There’s an easy way to know if you’re using legacy ERP: Is your system on-premise or in the cloud? If your ERP is on-premise, you’re using a legacy solution.

This isn’t technically true, since vendors such as SAP still make and support on-premise ERP solutions. But what’s undeniably true is that cloud ERP is both the present and the future given its flexibility, integration, artificial intelligence support and scalability both in terms of cost and capabilities. Modern ERP is cloud ERP.

Because of this clear trend and its advantages, most businesses either already are using cloud ERP or thinking about it. On-premise ERP is sunsetting.

Moving to Cloud ERP is Easier Than You Think

The thought of migrating from on-premise ERP to the cloud might sound daunting, but actually it is not. While any move to a new ERP solution requires an investment in time and resources, cloud ERP and programs such as SAP GROW have significantly reduced the headaches typical of ERP migration.

SAP has made smooth cloud migration a particular point of emphasis as it has re-engineered its solutions for the cloud. Along with entirely re-orienting its solutions around cloud-based ERP, it has developed quick-start migration programs both for businesses already using SAP and those new to the SAP ecosystem.

RISE with SAP is a collection of tools and methodologies for helping on-premise SAP customers move to the cloud, and SAP GROW is a complete package for helping businesses make the jump when they are not already on an SAP solution. We’ll focus on SAP GROW here, but you can learn more about the differences between these two programs in one of our previous articles.

Future-Proofing with Cloud ERP

Understanding that cloud ERP is the direction for backend business systems, SAP has re-engineered its solutions around a multi-tenant cloud solution for most businesses, SAP Cloud ERP, and a private cloud version for large enterprises that have a specific need for the private-cloud model (usually related to regulatory requirements or high degrees of existing customization). This SAP Cloud ERP intended for most businesses is a cloud-native version of S/4HANA ERP, one of the most powerful and widely used ERP solutions on the market. They’ve made S/4HANA multi-tenant and more modular so smaller businesses can use it and upscale as they grow without having to adopt a different system later.

For fast-growing smaller organizations or mid-tier businesses, this future-proofed cloud ERP solution based on S/4HANA is a big win. It eliminates the need for future ERP upgrades or migrations even as a business expands.

There’s still the need to move onto SAP Cloud ERP in the first place, however, which is where SAP GROW comes in.

How SAP GROW Smooths the Cloud ERP Migration Process

The SAP GROW program helps a business jump to cloud ERP with the assistance of standardized frameworks, tools and guidance.

GROW assists with digital discovery assessment that covers key business processes, and helps move these processes to best practices. It does this across various areas, including sales, finance, and procurement. It then helps a business prepare an orderly, efficient ERP implementation by defining scope and the implementation time for rolling out the system.

Integrated SAP GROW  tools expedite the rollout once it has been defined, too. These migration tools speed up time to value and shorten the implementation time with SAP baseline activation services. SAP GROW tools also help the business avoid surprises by providing a predictable timeframe and scope for migration.

Proven guidance comes with SAP GROW, too. The GROW program helps a business get up and running with the new system using onboarding, resources, and enablement tools and guidance.

To further streamline the rollout, businesses also can choose from predefined packaged services that support industry and line-of-business best practices. These prepackaged industry solutions make ERP rollout almost turnkey by helping a business start with a largely pre-configured system for the given line of business. The organization then just needs to adjust these best practices where appropriate for their actual business needs instead of defining and building out processes and configurations from scratch.

Taken as a whole, SAP GROW radically simplifies what otherwise might have been a time-consuming, complex business transformation project. ERP migration has never been easier, and we say this as an ERP implementation partner that has been helping businesses with this SAP ERP for more than 20 years.

Learn More about Cloud ERP Migration

We understand that migration from on-premise to cloud ERP remains a big project, however, and you probably have many questions about what it actually takes.

How secure is a multi-tenant cloud ERP (very secure)? How will cloud ERP support your existing processes and workflows (completely)? Will you be able to customize the system to the actual needs of your business (absolutely)? What is the spend required for cloud ERP implementation (less than you think), and how long will implementation take for your business (as little as 90 days)?

We have answers to your questions, although obviously those answers depend on the specifics of your business. So if you’re currently using an on-premise ERP and are considering the cloud, give us a call to learn more. We’re happy to answer questions and give you specific guidance relevant to your company’s current situation.

You can call one of our experienced ERP consultants at (801) 642-0123 or writing us at info@nbs-us.com.