I have noticed from my work as a consultant that most people are unfamiliar with SAP’s new strategy of “innovation without disruption,” which involves providing new functionalities on a frequent basis. These innovations are delivered in enhancement packages. Enabling an enhancement package is a quick way to acquire a missing functionality or simply bring new functionalities to your SAP ERP HCM processes. By using an enhancement package, you make sure that your processes are aligned with the latest offerings and technology. Even better, enhancement packages are like Russian dolls; if you install the latest enhancement package (say for example 4) it automatically includes the previous enhancement packages (in this case 1, 2, and 3). These enhancement packages are included in the customer’s license fee and are optional. There is no need for a major SAP release upgrade.

I’m assuming that you have:

• Run SAP ERP 6.0
• Checked whether or not an enhancement package has already been installed
• Assessed with the business stakeholders which functionalities to enable
• Assessed with other SAP component teammates what should be enabled
• Assessed the technical prerequisites such as Support Packages
• Obtained access clearance to relevant technical transactions to install the enhancement package

I know that many people have had trouble finding the proper sequence for installing an enhancement package because they had already installed SAP ERP HCM Support Packages beyond the level that corresponds to enhancement package 3. I suggest running the Product Availability Matrix (PAM) on the SAP Service Marketplace at https://service.sap.com/pam (SAP user ID and password required) just to be on the safe side and avoid collisions or missing required patches.

SAP Enhancement Packages 

The goal of enhancement packages is to provide a range of added value functionalities for various SAP processes. SAP’s release strategy is to deliver roughly up to three enhancement packages per year. The latest enhancement package, enhancement package 4, was released in May 2009.

You can quickly assess the status of the enhancement package level from your system through either transaction SPAM or by following menu path System > Status (Figure 1). Figure 1 shows a list of what is available in a sample SAP ERP 6.0 system and each enhancement package’s functionalities.

Figure 1

An SAP ERP 6.0 system with enhancement package 4 installed

Enhancement Package 1

Enhancement package 1 provides new functionalities, such as:

• SAP Shared Services and Business Process Outsourcing (SAP Shared Services and BPO)/Employee/ Interaction Center (EIC)
• HCM Processes and Forms
• HR Administrator SAP NetWeaver Portal Role (Figure 2)
• Talent Development Specialist SAP NetWeaver Portal Role
• Talent Management analytics

Figure 2

The new HR Administrator role delivered in enhancement package 1

Enhancement Package 2

Enhancement package 2 provides new functionalities that include:

• Integration between the EIC and HCM Processes and Forms (Figure 3)
• Start and execute predefined SAP ERP HCM processes from the EIC
• Monitor the progress and status of existing processes
• Access the process browser and Digital Personnel File (DPF) (Figure 4)
• Open and execute workflow items in the EIC sent by the HR Administrator from the Universal Work List (UWL)

Figure 3

The Employee Interaction Center (EIC) as delivered in enhancement package 2

Figure 4

The new Digital Personnel File (DPF) as delivered in enhancement package 2

Enhancement package 2 also provides new functionalities to the SAP Learning Solution (LSO), the Shared Service Center (SSC), and the Duet initiative. Duet is the top collaboration between SAP and Microsoft. In regards to SAP ERP HCM, Duet is mainly used in SAP Time Management and Travel Expenses. You can, for example, book your time using your SAP system through your Microsoft Outlook calendar. For more information, go to https://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/sdn/duet.

The next generation of Training and Events Management is called the Learning Solution. It is in fact a Learning Management System (LMS). It provides not only access to face-to-face training, but to “blended” learning, which includes all kinds of training, such as learning on the job, conferences, and live webinars.

• SAP Learning Solution (SAP LSO)
  • Standard support: Aviation Industry Computer-Based Training Committee (AICC) and Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) 2004 – standards used in the LMS market. It complies with the requirements to add training activities into the catalog, regardless of the product.
  • Course program
  • Work center: instructor for teaching and tutoring – provides a central repository for the trainer and the author, to handle all required matters linked to a training delivery.
  • Partner integration of Adobe Connect
• SSC
  • Simplified process design
  • Enhanced integration with SAP E-Recruiting
  • Integration enabled for the employee interaction center (EIC)
  • Additional services for SAP applications for employee self-services
• Duet
  • Absence employee time request
  • Benefits and Compensation
  • Organizational Management
  • Personnel Administration

Enhancement Package 3

Enhancement package 3 provides the following new functionalities:

• Past Date Handling (Figure 5)

Up to enhancement package 3, it was not possible to enter past data through the SAP applications for employee self-services. SAP now provides the code for the user exit. Before enhancement package 3, SAP provided a user exit door where customers could add their own source code, developed at the customer’s expense. As of enhancement package 3, the user exit door remains but SAP now provides the source code as a standard source code at no extra charge. SAP also provides the maintenance warranty.

Figure 5

Past data handling is supported in enhancement package 3

• Multiple Bizcard: A bizcard is a screen displayed online. They contain roadmaps that lead you step by step through a process. This new functionality provides the possibility to handle multiple roadmaps when defining a business process.
• Re-use of application (Figure 6)

SAP makes it easier to use functionalities for countries that are not supported yet by SAP, by re-using standard screens. Approximately 32 countries are supported; however, some countries are not yet supported by the functionalities provided by SAP. Besides the alternative to create functionality from scratch, SAP now provides an easier process to re-use standard functionalities. It helps you to copy, adjust, and deploy new country functionality by re-using screens, function modules, configuration and so on as provided in standard by SAP for the supported countries to extend standard functionality. The two main advantages are the speed of deployment and a decrease in the amount of customer-specific code.

