SAP Cloud ERP Private: A Rose by Another Name or Lipstick on a Pig?
SAP RISE
Those familiar with the SAP ecosystem know that SAP frequently changes the names of its products.
At times, the new name is for an existing product that didn’t take off, or needs a boost, and at other times, it’s a new name for an existing product with several enhancements.
So, what are we to make of this relatively recent name change from SAP RISE to SAP Cloud ERP Private?
Firstly, I think it’s a good move; the new name better describes the product offering. It’s SAP ERP. It's cloud-based and private. It's easier to understand and doesn't need any explanation.
SAP Cloud ERP Private
But is SAP Cloud ERP a ‘Rose by Another Name’ or is it ‘Lipstick on a Pig’? Well, like most things in life, it depends on where you come from and which way you look - it could be either or neither.
Is it lipstick on a pig?
To label SAP Cloud ERP as lipstick on a pig is harsh. However, for SAP customers who are not fans or have had, or are currently experiencing, a negative SAP RISE experience, perhaps this is how they might describe it.
Same product, same problems.
Is it a rose with another name?
For many, this is exactly what the renaming will look like. The base product, S/4HANA, is the same. The cloud-based services are the same. On the surface, it seesm to be the same product.
Same product, new name.
Is it neither?
For others, who look deeper, it is neither. SAP Cloud ERP Private is more than a simple name change. Although no substantial changes were made to the product itself, modifications have been made to the packaging of its components. It's packaged differently and has cost and licensing implications for some.
Different product, different name
SAP Cloud ERP Private vs SAP RISE (Premium)
Inclusions/exclusions
Along with the unbundling and inclusions/exclusions, as well as the introduction of additional components, SAP Cloud ERP differs from SAP RISE. Customers receive nearly twice as many bundled SKUs as those with RISE with SAP Premium.
While there are additions like LeanIX, some capabilities, such as SAP Datasphere, are no longer included. There have also been changes in how AI is consumed and priced.
Licensing implications
The rebranding has also led to changes in licensing, including which services are included or excluded, as well as how additional fees for consuming AI services are calculated. Changes have also been made to what is included in FUE tiers. Some of the features included in the lower tiers are now exclusive to higher tiers.
This has licensing implications and may be costly. SAP appears to be moving some components that were previously accessible at lower FUE tiers to higher tiers, requiring a more expensive license to access the same features.
Why this matters.
SAP Cloud ERP Private is more than a new name; it is essentially a new product. Some components have been unbundled and removed, while others have been added.
The product SAP RISE no longer exists and has been replaced by SAP Cloud ERP Private. It comes with a different set of components, changes to FUE tiers providing different access, and AI consumption is managed differently.
For those in the planning stages of a S/4HANA transition, the SAP RISE Premium product upon which your numbers have been calculated may no longer be relevant. For those already subscribed, subscription renewals won't be straightforward either.
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