When it comes to modernising SAP, clients are drawn to RISE with SAP as the default path to the cloud. It promises agility, scalability, and faster access to innovation. But here’s the reality: not every piece of data, system, or application can – or should – make the leap at the same time. Some applications simply aren’t supported in RISE, while others don’t make sense to migrate in a ‘big bang’ approach. Forcing everything into the cloud can create more risk than it actually solves. This is where a hybrid approach to Managed Services can become both practical and strategic. Think of it as a reasonable way to manage risk while still modernising.
When it comes to modernising SAP, clients are drawn to RISE with SAP as the default path to the cloud. It promises agility, scalability, and faster access to innovation. But here’s the reality: not every piece of data, system, or application can – or should – make the leap at the same time.
Some applications simply aren’t supported in RISE, while others don’t make sense to migrate in a ‘big bang’ approach. Forcing everything into the cloud can create more risk than it actually solves. This is where a hybrid approach to Managed Services can become both practical and strategic. Think of it as a reasonable way to manage risk while still modernising.
Why does hybridisation in SAP make sense?
Today’s SAP environments are complex and multi-faceted. Data and applications don’t live neatly in one place. Some elements remain on-premises for stability and compliance; others sit in the cloud to benefit from speed and innovation. And more are moving onto hyperscalers, taking advantage of specialised infrastructure and vendor expertise.
Instead of forcing uniformity, hybridising Managed Services allows you to maintain a centralised, consistent view across your entire landscape, regardless of where each component resides. This ensures that:
- you know where your data is and how it’s being managed;
- processes, updates, and support operate across all platforms; and
- no part of your environment is left unmanaged or unsupported.
The reality of a split SAP environment
Your SAP future is likely to be a mosaic of environments, each optimised for a specific purpose:
- Core applications that remain on-premises, where stability, security, or regulatory compliance is critical.
- Innovation layers running in the cloud, enabling analytics, AI, and integration without disrupting the core.
- Specialised workloads on hyperscalers, leveraging high-performance compute, scalability, or vendor-specific services.
Each layer serves a purpose, and contributes to a broader, more resilient environment. The goal is not to homogenise, but to maintain visibility, control and operational excellence across all systems.
Bridging the gaps with hybrid Managed Services
A hybrid SAP strategy only works if you have Managed Services that span the entire environment, allowing you to:
- understand your complete landscape, from on-premise systems to cloud and hyperscaler environments;
- ensure no part of your SAP environment is unmanaged, or at risk of downtime;
- modernise at your own pace, deploying new capabilities where they make sense; and
- leverage multiple software providers without losing control or visibility.
In essence, hybrid Managed Services act as the glue that connects disparate systems, ensuring that even as technology stacks evolve, you retain centralised governance, operational efficiency and insight.
The risk perspective: how can a hybrid approach reduce uncertainty?
For many organisations, the biggest risk isn’t moving too slowly; it’s moving in the wrong way.
A full cloud migration can create blind spots if critical applications aren’t supported. Conversely, a hybrid approach allows you to modernise incrementally – without jeopardising stability, security, or compliance.
With hybrid Managed Services, risk is reduced, because:
- data remains monitored and supported wherever it resides;
- updates, patches, and compliance are applied consistently across platforms; and
- teams retain control over change, enabling smoother transitions to new environments or technologies.
Ultimately, hybrid isn’t about ‘cloud vs on-premises.’ It’s about making informed, risk-aware decisions that serve your business now and in the future.
Not everything belongs in the cloud
Here’s an uncomfortable truth: modernisation is not one-size-fits-all.
Some organisations maintain on-premise systems for strategic, financial or regulatory reasons. Others adopt a cloud-first approach for speed, flexibility or innovation. And many adopt a combination; a hybrid path that fits their unique needs.
Your priority shouldn’t be to move everything just because it’s trending. Your priority should be to:
- assess what truly adds value when moved to the cloud;
- understand what works best on-premises, maintaining control and stability; and
- implement a hybrid strategy that aligns with both current operations and future ambitions.
When done right, hybridisation offers the best of both worlds: access to innovation where it matters most, without disrupting the systems that keep your business running.
Ready to explore the hybrid path?
If this resonates, you’re not alone. Many CIOs, CTOs, and IT leaders face the same challenge: how to modernise without taking unnecessary risks. That’s why we hosted an expert-led webinar to unpack the costs, complexities, and opportunities of SAP transformation – even if you’re not moving everything to the cloud.
Watch the on-demand webinar here
The bottom line
You don’t need to do everything all at once. You need to do what makes sense, with full oversight of your SAP environment.
With EPI-USE Labs BRIDGE Managed Services, you can modernise confidently, bridging the Basis gap, maintaining visibility, and reducing risk across a split SAP environment.
Not sure where to begin? Start with an SAP Landscape Assessment. Our experts will give you a clear, actionable view of your current environment and the smartest path forward.