Introduction to SAP Solution Manager

About This Module This module defines the SAP Solution Manager and outlines the benefits of using Solution Manager and the ASAP methodology tools provided to aid in the implementation, operation, and continuous improvement of SAP solutions. Business Example !" #orp. is about to begin a large$scale business process transformation pro%ect and has chosen SAP soft&are as the centerpiece. This pro%ect has been named 'Pro%ect Progress' and &ill consist of multiple SAP components. A comprehensive, full life$cycle tool to help drive and manage the implementation is re(uired. SAP Solution Manager &ill be used for this purpose during the implementation and eventual hand$over to operations. Module Objectives )efine the SAP Solution Manager and discuss the benefits of using the various tools offered )iscuss the benefits of using SAP Solution Manager )efine the ASAP methodology and the phases of the *mplementation +oadmap Explain the features and benefits of using SAP Solution Manager for implementation )escribe the role SAP Solution Manager plays in the day$to$day operations and support of SAP solutions Module Content SAP Solution Manager ,vervie& AcceleratedSAP -ASAP. Methodology SAP Solution Manager as Toolset for *mplementation SAP Solution Manager as Toolset for ,perations and #ontinuous *mprovement #onsultants Pro%ect Managers Pro%ect Team /eads Pro%ect Team Members *T Service )es0 Managers *T Service )es0 Members

Target Audience

SAP Solution Manager Overview

About This Topic *t is important to have a clear understanding of SAP Solution Manager in the overall context of an SAP solution implementation. This topic helps define the purpose and benefits of using Solution Manager. Business Exa ple As your pro%ect moves into the planning stage, pro%ect team members of need a high$level overvie& of the SAP Solution Manager. Since the pro%ect &ill include multiple solutions consisting of potentially complex system landscapes, it is imperative to provide consistent and persistent documentation of the existing systems and the planned systems. 1nderstanding the benefits of a central repository is essential. Objective!s" )efine 'SAP Solution Manager' State the general purpose of SAP Solution Manager *dentify the multiple usage scenarios of SAP Solution Manager /ist the benefits of using SAP Solution Manager

Solution Manager #e$inition

The SAP Solution Manager is the central application management platform that customers can run in their solution landscape to help them efficiently implement, operate, monitor, and support their SAP solutions. SAP Solution Manager is thus used for both *mplementation and ,perational 2unctions. The SAP Solution Manager provides tools, content, and a gate&ay to SAP that helps to3 ,ptimi4e the management of your SAP solution Ensure reliability of your SAP solution Ensure efficient operations Ease implementation and upgrades #ontinuously adapt and improve your solution

Custo er%s S&ste

'andscape

The SAP Solution Manager is a separate, complete 5eb Application Server installation that is connected to all systems in your solution landscape. These various systems are called satellite s&ste s. *n this &ay, SAP Solution Manager acts as the central system of your solution landscape, allo&ing business processes to be implemented, tested, and even monitored in an integrated manner, thus avoiding duplication of effort and information and streamlining your activities.

Increasingl& Co plex S&ste s

*n the last fe& years, the *T &orld of SAP customers has gro&n much more complex. *nstead of one single SAP +67 system, there are no& extensive system landscapes distributed over the entire globe involving different solutions. Thus, it has become much more complicated to manage all of the components of the various solutions. The management process has also become more complicated for SAP itself. 2or example, over the last several years, SAP has consolidated separate information sources and services into the SAP Service Mar0etplace -service.sap.com.. By having a solution management system at every customer site, SAP can offer a virtually seamless lin0 from customer systems to the service mar0etplace, helping to reduce the time for support, notes access, and so on.

