Software Update Manager

The Software Update Manager (SUM) can be used for several scenarios or use cases; Software Maintenance, Database Migration, System Migration, Customer Transport Integration and Correction of Installed Software Information (CISI).

Software Update Manager 1.1 SP 03

Download SUM (1.1 and 2.0)

Software Update Manager 2.0 SP 21

SUM 1 versus SUM 2.0: each scenario is covered by only one of the SUM versions, depending on the target release:

  • SUM 2.0 is used for System Conversions, for ABAP single stacks targeting systems based on BASIS 7.50 and higher, and for ZDO
  • SUM 1 is used if the source system is either a dual-stack system, or a Java stack, or for ABAP stack if target is based on BASIS 7.40 or lower

SUM 1 versions, depending on the source release:

  • SUM 1.1 SP 00 (and higher) is the successor of SUM 1.0 SP 28
    • for source releases based on SAP BASIS 7.00 and higher (SUM 1.1 archive is available in the download area)
  • SUM 1.0 SP 26
    • for source releases based on SAP BASIS 4.6C, 6.20 or 6.40
    • SUM 1.0 SP 26 archive is only available on request:
      Create a case on component XX-SER-SWFL-SHIP with reference to SAP Note 2882395, and request to forward the case to component BC-UPG-TLS-TLA
    • SUM10HDBSP26 versus SUM10SP26, depending on the involved database:
      You need the archive with HDB in the name whenever an SAP HANA or an Oracle database is part of your scenario: either your system is running on Oracle or SAP HANA database, or you intend to migrate your system to SAP HANA database (using DMO of SUM). Reason is that Oracle and SAP HANA clients require EXT kernel (not relevant for SUM 1.1, as SUM 1.1 is only provided for EXT-kernel anyhow)

Software Maintenance

The Software Update Manager is the tool for system maintenance:

  • Release upgrade (major release change)
  • System update (EHP installation)
  • Applying Support Packages (SPs) / Support Package Stacks
  • Applying Java patches
  • Correction of installed software information
  • Combine update and migration to SAP HANA (DMO: Database Migration Option)
  • System conversion from SAP ERP to SAP S/4HANA

For more information, read this blog on SUM in the SAP Community which provides an introduction and lists several links to detailed blogs as well.

Database Migration

A database migration transfers the SAP system from one database type to another. The Software Update Manager offers the Database Migration Option (DMO), which is the combination of the SAP software update with the database migration.

DMO was initially a procedure to migrate to an SAP HANA database only. At this time, only the combination of upgrade and migration was possible, since typically the source system was not yet on a software level that is supported by SAP HANA database. Now, DMO allows for migration to other database types than SAP HANA database (see respective SAP note for details and restrictions) and DMO can be used for a  pure migration, without changing the SAP software level: DMO without System Change. In addition, it is possible to change not only the database (host), but also the Application Server: DMO with System Move.

The technical unicode conversion can be part of the DMO procedure if the target software level is lower than SAP BASIS 7.50.
 

More Information

System Conversion

System Conversion is the transition of an SAP ERP system into an SAP S/4HANA system. The Software Update Manager executes the technical conversion of that procedure.

  • In cases where the SAP ERP source system is not yet running on an SAP HANA database, SUM will cover the migration by DMO.
  • In all cases, SUM will take care for the software update, apply new software components and update existing ones.
  • SUM will partially trigger the data conversion - the transfer of the table content from the old data model to the new, simplified data model of SAP S/4HANA.

The relevant SAP S/4HANA releases are all based on SAP BASIS 7.50 or higher, so SUM 2.0 will be the SUM version to use for a system conversion.  

For the conversion process, see the dedicated SUM 2.0 conversion guide.

Consider the downtime-optimized conversion approach to reduce the downtime of a system conversion.

Customer Transport Integration

Customer Transport Integration (CTI) allows customers to apply customer releases and customer transports either along with the SAP software shipment or standalone. Applying customer transports using SUM significantly reduces the overall business runtime.

Based on a white list approach, objects will be imported during uptime. Examples for enabled transport objects are dictionary objects such as DOMA, DOMD, DTEL, XINX, INDX, and repository objects such as METH, CLAS, REPS, PROG, VARI. SGEN for customer objects is also started in the shadow system.

Customer Transport Integration is described in the standard SUM guide in the Integration of Customer Transports and Integrating Customer Transports into the Update Procedure chapters. For additional information, see SAP Note 1759080 - Conditions for SUM including customer transport requests.

Correction of Installed Software Information

Correction of Installed Software Information (CISI) allows customers to correct and update information about the installed software instances in SAP systems using the Software Update Manager. A specific stack configuration file has to be generated using the Maintenance Planner.

Start SUM and provide this specific stack configuration file then SUM will then apply the required adaptations in the system.

Downtime Optimization

Software Update Manager supports several scenarios - for some, downtime-optimized approaches are offered. Check the following overview on approaches and scenarios. The listed SAP Notes are the main entry point for more information, restrictions, and prerequisites.

Approach
AbbreviationScenarioAvailabilitySAP Note
Near-Zero Downtime Maintenance (ABAP)
nZDM (ABAP)Update/Upgrade & System Conversion (not for migrations)Unrestricted available1678565
Customer Transport IntegrationCTIUpdate/Upgrade & System ConversionUnrestricted available1759080
Zero Downtime Option for SAP S/4HANAZDOUpdate/UpgradeAvailable for educated experts (learning journey)2707731
Downtime-optimized DMOUptime Migration
Database Migration
& System Conversion		Unrestricted available2547309
Downtime-optimized Conversion System Conversion to
SAP S/4HANA		Available for educated experts (ADM329)3480132
Near-Zero Downtime Maintenance (Java)
nZDM Java
Update/UpgradeUnrestricted available3291319
Near-Zero Downtime Technology
NZDT
System Conversion to
SAP S/4HANA		service based693168

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