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SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition
Leverage Scalability, Enable Innovation
What is SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud?
SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud is SAP’s latest ERP solution. It is a preconfigured system that relies on highly standardised processes based on SAP Best Practices for various industries. The solution is provided by SAP and hosted in highly secure, certified data centres (e.g. Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud). Multiple companies share a common infrastructure, but their data remains completely separated. SAP ensures system availability as well as all security-relevant aspects, such as access management and data encryption.
What are the benefits of SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud?
Preconfigured Best Practices
Reduced implementation effort and accelerated readiness thanks to industry-specific, preconfigured processes (SAP Best Practices).
Reduced IT workload
Operations, maintenance, and updates are handled by SAP – easing the burden on your IT department.
Two-Tier Approach
Recommended for regional branches or subsidiaries that particularly benefit from short implementation times, low operating costs, automatic updates, and extensions via the BTP.
Cost Transparency & Flexibility
Subscription model instead of high upfront investments – enabling better cost planning.
High Security & Compliance
SAP operates the solution in certified data centres with the highest security standards.
Tailored Solution
The Digital Discovery Assessment helps define the project scope and planning, providing a transparent and focused project start.
Regular Innovations
Automatic updates ensure continuous technical and functional advancement (e.g. AI).
Extensibility
With a harmonised target architecture, extensions can be developed and operated either via in-app extensibility by key users or through side-by-side extensibility using the SAP Business Technology Platform.
What migration paths are available for transitioning to SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud?
Since the Public Cloud system is a completely new, standalone environment, implementation must follow a Greenfield approach. A direct technical upgrade, such as migrating from an ECC system to the Private Cloud or an On-Premise environment, is not possible. Processes need to be adapted to the Public Cloud framework, while data migration can be handled via standard SAP migration tools. Additionally, tools like SAP Signavio, SAP LeanIX, and SAP Central Business Configuration support a successful and structured transformation.
Greenfield
- New implementation of SAP S/4HANA from scratch.
- Conducting Fit-to-Standard workshops.
- Standardisation and harmonisation.
- Separation from legacy structures and outdated organisational elements.
- Reduction of custom developments.
- Use of the latest SAP Best Practices.
- Porsuit of a Clean-Core strategy.
How we can support you
We provide comprehensive support throughout your SAP S/4HANA implementation – from initial concept and planning, through implementation, to go-live and hypercare. Our approach is based on the SAP Activate methodology.
- Strategy development
- Discovery Assessment (DDA)
- Scoping
- Set up project organisation
- Project and timeline planning
- Project team training
- Access to CBC / Cloud ALM
- Fit-to-Standard analysis (preparation & system setup)
- Kick-off (assuming pre-projects such as Business Partner implementation or data archiving are completed)
- Fit-to-Standard workshops
- Identification of gaps
- Fit-to-Standard documentation
- Identity & access management
- Integration planning and design
- AI planning and design
- Test planning
- Preparation for data migration
- Sprint planning and execution
- Set-up of Q and P systems
- Solution implementation
- Configuration of identity & access management
- Activation of scope/countries
- Test preparation and execution
- Test migration
- Go-live preparation
- Cut-over planning
- Go-live execution
- Release and update cycles
- Continuous improvements
- Activation of new functionalities
Change Management in SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud Projects
Our experience shows: an S/4HANA Public Cloud transformation is not just an IT project – it changes processes, roles, and mindsets across the entire organisation. That’s why we integrate organisational development methods from the very beginning, such as stakeholder analyses and change readiness assessments, to prepare your organisation effectively for the transformation.
Change Management along the SAP Activate Phases
1. Discover
Objective: Create early transparency around readiness for change and stakeholder expectations.
- Conduct a structured change readiness check
- Hold stakeholder interviews to capture expectations and concerns
- Launch initial communication to raise awareness of the cloud approach
- Derive initial change measures based on analysis results
2. Prepare
Objective: Build understanding of cloud standards and the new system logic.
- Develop a change and communication concept
- Manage expectations and resistance via training and workshops
- Establish a change network (e.g. change agents, key users)
- Sensitise leadership for their role in the transformation
- Promote the cloud mindset (“standard over customisation”)
3. Explore
Objective: Establish structural change management and define new roles.
- Develop a continuous change process
- Define and assign cloud-specific roles (e.g. Adoption Manager, Release Owner)
- Integrate change topics into fit-to-standard workshops
- Train and empower role holders
- Create ongoing communication formats
4. Realize
Objective: Actively support change and solidify new structures.
- Support test and training phases with targeted change activities
- Establish feedback loops (e.g. lessons learned sessions)
- Activate support networks (e.g. peer support, mentoring)
- Maintain communication and clarify responsibilities
- Prepare the organisation for go-live
5. Deploy
Objective: Ensure a smooth go-live through focused support.
