For some use cases you can use the Note Analyzer in SNOTE to validate if all the relevant OSS notes for that specific function are applied with the latest version.
The short manual is: start transaction SNOTE, go to menu Goto / Other Tools / Launch Note Analyzer.
As example we take the xml file from OSS note 3365856 – Note Analyzer Input File for SAP Readiness Check for SAP S/4HANA upgrades as input. Now press the Analyze button. Wait and analyze the output:
Here you can see some notes are still needed to be implemented and/or updated with newer version.
A new Home screen, where the user work list and Note Browser is integrated in a single screen. The work list and search results are displayed in tabs to improve usability
Possibility to perform a Note Search for Valid Notes in SAP ONE Support Launchpad, and then download it from the search results
Provision to mark/unmark Notes as your ‘Favorite’
Option to set up background jobs which will automatically look for and if required, download newer version of Notes which are already in your system
Implementation of Notes has been streamlined with lesser pop-ups and better error handling
Improved display of Manual Text during a Note implementation. It will now also be displayed during de-implementation of a Note.
Changes in the Note Display screen, including a compact header section, provision to display only valid corrections and only the actions that will be possible for the given Note will be displayed
An improved display of Note Log
Provision to launch reports which will show the details of all the prerequisite and successor Notes, or the list of repository objects affected by the Note
Ability to customize the Note Assistant using the ‘Note Assistant User Settings’. The Note download procedure can also be provided here
Additionally, the tool will now automatically remember some of the user choices made in the user interface
Starting SNOTE now looks like this:
The settings button shows easily you can set your own preferences:
Updating OSS notes versions is possible now via the menu Download latest version of Notes, and then you can choose to run in foreground or (new great function) in background.
For the last update run you now can get a nice overview of the results of the updates:
Installation of new SNOTE revamp version
The new revamp version of SNOTE is standard in S4HANA 2021. You can also install it separately.
Steps to follow:
First apply the prerequisite notes listed in OSS note 3051466
Make sure the TCI file of OSS note 3051466 is placed in your system (read more on TCI notes in this blog)
Downloading and implementing new versions of OSS notes
SAP regularly updates its own OSS notes. To check in your system if there are new updates for OSS notes relevant to you go to transaction SNOTE. Then choose “Goto -> SAP Note Browser ->Execute (F8)”, and then choose “Download Latest Version of SAP Notes” in the application toolbar. This will download all the latest versions. Check for the status “Obsolete version implemented” in the implementation state column.
Issues with OSS note downloads
In rare cases OSS note download and extractions might fail.
Activation of inactive objects after implementing OSS note
In rare cases after implementing an OSS note some of the ABAP objects are in an inactive state. To activate them, select the menu SAP note and then Activate SAP note manually.
Or you can run program SCWB_NOTE_ACTIVATE to activate the coding of the note:
Transport based correction instructions contain notes that are larger than normal OSS notes. This tool leverages the SPAM transaction to apply these large packages.
Start with reading the PDF document attached to OSS note 2187425: TCI for customer. This contains the exact instructions to enable TCI based correction instructions.
The TCI only recently has a rollback function. Please check if you can update/patch to the version where the rollback works. See the PDF document in OSS note 2187425 on the undo function.
Applying TCI note
There are 2 ways to upload TCI note.
Basis way: you will need SPAM access rights and 000 actions are involved. Upload the TCI file in SPAM in client 000. Then apply the note via SNOTE in main client. The note tool will ask you to confirm to use the TCI mechanism.
ABAP way: you will need SPAM access rights. In transaction SNOTE use menu option Goto / Upload TCI. After uploading the file, choose Decompress. Now apply the note via SNOTE. The note tool will ask you to confirm to use the TCI mechanism.
During the implementation, it can be that you are forced to delete all BI queues.
Transporting obsolete TCI packages
When you upgraded earlier to S4HANA or other recent version, some of the TCI notes might be obsolete. There is an issue moving this through the landscape. Read and apply the solution from OSS note 3116396 – How to Adjust Obsolete TCI Notes in Downstream Systems for the fix.
For digitally signed oss notes see the special blog.
KBA notes
Some notes don’t contain coding updates, but are KBA’s: Knowledge Base Articles. You have to read the note which contains manual instructions or explanation in detail.
Some functions use the Note Analyzer tool. This tool is started from submenu in SNOTE (Goto / Other Tools / Launch Note Analyzer). Then you upload xml file to check the status of the notes in the xml file.
SNOTE revamp
In newer netweaver versions SNOTE is revamped. You can apply this version earlier if you want to use it. Read more on the SNOTE revamp in this blog.
Applying notes in shadow during upgrade
In rare cases you might need to apply and OSS note in the shadow system during a system upgrade. Basis team will usually use the SUM tool. Applying notes to shadow during upgrade can be needed to solve upgrade stopping bugs.
Always handle with care. If you are not experienced with upgrades, let a senior handle it.
SNOTE itself might have issues. Use the button Check Note Assistant to see if any new notes or note updates of generic SNOTE notes are needed:
How to find in which transport and OSS note is stored?
Follow the instructions in this blog. Summary: go to the SE03 transaction and choose “Find Objects in Requests/Tasks”. Enter R3TR NOTE object and your note number with leading zeros up to 10 chars. Select Modifiable and/or Released statuses according to your needs.
