From a technical point of view, when performing an SAP S/4HANA Conversion, the Software Update Manager is the central tool for the conversion. Before starting the Software Update Manager, preparation steps have to be performed. When the Software Update Manager procedure has completed, post activities have to be performed.
Some of these activities are listed on the following slide:
- The Maintenance Planner is used to calculate the needed software packages and to create the stack XML needed for the Software Update Manager.
- The Simplification Item Checks (SI Checks) check for inconsistencies in the existing data.
- The Custom Code Analysis checks the own development for any necessary changes after the SAP S/4HANA conversion. For this a dedicated SAP system is needed.
- The conversion guide contains manual preparational and follow-on steps for the SAP S/4HANA conversion.
- The SAP Readiness Check is an app at SAP that displays information on various topics concerning the SAP S/4HANA conversion. This app uses data from the production customer SAP system.
- Additional preparational and follow-up activities must be performed, following the Software Update Manager guide and SAP Notes.
- The Software Update Manager Toolbox is a transaction in the SAP system to be converted. It contains tools to support the Software Update Manager procedure.
- The ASU Toolbox Application Conversion Assistant (ATACA) is a transaction in the SAP system to be converted. It displays and manages additional preparational and follow-up activities for the SAP S/4HANA conversion.
- The file system has to be prepared for the Software Update Manager procedure.
- The SAP Host Agent has to be checked, possibly updated, and configured for the Software Update Manager.
- The Software Update Manager procedure starts with the prepare part. These are the Roadmap Steps 1–3.
- The actual Software Update Manager run is the execution part. These are the Roadmap Steps 4–6.
In order to start the Software Update Manager procedure as early as possible in this course, the highlighted activities will be performed first. As soon as the Software Update Manager procedure is running – and there is more time – the remaining activities will be discussed.