(h& Solution Manager)

Audio Transcript There are several reasons to implement SAP Solution Manager. First, SAP Solution Manager enables the customer to have a faster implementation of SAP solutions and helps optimize operations once implementation is complete. Second, implementing SAP Solution Manager gives the customer access to all available implementation and upgrade content. Third, customers have easy access to all support services that are relevant to operations, maintenance, and improvement activities. This leads to faster issue resolution through close collaboration with Active lobal Support. 2aster implementation and more efficient operation of solutions All available implementation and upgrade content is included ,ptimal access to all support services ,ptimal support of all operations, maintenance and improvement activities 2aster issue resolution through collaboration &ith Active 8lobal Support

Solution Manager *sage Scenarios

Audio Transcript There are many scenarios in which SAP Solution Manager can be used. Each scenario occurs in one of the three life cycle phases, implementation, operations, and optimization. This is also known as the cycle of continuous improvement. There are six common scenarios for Solution Manager. They are3 *mplement SAP Solutions Monitor SAP Solutions Manage the Service )es0 /in0 to SAP Services Manage #hange +e(uests 1pgrade SAP Solutions

Bene$its o$ SAP Solution Manager+ ,

Audio Transcript Solution Manager provides many benefits for the customer. ne of the benefits is more reliable IT solutions. !ith SAP Solution Manager, companies can minimi"e risk during implementation and operation. They can avoid inconsistencies in heterogeneous environments by performing cross# component consistency checks. !ith the SAP Solution Manager Service $esk, customers can resolve issues %uickly. The result is better &T service and less down time. The tools and content provided by SAP Solution Manager make implementation and change management pro'ects more efficient. (ompanies can reduce the cost of process design, technical setup, business setup, support and operations, testing, and knowledge transfer. (entrali"ed pro'ect handling, blueprinting, configuration, and testing ensure consistency and avoid redundancies, which reduces the cost of implementation pro'ects in multi#component environments. SAP Solution Manager provides a framework for consistent solution documentation and preserves documents for later use, which reduces the costs of upgrades or continuous improvement pro'ects. Bene$its o$ SAP Solution Manager More reliable *T solutions Minimi4e ris0 during implementation Avoid inconsistencies +esolve issues (uic0ly resulting in less do&n time More efficient implementation and change management pro%ects +educed cost of implementation and continuous improvement +educe cost of process design technical setup, business setup, support and operations, testing, and 0no&ledge transfer #entrali4ed pro%ect handling blueprinting, configuration, and testing +educes the costs of upgrades or continuous improvement pro%ects. Bene$its o$ Solution Manager+ Audio Transcript Another benefit of SAP Solution Manager is faster return on investment. SAP Solution Manager accelerates implementation and continuous improvement. &t provides implementation accelerators and a library of preconfigured business processes as a starting point for pro'ects. This means that companies don)t need to begin from scratch, and can benefit from SAP*s business process e+perience. (ontent and services available through SAP Solution Manager , such as implementation road maps, best#practice documents, and SAP solution management services, , speed learning and accelerate pro'ects. -sing Solution Manager can also reduce the cost of operation by providing a central point of control for multi#component environments. &n heterogeneous environments, SAP Solution Manager facilitates technical and application integration. .inally, Solution Manager gives the customer more leverage from their IT investments. SAP Solution Manager and integrates with &T landscapes that include both SAP and non#SAP applications. (ompanies can use it to reduce their total cost of ownership without making ma'or changes to their &T environments.

More Bene$its o$ SAP Solution Manager 2aster return on investment -+,*. Accelerates implementation and continuous improvement Availability of implementation road maps, best$practice documents, and SAP solution management services speed learning and accelerate pro%ect +educed cost of operation Provides central point of control for multi$component environments. 2acilitates technical and application integration. More leverage from *T investments *ntegrates &ith *T landscapes that include both SAP and non$SAP applications +educe their total cost of o&nership &ithout ma0ing ma%or changes Su ar& This topic provided an overvie& of SAP Solution Manager. !ou revie&ed the uses of SAP Solution Manager, such as allo&ing customers to integrate their SAP Solutions and manage other components, including the SAP Service )es0. !ou also learned about the many benefits of implementing SAP Solution Manager, such as faster +,* and reduced cost of operations. 2inally, you learned that SAP Solution Manager is a separate installed 5eb Application Server that offers a complete tool set to manage the life cycle of customer solutions.

