As organisations continue to rely on SAP Service and Asset Manager (SSAM) for mobile asset management, keeping their systems up to date is crucial.
Regular upgrades ensure continued SAP support, improved performance, enhanced user experience, and access to new functionalities. However, the upgrade process can be complex, requiring careful planning and execution.
At On Device Solutions, we help businesses streamline their SSAM upgrade journey, reducing disruption and maximising the benefits of the latest releases. This blog explores the key reasons to upgrade, common challenges, and strategies to simplify the process.
Why Upgrade Your SAP Service and Asset Manager?
Keeping SSAM up to date provides several advantages, including:
- Ongoing Support and Compatibility – SAP’s mobile solutions follow a two-year mainstream maintenance period. While SAP offers extended support where possible, OS updates may necessitate an upgrade if no enterprise mobile device management (MDM) solution is in place.
- Enhanced User Experience – The latest SSAM releases feature UX improvements, improving usability and productivity.
- Performance Optimisation – Upgrades introduce sync performance enhancements, better monitoring tools, and improved troubleshooting capabilities.
- Lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) – Out-of-the-box capabilities can make past customisations redundant and can reduce the level of customisation in the solution and reduce TCO.
- Better System Monitoring – Enhanced tools help businesses track usage, detect issues early, and optimise resource allocation.
Common SAP Service and Asset Manager Upgrade Challenges
Despite these benefits, some businesses delay SSAM upgrades due to:
- Cost, Time, and Resource Constraints – Due to the multi-layer solution components that make the overall SSAM solution, upgrades may require multiple skill-sets and significant development and administrative effort, sometimes similar to a full implementation.
- Re-applying Custom Enhancements – Businesses that have made extensive custom configurations must manually merge these with the new release, which can be time-consuming.
- Testing Complexity – Each upgrade introduces new features that must be tested before deployment.
- Skills and Knowledge Gaps – Internal teams and Big System Integrators may lack the expertise to manage upgrades efficiently.
- Level of business change involved – SSAM is typically used by the field workers and business change needs to be carefully planned as part of the upgrade to minimise operational disruptions.
To address these concerns, SAP is introducing new tools and services to simplify the upgrade process.
How SAP is planning to upgrade the SSAM Upgrade Process
SAP is planning the following enhancements to make SSAM upgrades faster, smoother, and more efficient.
- Metadata Upgrade Tool (Planned for 2025) – Automates the process of merging custom and standard metadata, reducing errors and manual effort.
- BTP Mobile Services Onboarding Booster – Guides businesses through setting up SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) Mobile Services for SSAM.
- Guided Installation and Upgrade Wizard (Planned for 2025) – A step-by-step tool to simplify the installation and upgrade process.
- Configuration Variant Tool – SAP is shifting towards a single-app version approach, reducing complexity in managing multiple configurations.
Standard SAP Service and Asset Manager Upgrade Process
A structured approach ensures a successful upgrade with minimal disruption. The standard SSAM upgrade process includes:
- SAP Backend System Upgrade
- Upgrade the Mobile Application Integration Framework (MAIF) via SAP Note or full S/4HANA upgrade.
- Merge custom mobile app configurations.
- Set up mobile users for the new release.
- BTP Mobile Services Setup
- Configure SAP BTP Mobile Services for the new SSAM release.
- Use the App Creator tool to deploy applications.
- SSAM Frontend Application Upgrade
- Download and merge custom metadata into the new SSAM release.
- Deploy updated application metadata to SAP BTP Mobile Services.
- SSAM Mobile Client Upgrade
- Download the standard SSAM client from the app store or build a custom version.
- Follow SAP’s branding and deployment guide for tailored applications.
By following this structured approach, businesses can reduce upgrade risks, ensure smooth deployment, and leverage the latest SAP innovations.
Key Considerations for SSAM Upgrades
As SAP continues to enhance SAP Service and Asset Manager (SSAM), several important factors should be considered when planning an upgrade.
Future releases aim to unify the code base across Android, iOS, and Windows, streamlining deployment and management. Migration tools have been designed to transfer filter rules, including OMDO and Exchange objects, though they are primarily intended for initial migrations rather than ongoing modifications.
Businesses currently using SAP Service and Asset Manager 2310 should note that mainstream maintenance is set to end in late 2025, and SAP generally follows a two-year support lifecycle for all SSAM versions. While best-effort support for older releases is sometimes available, certain updates—particularly those related to the Mobile Development Kit (MDK)—may require an upgrade.
The BTP Booster tool is expected to be publicly available within the first half of the year, with early access through beta testing. Customers on older SAP Service and Asset Manager versions, such as 2105, will need to be on 2305 or later to take full advantage of the latest migration tools. There is no strict minimum version required for the MDK compare tool, but larger version jumps increase complexity.
Additionally, upgrading to the latest SSAM SKU does not incur additional costs, and new upgrade tools—designed to simplify fragment changes and metadata conversions—are set for release within the first half of the year.
Businesses planning their upgrade strategy should ensure they are aligned with these upcoming developments to make the most of SSAM’s latest capabilities.
How On Device Solutions Can Support Your Enterprise
While SAP continues to introduce tools and services to simplify the SSAM upgrade process, many enterprises will still require expert guidance to ensure a smooth transition, minimal disruption, and optimal performance. That’s where On Device Solutions, an SAP Gold Partner with extensive experience helping enterprises navigate SSAM upgrades efficiently, can support your organisation through:
- Further Reducing Complexity and Ensuring a Smooth Upgrade
- Tailored Upgrade Strategy for Business Needs
- Optimising Performance and Enhancing User Adoption
- Managing Risks and Minimising Downtime
- Providing Ongoing Support Beyond the Upgrade
On Device Solutions provides strategic support, hands-on implementation, and ongoing assistance to ensure businesses fully benefit from their SSAM implementations and upgrades.
Get in touch today to discuss how we can help you maximise the benefits of the latest SSAM release.
