Introduction to the Enhancement Concept 

The R/3 enhancement concept allows you to add your own functionality to SAP’s standard business applications without having to modify the original applications. SAP creates customer exits for specific programs, screens, and menus within standard R/3 applications. These exits do not contain any functions; they are either delivered empty or filled with standard values so that the customer can create their own functions here.

If you want to enhance the functionality of your R/3 System, you should take advantage of the exits available in standard R/3 applications. There are two main reasons why you should use exits rather than modifying SAP software yourself. Add-ons attached to exits have the advantage that:

When you add new functionality to your R/3 System using SAP’s exits, you do not alter the source code of standard SAP programs in any way. The code and screens you create are encapsulated as separate objects. These customer objects are linked to standard applications, but exist separately from SAP’s standard software package.

When you add new functionality to your R/3 System using SAP’s exits, your objects (called customer objects) must adhere to strict naming conventions. When it comes time to upgrade a to a new software release, customer objects’ names ensure that they will not be affected by any changes or new additions to the standard software package.

Customer exits are not available for all programs and screens found in R/3 standard applications. You can only use exits if they already exist within the SAP R/3 System. Locating Applications that Have Exits explains how to find applications with predefined exits.

If you would like to have additional functionality at certain places in the R/3 System, enter a problem message in OSS in which you name the specific application. SAP will process your request and decide whether the functions you desire can be implemented in the next functional release and whether or not it makes sense to provide a customer exit at that point in the source code.