An Expert vs. Myths about SAP. Why is GROW with SAP the right choice for business?

SAP implementation experts often focus on the best aspects of the system, presenting potential Clients with a promising vision of their company’s growth. However, the evolution of businesses into ultramodern organizations is not the result of implementing advanced ERP systems alone. Such results can only be achieved with the involvement of the right specialists who listen not only to their Clients’ needs, but also to their dissatisfaction, concerns, or complaints about the technology. Implementation success is the outcome of many factors, including hours of conversations with entrepreneurs who are not always sure about the changes.

At Hicron, we have been implementing SAP systems for nearly two decades, which often involves dispelling our Clients’ doubts. We spoke with Hicron’s Business Development team, which meets potential Clients of our organization on a daily basis. We asked them about the main reasons why companies postpone or even decide against implementing SAP. We compared these objections with the expert knowledge of Bartosz Pawłowski, SAP Cloud Solutions Manager at Hicron, who has been leading SAP implementation projects at our company for years and knows very well the challenges that arise along the way.

Are you planning to implement SAP but still worried about the changes your company will face in this process? You have never used this system and do not know how to approach its implementation? Read this article to clear up your doubts!

Objection 1: SAP is too expensive

The belief that SAP systems are too costly is related to many factors. One of them may be the implementation price quoted by software providers. Sometimes it also stems from word-of-mouth opinions that do not necessarily reflect reality. It is often difficult for specialists to determine exactly which part of the SAP offering a Client considers too expensive. In many cases, the Client does not specify this issue at all.

Many Polish entrepreneurs believe that SAP is a solution for large corporations, not for medium-sized companies. In the cloud model, however, you pay a predictable subscription fee instead of investing in servers, backups, and administrators. On top of that, users have access to ready-made JPK (SAF-T) and KSeF (National e-Invoicing System) solutions as part of Digital Reporting Compliance, which means avoiding costly, dedicated integrations with the Ministry of Finance. The GROW with SAP program includes Enterprise Support and SAP Cloud ALM for project management. It is worth remembering, though, that services such as Preferred Success require an additional fee (20% of the subscription), as do SAP Signavio or extensions in SAP BTP. Forrester’s TEI study showed ROI at the level of 155% over three years for SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition, while Gartner has consistently ranked SAP among the leaders of the cloud ERP market for years.

Bartosz Pawlowski

SAP Cloud Solutions Manager, Hicron

Objection 2: The implementation takes too long

The standard duration of a full SAP implementation is usually over a year. For many Clients, this timeframe becomes the main reason why they choose not to proceed with such a project. In conversations with Hicron’s Business Development team, potential software buyers say that this period is far too long, with some even suggesting it would be a waste of time for their company. However, from the perspective of implementation experts, the months allocated to SAP implementation are of crucial importance.

In Poland, many companies still remember ERP projects that lasted much more than one year. With cloud systems, however, things look different. Thanks to the Activate methodology and fit-to-standard workshops, SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition can be launched within the GROW with SAP program in 3 to 6 months, depending on the scope and complexity of processes. The latest case studies demonstrate exactly that. Mindsprint implemented SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition in 6 months, and Phoenix Global in 8 months (initially planned for 6). The key is to limit unnecessary modifications and stick to ready-made processes. Forrester calculated that the first tangible benefits appear on average 7 months after go-live.

Bartosz Pawlowski

SAP Cloud Solutions Manager, Hicron

Objection 3: Lack of adequate support from the system provider

Potential Clients often worry about the level of implementation support provided by the company delivering the SAP system. They may believe that they will not be properly prepared, trained, or supported in adopting the new software. Sometimes, the involvement of the company’s employees in the SAP implementation process is seen as unnecessary because it distracts them from their daily responsibilities. Some Clients believe that the implementation partner should be expected to carry out the project from start to finish without requiring the participation of the buyer’s teams. From the perspective of Hicron specialists delivering the system, the Client’s active involvement throughout the entire process is extremely important and brings numerous benefits that the company experiences both during and after the implementation.

SME Clients often expect the implementation partner to take full responsibility. In reality, success depends on the active participation of users on the Client’s side. SAP supports this process by providing direct assistance to the client. Every cloud subscription includes Enterprise Support, which provides access to SAP experts via tickets, SAP Learning Hub with training materials, and system monitoring tools. Additionally, the Preferred Success program can be purchased, offering the engagement of a dedicated success manager who understands the Client’s business specifics, conducts regular system reviews, proactively recommends optimizations, and plans the adoption of new functionalities. Everything is brought together by SAP Cloud ALM, which enables real-time tracking of project status, tests, and risks. From my experience, the earlier we involve key users, the faster the system becomes accepted across the organization. Gartner identifies SAP as a Cloud ERP leader due to its “extensive partner ecosystem” and global presence.

