Slides are here for this SAP webcast- SMP logon required: https://support.sap.com/content/dam/library/SAP%20Support%20Portal/release-upgrade-maintenance/release-strategy/release-maintenance-strategy/on-premise/maintenance-phases/Feature-Package-Rollout-ESAcademy.pdf
Figure 1: Source: SAP
Figure 1 shows SAP had major shipments every 1-2 years
Market wants more continuous innovation
SAP will have feature packages with new functionality to the customer
The customer chooses which features to implement
Figure 2: Source: SAP
Feature package phase, normal correction and changes, see new functionality which is bundled in feature packages which use the support package technology
There are no new tools required to handle
There is no additional charge for feature packs
Features are optional
Focus is “on time to market”
Figure 3: Source: SAP
Latest SP should be implemented
Figure 4: Source: SAP
Figure 4 shows the different types of packages with respect to impact to platform, kernel changes
Support packages contain corrections and legal changes
- - Aligned with maintenance phases
- - Corrections for SP’s are delivered as in the past via notes
- - There is no kernel or platform update required if you implement SP
- - SUM and SP manager are used to implement
- - If compare SP with FP –
Maintenance is similar
Underlying release
Corrections are provided via notes
Intend to keep platform and kernel stable
Feature Packages bundle changes and corrections – incremental fast cycle innovations which are “non-disruptive”
Enhancement packages stick to underlying release / product version
Release packages provide new functionality, architecture changes are possible
- Has its own maintenance strategy
Figure 5: Source: SAP
Question: How are feature packs different from today's enhancement packs, which, to be honest, aren't easily "consumed"
Answer: Yes, Feature Packages are indeed different from Enhancement Packages. Feature Packages are based on the Support Package Technology and are much smaller than Enhancement Packages. The current slide will provide insight to the differences.
Zero downtime – update landscape with no downtime
Feature package phase lasts 2 years; max 2 years after RTC
No big bang approach
Feature package phase starts with a new release
Here is a direct link to a description of the Feature Packages: https://support.sap.com/release-upgrade-maintenance/release-strategy/release/on-premise/maintenance-phases.html
You can also find a definition of "Feature Packages" using the following link: https://support.sap.com/release-upgrade-maintenance/release-strategy/glossary.html#f