SAP Note / OSS Note

OSS Note

OSS Notes or SAP Notes are used to change standard SAP objects / programs. This is usually required when a bug is identified in vanilla SAP functionality, i.e. an SAP functionality with no customization. The OSS notes are released by SAP on a periodic basis. These notes reflect the problems faced by some other customer of SAP and the solution thereby arrived to mitigate the problem. As a result these notes contain instructions, workarounds to a problem or links to support packages that might need to be installed in order to solve the problem.
An SAP note is identified by a unique number. A note typically contains details like version of the note, instructions to apply the note and the SAP releases for which the note is valid. It also provides the prerequisite notes / support packs which need have to be implemented before the note can be applied.

How to search OSS Note / SAP Note

There are two ways to approach this,

• Website - http://www.servive.sap.com/notes
• T Code – OSS1

The search usually begins with entering few key words that identify your problem and clicking on the Search Button. Typically used search terms could be SAP functionality name, program / object name, error message etc. This search will throw a list of notes which resemble the search terms. From this list identify the applicable note and download it. If the note is big, “download manager” might be required to download the note. Download manager can be installed on your computer from the same website.

In case, you do not find any applicable note based on your search, you will have to submit a problem to SAP. Based on the criticality of the problem, the SAP team would analyze it and provide a solution.

PS: To search for any OSS note, a logon ID and password is required.

How to apply an OSS Note / SAP Note

T Code – SNOTE

Steps:

• Download Note or Upload Note (if it is already downloaded)
• Update Process Status
• Read Note instructions (Optional Step)
• Implement Note
• View implementation Log
• Update Process Status to ‘Complete’

Benefits of SNOTE:

• Makes it easier to implement OSS Note / SAP Notes.
• It applies the note if SAP object already exists. If the object does not exist, it needs to be created manually outside SNOTE transaction.
• It validates the prerequisite note requirements and prompts users accordingly.

Please refer to the SNOTE guide available at http://service.sap.com/. It is important before applying any OSS Note / SAP note to read it fully and understand all its implications. It also requires a lot of testing before the SAP Note is promoted to production. The error could arise if the note is not applied correctly or if it is interfering with any other SAP functionality or a custom functionality being used in the given landscape.