- Go-Live-Kommunikation über alle relevanten Kanäle
- Aktivierung von Supportstrukturen und Eskalationswegen
- Sichtbarkeit und Erreichbarkeit der Change-Rollen sicherstellen
- Bereitstellung von Quick-Help-Formaten (z. B. FAQ, Hotline, Walk-in-Support)
6. Run
Objective: Secure sustainable transformation capability.
- Institutionalise the change process for continuous releases
- Conduct regular feedback sessions and lessons learned
- Maintain and develop change roles
- Integrate change topics into daily operations
- Monitor acceptance and usage of new processes
Our case studies
SAP ERP
We support you with experienced SAP consultants – using an approach that goes further: the PIKON 3-Point Consulting Approach
FAQs about SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition
- When is a cloud solution recommended, and when is on-premise the better choice?
- How does migration to an on-premise system differ from migration to the Public Cloud?
- What is Grow with SAP?
- I am interested in the Public Cloud. What are the next steps to receive an offer?
- What is change management in an S/4HANA Public Cloud project?
- Why is change management particularly important in the Public Cloud?
- Which roles are relevant in change management?
When is a cloud solution recommended, and when is on-premise the better choice?
When deciding between a cloud or on-premise solution, the following factors should be taken into account:
S/4HANA Cloud | S/4HANA On-Premise | |
Hosting | Provided by SAP or hyperscalers (e.g. Azure, AWS) | In your own data centre or with an external hosting partner |
Maintenance & Updates | Regular updates managed by SAP | Self-managed, flexible update cycles |
Investment Model | Subscription-based (OPEX) | Licence purchase + operating costs (CAPEX) |
Compliance & Control | High security, but within the SAP environment | Full data sovereignty and internal control |
1. Hosting:
S/4HANA Cloud
Provided by SAP or hyperscalers (e.g. Azure, AWS)
S/4HANA On-Premise
In your own data centre or with an external hosting partner
2. Maintenance & Updates
S/4HANA Cloud
Regular updates managed by SAP
S/4HANA On-Premise
Self-managed, flexible update cycles
3. Investment Model
S/4HANA Cloud
Subscription-based (OPEX)
S/4HANA On-Premise
Licence purchase + operating costs (CAPEX)
4. Compliance & Control
S/4HANA Cloud
High security, but within the SAP environment
S/4HANA On-Premise
Full data sovereignty and internal control
In addition to these factors, SAP has clearly communicated that future innovations in S/4 will primarily take place in the cloud solutions. This means that new features, industry solutions, and AI-driven scenarios (such as Joule, Machine Learning, and AI features) will appear first – and, according to the current roadmap, almost exclusively – in the cloud. Those wishing to fully benefit from these announced innovations should consider moving to the cloud environment, at least in the medium term.
How does migration to an on-premise system differ from migration to the Public Cloud?
The migration to S/4HANA On-Premise compared to the migration to the Public Cloud primarily differs in terms of the operating and licensing model. While an on-premise system is hosted in the company’s own data centre or via an external hosting partner, the Public Cloud is hosted directly by SAP or a hyperscaler such as Microsoft Azure or AWS. As a result, control remains fully in the hands of the company with an on-premise system, whereas it is more limited in a Public Cloud environment. The licensing model also differs: with S/4HANA On-Premise, licences are purchased upfront, whereas the Public Cloud follows a subscription-based model, offering more scalability.
The mandatory migration approach when implementing SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud Edition is a new implementation (Greenfield approach).
What is Grow with SAP?
Grow with SAP is the counterpart to RISE for the Public Cloud. This package is specifically aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises that are implementing S/4HANA for the first time and want to use the Public Cloud to deploy a standardised, ready-to-use ERP solution for their business processes.
Key components of this package include the S/4HANA Public Cloud Edition, the Business Technology Platform for extensions/integrations, SAP Build as a tool to develop custom processes and apps, as well as preconfigured templates and best practices to ensure a fast implementation.
The programme includes software, services, tools, learning materials and training to accelerate the implementation process and promote adoption.
I am interested in the Public Cloud. What are the next steps to receive an offer?
At the beginning, a so-called Digital Discovery Assessment (DDA) must be carried out. The DDA is a structured analysis and consulting tool from SAP that supports you in assessing your readiness and suitability for SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud. In a joint workshop, the scope is defined by discussing the end-to-end processes and identifying industry-specific requirements. The evaluation is provided in an automatically generated report, which documents the results (Cloud: yes/no; scope; list of required best practices; notes on gaps/extension needs via the BTP). Based on this report, a proposal for the licences and implementation effort can be prepared.
What is change management in an S/4HANA Public Cloud project?
Change management supports the organisational changes that arise from the implementation of SAP S/4HANA – such as new processes, roles, and ways of working.
Why is change management particularly important in the Public Cloud?
The Public Cloud introduces regular updates and standardised processes. Change management helps to embed these changes sustainably within the organisation.
Which roles are relevant in change management?
Key roles include the Adoption Manager, Release Owner, Key Users, and Change Agents – they help drive and embed change throughout the organisation.
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