AcceleratedSAP !ASAP" Methodolog&

About This Topic This topic provides you &ith an understanding of SAP9s standard implementation methodology. Business Exa ple Pro%ect progress managers need a proven and repeatable methodology for planning and executing the many activities involved. A thorough understanding of this methodology is re(uired. Objective!s" State the purpose of AcceleratedSAP -ASAP. /ist the available ASAP roadmaps /ist the five phases of the *mplementation +oadmap and identify the purpose of each

ASAP Methodolog& #e$ined

The AcceleratedSAP -ASAP. methodology is a proven, repeatable, and successful approach to implement SAP solutions across multiple industries and customer environments. This methodology evolved from a time in the mid$:;;<s &hen SAP reali4ed that customers needed a better approach to SAP +67 implementations. ASAP &as first introduced as a P#$based tool set called =alueSAP, &hich eventually included the *mplementation, 8lobal, and 1pgrade roadmaps. The ASAP methodology is no& fully integrated into SAP Solution Manager and AcceleratedSAP roadmaps provide content, tools, and expertise from thousands of successful implementations. SAP is continually improving these roadmaps &ith enriched content based on experience gained in implementing solutions.

Standard ASAP .oad aps

Audio Transcript ASAP roadmaps outline the activities involved in implementing, upgrading, or enhancing SAP solutions. Each roadmap has a set of deliverables, accelerators, role descriptions and additional guides. The five standard roadmaps are listed on this screen. The &mplementation /oadmap for SAP Solutions provide the methodological framework for the pro'ect team during the implementation of an SAP solution. The Solution Management /oadmap provides a methodology for the implementation of the technical infrastructure and its operation. The 0lobal Template /oadmap describes how to organi"e and run a pro'ect where a corporate template is developed. The -pgrade /oadmap is designed to help you carry out the customi"ing activities re%uired for an upgrade. There are also other roadmaps, such as the Enterprise Portal and E+change &nfrastructure roadmaps, but we do not go into detail on these here.. To learn more about the each roadmap, move your pointer over the name of the item you want to learn more about. ASAP roadmaps outline the activities involved in implementing, upgrading, or enhancing SAP solutions. These roadmaps are enriched &ith set of deliverables, accelerators, role descriptions, and additional guides. The five standard roadmaps are listed belo&. To learn more about the functions of each, move your pointer over the name of the item you &ant to learn more about. I ple entation .oad ap

 *mplementation +oadmap for SAP Solutions provides the methodological frame&or0 for the pro%ect team to leverage in the implementation of a SAP solution. *t covers, among other things, the necessary pro%ect management, re(uirements gathering, design, configuration of business processes, technical implementation, test procedures, training and organi4ation change management. Solution Manage ent .oad ap The Solution Management +oadmap provides a methodology for the implementation of the technical infrastructure and its operation. The Solution Management +oadmap complements the *mplementation +oadmap. /lobal Te plate .oad ap The 8lobal Template +oadmap describes ho& to organi4e and run a pro%ect in &hich a corporate template is developed. The 8lobal Template +oadmap is geared to&ard more complex implementation or harmoni4ation pro%ects, typically involving more than one 0ind of SAP solution and a variety of sites, possibly in different countries. The corporate template is rolled out to other sites in a follo&$up pro%ect. *pgrade .oad ap The 1pgrade +oadmap is designed to help you carry out the customi4ing activities re(uired for an upgrade. These customi4ing activities are essential if you &ant to continue to use the same functions in your business application components after an upgrade. Other .oad aps The Enterprise Portal and Exchange *nfrastructure roadmaps are simply variations of the *mplementation +oadmap.

