Exclusive: Rimini Street's solutions redefine SAP landscape

Rimini Street, founded in Las Vegas in 2005, has emerged as a game-changer in the enterprise software support market. The company's Global Vice President of SAP Product Management, Luiz Mariotto, shared insights into how Rimini Street is redefining IT services, particularly for SAP customers.

"We replace the traditional support provided by software vendors like SAP and Oracle, offering a much better value proposition," Mariotto explained to TechDay.

Mariotto, originally from Brazil and now based in California, has been with Rimini Street for nine years, five of which in his current role.

His extensive background includes 25 years in the SAP business, with a significant tenure at SAP itself, where he gained invaluable experience in various roles. At Rimini Street, he oversees the company's SAP services and products, ensuring they deliver premium support and innovative solutions to their global clientele.

In his role, Mariotto is responsible for leading a team that provides support to over 950 SAP clients in nearly 150 countries, including Australia and New Zealand. "We have expanded our services beyond product support to include managed services, consulting, and support for cloud products like SAP SuccessFactors and SAP Ariba," he explained. This expansion is a testament to Mariotto's leadership and vision for the company, ensuring they remain at the forefront of the industry.

Rimini Street's approach provides significant relief for clients facing major challenges with SAP's evolving product landscape. One such challenge is SAP's announcement of the end of support for certain products, including the flagship SAP ERP, which will be supported only until 2025 or 2027. Mariotto highlighted that clients often struggle with the business case for upgrading to the new version, SAP S/4HANA, given the substantial investment of time, resources, and money required. "Even after nine years since its launch, only one-third of SAP clients have upgraded to S/4HANA," he noted, citing Gartner's research.

SAP's push for clients to move to its cloud-based S/4HANA version under the "Rise with SAP" programme adds further pressure. "Not all clients are ready to move their ERP to the cloud, and some are not convinced it fits their cloud strategies," Mariotto pointed out. Rimini Street offers these clients an alternative path, providing support for SAP products for at least 15 years, allowing clients to make migration decisions on their own terms.

Mariotto's role also involves identifying and addressing the core challenges SAP customers face today. "Every client running SAP, and there are thousands, faces two major challenges: the end of support for certain products and the pressure to move to cloud solutions," he explained. His deep understanding of these issues enables Rimini Street to offer strategic solutions that alleviate these pressures.

A notable example of Rimini Street's impact is a multibillion-dollar energy utility company in the US, which has been a client since 2018. Initially, they moved their SAP support to Rimini Street, saving significant costs and avoiding pressured upgrades. Over time, they expanded their relationship, using Rimini Street for managed services and consulting on projects like digital metering. Recently, they adopted SAP SuccessFactors for HR and payroll, supported by Rimini Street, demonstrating the company's comprehensive service capabilities.

Mariotto dispelled common myths surrounding third-party support, particularly the belief that only SAP can effectively support its own products.

"Yes, it's possible. We support hundreds of complex, global SAP environments, and our scope goes beyond SAP's, covering customisations and integrations," he said.

Another misconception is that innovation is hindered without vendor support. Mariotto countered this by highlighting clients like Green Cargo, a Swedish logistics provider. They adopted a "composable ERP" approach, innovating around their core ERP with technologies like Microsoft and local platforms, avoiding costly upgrades while still advancing their capabilities.

Rimini Street also supports other major ERP systems, including Oracle applications like JD Edwards, PeopleSoft, and Siebel, as well as IBM, Microsoft, and VMware products. "We are continually expanding our portfolio to support more products," Mariotto added.

Mariotto emphasised that Rimini Street has created a unique IT service category of third-party support, boasting the largest client base and most comprehensive processes in the industry. "We serve thousands of clients globally, 24/7, with the best engineers and technology, making it difficult for any competitor to replicate our model," he stated proudly.

For SAP customers considering their options, Mariotto's message is clear: "There are alternatives to the vendor-driven roadmap. Our priority is to align with your business's strategic needs and timelines, not just the vendor's."

Rimini Street's innovative approach provides a much-needed choice for SAP clients, enabling them to navigate the complexities of their IT landscapes without succumbing to vendor pressures. "We give clients the freedom to assess their needs and make decisions on their own terms," Mariotto concluded.

In addition to his strategic role, Mariotto is deeply involved in the company's efforts to stay ahead of industry trends and technological advancements. His extensive experience and leadership have been instrumental in positioning Rimini Street as a trusted partner for SAP customers worldwide.

"We help clients figure out the best technology for them, being agnostic and looking beyond just what SAP offers," he explained. This commitment to innovation ensures that Rimini Street clients can continue to advance and adapt in a rapidly changing technological landscape. This includes Rimini Street’s Centre of Excellence for Innovation, a group dedicated to emerging technologies like cloud data management and AI integration.