Support package stacks allow you to keep productive applications up to date on a regular basis with a minimal cost of ownership.

The introduction of minimum support package stack levels gives you more flexibility in planning your maintenance activities by reducing the range of possible combinations. Benefits include:

• Enhanced quality of single support packages - corrections are less complex 
• SAP specifically tests combinations of support package stacks, improving the quality and compatibility
• Download pages simplify downloading the required support packages and patches
• Reduced time and effort needed to apply corresponding support packages and patches
• Problems can be preempted or solved faster

You may need more than the minimum recommendations when realizing upgrade or implementation projects.

Resources:

Schedules for Maintenance Deliveries

Support package stack strategy

Details of support package stack components

We recommend the application of support package stacks at least once a year so that all corrections can be implemented.

• SAP product versions are supported by using support package stacks.
• Each support package stack is led by a certain component version.
  
• The corresponding support package has a key position within the stack.
  
• Detailed information regarding different product versions can be found here.  

Since the introduction of the SAP Maintenance Planner, the support package stacks can easily be downloaded. For some older product versions, the calculation and download still is possible via the previous SP stack calculation tool using the direct links mentioned below. The old tool is no longer enhanced.