0ive Phases o$ the I ple entation .oad ap

Audio Transcript The implementation roadmap consists of five phases. The first phase is Project Preparation. This is the initial planning for the customers) SAP pro'ect. The activities include general pro'ect management re%uirements, an issues management plan, an organi"ational change management plan, and the establishment of other policies and procedures for running the pro'ect. This phase must be completed before the ne+t phase begins. The second phase, the business blueprint phase, comprises activities for aligning the customers* business and technical re%uirements to the SAP standard software. 1ust as a blueprint of a house is a plan by which an architect conveys the building re%uirements to the contractor, so the business blueprint in ASAP becomes the plan for the eventual configuration of a customers* SAP software solution. This phase concludes with the approval of a business blueprint document. The Third Phase, The realization phase comprises the building and testing of the solution as prescribed by the business blueprint document. Activities in this phase include customi"ing in the &mplementation 0uide of the associated development systems. The reali"ation phase also includes software enhancements, special progamming, building and e+ecuting test plans, and finally,

signing#off the configured system. The Forth phase, final preparation phase many crucial tasks remain, such as acceptance testing of the production system hardware, the completion of end#user training, and plans for transfer to the production system. Fifth and The final phase is Go Live and Support. $uring this phase, items such as service level agreements and help#desk procedures are established and tested. The conclusion of this phase is the hand#over to the operations and monitoring staff. Su ar&

*n this topic, you revie&ed the basics of the ASAP methodology. !ou learned that the ASAP methodology is fully integrated into SAP Solution Manager, and Accelerated SAP roadmaps provide content, tools, and expertise from thousands of successful implementations. !ou also learned that there are several roadmaps available to the customer, the most popular being the *mplementation +oadmap. 2inally, you learned that the *mplementation +oadmap has five phases3 Pro%ect Preparation, Business Blueprint, +eali4ation, 2inal Preparation, and 8o /ive > Support.

SAP Solution Manager as Toolset $or I ple entation

About This Topic This topic introduces you to the use of SAP Solution Manager as a tool for implementation of SAP solutions. Business Exa ple Pro%ect progress managers are responsible for several areas of an implementation pro%ect, from re(uirements gathering and definition to configuration and testing. #oordination of these activities demands one toolset. SAP Solution Manager supports &ou through each phase o$ &our project1 $ro planning to testing and hand2over to operations3 Objective!s" *dentify pro%ect management features of the SAP Solution Manager /ist the various elements of the *mplementation +oadmap *dentify the features of the Business Blueprint transaction in an SAP Solution Manager system /ist the most commonly used components &ithin the #onfiguration transaction of the SAP Solution Manager

Project Manage ent in SAP Solution Manager

The ASAP *mplementation +oadmap provides a &or0 brea0do&n structure that can be used to plan and trac0 the underlying activities and tas0s of the implementation? ho&ever, it is not meant to be characteri4ed as a pro%ect management tool. *n fact, there are lin0s to Microsoft Pro%ect from the roadmap, allo&ing a pro%ect manager to do&nload the entire structure into an MS Pro%ect plan. Each phase of the roadmap provides a list of general pro%ect management activities, such as pro%ect team status, scope management, training plan management, and so on.

Ele ents o$ the I ple entation .oad ap

Audio Transcript This screen describes the various elements of the &mplementation /oadmap. These elements are the roadmap structure, the viewing area and the attachment area. As the graphic illustrates, the oadmap Structure is located on the left#hand side of the screen and gives the pro'ect a list of items that outlines what to do and when to do it. The vie!ing"te#t area, on the upper right side of the screen, displays procedural guides, prere%uisite information, and deliverables of the highlighted structure items. .inally, the attachments area on the lower right#side of the screen displays various items, such as accelarators, issues, supplemental documentation, and pro'ect team members responsible for the tasks listed in the roadmap structure.

The main elements of the *mplementation +oadmap are3

+oadmap structure =ie&ing6text area Attachments area The road ap structure gives the pro%ect team a list of &hat to do and &hen to do it. This appears on the left$side of the screen displayed. The roadmap structure can be filtered by roles so that each team member can focus only on those items re(uiring their attention. The viewing4text area, on the upper right$side of the screen, displays procedural guides, prere(uisite information, and deliverables of the highlighted structure items on the left$side of the screen. The attach ents area on the lo&er right$side of the screen displays various items, such as accelerators, issues, and supplemental documentation. *n this area you can also carry$out various tas0s, such as assigning pro%ect team members and trac0ing the status of the highlighted item in the roadmap structure.

