RISE with SAP S/4HANA vs Traditional Migration: What Works Best in Australia

ERP systems are central to how Australian businesses run day to day. When choosing an ERP platform, companies now focus more on growth, compliance, and long-term stability.

Many organisations are closely reviewing the move from SAP ECC to SAP S/4HANA. They are comparing cloud-based transformation services with more familiar migration options. Each option offers a different level of control and change.

The final decision often comes down to how comfortable a business is with the cloud and how much flexibility it needs. There is no single right answer. Companies must balance control, the amount of change they are ready for, and their readiness to adopt cloud-based systems within the Australian business environment.

In this article, we’ll examine how S4HANA Migration Services differ across RISE-based and traditional approaches. We also discuss the role of SAP Data Migration, and explore which strategies tend to work best for organisations operating in Australia.

Understanding RISE with SAP S/4HANA

RISE with SAP is designed to support business change, not simply a system upgrade. SAP groups S/4HANA Cloud, infrastructure, and core technical services into one commercial agreement. Availability and upgrades sit with SAP; internal teams spend less time on system upkeep and more time on everyday process improvement.

Across Australia, private cloud is often chosen, largely due to compliance obligations and data sovereignty expectations.

Key characteristics include:

• Subscription-based commercial structure
• Embedded business process intelligence
• Standardised operating model aligned with SAP best practices
• Reduced infrastructure ownership and operational overhead

RISE with SAP is often selected by organisations seeking accelerated Digital Transformation S4HANA outcomes with predictable costs and simplified vendor management.

Understanding Traditional Migration

Traditional migration places system ownership firmly with the organisation. Infrastructure, licensing, and daily operations remain under internal control, allowing teams to manage change at their own pace. This model supports two established migration paths:

Greenfield Migration

Greenfield migration is about setting up a new S/4HANA system with redesigned business processes. Organisations start fresh, moving only the data that is essential.

This method makes operations simpler and allows companies to follow SAP best practices from the start. It also gives a cleaner system landscape and a strong base for future improvements and digital initiatives.

Key benefits include:

• Reduced complexity by starting with a clean system
• Ability to implement SAP standard processes without legacy constraints
• Easier compliance with regulations and better handling of critical data
• More room to adapt processes and support future business growth

Organisations in Australia often work with partners like cbs to plan and execute Greenfield migrations. These engagements ensure that regional regulatory requirements, sector-specific practices, and operational goals are met.

Brownfield Migration

Organisations upgrading to S/4HANA can keep their current system settings, historical records, and any custom developments. This approach is called Brownfield. Teams can maintain familiar processes throughout the upgrade. Day-to-day work continues during the upgrade. Teams follow familiar routines, and core activities proceed as usual.

The method keeps the transition manageable and helps teams adapt smoothly to the new system. It is often chosen when stability, shorter timelines, and careful change management are important.

Key advantages materialise across several areas:

• Continuity of business processes and legacy customisations
• Reduced operational disruption during migration
• Faster deployment compared with a full system rebuild
• Preservation of historical data for reporting and compliance

Many Australian enterprises plan Brownfield migrations carefully to ensure systems meet regional compliance standards. This approach helps maintain operational efficiency and supports long-term SAP transformation goals.

Traditional migration programmes frequently incorporate Selective Data Transition, enabling organisations to retain essential data while modernising processes selectively. This is also referred to as S/4HANA Selective Data Migration.

RISE with SAP S/4HANA vs Traditional Migration

RISE with SAP S/4HANA and traditional migration take different paths. RISE focuses on standardised, managed services. Traditional migration offers more control and flexibility to tailor processes. Understanding these factors helps Australian businesses select the right approach. Let’s look at this in the table below:

These differences show how the approaches vary. The right choice depends on the business and its industry needs. Overall transformation goals also play a key role.

Which S/4HANA Migration Services Work Best in Australia?

Australian organisations deal with challenges like regulatory rules, wide geographic coverage, and industry-specific requirements. The best S4HANA Migration Services match both the company’s transformation goals and its operational readiness.

Here we explore some factors that influence the selection of the migration strategy:

• Data Compliance and Security: Government, utilities, and financial sectors face strict rules on data handling. They often choose solutions that keep information secure and meet local regulations.
• Existing SAP ECC Complexity: A highly customised ECC system often makes a full redesign costly and time‑consuming. In such cases, updating the existing landscape or selectively migrating key parts can reduce risk and effort.
• Transformation Objectives: Organisations pursuing rapid innovation and process harmonisation often lean towards RISE with SAP.
• Change Management Readiness: Greenfield and RISE initiatives require a stronger organisational change capability.
• Cost Structure Preference: Predictable operating expenditure favours RISE, while capital investment models align with traditional migration.
• Long-Term IT Strategy: Enterprises planning broader cloud and platform consolidation often align S/4HANA programmes accordingly.

Many Australian organisations adopt a hybrid strategy, combining traditional migration with selective data approaches to balance risk and transformation outcomes.

Specialised partners, such as cbs play a critical role in helping enterprises evaluate these variables objectively. With experience across RISE implementations, Greenfield builds, and Brownfield conversions, cbs supports organisations in designing migration roadmaps that align technical feasibility with business priorities.

Conclusion

There is no universally superior path between RISE with SAP S4HANA and traditional migration. Each approach meets different business needs. Success depends on strategy, not just the deployment model. Compliance, legacy system complexity, and transformation goals help determine the right path for Australian enterprises.

A structured migration plan with careful SAP Data Migration and choices between Greenfield, Brownfield, or S4HANA Selective Data Migration delivers lasting value from S/4HANA.

For those seeking guidance and structured execution, cbs provides advisory-led S4HANA Migration Services tailored for the Australian market. Engage with cbs to assess your current landscape and define a migration strategy that supports long-term digital transformation goals.