Upgrade to Automatic: SP 6 Released for Focused Build for SAP Solution Manager

Try to remember building something complex, like an assembly-required toy in a giant box, or an elevated storage bed with the extra drawers/desk combo. What if you could have automated the process by pressing a button? Focused Build for SAP Solution Manager support pack (SP) 6, at least, offers a bright future of automation and easy setup.

Setup Automation

With the recent release of SP 6, configuring Focused Build via SOLMAN_SETUP now means selecting the Configuration: Focused Build tile.

Following, automated steps (such as gateway service enabling, template user creation, and job scheduling) guide you through an accelerated configuration process. It’s nearly as automated as if a robot came to your computer and pressed the buttons for you!

Easy Project Setup

Maybe Focused Build developers were thinking that no one should have to suffer the software equivalent of building the elevated storage bed. This innovation is literally called Easy Project Setup. Use it to create and schedule Focused Build projects.

The easy part is felt when you have multiple Master/Build projects. You can set wave relationships and logical release number assignments. You can sync the timing of waves, sprints, phases, and related Q-gates/milestones. I have to agree with the developers that it’s project preparation and project synchronization made easy.

Simplified Readiness Check Integration

If you have an SAP ERP Landscape and plan to convert to SAP S/4HANA, you will also appreciate a system readiness check. Now within Focused Build’s Simplification Item Management for System Conversion app, you can upload results from SAP Readiness Check for SAP S/4HANA.

From this, you have a new starting point for the Requirements-to-Deploy process in Focused Build. In addition, you can use the results to create Focused Build Requirements, Work Packages, or Projects for follow-up activities.

Intuitive Help Info Built into Apps

SP 6 offers expanded coverage of Web Assistant, which is web-based help information. It’s easier to find help for more Focused Build applications because the Web Assistant provides an overlay of help information on the screen where you work.

You can toggle the help overlay by selecting the (?) icon in the upper right corner. The highlighted bubbles apply to different parts of the interface. Select a bubble and corresponding help text appears. Since the help is context-sensitive to your screen, you can easily get help and get back to work. Web Assistant is available in the following apps:

• Requirements Management
• Project Management
• My Test Execution
• Test Steps Designer
• Test Steps Parameters

Overall, Focused Build for SAP Solution Manager SP 6 has a focus of building an easier user experience for you. I’ve highlighted some of these innovations above, but there’s much more to discover in SP 6. Visit What’s New in Focused Build 2.0 SP 6 on SAP Help Portal or check out the full SP 6 slide deck. Better yet, learn from the subject matter experts directly via the SP 6 webinar!