Editions of this series: Get ready for Enhancement Packages (1) - 2 - 3 - 4
Get Ready for SAP Enhancement Packages for SAP ERP (3): Include Enhancement Package 3 in your SAP ERP 6.0 Installation / Upgrade !
Are you preparing a new installation of SAP ERP 6.0? Are you to upgrading to SAP ERP 6.0?
Do not waste resources! In both cases you should ensure to arrive at the latest band of functionality. This will maximize your potential to add business value at any time!
The current support release 3 (SR 3) for SAP ERP 6.0 is available since March 2008. SR3 is of special significance, because it allows customers to embed SAP enhancement package 3 for SAP ERP 6.0 in one installation step. SR3 contains all SP stacks up to SAP ERP 6.0 SPS11. SR3 was shipped in parallel to SAP ERP 6.0 SPS 12. This means that SPS12 is not yet included in SR3 and has to be installed in addition.
Furthermore, new techniques which improve upgrade and installation procedure are also provided with the support release. SR3 supports all upgrades from source release SAP R/3 3.1I or higher.
SR3 allows embedding EHP3 directly
The support release SR3 is of special significance, because it allows customers to embed SAP enhancement package 3 for SAP ERP 6.0 if they want. In this case, the enhancement package is installed together with SAP ERP 6.0 in one installation step and in one downtime. SAP enhancement package 3 for SAP ERP 6.0 is generally available since June 2008. If you embed EHP3 in your upgrade, this has no impact on your technical downtime!
Same as for SPS12, above, SAP enhancement package 3 for SAP ERP 6.0 SP01 is not yet included and has to be installed separately.
Embedding SAP enhancement package 3 for SAP ERP 6.0 is possible for any new installation as well as for upgrades from source release SAP R/3 4.0B or higher. Be aware that the Maintenance Optimizer (SAP Solution Manager 4.0 stack 15) is required for executing this procedure.
Embedding SAP enhancement package 3 for SAP ERP 6.0 is an option when using SR3 for the ERP 6.0 upgrade or installation. This means that it is up to you if you want to embed EHP3, you are not obliged to install it together with SAP ERP 6.0.
SAP recommends to use SR3 and to embed the relevant parts of enhancement package 3. The benefits of using SR3 and directly embedding SAP enhancement package 3 for SAP ERP 6.0 include the following:
- Improved Lifecycle Management tools support
- Using SR3 simplifies trouble shooting since the installation procedure is prone to less errors than when installing a former support release and additional support package stacks in several steps
- With SR3, most corrections are directly available (except those that were provided after SR3 was delivered)
- With SR3, embedding SAP enhancement package 3 for SAP ERP 6.0 is possible in one step, on one downtime (otherwise, EhP 3 can only be installed in a second step after the installation)
- By embedding SAP enhancement package 3 for SAP ERP 6.0, you are in an advantageous position for activating the relevant innovations at any later point in time. If you install all parts of SAP enhancement package 3 for SAP ERP 6.0, you can choose from all business functions. If you install only some of the technical usages from SAP enhancement package 3 for SAP ERP 6.0, the number of business functions is reduced accordingly.
As a precondition before embedding EHP3 in your installation or upgrade, please check if the add-ons that you use are released for SAP enhancement package 3 for SAP ERP 6.0, eventually by contacting your partner. (Also see OSS note no. https://service.sap.com/sap/support/notes/1117309>.)
Please get back to me with your thoughts and questions.
