What is ERP 6.0 and what are its enhancement packages?
SAP ERP 6.0 has been one of the world’s most popular enterprise resource planning systems for nearly 20 years. Launched in 2006, it supports key business processes like finance, logistics, HR, and procurement.
What are enhancement packages (EhPs)?
To keep ERP 6.0 running optimally and to introduce new features, SAP released periodic enhancement packages. These are essentially updates that let you expand the functionality of SAP ERP 6.0 based on your business requirements, without needing a full system upgrade.
There are 8 EhPs for SAP ERP 6.0, each offering new features and improvements:
- Base version (EhP 0): Standard SAP ERP 6.0.
- EhP 1–5: Incremental updates, including usability improvements, industry-specific features, and advanced HR and finance capabilities.
- EhP 6–8: Innovations in HCM, logistics, and finance, with a focus on preparing for the new version of the SAP ERP: SAP Cloud ERP (formerly SAP S/4HANA)
Why do EhPs matter?
EhPs kept SAP ERP 6.0 relevant by letting organisations adopt new features and stay competitive. The final package, EhP 8, focused on helping businesses transition to SAP Cloud ERP.
Knowing your EhP level is crucial as mainstream maintenance for SAP ERP 6.0 comes to an end. Especially if you’re running an older EhP, now’s the time to plan your next steps.
Which SAP ERP version and EhP are you using?
To determine how the change affects you, you’ll need to know which SAP version and EhP you’re currently using. If you’re not sure, the best way to check is to follow the steps in this SAP blog.
When does maintenance end for your SAP ERP 6.0 EhP?
Now that you know which version and EhP you’re running, check the deadlines below to see how much time you’ve got before SAP stops offering mainstream maintenance:
- EhPs 0 through 5: Mainstream maintenance ends on 31 December 2025.
- EhPs 6 through 8: Mainstream maintenance ends on 31 December 31 2027, with optional extended maintenance available—at an additional cost—until 31 December 2030.
Maintenance ending soon? Here’s what to expect
Once mainstream maintenance ends for your EhP, SAP will no longer be able to offer customer support for your ERP system. You also won’t receive any further security patches, legal updates, or functional enhancements from SAP. Essentially, if you encounter a bug with your system, it will be up to you to fix it yourself.
Without support from SAP, it will become increasingly costly—and risky—to stick with your old ERP 6.0 system. Here are some challenges you’re likely to encounter:
- Operational costs: Your ERP will become less efficient over time, which has a major impact on operations and competitiveness. Plus, you’ll wind up paying more for custom fixes to keep your system running.
- Regulatory compliance: Without mainstream maintenance, you won’t have access to legal updates, which puts you at risk of compliance issues.
- Security: Legacy systems are more vulnerable to evolving cyber threats.
- Business growth: Outdated systems don’t give you the flexibility and scalability you need to remain competitive.
To avoid complications like these, start migrating to the new SAP Cloud ERP-system before mainstream maintenance ends. Once you’ve migrated, you’ll benefit from having a modern ERP system, designed to meet today’s business challenges. You also gain new features like advanced analytics, real-time data processing, and a scalable, future-ready foundation.
Stay ahead: Start your SAP Cloud ERP migration now
Switching to SAP Cloud ERP is a smart move to keep your business competitive and future-ready. By making the transition now, you can modernise your ERP while also keeping ahead of your competitors who are still using legacy systems.
Not sure if you are ready to migrate yet? Here are the four options available to those running out of mainstream maintenance:
- Migrate to RISE with SAP Cloud ERP Private
- Migrate to SAP Cloud ERP
- Upgrade to enhancement package 6 or higher: Be aware, you will get extended maintenance plus 2% MT fee from 2028 until 2030
- Opt for SAP Customer-Specific Maintenance: This has reduced support, no legal/tax changes, restricted security patches, and compliance of IT systems may be at risk
Aiden can help you start this process by assessing your current situation and collaboratively defining a roadmap for your next step.
