Getting started · LessonBy Arjun, SAP Solution Architect · Published · SAP S/4HANA 2023 · all levels
SAP vs Workday
SAP and Workday compete most directly in cloud HR and finance. Workday is a cloud-native leader in HCM and increasingly finance; SAP counters with SuccessFactors (HR) and S/4HANA (finance and full ERP).
Quick answer
For organisations wanting best-of-breed cloud HR/finance, Workday is a strong choice; for a single integrated platform across the whole enterprise including operations and manufacturing, SAP’s breadth wins.
Key takeaways
- HR: Workday HCM versus SAP SuccessFactors, both leading cloud HR suites.
- Finance/ERP: Workday offers cloud financials; SAP offers the full ERP breadth of S/4HANA well beyond finance.
- Architecture: Workday is purely cloud-native SaaS; SAP spans on-premise, private and public cloud.
- Watch out: Assuming one is universally better, fit depends on your needs.
How they differ
- HR: Workday HCM versus SAP SuccessFactors, both leading cloud HR suites.
- Finance/ERP: Workday offers cloud financials; SAP offers the full ERP breadth of S/4HANA well beyond finance.
- Architecture: Workday is purely cloud-native SaaS; SAP spans on-premise, private and public cloud.
- Breadth: SAP covers the entire enterprise (manufacturing, supply chain, logistics); Workday concentrates on people and finance.
Which to choose
For organisations wanting best-of-breed cloud HR/finance, Workday is a strong choice; for a single integrated platform across the whole enterprise including operations and manufacturing, SAP’s breadth wins. Many run SuccessFactors or Workday alongside SAP ERP.
Common pitfalls
- Assuming one is universally better, fit depends on your needs.
- Comparing on price alone, capability and fit matter more.
- Ignoring integration with your existing systems.
Practice challenge
+0 XPStreak ×0
Question 1 of 3
Which statement is true of SAP vs Workday?
Frequently asked questions
What does the term SAP vs Workday refer to in SAP?
SAP and Workday compete most directly in cloud HR and finance. Workday is a cloud-native leader in HCM and increasingly finance; SAP counters with SuccessFactors (HR) and S/4HANA (finance and full ERP).
What is another point to note about SAP vs Workday?
For organisations wanting best-of-breed cloud HR/finance, Workday is a strong choice; for a single integrated platform across the whole enterprise including operations and manufacturing, SAP’s breadth wins.
What else is worth knowing about SAP vs Workday?
HR: Workday HCM versus SAP SuccessFactors, both leading cloud HR suites. Finance/ERP: Workday offers cloud financials; SAP offers the full ERP breadth of S/4HANA well beyond finance. Architecture: Workday is purely cloud-native SaaS; SAP spans on-premise, private and public cloud.
What tends to go wrong with SAP vs Workday?
Assuming one is universally better, fit depends on your needs. Comparing on price alone, capability and fit matter more. Ignoring integration with your existing systems.