Lift & Shift SAP expertise
Lift & Shift Migration
Move to the cloud quickly, efficiently, and with minimal redesign.
Transformation Pathway
Move to the cloud quickly, efficiently, and with minimal redesign.
Lift & Shift is a pragmatic, time‑efficient approach for organizations that need to migrate to the cloud rapidly. Instead of redesigning processes upfront, you move your existing system “as‑is” to a cloud environment — gaining immediate scalability, security, and performance benefits.
What you get
What this approach enables
Rapid cloud adoption with minimal business impact
Reduced infrastructure costs and improved system performance
A foundation for future process optimization and innovation
Seamless migration of existing integrations and extensions
A low‑risk, cost‑effective modernization path
Best suited for
Organizations with urgent cloud mandates, infrastructure limitations, or short transformation timelines.
Compare the options
Transformation Approach Comparison Matrix
| Approach | Transformation Depth | Business Disruption | Speed to Cloud | Customization Retention | Innovation Readiness | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenfield | Very High — full redesign using SAP best practices | Medium — new processes require change management | Medium | Low — clean core, minimal legacy carryover | Very High — cleanest path to future innovation | Enterprises seeking modernization, standardization, or fresh start |
| Brownfield | Medium — selective adoption of new capabilities | Low — preserves existing processes | High | High — retains most configurations | High — clean core achievable over time | ECC customers with stable processes and high adoption |
| Lift & Shift | Low — minimal redesign | Very Low — system moved “as‑is” | Very High | Very High — retains all customizations | Medium — innovation comes after migration | Organizations needing rapid cloud adoption |
| Cloud ERP Private Edition (RISE) | Medium to High — flexible transformation | Low to Medium — governed modernization | Medium | Medium — selective customizations allowed | High — SAP‑managed clean‑core guardrails | Large enterprises with complex landscapes |
| Cloud ERP GROW Edition | Medium — adopt preconfigured best practices | Low — rapid deployment model | Very High | Low — clean core, minimal customization | Very High — built for continuous innovation | Mid‑market and fast‑growing digital‑native companies |
Decision guide
Key Insights for Decision Makers
| Insight Pillar | Strategic Meaning | What Leaders Should Look For | Recommended SAP Pathways |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transformation Ambition | Defines how boldly your organization is ready to evolve | Reinvention mindset → embrace new processes Optimization mindset → refine what works Acceleration mindset → move quickly to cloud | Greenfield for reinvention Brownfield for optimization Lift & Shift for acceleration |
| Speed to Cloud | Determines how fast value can be realized and how soon innovation becomes accessible | Urgent timelines → rapid deployment Balanced timelines → phased modernization Strategic timelines → redesign for future | GROW & Lift & Shift for fastest value RISE Private Edition for balanced modernization Greenfield for strategic redesign |
| Customization Footprint | Measures how much legacy complexity you carry and how clean your future core can be | Heavy custom code → preserve selectively Desire for standardization → adopt SAP best practices | Brownfield & Lift & Shift for high customization retention Greenfield & GROW for clean‑core adoption |
| Innovation Readiness | Indicates how quickly your enterprise can adopt AI, automation, and continuous innovation | Ready for rapid innovation → clean core Need governance → structured modernization Prefer gradual adoption → phased evolution | Greenfield & GROW for fastest innovation RISE Private Edition for governed innovation Brownfield & Lift & Shift for gradual adoption |
| Business Disruption Tolerance | Reflects how much operational change your teams can absorb during transformation | Low tolerance → minimal change Moderate tolerance → guided modernization High tolerance → full transformation | Brownfield & Lift & Shift for minimal disruption RISE Private Edition for moderate change Greenfield for full transformation |
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