoring. The global ERP software leader SAP provides business-specific solutions through two solutions named RISE with SAP and GROW with SAP provide unmatched capabilities to organizations for success. RISE with SAP and GROW with SAP.

SAP's intelligent cloud ERP powers these solutions but each serves distinct market segments differently. Organizations require knowledge about fundamental distinctions and strategic advantages and planned application areas to determine which solution best suits their individual path to growth.

What is RISE with SAP?

RISE with SAP is a comprehensive, business transformation-as-a-service (BTaaS) offering designed to help large enterprises accelerate their shift to the cloud and reinvent business models. Launched in early 2021, it combines multiple SAP tools, services, and technologies into a single package, providing a unified path for digital transformation.

At its core, RISE with SAP includes:

• SAP S/4HANA Cloud (Public or Private Edition)
• Business Process Intelligence tools
• Technology credits for SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP)
• Embedded analytics and AI
• SAP Business Network access
• Application lifecycle management and support

RISE with SAP enables organizations to reimagine their business processes end-to-end while reducing complexity. It helps companies move from on-premise ERP systems to cloud-based infrastructures with minimal disruption.

What is GROW with SAP?

GROW with SAP, introduced in 2023, is a simplified version of RISE with SAP specifically tailored for midmarket companies and fast-growing businesses. It is designed for organizations that are adopting ERP for the first time or scaling rapidly but don't yet require the extensive customization or infrastructure that larger enterprises might need.

Key components of GROW with SAP include:

• SAP S/4HANA Cloud, Public Edition (pre-configured best practices)
• SAP BTP credits for innovation
• Accelerators and community support
• Onboarding, enablement, and adoption services
• Industry-specific capabilities for selected verticals

GROW with SAP delivers the same intelligent ERP foundation but is more standardized, offering faster implementation, reduced costs, and pre-configured processes suited for businesses looking for rapid time-to-value.

Key Differences Between RISE with SAP and GROW with SAP

Choosing the Right Fit for Your Business

1. Company Size and Complexity

If you are a large enterprise with existing legacy systems, global operations, and complex requirements for compliance, customization, and integration, RISE with SAP is likely the right fit. It provides the flexibility and tools necessary to drive a comprehensive transformation aligned with long-term strategic goals.

For midmarket firms or rapidly scaling businesses that want to implement ERP for the first time or move away from entry-level accounting solutions, GROW with SAP offers a leaner, faster, and more cost-effective path to innovation.

2. Cloud Strategy and Infrastructure

GROW with SAP is designed exclusively for the public cloud, making it ideal for companies looking for a modern, SaaS-based approach with minimal IT overhead. RISE with SAP, on the other hand, offers both public and private cloud deployment options, giving organizations greater control over infrastructure, security, and customization.

3. Customization and Innovation Needs

Businesses with industry-specific requirements, custom-built processes, or integration with multiple third-party systems will benefit from the flexibility of RISE with SAP. The availability of SAP BTP and Business Process Intelligence allows these organizations to tailor solutions to their exact needs.

GROW with SAP offers innovation capabilities too, via BTP credits and prebuilt templates, but with limited scope for deep customization—keeping things simple and standard.

4. Time and Resources

GROW with SAP is built for quick time-to-value, often enabling companies to go live in weeks rather than months. The focus is on accelerated implementation using pre-configured content. This is ideal for companies with limited internal IT resources or tight timelines.

RISE with SAP typically involves a longer journey, including process analysis, transformation design, and change management, often taking several months depending on the complexity and size of the organization.

Strategic Benefits of RISE with SAP

• Business Transformation Focus: Offers tools to analyze, reengineer, and optimize processes before moving to the cloud.
• Full Flexibility: Allows for private or public deployment, third-party integrations, and industry-specific solutions.
• One Contract, One Responsibility: Simplifies vendor management with a single SLA covering infrastructure, software, and support.
• Future-Proofing: Built to support innovation, sustainability, and resilience with continuous upgrades.

Strategic Benefits of GROW with SAP

• Faster Time-to-Value: Streamlined onboarding and pre-configured processes get you up and running quickly.
• Lower TCO (Total Cost of Ownership): Standard cloud offering with predictable subscription pricing.
• Scalable Platform: Designed for scalability as your business grows and evolves.
• Access to Innovation:  Provides access to SAP’s innovation platform and embedded AI/analytics out-of-the-box.

Use Case Scenarios

Example 1: A Global Manufacturer

A multinational manufacturing company with decades of on-premise SAP experience is looking to move to the cloud, integrate subsidiaries, and optimize supply chain visibility. Their processes are highly customized, and they require specific compliance controls across geographies.

Best fit: RISE with SAP

Example 2: A Growing Tech Startup

A SaaS company with 200 employees is expanding internationally. They need to move beyond spreadsheets and basic financial software to a cloud ERP with built-in best practices and the ability to scale quickly.