0eatures o$ the Business Blueprint

There are several features of a Business Blueprint transaction. 5e &ill focus on the follo&ing features3

 Blueprint structure Business scenarios Business process groups Associated items Blueprint document Each $eature has a direct i pact on the other. /et9s ta0e a closer loo0 at these features and ho& they relate.

Business Blueprint 0eatures

Audio Transcript The $usiness $lueprint Structure is displayed on the left side of the screen. This structure is developed in the business process workshops. All re%uirements are recorded and associated with a structure item. The content used to establish the structure is found in the 2usiness Process /epository. The business structure displayed on this screen is based on $usiness Scenarios. The business scenarios are defined first. Then, supporting business process groups are chosen from the 2usiness Process /epository, based on those scenarios. n the right side of the screen, associated items are available to support the line#items in the structure on the left. Additional features, such as pro'ect documentation, transaction assignments and graphical flow of processes are also available. nce the blueprint structure is finali"ed, the blueprint document can be generated and becomes the 3master plan4 for the reali"ation phase of the pro'ect.

The Business Blueprint structure is displayed on the left side of the screen. This structure is developed through the business process &or0shops? all re(uirements gathered are recorded and associated &ith a structure item. The content used to establish the structure is found in the #entral repository for components of SAP Solution Manager solutions. These components can be3 Structure elements3 organi4ational units, master data, processes and process steps Assignments to structure elements such as transactions or *M8 activities Business Process +epository -BP+.. The business structure displayed on this screen is based on a business scenario. The business scenarios are first defined, and then supporting business process groups are chosen from the BP+ based on those scenarios. These decisions are based upon the activities outlined in the Business Blueprint phase of the *mplementation +oadmap, &here &or0shops are organi4ed &ith the purpose of defining the business process needs of the pro%ect. ,n the right side of the screen, associated ite s are available to support the line items in the structure on the left. Additional features such as pro%ect documentation, transaction assignments, and graphical flo& of processes are also available. ,nce the blueprint structure is finali4ed, the blueprint docu ent can be generated and becomes the 'master plan' for the reali4ation phase of the pro%ect.

Co ponents o$ the Con$iguration Transaction

The purpose of the #onfiguration transaction is to use the Business Blueprint structure to configure *M8 ob%ects in your development system. @ere is a list of the most commonly used components available in the #onfiguration transaction3 Pro%ect documentation Transaction assignments #onfiguration of *M8 ob%ects )evelopment items Test cases 8raphics Training materials

0unctions o$ Blueprint Con$iguration

1sing the blueprint document generated in the Business Blueprint phase, the pro%ect team &ill go into the #onfiguration transaction in the SAP Solution Manager to customi4e the attached

development system. #ustomi4ation is the configuration of the I ple entation /uide !IM/" %Implementation Guide %I&G' A tool for configuring the SAP system to meet customer re%uirements. The &mplementation 0uide 5&M06 e+plains all the steps in the implementation process, tells you the SAP standard 5factory6 (ustomi"ing settings, and describes the system configuration activities. The hierarchical structure of the &M0 is based on the application component hierarchy and lists all the documentation that is relevant to implementing the SAP system. The main section is &M0 (ustomi"ing activities, where the relevant system settings are made. 7ou can also document pro'ects in the &M0 such as8 The SAP /eference &M0 The Enterprise &M0 The Pro'ect &M06 *mplementation 8uide -*M8. ob%ects in the target system. The blueprint structure is replicated in the configuration screen. The associated items on the right side of the screen provide a place for documentation, administration, trac0ing, *M8 ob%ects to be configured, test cases, and team members assigned.

Con$iguration Testing 0eatures+ ,

Testing is one of most important components of #onfiguration. A crucial part of the +eali4ation phase is the ability to test the functionality of the solution as you build it. *ntegrated into Solution Manager is the Test 5or0bench, &hich includes the test organi4er, automated testing tools, and interfaces to third$party testing tools.

