Introduction
In context of SAP EHS Management (classic) changes in the software are delivered by SAP using either a:
- Support Package
- or Enhancement Package
The strategy of SAP is "easy" but sometimes misinterpreted.
A support package combines simply:
- a list of error fixes
- and can contain new software based on legal demand (e.g. REACh...)
An Enhancement Package contains "add on software" which enhances the functionality but is not legal driven.
By experience:
SAP is roughly providing two support packages per year. Regarding new "Enhancement Package": roughly once a year a new EnhancementPpackage is available but this neednot always enhance EHS (e.g. no extension happened in Enhancement Package 1 and 4 regarding EHS).
The test approach regarding the delivery of a "Support Package" and an "Enhancement Package" is different. Regarding an Enhancement Package a more intensive test of the new software is done and a ramp up phase is used.
In context of SAP EHS Management new features are delivered with:
- Enhancement Package 3
- Enhancement Package 5
- Enhancement Package 6
- Enhancement Package 7
If you check SAP marketplace you will see that per "Package" a different maointenance startegy is used (that means support packages are deliverd for the packages at different times). Therefore to get "state of the art" software (including legal changes) you need "only" download the recent combination of Enhancement Package / Support Package.
There is only one important "but":
To make use of the new features, you must activate via customizing the corresponding Business Function. After doing that you can get updates in customizing; delivered are sometimes "default" implementations of the new features but not in all cases. Only within a project you can make sure which of the new features should be used and how etc. If you are planning to use one of the new feature you need to have a "plan" to analyse what is new, how to use the new feature; then to develop test etc. the new stuff.
Now what are the reasons to use the functionality (in theory you can use SAP ECC 6.0 with out any ! Enhancement Package and you can still fulfill all legal requirements):
Main drivers are the new features. If you use them properly you can gain new benefits and save money.
If you check: http://help.sap.com/erp2005_ehp_06/helpdata/en/bf/57cec7cb1343f4877cb762029876ce/content.htm?framese...
Chapter "Environment, Health and Safety" and subchapters you will realize that there are these business functions available:
| Business Fucntion | Related Enhancement Package | Important new fetaures |
|---|
| LOG_EHS_GLM_CI_4 | Enhancement Package 7 | Improvements in the area of GLM |
| LOG_EHS_PS_CI_3 | Enhancement Package 6 | Improvements in the area of GLM Improvements in the area of CG02 Improvements in the area of SVT
|
| LOG_EHS_DG_CI_3 | Enhancement Package 6 | Improvements in the area of DG |
| LOG_EHS_CI_2 | Enhancement Package 5 | Improvement in area of SVT Improvement in area of OH |
| OPS_EHS_CI_1 | Enhancement Package 3 | Improvement performance Expert Server Improvement in area of OCC Improvement in area of WWI Improvement in area of DG New flexible hazardous substance check Improvement in CG02/CG02BD Improvement in inheritance Improvement in area of SVT Improvement in area of GLM |
Especially the improvements in the area of GLM, SVT and CG02/CG02BD but DG as well are reasons why a company should check if there is a benefit in installing the software and activating the business function.
At the end you need a project to select the right function to be used and to describe how it should be used etc.
I am not aware of any kind of depedency between the business functions. You can acticvate them independent from each other.
Component Extension
Regarding enhancement options here: please check: http://scn.sap.com/docs/DOC-45836#comment-386163
GLM Extension
There is a new document in place referring to the changes in GLM as mentioned above. It is really worth to read it:
http://scn.sap.com/community/ehs-management/blog/2013/09/27/new-changes-for-glm-in-ehp70-and-erp-60
