SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud vs Workday
Side-by-side comparison of SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud and Workday — features, pricing, modules, and deployment options.
SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud vs Workday at a Glance
| Criteria | SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud | Workday |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Large, complex enterprises needing deep customisation and controlled upgrades | People-centric organisations needing unified HR + finance |
| Starting Price | Custom quote | Custom quote |
| Pricing Model | custom | custom |
| Deployment | cloud, hybrid | cloud |
| Company Size | 1001-5000, 5000+ | 1001-5000, 5000+ |
| Implementation | 6–18 months | 6–12 months |
| Typical Cost | $500K–$5M+ | $300K–$2M+ |
Module Comparison
| Module | SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud | Workday |
|---|---|---|
| Finance & Accounting | ★★★ Strong | ★★★ Strong |
| Manufacturing | ★★★ Strong | — N/A |
| Supply Chain | ★★★ Strong | ★ Basic |
| CRM | ★★ Moderate | — N/A |
| HR & Payroll | ★★ Moderate | ★★★ Strong |
| Project Management | ★★ Moderate | ★★★ Strong |
| Inventory Management | ★★★ Strong | ★ Basic |
| Procurement | ★★★ Strong | ★★★ Strong |
| Warehouse Management | ★★★ Strong | — N/A |
| Ecommerce | ★★ Moderate | — N/A |
| Business Intelligence | ★★★ Strong | ★★★ Strong |
| Quality Management | ★★★ Strong | — N/A |
| Field Service | ★★ Moderate | — N/A |
| Asset Management | ★★★ Strong | ★ Basic |
Pros & Cons
SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud
Pros
- +Full custom ABAP development — bring existing ECC customisations
- +Customer-controlled upgrade schedule (annual/bi-annual)
- +Complete S/4HANA module portfolio including advanced manufacturing & EWM
- +RISE with SAP bundles software, hosting, BTP, and support
Cons
- -Higher TCO than Public Cloud due to dedicated infrastructure
- -Longer implementations (6–18 months) with migration complexity
- -Custom code maintenance adds ongoing effort and cost
- -Complex RISE with SAP licensing can be hard to negotiate
Workday
Pros
- +Best-in-class HCM — payroll, talent, workforce planning
- +Excellent financial planning and analytics (Adaptive Planning)
- +Unified data model — no separate data warehouses needed
- +Consumer-grade UX with strong mobile experience
Cons
- -No manufacturing, warehouse, CRM, or ecommerce
- -Not a full-suite ERP for product-based businesses
- -Very expensive for mid-market companies
- -Limited supply chain capabilities
When to Choose SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud
- You need an ERP best suited for large, complex enterprises needing deep customisation and controlled upgrades
- Your company has 1001-5000 or 5000+ employees
- You operate in Manufacturing, Oil & Gas, Pharmaceuticals
- You prefer cloud / hybrid deployment
When to Choose Workday
- You need an ERP best suited for people-centric organisations needing unified hr + finance
- Your company has 1001-5000 or 5000+ employees
- You operate in Professional Services, Healthcare, Education
- You prefer cloud deployment
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud better than Workday?
It depends on your business needs. SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud is best for large, complex enterprises needing deep customisation and controlled upgrades, while Workday is best for people-centric organisations needing unified hr + finance. SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud starts at custom pricing and Workday starts at custom pricing.
How does SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud pricing compare to Workday?
SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud uses a custom pricing model, while Workday uses a custom model. SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud typical total cost is $500K–$5M+ vs $300K–$2M+ for Workday.
Which is better for manufacturing: SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud or Workday?
Both vendors serve manufacturing companies. SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud is typically chosen by 1001-5000, 5000+ employee organizations, while Workday targets 1001-5000, 5000+ employee companies. Consider your company size and specific module needs to decide.
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