The figure depicts the integration of the testing tools provided by the SAP Solution Manager.

Con$iguration Testing 0eatures+ Audio Transcript 9et)s walk through the test workflow outlined on this screen. .irst, a pro'ect structure is created and test cases are collected. &n the second step, the collected test cases are assigned to different test packages in the pro'ect structure. Then, the test packages are given to the assigned testers the pro'ect. The test packages are e+ecuted and then the test results are analy"ed. The benefits of this systems are8 .ast test preparation and e+ecution A single point of access to the complete system landscape (entral storage of testing material and test results and /e#use of e+isting testing material

This figure sho&s the components of the testing &or0flo&, from the building of test plan to the execution of the test cases &ithin the plan to the analysis of results. The benefits of the testing features include3 +educed time for test preparation and execution Single point of access to complete system landscape #entral storage of testing material and test results +e$use of existing testing material Su ar&

This topic focused on the various tool sets available in SAP Solution Manager. !ou revie&ed the ma%or pro%ect management features such as lin0s to Microsoft Pro%ect and a &or0 brea0do&n structure. !ou also learned about features of the *mplementation +oadmap, such as the roadmap structure and the accelerators area. 2inally, you revie&ed the ma%or features of both the Blueprint and #onfiguration transactions.

SAP Solution Manager as a Toolset $or Operations and Continuose I prove ents
About This Topic The operations section of the SAP Solution Manager is the point of access to SAP support services, including remote services, on$site services, self$services, and best practices documents. Based on your solution configuration, recommendations for these services are triggered dynamically. The SAP Solution Manager is the delivery platform for services delivered as part of your maintenance agreement &ith SAP. This topic &ill introduce you to the functions available through Solution Manager that can help manage, support, and optimi4e the productive environment. 2eatures such as solution monitoring, Service )es0, and #hange +e(uest Management 5(hange /e%uest Management means (omponent of SAP Solution Manager used to manage SAP Solution Manager pro'ects 5maintenance, implementation, template, and upgrade6 from top to bottom8 starting with change management and pro'ect planning, through resource management and cost control, to physical transports of changes from the development environment into the productive environment.6 are defined. Business Example Pro%ect progress has successfully reached the 8o /ive stage of the implementation, and hand$over to the operations staff is forthcoming. *T managers re(uire a single, comprehensive tool to help them effectively implement and manage solutions &ithin multiple system landscapes. Estimated time to complete this topic3 7< minutes ,b%ective-s.

 )escribe the concept of Solution Monitoring using the SAP Solution Manager Explain the capability of the service des0 features in SAP Solution Manager )escribe some advanced features of the SAP Solution Manager

SAP Solution Manager #uring Productive Operations

Audio Transcript nce we have a live production system, Solution Manager takes on the role of a central system that integrates tools such as system monitoring, business process monitoring and the help desk. Solution Manager is a powerful tool because it is your gateway to SAP Support. 2ased on your solution configuration, Solution Manager automatically triggers recommendations for services such as remote consulting, self#services, and best practice documents. !e)ll e+amine these features in more detail.

#ustomer9s 'central system' #ustomer9s @elp )es0 #ustomer9s lin0 to SAP Services and Support

Solution Monitoring
Audio Transcript The increasing number of &T solutions is a growing challenge for the administration team in a computer center. As a result, computer center managers demand a monitoring method that is centrali"ed 5with all information in one tool6, yet can be e+tended to cover new components. &nstead of classic system monitoring of individual system components, we now talk about solution monitoring, where entire business processes can be monitored across multiple components. This concept is reali"ed through the following three monitoring sections within the SAP Solution Manager8 2usiness Process Monitoring, (entral System Monitoring, and Service 9evel Management.

