Support Packages: Types
Definition
A Support Package contains quality improvements for the SAP System or makes necessary adjustments, for example, due to legal changes. The objects affected are replaced in your system.
Each Support Package is valid for only one release (but for all databases and operating systems) and requires an exactly defined number of predecessors. The upgrade of the following release or correction release contains all the Support Packages of the previous versions that were available up to the delivery of the upgrade.
The Support Package Manager makes sure that Support Packages are imported only in the specified order.
To prevent errors, import all Support Packages as soon as they become available. This keeps your system up-to-date.
Use
The following types of Support Packages are available:
A SPAM/SAINT Update (PAT) contains updates and improvements to the Support Package Manager and the SAP Add-On Installation Tool.
An FCS Support Package (FFD) updates an FCS system to its General Availability release so that other Support Packages can be imported.
A Component Support Package (COP) is valid for one software component (SAP_BASIS, SAP_HR, SAP_APPL, ...) and contains quality improvements for Repository and Dictionary objects in this software component only.
In addition to these improvements, Support Packages for the SAP_HR component also contain adjustments due to legal changes.
Naming Conventions:
Software Component |
Name |
SAP_APPL |
R/3 Support Package |
SAP_BASIS |
Basis Support Package |
SAP_ABA |
Application Interface Support Package |
SAP_HR |
R/3 HR Support Package |
SAP_APO |
APO Support Package |
SAP_BW |
BW Support Package |
BBPCRM |
BBP/EBP and CRM Support Package |
An Add-On Support Package (AOP) is valid for an add-on with a particular release and contains quality improvements for this add-on.
A Conflict Resolution Transport CRT is exclusively used for add-ons, for example, IS-IS or IS-OIL. It is used to adjust Support Packages for an add-on.
Note that a CRT that is valid for an add-on release also contains all adjustments for earlier releases of this add-on. A CRT can also contain other quality improvements for the relevant add-on. A CRT can also be a special Add-On Support Package.