Best fit: GROW with SAP

SAP BTP: A Common Innovation Layer

Both RISE and GROW offer access to SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP), enabling users to:

• Extend SAP applications with custom capabilities
• Build apps and automations using low-code/no-code tools
• Leverage AI, ML, and analytics
• Integrate with third-party systems

This common layer ensures that regardless of the path chosen, companies can innovate at their own pace and build for the future.

Cloud ERP as the Foundation of Digital Growth

The essential foundation of both RISE and GROW solutions relies on SAP S/4HANA Cloud as SAP's next-generation ERP system. SAP S/4HANA Cloud enables modern user experiences together with embedded artificial intelligence and real-time data processing capabilities for businesses. The fundamental distinction originates from the packaging design and delivery strategies to address different business requirements.

RISE with SAP enables businesses in highly regulated industries or with significant existing IT investments to choose between hybrid or private cloud deployment flexibility. The public cloud advantages drive GROW with SAP since this solution suits small and medium businesses by providing instant implementation through streamlined infrastructure deployment.

Role of SAP Ecosystem and Partners

The success factor for RISE or GROW depends on SAP's comprehensive partner network. Partners help execute implementation projects and deliver support services as they also manage localization efforts and change management activities. Partners who work with RISE with SAP provide dedicated transformation roadmaps alongside industry-specific configuration services and support for complex landscape migrations. The engagements require extended commitment through co-innovation models particularly in cases where SAP needs to integrate their system with existing legacy systems or partner applications.

Partners in GROW with SAP enable rapid platform adoption for businesses experiencing rapid growth through collaboration that reduces implementation expenses. Their tasks involve help with data migration along with new system onboarding and staff training to maintain standard best practices. Through its guided partner framework SAP enables organizations with minimal IT resources to access expert services at costs below extensive ERP implementation expenses.

SAP’s Vision for Modular and Composable ERP

RISE and GROW coexist due to SAP's move to develop a modular technology framework for ERP architecture. Instead of providing one standardized solution SAP allows organizations to customize their ERP system based on their individual requirements. The SAP Business Technology Platform functions as a connective platform for all extensions analytics and integrations through its composability framework.

Companies that use GROW with SAP start by launching their core finance and procurement systems before expanding to supply chain or human capital management capabilities. A RISE with SAP customer can maintain its ERP continuity while adding modules and building custom applications and external system integration processes that keep core operations unaffected. The flexible nature of these platforms protects business expansions while enabling organizations to develop at their own individual speeds.

Building for Sustainability and Long-Term Value

Today, digital transformation isn’t just about efficiency—it’s also about resilience, sustainability, and future-readiness. SAP has embedded sustainability metrics and ESG reporting into both RISE and GROW offerings. Enterprises using RISE can leverage these capabilities to meet regulatory demands and demonstrate impact to investors and stakeholders. Features like carbon footprint tracking, supply chain traceability, and ethical sourcing become part of the broader transformation journey.

Meanwhile, GROW with SAP gives fast-growing businesses an early start on sustainability initiatives. Through embedded analytics and out-of-the-box dashboards, companies can track environmental KPIs and ensure that as they scale, they do so responsibly. In both cases, SAP’s roadmap is clearly aligned with global priorities—ensuring businesses don’t just grow profitably, but also responsibly.

Final Thoughts: It’s Not One-Size-Fits-All

Both RISE with SAP and GROW with SAP represent SAP’s commitment to empowering organizations in their digital transformation journey—but they are not interchangeable. Choosing the right fit depends on:

• Your size, growth stage, and resources
• The complexity of your business processes
• Your IT strategy and cloud readiness
• Your need for customization vs. standardization

RISE with SAP is ideal for enterprises that require flexibility and a customized roadmap to cloud transformation. GROW with SAP is perfect for ambitious, fast-growing businesses seeking agility, simplicity, and speed.

By making the right choice, your organization can not only streamline operations but also unlock innovation, resilience, and long-term growth.

Expert SAP Support from 2iSolutions

Whether your organization is considering RISE with SAP or GROW with SAP, choosing the right SAP partner is critical to your success. At 2iSolutions, we specialize in helping businesses of all sizes navigate their SAP journeys—from initial consultation to successful implementation and ongoing support.

Our team brings deep expertise in SAP S/4HANA Cloud, SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP), and industry-specific transformations. We work closely with clients to understand their unique business models, recommend the right SAP solution, and deliver a tailored roadmap that maximizes ROI while minimizing disruption.

From legacy system migration and data integration to user training and sustainability reporting, our SAP support services are designed to be proactive, responsive, and results-driven. With global delivery capabilities and a client-centric approach, 2iSolutions ensures that your SAP investment powers not just today’s success—but tomorrow’s growth.

Ready to start your SAP transformation journey?

Contact us today at sales@2isolutionsus.com