What is SAP Solution Manager (SolMan)?
SAP Solution Manager, also called SAP SolMan or just SolMan, is an intelligent platform for application lifecycle management software (ALM). ALM, in turn, consists of tools and processes that help manage the lifecycle of a software product – from development to product design to product retirement.
Basically, SolMan is a collection of tools and services that help manage and monitor SAP environments. Solution Manager is already integrated as a toolset in all SAP systems and is free of charge for license holders.
The platform is used as a central management tool that supports companies in the digitization and automation of business processes.
SAP Solution Manager is an important tool, especially when it comes to automating processes. But that’s not all: As a “single source of the truth,” Solution Manager helps to create transparency and reduce administrative effort by mapping the applications in an SAP infrastructure in a centralized manner. This possibility always exists, regardless of whether the IT solution is in the data center, hybrid or in the cloud.
The latest version of SAP Solution Manager is version 7.2, which can be used to implement, maintain, operate and take over all, even non-SAP, IT solutions of a company. Version 7.2 provides functions to extend and improve system landscape management, such as the following:
From 2020, SAP also introduced SAP Cloud ALM as SaaS. It has been completely redeveloped with a focus on cloud products and implementation methods. SAP Cloud ALM relies much more on standardization than on individuality like SAP Solution Manager. Whether it makes sense to switch to SAP Cloud ALM depends on your system landscape. It is not absolutely necessary.
Structure and functions of SAP Solution Manager
Solution Manager is modular, so you can flexibly adapt it to the individual needs of your company. This way, Solution Manager has access to all important technical information in order to to ensure smooth operation of the systems and guarantee agile lifecycle management.
SAP Solution Manager thus provides everything needed to ensure efficient management of the system. Below are the most important modules and their functions:
SAP Solution Manager: Challenges
Due to its extensive range of functions, SolMan is very complex and not so easy to manage. The introduction alone is time-consuming and cost-intensive. Furthermore, the operation requires high personnel costs and corresponding expertise, which is difficult to obtain in the current times.
Due to the proprietary architecture and the lack of standardized interfaces, complete integration is difficult and involves additional effort.
Solution Manager End of Life in 2027
At the SAP ALM Summit 2022, SAP announced that the lifecycle of SAP Solution Manager will be aligned with that of SAP ECC. The platform will be maintained until the end of 2027, with a possible maintenance extension until the end of 2030. SAP also announces that there will be no further releases for the current 7.2 release of SolMan. The upcoming end of maintenance for SAP Solution Manager is a challenge for many SAP customers. But instead of dealing with the hassle of implementing SAP Cloud ALM, use the the opportunity to look for a better alternative.
Conclusion: SAP Solution Manager and REALTECH Software
The functions and application areas of SAP Solution Manager are diverse, but also very complex. The complexity requires thorough training and knowledge of the tool to use it effectively. However, many companies do not need all the functions included in SolMan. To keep efforts low, they use specialized third-party tools that focus on single disciplines.
REALTECH also offers solutions that replace individual Solution Manager features. Our product portfolio includes lean and easy-to-administer change management software (SmartChange) and the ITSM solution SmartITSM, which covers all your IT service management needs, including SAP integration.
FAQs: SAP Solution Manager