SAP SE (NYSE: SAP) today announces that Colt Technology Services has successfully completed its cloud ERP migration through RISE with SAP, marking a major milestone in the global telecom provider’s digital transformation journey.

Colt’s RISE with SAP deployment combines SAP S/4HANA with SAP Ariba, SuccessFactors, Fieldglass, OpenText and BTP to unify its ERP estate. The migration has consolidated disparate data sources into one single platform, improving business analytics, decision-making and driving departmental cost savings.

Operating across more than 40 countries, Colt faced operational complexity compounded by a legacy hardware environment and recent business acquisitions. In close collaboration with SAP’s Enterprise Cloud Services (ECS) team, Colt pursued a company-wide transformation programme to clean its data core.

This programme enabled Colt to uplift its hardware, move its customer data into the cloud and create a streamlined ERP platform – a single source of truth for all strategic decision making, while creating opportunities for future growth. In embracing the cloud, Colt now covers 80% of its business capabilities through fewer platforms, reducing complexity, simplifying its digital estate, and boosting workforce productivity.

The migration was projected to require 14-hours in business downtime, but thanks to thorough mock rehearsals and close collaboration between Colt and SAP ECS this was reduced to just 6.5 hours. This minimised disruption, enabled faster customer response times and lowered the need for manual interventions.

“By modernising our core systems, we are better equipped to deliver for customers, bring new telco services to market and compete on an international stage,” said Ashish Surti, Chief Digital & Information Officer, Colt Technology Services. “Our trusted partnership with SAP, particularly the support from the SAP ECS team in rehearsing and trialling our new environment, has given us confidence in the strength of our new cloud platform. With this digital foundation in place, we are ready to scale and explore new opportunities in AI and automation that will shape the next generation of telecommunications.”

The upgraded platform aligns with Colt’s strategic business objectives to contribute to a more sustainable future, while also unlocking major network developments to support its customer services. The completed migration lowers Colt’s environmental footprint with more efficient operations, reduced energy use and fewer hardware refreshes.

“Colt’s successful cloud migration strengthens its ability to compete on the global telecom stage where reliable, smart connectivity is essential,” said Leila Romane, Managing Director, SAP UKI. “By unifying its ERP and unlocking clear, strategic data insights across its critical business functions, Colt has the digital foundations to drive future growth, innovate with AI and advance its sustainability ambitions while confidently meeting rising customer expectations.”

Looking ahead, Colt will continue working closely with SAP on its long-term digital transformation programme, with plans to adopt AI, expand its cloud footprint and onboard SAP Signavio and Concur.