Bartosz Pawlowski

SAP Cloud Solutions Manager, Hicron

Objection 4: The SAP system is not tailored to the company’s needs

One of the common arguments against implementing SAP is the belief that it does not fit the unique nature of certain businesses. Many Clients run highly specialized companies with their own specific requirements. Because of this, they sometimes cannot find technological solutions that would support their enterprises. Such experiences lead to the conviction that the available technology is not suited to their advanced or non-standard needs. This also causes a lack of trust among potential Clients toward modern systems such as SAP. Entrepreneurs fear that the software will not be able to meet their specific needs.

Every company is indeed unique, but what defines this uniqueness are its people, organizational culture, values, and the way it conducts business – not its core accounting, sales, or procurement processes. In practice, SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition includes hundreds of ready-made Best Practice scenarios: ranging from finance and logistics to production and service. If unique processes appear, SAP makes it possible to extend them in the BTP cloud without interfering with the system core. From my many years of SAP implementation experience, I know that companies are often convinced of the uniqueness of their processes, but analysis shows that SAP already covers them in the standard. Gartner emphasizes that the breadth of SAP functionality is one of the reasons why the system maintains its position as an ERP leader.

Bartosz Pawlowski

SAP Cloud Solutions Manager, Hicron

Objection 5: Excessive implementation complexity and delays

This perception of SAP implementation is closely related to the previous objection. Sometimes Clients see the risk of project delays because their company has unique needs, and from their perspective adapting the system may be time-consuming. In addition, some do not see the need to become involved in the implementation process (as already mentioned in Objection 4), assuming that such activities are the sole responsibility of the system provider. As a result, Clients sometimes subconsciously limit their involvement, and when the testing phase comes, the system’s key users are not sufficiently engaged to contribute to the success of the implementation. It should be emphasized that in order for the implementation to proceed properly and for the company to truly benefit from it, the engagement of the Client’s teams is crucial. If their employees are not adequately prepared for the implementation, the project may in fact become complicated and prolonged.

Most delays arise not because of the technology but due to a lack of decisions and low engagement. That is why in the GROW with SAP program we use tools such as Cloud ALM, which provides users with all tasks, tests, and risk information in one place. At the same time, applying the SAP Activate methodology forces quick decision-making through fit-to-standard workshops. From my SAP implementation experience, I know that the right methodological approach makes it possible to complete the project on schedule, despite Clients’ initial concerns. Forrester points out that SAP Clients shorten the time needed to achieve their implementation goals by months compared to traditional on-premises projects.

Bartosz Pawlowski

SAP Cloud Solutions Manager, Hicron

Objection 6: Disorganization of the implementation project

A common concern among potential Clients is that implementation projects often lead to organizational chaos. They fear that the system provider’s implementation team may not be sufficiently committed to the project due to such factors as sick leaves of its members, their vacations, or more complex issues, such as system errors occurring during the work, attempts to fix them, or the infrastructure not being suited to the new technology. Of course, each of these situations can occur during implementation. However, the SAP implementation process ensures the Client has a Project Manager overseeing the project throughout its entire duration.

Every project has its risks, but the key is to manage them predictably. SAP Cloud ALM, included in the cloud subscription, centralizes all project elements: schedule, responsibilities, tests, and reporting. The implementation partner assigns a dedicated Project Manager who ensures consistency and keeps deadlines on track. In SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud, configuration and testing take place in separate environments (Development, Test), which remain stable throughout the entire project. The infrastructure is managed by SAP, eliminating the risk of technical issues and unforeseen downtime on the Client’s side. In addition, the SAP Activate methodology ensures the achievement of clearly defined milestones and clear decision-making at every stage of the project. After go-live, an additional advantage is SAP’s predictable update schedule (twice a year, announced six months in advance), which allows the organization to confidently plan the long-term operation of the system. Gartner confirms that predictability and governance are precisely the strengths that set SAP apart from the competition.

Bartosz Pawlowski

SAP Cloud Solutions Manager, Hicron

Objection 7: SAP is unnecessary

Potential Clients often decide against implementing SAP or postpone the decision because they are convinced that they do not need it. Proposals for change from implementation partners are frequently rejected based on the belief that the software currently used by the Client’s company is entirely sufficient, and that a new system would not bring any significant improvements to the quality of the company’s work. In addition, some business managers are reluctant to even discuss new solutions, as this would require involving their employees, whose engagement in everyday responsibilities is already a priority. Such an approach can have serious consequences for enterprises. Delaying implementation until the moment it becomes absolutely necessary – because the existing system is outdated or no longer meets legal requirements – can result in problems for the company’s operations.

