Microsoft Launches Global Acceleration Program for RISE with SAP on Azure

Microsoft has announced the launch of the Global Acceleration Program for RISE with SAP on Microsoft Azure, a new initiative designed to support enterprise customers in expediting their transition to the cloud. This program underscores Microsoft’s continued commitment to helping organizations modernize mission-critical SAP workloads with confidence, scale, and efficiency. 

For business and IT leaders, the migration to SAP S/4HANA and the cloud remains a strategic priority—but one that comes with complexity. The Global Acceleration Program is aimed at removing barriers to adoption by offering targeted resources and incentives to accelerate this transformation. 

Key Benefits of the Program 

The program provides a comprehensive suite of support mechanisms to simplify and de-risk the migration journey, including: 

• Financial incentives to offset the costs associated with cloud migration and modernization 

• Access to joint engineering resources from Microsoft and SAP to support architecture planning and deployment 

• Guidance and tooling to streamline project management, governance, and execution 

• Collaboration with a global partner ecosystem experienced in SAP cloud transformations 

These benefits are designed to help organizations realize the value of RISE with SAP on Azure more quickly while laying the foundation for long-term innovation. 

Unlocking Innovation with Cloud and AI 

Migrating SAP workloads to Azure opens the door to advanced capabilities that go beyond core ERP modernization. With integration across Microsoft’s AI and data platforms—such as Microsoft Copilot and Azure OpenAI Service—customers can extract greater value from SAP data, drive intelligent automation, and enhance business decision-making across functions. 

By bringing together transactional data from SAP systems and contextual insights from the broader Microsoft ecosystem, organizations are better positioned to pursue initiatives in areas like supply chain optimization, financial forecasting, and workforce productivity. 

A Trusted Strategic Partnership 

Microsoft and SAP have a longstanding, global partnership, built on mutual investment in customer success. RISE with SAP offers a bundled solution that simplifies the path to S/4HANA by combining software, infrastructure, and managed services. Azure, as the preferred cloud platform, provides the enterprise-grade capabilities and global reach necessary for running SAP workloads at scale. 

It is worth noting that Microsoft itself runs its core SAP systems on Azure, further reinforcing its credibility as a trusted platform for mission-critical enterprise applications. 

The Global Acceleration Program is available to qualified customers globally and across industries.  

What this means for SAPinsiders 

Accelerate your SAP cloud transformation with targeted support. Microsoft’s Global Acceleration Program offers financial incentives, dedicated engineering resources, and access to a global partner network to help streamline the transition to RISE with SAP on Azure. This comprehensive support structure is designed to reduce complexity, control costs, and speed time to value. 

Enhance business outcomes by integrating SAP with AI and analytics. By moving SAP workloads to Azure, organizations can take advantage of Microsoft’s advanced AI and analytics capabilities—including Microsoft Copilot and Azure OpenAI Service. This integration enables intelligent automation, data-driven decision-making, and greater agility across finance, supply chain, and operations. 

Build on a trusted foundation for mission-critical workloads. Azure offers a secure, scalable, and enterprise-ready platform trusted by global organizations—including Microsoft’s own internal SAP operations. The long-standing partnership between SAP and Microsoft ensures a proven path for running SAP S/4HANA reliably in the cloud.