Marta Muñoz Tarragó

The way SAP environments are managed is evolving rapidly. While just a few years ago the focus was on migrating to the Cloud, today's challenge is much broader: building an operating model capable of managing SAP platforms efficiently, regardless of the underlying infrastructure they run on. The transition to SAP S/4HANA, the adoption of RISE with SAP and the growth of Cloud services are reshaping the technology landscape. Although many companies still run each SAP platform on a single infrastructure, it is becoming increasingly common for multiple deployment models to coexist within the same organisation. Added to this is the adoption of specialised Cloud services, AI capabilities and advanced business continuity strategies, creating increasingly flexible hybrid and multicloud environments. This trend reflects the natural evolution of enterprise platforms. Gartner predicts that 90% of companies will adopt a hybrid Cloud approach before 2027. It also highlights that this model enables the progressive modernisation of ERP environments, enabling companies to adopt Cloud and AI capabilities in a flexible way that aligns with business needs. ■ In our experience, the real challenge is no longer deciding where to run SAP, but how to manage different platforms consistently, while maintaining operational control while enabling those platforms to evolve as business needs change. The new reality of SAP environments The evolution of SAP platforms does not follow a single path. Every company moves at its own pace and adopts the deployment model that best meets its business needs, resulting in environments where different deployment models coexist, each selected according to specific functional, technical or regulatory requirements. It's increasingly common to find organisations combining: SAP platforms hosted in private data centres. Systems deployed through RISE with SAP. Solutions deployed on the leading Cloud providers. Development and test environments in the Cloud to increase agility and flexibility. Legacy applications that remain business-critical and must coexist with the new platforms, serving as historical systems of record. ■ This diversity reflects very specific business requirements. Some platforms demand maximum availability and performance, while others prioritise scalability, cost optimisation or the ability to incorporate new digital services. In many cases, factors such as regulatory requirements, data residency or business continuity strategies also play a decisive role. The diversity of infrastructures calls for a common operating model that enables SAP to be managed consistently across any environment. Against this backdrop, the challenge is no longer simply deciding where to run each SAP platform, but achieving a consistent and efficient operating model, regardless of the underlying infrastructure. Because although the technologies may differ, the operational experience should remain consistent. A unified operating model enables business to manage SAP platforms consistently across different infrastructures. ■ There is no single deployment model that suits every company. Infrastructure should serve business needs, not the other way around. The key is to establish a common operating model that simplifies management while providing the flexibility to evolve. The real challenge: simplifying operations In many projects, we've found that migration is only the beginning. The real complexity emerges when different SAP platforms have to be operated in a coordinated way, while maintaining the same levels of service, security and efficiency. Each environment comes with its own tools, procedures and capabilities for monitoring, system administration, backup, maintenance and task automation. Without a common operating strategy, this diversity can lead to greater complexity, making day-to-day management and the ongoing evolution of SAP platforms more difficult. Some of the most common challenges include: Different tools and procedures depending on the underlying infrastructure. Lack of standardisation across administration and operational processes. The challenge of maintaining consistent service levels across platforms. Applying consistent security, business continuity and maintenance policies. The need for a unified view to support decision-making and continuous improvement. For this reason, the success of a hybrid or multicloud strategy depends not only on choosing the right infrastructure for each SAP platform, but also on having a unified operating model capable of simplifying management, standardising processes and delivering a consistent operational experience across the entire environment. Simplifying operations is what turns technological flexibility into tangible business value. At Telefónica Tech we support companies throughout this transformation with a portfolio of solutions designed to meet different SAP deployment and operational requirements. Whether through SAP Virtual, SAP Virtual on AWS, Managed SAP Services or scenarios based on RISE with SAP, our goal is to deliver a consistent, secure and efficient operating model, enabling every organisation to choose the infrastructure that best suits its needs without sacrificing unified management. ■ Experience shows that organisations do not realise the true value of a hybrid or multicloud strategy simply by using a particular infrastructure, but by having an operating model capable of delivering the same quality of service, regardless of where their SAP platforms are running. A unified operating model is what makes the difference A common operating model makes it possible to standardise processes, centralise monitoring, and apply consistent maintenance, security and business continuity policies. —When operations become simpler, organisations gain the agility to evolve their platforms without adding complexity. Multicloud: making the most of every environment A multicloud strategy is not about using multiple Clouds. It's about choosing the infrastructure that best meets the needs of each platform. —Flexibility creates value when it is supported by a governance model that provides operational control and helps optimise costs. AI is already shaping the evolution of SAP Artificial Intelligence is no longer an isolated capability or simply another new feature. It is changing the way SAP platforms are designed and evolved. —Solutions such as SAP Business AI and Joule, together with the AI services offered by the leading Cloud providers, make it possible to automate processes and unlock greater value from data. To take full advantage of these capabilities, SAP is driving initiatives such as Clean Core, which support the continuous evolution of ERP while maintaining a standard core and reducing technical complexity. A unified operating model reduces complexity and enables SAP platforms to evolve with greater agility and security. Managed services: the value of specialist operations The diversity of deployment models means that specialist operational expertise is essential to maintaining the efficiency and continuity of SAP platforms. Managed services make it possible to standardise processes, automate routine tasks and simplify day-to-day management, enabling companies to focus on innovation and the continued evolution of their operations. Our approach at Telefónica Tech At Telefónica Tech, we work every day with companies whose needs vary considerably. Some are just beginning their migration to SAP S/4HANA, while others are moving towards RISE with SAP or embracing hybrid models built on the public Cloud. Managed services provide the specialist expertise needed to operate diverse SAP environments efficiently, ensure business continuity and maintain an end-to-end view of operations. Our experience confirms that there is no single path to transforming SAP. What matters is choosing the model that best meets the needs of each organisation and supporting it with an operating model that simplifies administration and enables continuous evolution. That's why we offer solutions such as SAP Virtual, SAP Virtual on AWS, Managed SAP Services and deployment models based on RISE with SAP, helping our customers move forward with greater confidence and flexibility. Looking ahead SAP will continue to evolve with new capabilities, new deployment models and ever closer integration with AI. Technology will continue to evolve, but the objective will remain the same: to ensure organisations have platforms that are ready to evolve without increasing operational complexity. Because transformation doesn't end when a platform reaches the Cloud. It begins when company can operate it with the simplicity, security and efficiency they need to keep innovating. The future of SAP lies in platforms that are ready to adopt new capabilities without increasing operational complexity. Telefónica Tech Cloud Cloud ERP for growing companies: everything you need to know about SAP Cloud ERP July 14, 2025