What to Consider Before Moving from Oracle to SAP

SAP and Oracle are two of the leading global ERP systems, yet for many businesses currently using Oracle systems, transitioning to SAP offers a compelling opportunity to leverage cutting-edge technology and advanced functionalities. From its integration capabilities to its industry-specific solutions, we break down seven (of the many) reasons why businesses should consider moving from Oracle to SAP to meet their ERP needs below.  

REASONS TO MOVE FROM ORACLE TO SAP

Superior Integration Capabilities

One of the most notable features of SAP is its robust integration capabilities. SAP offers a comprehensive suite of solutions that seamlessly integrate with various business processes. Whether it’s finance, supply chain management, human resources, or customer relationship management, SAP provides a unified platform that ensures data consistency and real-time visibility across the organization.  

Oracle, while powerful, often requires extensive customization and third-party integrations to achieve the same level of seamless connectivity. In fact, when comparing SAP and Oracle’s integration and deployment capabilities, Gartner found that the companies received a 4.2 and 3.9 out of 5 respectively. Ultimately, the complexity of managing these integrations with Oracle can lead to increased costs and operational inefficiencies. 

Innovative Technology and Cloud Solutions

SAP has been at the forefront of adopting and integrating innovative technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), as seen with SAP Business AI and Joule, in-memory computing, as seen with SAP S/4HANA, and more. SAP’s strong emphasis on cloud solutions provides organizations with the flexibility to scale their operations and adapt to changing market demands, and its cloud platform is designed to support digital transformation initiatives, offering a range of deployment options like public and private cloud. This is especially relevant as there is a rising demand for cloud software, with Gartner estimating that global spend on cloud services will reach $679 billion in 2024 alone.  

Oracle, on the other hand, has been slower in its cloud adoption and innovation efforts. While Oracle Cloud has made strides, it often lags behind SAP in terms of the breadth and depth of cloud-native capabilities. 

User-Friendly Interface

SAP has made significant investments in enhancing the user experience (UX) of its applications. The SAP Fiori design language, for example, offers a modern, intuitive interface that simplifies complex tasks and improves user productivity. SAP Fiori’s role-based approach ensures that users have access to the information and functions they need, tailored to their specific roles within the organization.  

In contrast, Oracle’s user interface has been criticized for being less intuitive and harder to navigate. The learning curve for new users can be steep, leading to potential inefficiencies and decreased user satisfaction. 

Advanced Analytics and Business Intelligence

SAP’s analytics and business intelligence (BI) capabilities are among the best in the industry. SAP Analytics Cloud, amongst other solutions and suites, provides real-time analytics and planning functionalities in one platform, and its integration with SAP S/4HANA allows for instant insights and data-driven decision-making.  

Oracle also offers strong analytics capabilities through Oracle Analytics Cloud and other BI tools. However, SAP’s seamless integration with its core ERP system and advanced analytics features give it an edge in providing actionable insights and a holistic view of the business. 

Industry-Specific Solutions

SAP has developed a comprehensive list – nearly 30 to be exact – of industry-specific solutions tailored to the unique needs of various industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, retail, life sciences, consumer products, and wholesale distribution. With the industry focus in mind, these solutions incorporate best practices and regulatory requirements, enabling organizations to achieve faster time-to-value and improved compliance. This is especially relevant for organizations in industries such as the life sciences or pharmaceuticals, where compliance is so critical.  

While Oracle also offers industry solutions, SAP’s extensive portfolio and deep industry expertise make it a preferred choice for many organizations seeking tailored, out-of-the-box functionality that is unique to their industry.  

Global Support Network

The SAP partner network is extensive, providing a wealth of resources and expertise to support SAP implementations and ongoing operations. In fact, there are over 21,000 SAP partner companies around the globe. Having such a vast and widespread network further ensures that organizations can access the skills and support they need, regardless of their location.  

Oracle also has a strong global presence, but SAP’s ecosystem is often regarded as more mature and expansive, offering greater opportunities for collaboration and innovation.

ROI

When evaluating the return on investment (ROI), many organizations find that SAP offers a more favorable financial outlook. After all, Forrester research found one composite organization achieved 269% three-year ROI through investing in SAP solutions. SAP’s integrated solutions reduce the need for costly customizations and third-party applications. Additionally, the efficiencies gained through SAP’s advanced functionalities and real-time analytics can lead to significant cost savings and improved business performance.  

MOVING FROM ORACLE TO SAP: HOW TO GET STARTED

Moving from Oracle to SAP is a strategic decision that can drive significant business benefits. From superior integration capabilities and innovative technology to a user-friendly interface and advanced analytics, SAP offers a compelling value proposition for organizations looking to enhance their competitive edge.  

While the transition requires careful planning and execution, the long-term benefits of adopting SAP can far outweigh the initial investment. 

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This piece was originally published by a partner in our business ecosystem, Crescense. Learn more about Crescense here.