Integrated Software Management in SAP S/4HANA

Validating and Controlling Complex Modern Products with Integrated Software Management

Manufacturers of products of all kinds, including hardware, need to make the transformation to service provider if they want to achieve lasting success. Customers are increasingly demanding complete solutions, and companies of all sizes are offering more and more services alongside their products. One example is the sale and operation, including maintenance and updates, of corresponding integrated software for the products produced. The SAP solution for “Integrated Software Management” is part of the “integrated product development” solution capability in SAP S/4HANA and enables the efficient and collaborative validation and control of complex modern product structures over the entire product lifecycle – including the definition and management of hardware and software compatibility.

There are a lot of challenges to be overcome when creating, licensing and, last but not least, selling software. Software is not a “normal” product but is subject to special conditions regarding the right of withdrawal. There are complicated regulations governing the sale of software and the management of software licenses. Dealing with errors and defects is also a difficult business as they cannot be handled according to the standard provisions of warranty law. And when the time comes around to implement the new business model for software management and software administration in SAP, there are further points to consider and unanswered questions to clarify.

How Does SAP S/4HANA Support Integrated Software Management?

The “Integrated Software Management” solution in SAP S/4HANA enables the management of embedded software. The software components (software materials and software documents) of products can be managed together with the hardware components in a bill of materials (BOM) or product structure. Software compatibility management makes it possible to define the compatibility of software versions with hardware and other software components of the product. The compatibility of the included software versions with other components in the BOM can be checked based on the defined dependencies.

Which Functions Are Included in the “Integrated Software Management” Solution in SAP S/4HANA?

The solution comprises the two SAP Fiori apps “Manage Software Constraints” and “Check Software Compatibility”. You can use the transactional app “Manage Software Constraints” to create and maintain hardware and software dependencies of an embedded software and check the compatibility information of the embedded software.

Integrated Software Management in SAP S/4HANA

App "Managing Software Dependencies" (Source: SAP SE)

You can use the “Check Software Compatibility” app to manually check the software compatibility for two material numbers. The check is based on the dependencies that you maintained in the “Manage Software Constraints” app.

App "Check Software Compatibility" (Source: SAP SE)

You can also check software compatibility within a bill of material (BOM) (using the “Maintain Bill of Material” app) or within a configuration (using the “Manage Product Structures” app).

What Are the Prerequisites for Using the Solution?

The “Integrated Software Management” solution is only available in SAP S/4HANA and is operated exclusively via SAP Fiori apps.

Would You Like to Learn More About the Options for Mapping Your Software Sales in SAP?

XEPTUM will be happy to advise you on the various aspects of the product lifecycle – from licensing and sales to the various billing options such as license models or pay-per-use.

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