SAP S/4HANA cost in the UK: RISE, GROW and what a programme really costs

The deadline behind the decision

Mainstream maintenance for SAP ECC 6.0 ends at the end of 2027. Extended maintenance runs from 2028 to the end of 2030 at an extra two percentage points on the maintenance fee. SAP also offers a transition option through RISE with SAP that keeps ECC supported in SAP’s private cloud to the end of 2033 while you move.

How S/4HANA is licensed now

• RISE with SAP bundles S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition with infrastructure, technical operations and tools, priced on Full Usage Equivalents.
• GROW with SAP packages S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition for midsized organisations willing to adopt standard processes.
• On premise licences remain available, but SAP directs most new investment and innovation to its cloud offerings.

Full Usage Equivalents explained

Under RISE, users are converted into Full Usage Equivalents, or FUEs, according to what they do:

Indicative pricing is in the region of $170 to $200 per FUE per month, depending on volume, term and negotiation. That makes the user mix the biggest single lever on the subscription, so classify roles carefully before you ask for a quote.

Indicative programme costs

These figures combine subscription, systems integrator fees, data migration and internal costs. The integrator is usually the largest part.

What moves the total

• Greenfield, brownfield or selective. A fresh start redesigns processes; a conversion moves your current system and history; a selective approach sits between the two.
• Custom code. Years of ECC customisation must be retired, rewritten or moved out of the core.
• Data. Volumes, quality and how much history you migrate.
• Integrations. Every interface needs remapping and testing.
• Industry solutions. Utilities, retail and other industry modules add scope.
• Contract terms. FUE counts, term length, renewal caps and the price of extra capacity.

How to keep the cost under control

• Run a custom code and data assessment before you ask for prices.
• Have SAP and integrator proposals tested independently for assumptions and exclusions.
• Keep the core clean: build extensions outside it rather than modifying standard code.
• Tie integrator payments to measurable outcomes.
• Agree FUE growth pricing and renewal caps up front.

Related reading: SAP ECC end of life options, SAP vs Oracle, SAP consultancy, SAP Business One cost.

Common questions

How much does SAP S/4HANA cost in the UK?

Indicative first year costs run from around £200,000 to £600,000 for a single entity with 20 to 100 users, and £500,000 to £2 million for a multi entity group, including integrator fees. Larger programmes cost more.

What is an FUE in SAP?

A Full Usage Equivalent is SAP’s unit for subscription pricing. One Advanced user is one FUE; five Core users, thirty self service users or two developers also equal one FUE.

When does SAP ECC support end?

Mainstream maintenance ends at the end of 2027, with optional extended maintenance to the end of 2030 at a higher fee. A transition option under RISE extends support to the end of 2033.

Is RISE with SAP worth it?

It simplifies infrastructure and operations and opens the 2033 transition option, but commits you to a subscription. Compare it with a conventional approach on five and ten year total cost before deciding.

Before you sign a RISE contract or appoint an integrator, we can review the FUE sizing, scope and commercial terms independently.

Book a confidential conversation