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 05
Download SUM (1.1 and 2.0)(opens in new tab)
Software Update Manager 2.0 SP 25

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

  • Software Update Manager 2.0 is used for System Conversions, for ABAP single stacks targeting systems based on BASIS 7.50 and higher, and for ZDO
  • Software Update Manager 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

Software Update Manager 1 versions, depending on the source release:

  • Software Update Manager 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 (Software Update Manager 1.1 archive is available in the download area)
  • Software Update Manager 1.0 SP 26
    • for source releases based on SAP BASIS 4.6C, 6.20 or 6.40
    • Software Update Manager 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 Software Update Manager). Reason is that Oracle and SAP HANA clients require EXT kernel (not relevant for Software Update Manager 1.1, as Software Update Manager 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(opens in new tab) 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, Software Update Manager will cover the migration by DMO.
  • In all cases, Software Update Manager will take care for the software update, apply new software components and update existing ones.
  • Software Update Manager 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 Software Update Manager 2.0 will be the Software Update Manager 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 Software Update Manager 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 Software Update Manager 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(opens in new tab).

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 Software Update Manager and provide this specific stack configuration file then Software Update Manager 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
Customer Transport IntegrationCTIUpdate/Upgrade & System ConversionUnrestricted available1759080(opens in new tab)
Zero Downtime Option for SAP S/4HANAZDOUpdate/UpgradeAvailable for educated experts (SAP Learning Journey(opens in new tab))2707731(opens in new tab)
Downtime-optimized DMO(opens in new tab)Uptime Migration
Database Migration
& System Conversion		Unrestricted available2547309(opens in new tab)
Downtime-optimized Conversion System Conversion to
SAP S/4HANA		Available for educated experts (SAP Learning Journey(opens in new tab))3669180(opens in new tab)

Help & resources

Observer Monitor

Use the Observer Monitor for colleagues who want to know the status of the Software Update Manager run, but shall not be allowed to handle dialogs or change values.

Check the respective section "SUM Observer Monitor" in the Software Update Manager guide.

Software Update Manager parameters in config file

You have run Software Update Manager, and the next run shall use the same parameters? You can use a configuration file for the Software Update Manager, providing parameters, so that the next run shows less dialogs.

Check the respective section "Running the Software Update Manager Again Using a Configuration File" in the Software Update Manager guide, or read the following blog:

Repeating a SUM run using a configuration file(opens in new tab)

Software Update Manager news with Software Logistics Toolset 1.0 SPS 46 (February 2026)

Software Update Manager 1.1 SP 05:

no news

Software Update Manager 2.0 SP 25:

  • General: Upgrade resets obsolete SAP Notes automatically; Advanced filtering in CRR process control
  • New Scenario: Trigger simulation tool for doC, doDMO and nZDM
  • Shell Copy: covers SAP ERP 6.0 EHP8 and EHP7​
  • Performance: ACT_UPG runtime improved due parallelization; Downtime-optimized conversion with SAP ASE enabled; Full FI customizing during uptime on the temporary system

Software Update Manager (SUM) Toolbox

Software Update Manager (SUM) Toolbox is a new ABAP-based transaction that allows you to run certain tools and reports related to the various scenarios offered by Software Update Manager. Especially, tools required for downtime-optimized approaches are in focus of SUM Toolbox.

You can find more information in SAP Note 3092738 - Software Update Manager Toolbox - Central SAP Note.

Check the following blog in the SAP Community to get more information about the SUM Toolbox:

Software Update Manager Toolbox is Available Now(opens in new tab)

MailNotifier

MailNotifier offers the possibility for you to get notified as soon as SUM requires your input: for a dialog or error message.  You do not have to sit by the monitor to wait for the next dialog.

Check out the respective section "SUM MailNotifier" in the SUM guide, or read the following blog:

Introducing the SUM MailNotifier – you have been waiting for this!(opens in new tab)

Customer Transport Integration Wizard

The Software Update Manager is not only for updating SAP software, but also for updating customer releases. To make use of the Customer Transport Integration (CTI), a customer buffer file need to be provided to SUM.

The easiest way to generate a customer buffer file is using the so-called Customer Transport Integration Wizard. Check the following blog in the SAP Community to get more information about the wizard: Integrating customer transport requests in updates and upgrades(opens in new tab)

 

Impact Analysis of Software Update Manager

The Software Update Manager (SUM) offers various downtime optimization approaches like ZDO. The usage of such an approach can result in certain kinds of impacts for database tables.

To prevent unexpected occurrences of such impacts during the maintenance event on a production system, they have to be identified in advance using the Impact Analysis tool as part of Software Update Manager 2.0.

Check the following blog in the SAP Community to get more information about the wizard: Impact Analysis as part of Software Update Manager 2.0(opens in new tab)

Support Components for Software Update Manager

The support components related to Software Update Manager are

  • BC-UPG-TLS-TLA for SUM on ABAP systems
  • BC-UPG-TLS-TLJ for SUM on Java systems
  • BC-UPG-DTM-TLA for downtime minimization for ABAP systems
  • BC-UPG-MP for the Maintenance Planner