RISE with SAP on Azure

The digital transformation presents companies with major challenges. Outdated ERP systems result in high operating costs, tie up internal resources and prevent fast innovation cycles. At the same time, the requirements for transparency, scalability and responsiveness are growing in almost all industries. IT departments are under pressure because the existing infrastructure is often neither flexible nor future-proof - while the shortage of skilled workers makes it even more difficult to operate existing systems.

Against this backdrop, a strategic technology change is becoming increasingly important. Many companies are not just looking for a new ERP system, but for a comprehensive path to the cloud - with a partner like Arvato Systems that not only supplies software, but also accompanies the entire transformation. This is exactly where we come in with RISE with SAP on Azure an.

RISE with SAP is a business transformation-as-a-service offering that provides companies with a holistic path to the cloud with the SAP Business Suite. At its heart is SAP S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition, the modern ERP solution from SAP based on standardized, scalable processes and operated entirely in the cloud. It is complemented by SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP), which combines integrations, data management, and extension options. With other solutions such as SAP Signavio or SAP LeanIX, companies also receive powerful tools for analyzing and optimizing their business processes or a modern enterprise architecture solution that helps them document and analyze their IT landscape.

However, the decisive advantage lies not only in the technological components but also in the operating model itself: SAP assumes responsibility for operation, maintenance, security, and updates. Companies benefit from a uniform subscription contract that bundles all services in one package, clearly calculable costs, and a fully managed service that relieves internal IT resources and accelerates innovation simultaneously.

More and more companies are choosing to use RISE with running SAP on the Microsoft Azure cloud infrastructure. There are good reasons for this. Azure offers an infrastructure specially certified for SAP S/4HANA, which stands for high performance and stability. In addition, existing Microsoft services such as Microsoft 365, Teams, or Microsoft Entra ID can be seamlessly connected with SAP solutions.

The possibility of continuing to use existing IT investments and creating real synergies by intelligently combining SAP and Microsoft technologies is desirable. This allows hybrid architectures to be realized in which existing on-premises systems can be gradually migrated to the cloud, without system disruptions or lengthy re-implementations.

From a security and compliance perspective, MS Azure is also impressive: Companies benefit from the highest standards, global availability, and the option to choose regional data centers. The technological basis is, therefore, as powerful as it is future-proof.

The combination of SAP RISE and Microsoft Azure creates concrete added value in daily practice. For example, integrating IoT data from Azure with SAP S/4HANA in supply chain management enables real-time monitoring of stock levels, material flows, and delivery times. Finance departments benefit from automated reports and forecasts when SAP data is integrated into Azure-based BI tools such as Power BI. HR processes can also be made more efficient: SAP SuccessFactors can be linked directly to Microsoft Entra ID, simplifying user management and speeding up onboarding processes. 

A wealthy aspect of combining RISE with SAP on Azure is the interaction between the AI-supported assistants, SAP Joule, and Microsoft Copilot. Both solutions are designed to provide contextual support, and this is precisely their common advantage: they access data from both system worlds and combine them into a holistic result.

SAP Joule is deeply integrated into SAP business processes and understands the complex data models of SAP S/4HANA. Microsoft Copilot, on the other hand, is heavily integrated into Microsoft 365, with access to emails, calendars, Teams, SharePoint, and Power BI.

A shared environment, such as SAP RISE on Azure, results in a synergy effect: the AI assistants can merge contextual information from both worlds. While SAP Joule analyzes sales figures, production plans, and delivery data from SAP, Microsoft Copilot also pulls in customer conversations, Outlook emails, or SharePoint documents - thus providing a more complete answer, e.g., for a sales or supply chain dashboard.

Decisions can be made faster and more informed because the information no longer has to be laboriously gathered from various sources. The AI understands the correlations, generates suggestions, and ensures efficiency gains.

Thus, RISE with SAP on Azure can be successfully implemented, and several partners work closely together with clear roles. SAP provides the S4/HANA system as part of the SAP Business Suite and takes care of operation, maintenance, and support. Microsoft provides the technical infrastructure via MS Azure and offers further options for integrating and expanding the company's SAP architecture across the entire Microsoft Cloud portfolio.

For example, Microsoft uses Microsoft Sentinel as a cloud-native SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) solution to analyze billions of signals daily, detect real-time threats, and respond automatically to security incidents. Companies receive an integrated security concept with zero trust, role-based access control, and compliance features - ideal for sensitive SAP data. In addition, specialist departments can independently create applications and workflows that interact directly with SAP and Microsoft 365, without in-depth IT knowledge. This significantly accelerates innovation cycles, for example, in the digitalization of internal approval processes or the automation of complaint processes in customer service. In addition to these building blocks, the Microsoft Cloud offers various other services and functions that can be flexibly integrated into SAP landscapes.

The implementation, process consulting, and integration into existing system landscapes are handled by the specialized IT service provider Arvato Systems.

This interaction offers companies maximum security: they benefit from a central point of contact for the entire cloud transformation, receive comprehensive technological support and at the same time have access to industry-specific advice and proven methods. This means that the transition to a cloud-based ERP system is not a burden, but a competitive advantage.

Switching to RISE with SAP on Azure brings tangible benefits for all departments. Companies' operating and maintenance costs are significantly reduced. Standardized services and a modern cloud architecture relieve the burden on internal IT and create space for innovation implementation. At the same time, specialist departments benefit from faster customization options and a significantly improved data situation that enables well-founded decisions in real time.

From a financial perspective, this approach also has merit. Instead of high initial investments, companies can expect a transparent, usage-based cost model. Projects can be implemented more quickly and, therefore, achieve an earlier return on investment - a decisive factor in a dynamic market environment.

RISE with SAP on Azure is much more than a modern ERP solution in the cloud. It is a strategic transformation model that combines technology, scalability, and operational efficiency. Companies that take the step into the cloud benefit from greater agility and innovative strength - they also secure the ability to remain resilient and competitive in an increasingly digital market environment. The future lies in intelligent, integrated, and scalable IT - RISE with SAP on Azure is a consistent way to achieve this.