The continually increasing number of *T solutions and components is a gro&ing challenge for the administration team in a computer center. The number of components has increased from &hat &as re(uired &ith SAP +67 -including SAP instances, database, hard&are, and operating system. to include an ever$gro&ing range of technologies. As a result of this development, computer center managers demand a monitoring method that is centrali4ed -&ith all information in one tool., yet can be extended to cover ne& components. *nstead of classic system monitoring of individual system components, &e no& tal0 about Solution Monitoring, &here entire business processes can be monitored as a &hole across multiple components. This concept is reali4ed through the follo&ing three monitoring sections &ithin the SAP Solution Manager3 Business Process Monitoring :. +eal$time monitoring &ith a focus on the graphical display of business processes based on the #omputing #enter Management System -##MS. S&ste Monitoring+ Central S&ste

A. Administration and real$time monitoring based on the #omputing #enter Management System -##MS. Service 'evel Manage ent

7. #ontinuous monitoring based on SAP Early5atch Alert

Monitoring .eco

endations

1se Service /evel Management in the SAP Solution Manager to lay the foundation for setting up the correct procedures for monitoring of your SAP solution. The recommended techni(ue is to define an explicit monitoring concept for central system monitoring using the #omputing #enter Management System -##MS. in con%unction &ith the SAP Solution Manager. This form of system monitoring, that starts &ith monitoring all business$process$relevant system components, is 0no&n as the inside$out approach. The complementary outside$in approach involves using tools from third$ party manufacturers. To achieve comprehensive monitoring, SAP recommends using both approaches simultaneously.

Service #es5 0eatures

Audio Transcript The service desk offers a complete infrastructure for running a solution#wide support organi"ation at your site. .eatures of the service desk include8 a &essage handling process a (ustomer solution database S)P *otes &anagement Solution &anager +iagnostics

Bo& that &e have tal0ed about some of the features of solution monitoring, &e &ill loo0 at another component of the SAP Solution Manager3 Service )es0. The service des0 offers a complete infrastructure for organi4ing and operating a solution$&ide support organi4ation at your site. 2eatures include3 Message handling process End users can create messages that automatically collect system and context data. An interface for third$party messaging tools is also included. Custo er solution database Allo&s customer to build a history database for future troubleshooting Managing SAP 6otes *ntegrated notes search from the SAP Service Mar0etplace, as &ell as the ability to implement the notes via the SAP Bote Assistant Solution Manager diagnostics

 Provides all functionality to centrally analy4e and monitor a complete SAP solution

Change .e7uest Manage ent

After revie&ing the features of the Service )es0, let9s examine some of the more advanced features of SAP Solution Manager. T&o commonly used advanced features are #hange +e(uest Management and Solution Manager )iagnostics. #hange +e(uest Management, as part of the SAP Solution Manager, integrates service des0 functionality for managing change re(uests. The processes supported by #hange +e(uest Management include urgent corrections for implementing fast and direct changes in the productive environment, and maintenance cycle activities such as regular releases and implementation, upgrade, or template pro%ects.

Solution Manager #iagnostics

A 0ey re(uirement for efficient and safe support of *T solutions is the ability to perform root cause analysis &ith speed and efficiency. Solution Manager diagnostics provides all functionality to centrally analy4e and monitor a complete SAP solution. *t also reduces the time needed to train a support consultant in root cause analysis. Su ar& This topic revie&ed the Solution Manager functions that help manage, support, and optimi4e the productive environment. The features included solution monitoring and the service des0. !ou also learned about advanced features of solution manager such as #hange +e(uest Management and Solution Manager )iagnostics.

Module Su

ar&

This product provided an overvie& of SAP Solution Manager. !ou revie&ed the uses of SAP Solution Manager, such as allo&ing customers to integrate their SAP Solutions and manage other components, including the SAP Service )es0. !ou also learned that the ASAP methodology is fully integrated into SAP Solution Manager, and Accelerated SAP roadmaps provide content, tools, and expertise from thousands of successful implementations. !ou learned about the ma%or features of both the Blueprint and #onfiguration transactions and ho& you can use these features to develop your o&n customi4ed structure. 2inally, you revie&ed the features included in solution monitoring and the service des0 and ho& these features help manage, support, and optimi4e the productive environment.