Figure 6

The Re-use of supported countries is now enabled

• Bizcard customization, which provides further options to configure the iViews fields and display and editing processes
• Foreign address (Figure 7)

Previously, it was not possible to, for example, work in France and have a permanent address in Belgium. In previous SAP applications for employee self-services, the country (MOLGA) was tied to the personnel area in table V_T500P, which was assumed to be the country where you lived. This assumption is often wrong as one can work in one country and have an official address in a neighboring country. SAP has adjusted this functionality so it is now possible to work in one country and live in another.

Figure 7

Foreign address is now supported (source : Courtesy of SAP AG)

To change the standard way of retrieving countries for Foreign Address, you can use the Business Add-In (BAdI) HRXSS_PER_FOREIGN_ADDRESS. This is done in the GET_FOREIGN_ADDRESS_VALUES method which provides a user exit door for companies to add their own flow logic for SAP applications for employee self-services address handling .

• Concurrent Employment (Figure 8)

Concurrent Employment, provided since SAP R/3 Enterprise Release 4.7, is enabled for SAP applications for employee self-services. Previously, when connecting to the online self-services, the system could only take one personnel number into account. Concurrent employment is fitted with multiple personnel numbers. Online self-services could therefore not be used to their full extent when dealing with the Concurrent Employment. Online self- services are now in a popup window where the user is prompted to choose the personnel number.

Figure 8

Concurrent employment is now enabled for self-services (e.g., bank details)

Enhancement Package 4

Enhancement package 4 provides the following new functionalities and enhancements:

• Talent Management:
  • New capabilities for SAP E-Recruiting
  • Performance Management: user interface, functionality, and integration (Figures 9 and 10) as SAP redesigned its user interface switching from Business Server Page (BSP) into Web Dynpro (WD)
  • Enhanced Compensation Management
  • Integrated Talent Management processes (including SAP Talent Visualization by Nakisa)
  • Enriched SAP Learning Solution

Figure9

Previous Business Server Page (BSP) technology for the Performance Management process

Figure 10

New Web Dynpro technology for the performance management process as delivered in enhancement package 4

• HCM Processes and Forms for mass processes
• Concurrent Employment Management
• Additional HCM localizations
• EIC

Enhancement Package 5

Enhancement package 5 is the next enhancement package pending for release. Although the content is still subject to change, it will likely feature the following new functionalities in the field of SAP ERP HCM, including:

• Talent Management
  • Improved system performance, new capabilities, and user interface
  • New Talent Management analytics and tools for migrating data from earlier succession planning
  • Improved user interface and enhanced functionalities in the field of application tracking, Tasks and Resources Management, as well as a recruiter’s work center
• Workforce Process Management
  • Localized payroll standard solution for Chile
  • Enhancements for displaying the organizational chart
  • Mobile inbox to collect time entries and leave request
  • Extended integration with SAP E-Recruiting
  • Adjusted user interface in the field of administrative services

• Workforce deployment
  • Enhanced HCM enterprise services integration with master data and time management

• Localizations
  • Japan: Year-end adjustment enhancements statutory reports for the retirement process
  • Russia: Enhancement to process multiple-contract employment
  • Spain: Pension plan calculation integration with SAP Payroll and SAP Contract Management
  • Italy: Enhancement for Italian Workers’ Compensation Fund (breakdown from Italian is INAIL) and the F24 form in the public sector
  • Portugal: Improvements for performance appraisals in the public sector
  • India and Japan: Enhancement of services in the field of SAP applications for employee self-services

Points to Consider

In a nutshell, remember the following points when you consider the installation of enhancement packages:

• Having SAP ERP 6.0 is not the end-all and be-all when it comes to functionalities — there is more to it. Pay close attention and raise the relevant questions when attending demos.
• Assess carefully which other functionalities could be added on top of SAP ERP
• Communicate with other teams as enhancement packages are enabled for all SAP components
• Assess the technical requirements to deploy such new functionalities; take advantage of PAM
• Anticipate resources and man days ( an industrial unit of production equal to the work one person can produce in a day ) for enhancement packages
• Monitor expected functionalities in future enhancement packages to leverage and anticipate you business needs and requirements

Further information regarding the strategy for SAP ERP 6.0, mySAP ERP 2005 (ECC6.0) can be accessed at:

• https://service.sap.com/upgrade-erp (login required)
• https://service.sap.com/erp-ehp (login required) provides direct access to the enhancement packages documentation and Master Guides depicting each functionality
• https://service.sap.com/swdc (login required): The enhancement package can be downloaded from the SAP Software Distribution Center using menu path Download > Installations and Upgrades > Entry by Application Group > SAP Application Components > SAP ERP > SAP ERP ENHANCE PACKAGE.

Table 1 provides a compilation of the best SAP Notes to help you understand these functionality enhancements and provide more information on enhancement packages.

Further documentation can be accessed from the standard documentation at https://help.sap.com/content/documentation/erp/docu_sbs_erpehp.htm.

Martin Gillet

Martin Gillet is an SAP-certified HR consultant (ECC 6.0, SAP R/3 Enterprise, and 4.0B) who works freelance on international projects. He graduated with honors in Human Resources Management from Belgian Haute Ecole Namuroise Catholique (HENaC). Martin has worked with SAP R/3 since 1997 in the chemical, catering, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, food, banking, and oil industries. He has focused on SAP HR since 1998 and has other SAP expertise including XSS, LSO, E-Recruiting, CATS, Reporting, Authorizations, and SAP NetWeaver Portal. Martin is the author of Configuring and Customizing Employee and Manager Self-Services in SAP ERP HCM. The book explores the options for customizing ESS and MSS to meet specific business needs.

You may contact the author at mgillet@yahoo.com.

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