What’s Changed — and Why It Matters

SAP has significantly restructured its RISE with SAP offering. If your organisation is still working from outdated references like “Base, Premium, or Premium Plus,” it’s time to rethink. As of Q2 2025, SAP has retired these edition labels and replaced them with a global SKU framework under SAP Cloud ERP Private, accompanied by tailored options and entitlement changes that could materially impact your licensing strategy.

For customers navigating renewal, transition, or audit risk — these changes are more than cosmetic. They reshape how services are bundled, what’s included, and where hidden costs may now arise.

From Editions to Entitlements: A Structural Shift

The old edition model (Base / Premium / Premium Plus) has been replaced with:

• SAP Cloud ERP Private ‘Core’*
• SAP Cloud ERP Private, base option
• Tailored options based on deployment and landscape needs

*The term “SAP Cloud ERP Private ‘core’ is not official SAP terminology. It has been introduced by ITAA solely to help distinguish between the standard offering and the “base” version, which refers to a limited functionality edition.

Entitlements previously bundled under Premium or Premium Plus are now either optional, reduced, or restructured under modular SKUs. Notably:

• SAP Build has shifted to four distinct roles: Base User, Premium User, Developer, and Runtime. ADeveloper user is now a required prerequisite for Base and Premium. The Runtime option can be used as standalone.
• SAP Datasphere, AI Units, Joule, and Sustainability Tools are no longer included by default.
• Supplier Portal volumes have been reduced and entitlements are edition specific.

Why This Matters for Your Organization

Customers evaluating or renewing a RISE/Cloud ERP deal must now consider:

• FUE-Driven Scaling: Entitlements like Build access, analytics, and HANA Cloud capacity scale up with the quantity of Full Use Equivalents (FUEs) purchased.
• Service Dependencies: Some entitlements such as Build Base users require a Developer user to enable the workflow development.
• Unbundled Extras: Tools once considered as part of the RISE package like Datasphere and Joule must now be licensed separately.
• Contract Clarity: Your order form is now your single source of truth. If a previously bundled license is not listed, you don’t have it.

Key Changes

How to Choose the Right Option

Your decision should now take into consideration:

• FUE baseline and growth forecast: the more FUEs purchased the more bundled entitlements are included.
• Required tools and services: SAP Build, Signavio, LeanIX, etc.
• Contractual clarity: Don’t assume inclusion of previously bundled licences, check your order form it must be explicitly listed.

Our Take: This Isn’t a Like-for-Like Swap

This isn’t simply a rebrand. SAP’s restructuring changes the entitlements customers receive and what they pay for. Where previous versions offered bundled value, the new modular approach requires greater diligence and licensing awareness.

At ITAA, we believe:

• Customers need clarity, not confusion.
• Being proactive is the best defence against hidden costs.

Supporting Resource: Download the Full Guide

To help technical and commercial teams assess their SAP position, we’ve created a detailed companion resource:

Download the 2025 SAP Cloud ERP Private Entitlements Guide

• Includes updated service matrix
• Clear user and usage limits
• Licensing dependencies
• FUE scaling thresholds
• Removed vs replaced entitlements summary

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Need Help Navigating the Changes?

Whether you’re planning a new deal, renewing an existing agreement, or struggling to make sense of what your entitlements really cover — we’re here to help. Contact ITAA for:

• Independent SAP licensing advice
• Order form analysis
• RISE deal benchmarking
• Contract optimisation and audit defence

About the Author

Ed Thompson, Associate Consultant

Ed is an Associate Consultant at ITAA, specializing in SAP solutions and digital transformation. With a first-class BSc in Business Management (Business Analytics) from Swansea University and experience in marketing and negotiation, he combines business acumen with analytical expertise. Ed is passionate about optimizing workflows, driving efficiency, and delivering SAP solutions.