Whether it’s the rise of smart manufacturing, the demand for efficient service innovation, or the need for streamlined and secure finance processes, businesses must invest in their IT infrastructure with a focus on both today and tomorrow.

A total economic impact (TEI) study conducted by Forrester Consulting revealed that a growing number of companies feel the weight of this challenge. Interviewees said they struggled with increasing their business scalability and visibility when using basic on-premise ERP tools or various business tools for finance and business management processes.

However, companies that adopted the GROW with SAP solution gained a better edge in overcoming those obstacles. They not only improved productivity and accelerated decision-making but also positioned themselves to drive ongoing business value and support future growth.

Business trends and the need for change

Based on a survey of executive-level decision-makers in key industries, the Forrester Consulting report identified several critical drivers pushing organizations toward new ERP solutions:

• Cybersecurity concerns: With cyberthreats becoming increasingly sophisticated, businesses must invest in secure systems to protect their data and ensure business continuity.
• Efficiency pressures: Operational efficiency remains a top priority, with many organizations seeking better ways to streamline processes and eliminate manual tasks.
• Technical debt: As older systems become more costly to maintain and upgrade, businesses demand modern solutions that can scale with their growth and meet future demands.

These trends highlight the need for a flexible, secure, and future-proof ERP system. GROW with SAP addresses these concerns by providing companies with the tools to enhance their operations—while staying ahead of industry changes—with SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition.

The answer to ERP modernization for ongoing growth

GROW with SAP offers a cloud-based ERP solution designed to help businesses of all sizes streamline their operations, providing several critical advantages over a three-year period after implementation:

Faster speed to market

One of the primary benefits highlighted in the TEI report is the solution’s ability to accelerate the transition to the cloud. By reducing the time necessary to deploy a modern ERP in the cloud, businesses can achieve faster time to value and roll out new products or services more efficiently. Moreover, companies can enhance their data security to help ensure continuous protection against cyberthreats and operational disruptions.

New opportunities for cost savings

The report shows that companies using GROW with SAP experienced significantly reduced implementation costs. This cost efficiency allows organizations to focus on growth initiatives without overstepping budgetary limits.

By replacing on-premise ERP solutions with SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition, businesses have decommissioned outdated systems and saved, on average, over US$630,000 in infrastructure, maintenance, and labor costs. Additionally, they’re equipped to avoid, on average, $443,000 in expenses related to disaster recovery by using cloud capabilities for continuous backup and swift restoration in the event of a system outage.

Real-time decision-making

Timely, data-driven insights are crucial to compete in a fast-paced economy. GROW with SAP enables business leaders to make informed decisions through real-time analytics, empowering them to act quickly and confidently.

According to the report, this benefit increases profitability by approximately $370,000 as the risk of delayed opening of facilities is reduced and international expansion is accelerated. SAP’s software-as-a-service (SaaS) ERP solution is proving to be instrumental in streamlining operations and enabling faster decision-making.

Increasing confidence in compliance

As companies adapt to new business models, launch service components, or expand into new markets, GROW with SAP’s flexible architecture evolves alongside changing business needs.

The customizable, modular design of GROW with SAP allows organizations to tailor the solution to meet their specific needs while maintaining compliance with regional regulations. Furthermore, organizations gain built-in compliance features that address regulatory requirements across multiple regions.

By consolidating project and financial information with SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition, participating executives said their business improved its focus on project delivery rather than administrative tasks, boosting revenue growth by 6%.

User-friendly interface and real-time insights

Ease of use is a crucial factor in ERP adoption. GROW with SAP offers an intuitive interface, reducing the learning curve for employees and enhancing productivity. SAP cloud ERP solutions streamline data processing and reporting, improving service delivery and user satisfaction. Teams also have real-time access to data, collaboration, and innovation, facilitating more informed discussions and faster issue resolutions.

The report found that heavy ERP users realize an efficiency improvement of up to 30%, while general users tend to see a 15% improvement. This boost in efficiency, attributed to the integration of various business functions like finance and sales into a unified platform, resulted in a financial improvement of more than $3.1 million over three years.

The scalability to fuel future growth

Forrester Consulting’s total economic impact report on GROW with SAP showcases the significant and measurable benefits fast-growing companies achieve when adopting this modern cloud ERP solution.

From cost savings and improved user efficiency to greater flexibility and scalability, GROW with SAP empowers fast-growing businesses to not only meet today’s demands but also prepare for tomorrow’s opportunities for sustainable growth.