This is the most common argument, especially among smaller companies: “Everything is working fine, so why change it?”. The problem arises when new regulations are introduced. In Poland, we already know that KSeF (National e-Invoicing System) will become mandatory starting in 2026, and across the entire European Union the ViDA package will come into force. Older systems will not handle this without costly modifications. SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition provides ready-made compliance solutions as part of Digital Reporting Compliance. For an entrepreneur, this means they do not have to make last-minute investments in expensive workarounds. Postponing implementation until it becomes absolutely necessary can cause serious disruptions in business operations. Global analyses indicate that companies which delayed ERP modernization incurred significantly higher costs than those that chose to transform in advance.

Bartosz Pawlowski

SAP Cloud Solutions Manager, Hicron

GROW with SAP – controlled SAP S/4HANA implementation for beginners

The skepticism of potential Clients toward SAP S/4HANA implementations is an issue that should not be underestimated. Many entrepreneurs are convinced that their business is not ready for a technological change such as the implementation of a cloud system. Some of them also share the belief that their companies are not suited for such a project. The concerns of business managers often include the insufficient size and scale of their organizations, too few employees, or underdeveloped technological infrastructure.

SAP has created an offering tailored specifically for such companies. is an implementation approach that prepares companies for adopting the SAP S/4HANA Cloud system at the right pace and scale, adjusted to their business. It is the ideal solution for those who have so far been skeptical about implementing SAP, feared its complexity, or believed they were not ready for it.

Among the many advantages of the GROW with SAP offering, it is worth highlighting in particular:

Fast implementation – without excessive costs or unnecessary delays:
thanks to ready-made industry scenarios, it is possible to launch basic SAP S/4HANA processes in just 4 weeks; such a quick start helps avoid a long and costly project, which is often associated with fears of prolonged SAP implementation and with having to endure expensive and frustrating ERP system changes.
Cloud model – Public or Private Cloud – tailored to the company’s needs and budget: the offer includes both and versions, enabling the choice of a solution suited to the scale and strategy of the business; this opens the perspective of gradually building market advantage for organizations that do not want to invest in extensive IT infrastructure but are looking for a flexible subscription model.
Automation, standardization, and scalability in a single package: the solution supports the automation and standardization of key areas such as finance, logistics, and sales, which significantly simplifies daily operations and reduces errors; moreover, the system grows with the company – scalability allows new functions and extensions to be introduced without having to rebuild the entire system.
Innovation and flexibility: GROW with SAP provides access to low-code/no-code tools that enable integration with other systems as well as functional extensions, supporting the company’s development and adaptation to a changing business environment.

I understand the concerns of companies that have never worked with SAP. I often hear: “it’s not for us”, “we’re too small”, “it’s too complicated”. The GROW with SAP program was created precisely with such organizations in mind. It differs from traditional implementations in that it starts with a Digital Discovery Assessment: a safe analysis that shows how SAP S/4HANA Cloud could support specific processes in the company. The Client sees a map of their transformation before making a decision. In our experience with Digital Discovery Assessments, it often turns out that Clients’ concerns are unfounded. Their processes fit SAP standards perfectly. The GROW with SAP program also offers a predictable cost and timeline model for implementation, eliminating the fear of the project getting out of control. For companies hesitating whether they are “ready for SAP”, GROW with SAP is the answer: you can start with small steps, without a revolution in the organization.

Bartosz Pawlowski

SAP Cloud Solutions Manager, Hicron

Hicron – an experienced and flexible implementation partner

The decision to implement SAP S/4HANA is not only a choice of technology but above all a choice of a partner who will guide the company through this process in a safe and predictable way. For years, Hicron has been supporting enterprises in digital transformations, combining technological expertise with a flexible approach to Client needs. Our teams not only implement the system but also listen and analyze business challenges to ensure that the proposed solutions provide real support in the company’s daily operations. We offer comprehensive consulting and assistance – from needs analysis, through implementation and training, to post-launch system optimization and development. This ensures that our Clients are not left alone with the new tool and that every stage of the transformation takes place in an atmosphere of partnership and trust.

By choosing Hicron as an implementation partner within the GROW with SAP program, you gain not only a modern ERP system but above all a competitive advantage, efficient processes, and a solid foundation for the further growth of your organization.

Are you considering implementing SAP S/4HANA and looking for a partner who will take care of every detail of this change? Talk to us and see how we can accelerate the growth of your business together.

Sources:

https://support.sap.com/en/offerings-programs/enterprise-support/enterprise-support-academy/sap-s-4hana-cloud-implementation.html

https://www.sap.com/services-support/service-offerings/preferred-success.html

https://www.sap.com/westbalkans/research/modernizing-erp-is-the-key-to-business-success

https://www.sap.com/research/s4hana-cloud-recognized-as-a-leader-by-gartner