As a value-added ERP for small enterprises, SAP Business One is easily the best solution for streamlining business processes and adapting to changing demands. At its core, SAP Business One (or SAP B1) provides a centralized approach to integrate various business functions and share real-time information.
Additionally, the SAP support portal provides SAP B1 customers and users with a streamlined support service that ensures the continuity of their business operations. Essentially, SAP B1 customers (with a valid maintenance contract) can now use the SAP support portal for benefits such as:
- 24/7 customer support on critical issue resolution
- A single access point for all support-related tasks for SAP B1
- Performing regular updates and upgrades to SAP B1
- Remote support for SAP B1 customers
Here’s everything you need to know about the SAP support portal.
What is the SAP support portal?
The SAP support portal is essentially a website that provides SAP B1 users with access to support channels, self-help resources, and applications. After signing into the portal, users can find details about all SAP B1 support-related offerings, the latest news, and maintenance work.
Through its “SAP for Me” facility, users can access real-time customer support channels, tools, and resources.
The SAP support portal is a centralized platform for all resources related to SAP B1 maintenance and the latest offerings. This portal is designed as a user-friendly resource where users can quickly find any SAP-related information.
6 key sections of the SAP support portal
The SAP support portal is divided into multiple sections, allowing users to navigate and access SAP resources and support easily. Here are the 6 key sections of the SAP support portal:
1. My Support
This provides users access to the following resources:
- SAP for Me: Includes the latest releases and help for supported applications.
- Get Support: To schedule an expert meeting or ask questions to an expert.
- Knowledge: Includes the latest SAP notes, security notes, and news.
- Software downloads: Includes the latest available SAP downloads.
- Systems and installations: For information related to license utilization and system measurement.
- Keys: Includes the SAP license keys and migration keys.
2. Products
This provides SAP users access to:
- Products: Includes SAP products like SAP HANA and SAP B1
- Connectors: Includes the SAP business connector, along with SAP connectors for Java, MS .NET, and NetWeaver
- Customer onboarding centers: Including SAP Ariba and SAP Human Experience Management
3. Tools
This provides SAP users access to:
- SAP upgrades and transformation tools like the SAP customer evaluation kit
- Software logistics tools for system maintenance and provisioning
- Troubleshooting tools, including support log assistant and automated notes search tool
- Connectivity tools for remote support and SAP routers
- Diagnostic tools
4. Maintenance
This provides SAP users access to:
- Maintenance-related information, including the product availability matrix and maintenance planner.
- Upgrade information, including the upgrade path and transformation tools.
- Value of Support, including tailored recommendations and roadmaps.
5. Offerings & Programs
This provides SAP users access to:
- SAP Enterprise Support: Includes value maps, continuous quality checks, and the SAP Enterprise Support Academy.
- Support programs: Include beta programs, SAP procurement benchmarking, and the SAP customer evolution program.
- Support services: Including a single sign-on facility (using SAP passports), service session tools, and the SAP Early Watch Alert.
- More offerings: Include SAP preferred success, advanced secure support, and SAP standard support.
- Real-time support strategy, maintenance 2040, and other extension programs.
- Customer Center of Excellence (COE): Includes COE and CIO guides, SAP & hyperscalers, and media library.
6. Application Lifecycle Management (ALM)
This provides SAP users access to:
- ALM overview: Includes the ALM portfolio, latest events, demo landscape, and authorized partners.
- SAP Cloud ALM: Including the implementation, operations, transformation, and other related services.
- SAP Focused Run includes the use cases, references, expert access, and FAQs.
- SAP Solution Manager used for moving to SAP Cloud ALM.
Why do SAP users need the SAP support portal?
The SAP support portal serves as a service launchpad for SAP B1 users. Here are 4 reasons why SAP B1 users need this portal:
Support launchpad
The SAP service portal acts as a launchpad that provides a consistent user experience for all SAP B1 users through a single intuitive interface. SAP B1 users can use this portal to:
- Create a new service case
- Search for SAP service notes
- Request for SAP license keys
- Request for guided answers to their queries
Remote support platform (RSP)
With its RSP facility, the SAP service portal can protect any SAP B1 installation through remote support. RSP can monitor the health and performance of SAP B1 customer databases and automatically perform healing operations (if required). Additionally, RSP sends support-related results to the SAP business partner, which can further improve the maintenance and support operations.
Here are some of the latest features of the RSP version 3.2 for SAP Business One:
- Dedicated database health checkups
- Self-healing tasks for SAP B1 version of SAP HANA
- Instant backups of SAP B1 databases, along with backup scheduling and removal of old backups
- Email notifications for database backups
- Performing a database schema consistency check before every backup or schema export.
SAP maintenance and releases
SAP provides 5 years of maintenance for SAP B1 customers. This maintenance period begins on the date of general availability of any major release (for example, SAP B1 10.0) and includes subsequent releases. For instance, the SAP B1 10.0 (released in April 2020) is on maintenance until December 31, 2026.
The SAP support portal provides access to any SAP B1 enhancements through major releases or added features. Here are some of its maintenance-related benefits:
- Daily business operations without any disruptions
- Access to the latest SAP B1 versions and technology
- 24/7 support for any SAP B1 issues
- Compliance with the latest industry regulations
Free SAP B1 upgrades and updates
All SAP Business One customers (with a valid maintenance contract) are eligible for free updates and product upgrades. SAP provides a well-defined path for upgrading SAP B1 to the latest versions. Direct upgrades are supported only for two consecutive releases (for example, upgrading from version 9.3 to 10.0). Indirect or multi-step upgrades are supported for non-consecutive versions (for example, version 9.1 to 10.0).
The SAP support portal also regularly delivers feature packages for SAP B1 10.0, which contains new features, bug fixes, and security patches. Here are some of them:
- Support packages: Includes bug fixes, security fixes, and legal changes (if any)
- Release patches: Includes bug fixes and security fixes for SAP B1 Cloud and other related products
- Temporary patches or hotfixes: Provides a high-priority security fix to selected customers without waiting for the next release delivery.
Conclusion
With its single-click access, the SAP support portal provides immediate access to a wealth of SAP-related knowledge, information, and resources.
Among India’s leading SAP business partners, Praxis Info Solutions offers years of experience implementing successful SAP B1 projects for various industries. Our support team can help you get started with SAP B1 ERP.
Looking for a reliable SAP support partner? Contact us today.