SAP and Microsoft tie-up for cloud migration offerings

SAP and Microsoft have entered into an extensive go-to-market partnership from conceptualisation to sales, to boost customer adoption of the enterprise resource planning (ERP) software SAP S/4HANA and SAP Cloud Platform on Microsoft Azure.

The new cloud partnership combines a global network of system integrators to provide holistic bundles that offer customers with unified reference architectures, road maps and market-approved journeys to provide a clear path toward the cloud. As part of this simplified customer journey, Microsoft will re-sell components of SAP Cloud Platform alongside Azure. This unique offering is aimed at more easily migrating SAP ERP and SAP S/4HANA customers from on-premises to public cloud.

Meanwhile, SAP will lead with Microsoft Azure to move on-premise SAP ERP and SAP S/4HANA customers to the cloud through industry-specific best practices, reference architectures and cloud-delivered services. This includes future deployment and migration of existing direct SAP HANA Enterprise Cloud customers leveraging hyperscaler infrastructure. However, SAP continues with its longstanding policy of supporting choice for those customers who request alternatives based on business requirements.

The latest partnership builds on a joint commitment between both companies to simplify and modernise customers' journeys to the cloud through Project Embrace, which is SAP's collaboration with public cloud providers and global strategic service partners to simplify and accelerate a customer's journey to the cloud. Microsoft first joined Project Embrace in May this year.

Through a combination of market-approved journeys, reference architectures, select service partners, and Microsoft Azure cloud, customers will be able to accelerate their digital transformation. More specifically, Project Embrace on Microsoft Azure will offer customers with a simplified move from on-premise editions of SAP ERP to SAP S/4HANA for customers with integrated product and industry solutions. Industry market bundles will create a road map to the cloud for customers in focused industries, with a singular reference architecture and path to streamline implementation.

It will also offer a collaborative support model for simplified resolution. In response to customer feedback, a combined support model for Azure and SAP Cloud Platform will help ease migration and improve communication. Additionally, there will also be jointly developed market journeys to support customer needs. Designed in collaboration with SAP, Microsoft and system integrator partners will provide road maps to the digital enterprise with recommended solutions and reference architectures for customers. These offer a harmonised approach by industry for products, services and practices across Microsoft, SAP and system integrators.

"This partnership is all about reducing complexity and minimizing costs for customers as they move to SAP S/4HANA in the cloud," Jennifer Morgan, co-chief executive officer of SAP. She added that bringing together the power of SAP and Microsoft provides customers with the assurance of working with two industry leaders so they can confidently and efficiently transition into intelligent enterprises.

Judson Althoff, executive vice president, Worldwide Commercial Business, Microsoft added that SAP's decision to select Microsoft Azure as its preferred partner deepens the relationship between the two companies in a differentiated way and signals a shared commitment to fostering the growth of the cloud ecosystem.

"Today's news also reflects our commitment to a customer-first mindset and supporting their cloud transformation, which continues to drive how we at Microsoft approach everything from partnerships to product innovation. It takes co-selling to a whole new level," Althoff said.

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