SAP S/4HANA Cloud Transformation Boosted by IBM Power Virtual Server

Transforming ERP Workloads with RISE with SAP on IBM Power Virtual Server

In a significant development for businesses aiming to modernize their enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, IBM and SAP have unveiled a new offering designed to streamline the migration of SAP S/4HANA workloads from IBM Power Systems on-premises to the cloud in as little as 90 days. This collaboration between IBM and SAP seeks to provide a seamless transition for organizations, reducing the complexity and enhancing the speed of their ERP transformations.

A New Era of ERP Transformation

On January 7, 2025, IBM and SAP announced the launch of RISE with SAP on IBM Power Virtual Server. This innovative solution is set to become the fastest and most straightforward way for IBM Power customers to advance their ERP transformations. The primary goal is to enable organizations to effortlessly transition their existing on-premises ERP environments to the cloud while also integrating AI-driven business processes. This move is part of a broader initiative to help companies embrace modern digital infrastructures and increase their operational efficiency.

RISE with SAP is a comprehensive service designed to guide organizations through a transformative journey, providing outcome-driven services, cloud ERP platforms, and valuable insights to help businesses rethink their operating models. By leveraging IBM Power Virtual Server—a cloud-based iteration of the mission-critical IBM Power server platform—organizations can expedite the transformation of their on-premises SAP ERP systems to the cloud. This modernization effort promises to enhance business agility and streamline processes.

Achieving Faster Cloud Migration with Industry-Leading Infrastructure

The use of IBM Power Virtual Server is pivotal in this new offering. Recognized for its outstanding security, scalability, and reliability, IBM Power servers rank as the top choice for availability among SAP-certified infrastructures. This infrastructure is engineered to minimize disruptions and facilitate faster migrations, backed by the robust and secure IBM Cloud platform.

IBM’s collaboration with SAP ensures a swift and seamless migration path for customers relying on the IBM Power platform for their SAP workloads. This partnership aims to reduce the complexity associated with cloud migration, delivering substantial benefits in terms of speed and impact. IBM’s firsthand experience with this transformation journey using RISE with SAP underscores the effectiveness of this approach.

IBM’s Global Cloud Modernization Journey

IBM has demonstrated its expertise in SAP S/4HANA Cloud modernization through one of the most extensive and intricate projects ever undertaken by an SAP customer. Recently, IBM migrated its quote-to-cash and record-to-report processes to RISE with SAP on IBM Power Virtual Server. This ambitious endeavor involved over 150,000 users across 175 countries, spanning 18 months. The result was a remarkable 30% reduction in infrastructure costs and related operations, achieved by optimizing server and data footprints and increasing process automation. IBM Consulting played a pivotal role in this transformation, providing the necessary technical services, implementation, and application management expertise to securely move and operate these complex solutions.

A Collaborative Path to Cloud Success

Customers can further accelerate their transformation with SAP S/4HANA Cloud by collaborating with IBM Consulting or other SAP partners. IBM is actively working with global systems integrators and services partners to design, deploy, and migrate RISE with SAP projects, giving clients a broad range of choices.

IBM and SAP are committed to helping their customers transform through RISE with SAP on IBM Power Virtual Server. This initiative includes combined solutions, capabilities, and joint go-to-market efforts, offering customers a clear path to the cloud with faster time-to-value, increased flexibility, and continuous innovation. To support this transformation, RISE with SAP on IBM Power Virtual Server customers and IBM Business Partners will have access to the IBM Transformation Suite for SAP Applications. This suite provides a bundle of best-of-breed software and services for assessing current environments, data migration, and automated testing.

Decades of Trusted Partnership

For over 50 years, more than 10,000 SAP customers have relied on IBM to deliver and run SAP solutions on IBM systems. IBM serves as a full lifecycle strategic partner to SAP, offering end-to-end consulting and technology solutions that encompass hybrid cloud, automation, and generative AI powered by watsonx. This partnership underscores IBM’s commitment to innovation, trust, and delivering open and flexible options for its clients.

Looking Ahead

RISE with SAP on IBM Power Virtual Server is slated to become available in the second quarter of 2025. Alongside this release, IBM will offer a customized investment program to support customers in their migration journey. Businesses interested in planning their transformation can access assessment and migration services from IBM Consulting and other IBM and SAP Business Partners.

About IBM

IBM stands as a leading provider of global hybrid cloud, AI solutions, and consulting expertise. With operations in over 175 countries, IBM helps clients harness insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs, and gain a competitive edge. IBM’s hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift are trusted by thousands of government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure sectors such as financial services, telecommunications, and healthcare. IBM’s groundbreaking innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions, and consulting provide clients with flexible and open options, all backed by IBM’s commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity, and service. For more information, visit www.ibm.com.

In conclusion, the collaboration between IBM and SAP in launching RISE with SAP on IBM Power Virtual Server marks a significant milestone in ERP transformation. This offering provides a streamlined and efficient path for organizations to modernize their ERP systems, integrate AI-driven processes, and embrace the cloud with confidence. As businesses continue to evolve in the digital age, this partnership aims to empower them with the tools and expertise needed to succeed in an increasingly competitive landscape.

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