Release Ready Kit

SAP Commerce Cloud

Q4 2024

PUBLIC
Table of Contents

Jump to Section Page

Adopting Continuous Innovation – Overview
Adopting Continuous Innovation – Overview 3
How 2211 Core Continuous Innovation Releases Work
How 2211 Core Continuous Innovation Releases Work 4
Release Guidance
Release Guidance 5
Notification of Key Technical Updates

Notification of Key Technical Updates 9

Release Reference Materials
Release Reference Materials 10
Release Communication Channels
Release Communication Channels 11
Release Awareness Offerings/Reminders
Release Awareness Offerings/Reminders 15
Additional Resources
Additional Resources 16

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 Adopting Continuous Innovation:
Continuous Innovation Now Applies to Commerce Cloud and Composable Storefront
2211
To reach
FAQour- what
common
to know
mission
for the
of enabling
latest release
every enterprise
CX Release
to deliver
Navigator
continuous
– online
innovation
supplement
through
to this
connected,
Release Ready
trusted,
Kit and sustainable digital commerce experiences, it is critical you understand how and why SAP now provides Monthly Update Releases of SAP Commerce Cloud 2211 and Composable
To reach our common mission of enabling every enterprise to deliver continuous innovation through connected, trusted, and sus tainable digital commerce
Storefront.
experiences, it is critical you understand how and why SAP now provides Monthly Update Releases of SAP Commerce Cloud 2211 an d Composable Storefront.

2211 FAQ - what to know for the latest release CX Release Navigator – online supplement to this Release Ready Kit

Security & Compliance Maintenance & Fixes New Features & Innovation

The final core major release is Reduce the effort and cost by Get more flexibility when you
2211. You can now easily run the moving away from major upgrades activate new features and benefit
most secure and stable version of to smaller, easy to adopt, from continuous innovation
SAP Commerce Cloud incremental monthly updates

2211 Commerce Cloud and Composable Storefront Release Strategy in a Nutshell:

For SAP Commerce Cloud 2211, patches are now monthly updates. The method Composable Storefront is tested with the previous 6 update releases of SAP Commerce Cloud core. You must
to take monthly updates don’t change. remain on a current release of Composable Storefront. See the release and compatibility table.
You must be on a supported release of SAP Commerce Cloud (2211). As of Feb 2024: Composable Storefront numbering will change from 6.x to 2211.x, to match Commerce Cloud
NEW for 2211: On a quarterly basis, updates can include new features, turned core. See blog post. & Help Portal
off by default. You have up to 12 months to test and make your implementation Starting 2024, framework updates will be added yearly, with the February update release of Composable
compatible with these new features, irrespective of usage. Storefront. Update releases between March and November of each year may contain new features, turned off by
NEW Starting 2025, framework updates will be added approximatively every 2- default, with 12 months to test, similar to Commerce Cloud (Core and Integration Extension Pack).
year, following the release cycles of the Java and Spring framework providers. General update recommendation: when updating to new core 2211.x, update Composable Storefront at the same
Great News! We are extending our end of support for deprecated Accelerator time, using the same update release of same month. For example, when updating to March 2024 core, also
UIs to Q3 2028. For more see SAP Help and upcoming deep-dive webcast update Composable Storefront to March 2024.
scheduled
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 How 2211 Core Continuous Innovation Releases Work
Customers on our new continuous version can look forward to the following immediate benefits:
Customers on our new continuous version can look forward to the following immediate benefits:

Preview Preview Preview Preview

End Q1 End Q2 End Q3 End Q4

Features Features Features Features

Security & Compliance Maintenance & Fixes New Features Framework update
& Innovation
• Shipped every month • Shipped every month • Shipped every 2 years
• Shipped once per quarter
• Note that all new security • Any major maintenance • Java/Spring upgrade with
fixes are only available on changes such as removals • To gather feedback from their collaterals
the latest Monthly Release of deprecated code will be customers, Preview for pre-
communicated well in Production environments • Preview Release
advance only are released on an ad-
• Extended validity period of
hoc schedule
last Update Release on
Preview Releases Feature Rollout Phases 6-Month Adoption Window previous Framework to
facilitate adoption
To get an early understanding of All new features will initially ship Each Monthly Innovation Release
upcoming functionality, we will in an inactive state. Half a year is cumulative and valid for 6 • Option to remain up-to-date
sometimes ship Preview releases later, we will enable the feature, months. All customers will have with security fixes until the
of new features or major but allow you to deactivate it to update at least twice a year, newer framework is adopted
changes, giving you extra time to again. Finally, one year after the and we will enforce it in the
prepare. initial release, the feature Cloud Portal.
(Preview releases not available with becomes standard.
Composable Storefront)
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 Release Guidance:
Direction for best navigating the ‘What’, ‘Where’, ‘How’, and ‘When’ of Monthly Update Releases:

5 Key Dimensions:
# Dimension Commerce Cloud 2211 Composable Storefront Cloud Portal & Intelligent Selling
Services
1 Release Schedule Continuous Innovation – Monthly Update Releases Continuous Innovation – Monthly Update Releases Continuous Innovation – Weekly Update
Releases (micro releases)
2 Release Support Period Monthly Update Releases are current for 6 months Monthly Update Releases are current for 6 months No release duration; timeless
3 Release Policy (staying Customer must be on Customer must be on Customer is always on the latest release; no
current) Current Update Current Update action required

4 Bug Fixes Via Monthly Update Releases Fixes only available in Via Monthly Update Releases Fixes only available Fixes are pushed; no action required
latest Current Monthly Update Release in latest Current Monthly Update Release
5 New Features Via Quarterly Update Release Via Monthly Update Releases New capabilities available out of the box
New features only available in latest update release New feature only available in latest update release

Stay Informed:
Commerce Cloud 2211 What’s New & What’s Next Composable Storefront 2211 Cloud Portal & Intelligent Selling Services

• Supported Releases • What’s New • Current Releases and Backend • What’s New in Cloud Portal (In module
Update Releases - business
Compatibility column look for the following
• About Continous Innovation ✓
overview keywords: cloud portal, deployments,
• What’s New
• Feature Roll-Out Phases endpoints, builds)
✓ Update Releases – technical view
• Release History
• Specifying Update Version (adoption steps, fixed issues, • What’s New in ISS (In module column
library upgrades) look for the following entry: Intelligent
• Feature Compatibility Matrix
• Product Compatibility Matrix
• What’s Next Selling Services)
• Feature Roll-Out Phases
• Independent Software
✓ SAP Commerce Cloud Roadmap
Vendor Products Matrix
✓ NEW Notification of Key Technical
PUBLI C Updates 5
Release Guidance: continued Supporting documentation:
How We Are Rolling Out Changes ▪ About Update Releases
▪ Feature Compatibility Scenarios
Most New Features

Deactivated Activated Out of Some New Features

6 Months 6 Months the Box
Deactivated
forever
A Feature availability flag will accompany new features, initially set as inactive.

This allows you to adopt the new Monthly Update without considering it, if you prefer. You Features such as User Data Isolation for Multi-Site
can also enable the feature to get an early check of its behavior. will remain inactive until you use it

After 6 months, the feature is enabled by default. But you can force deactivation if you need
to. We encourage you understand its behavior at this point. Maintenance & Fixes

After another 6 months, the Feature availability flag is removed and the Feature becomes Out of the Box
standard, or OOTB (Out Of The Box). immediately

Examples:
As delivered in the March 2023 Update, a new API to Display Discount Messages and
Savings with Rules is currently inactive by default and will remain so for 6 months Security & Compliance
New cart calculation strategies
New Punchout capabilities which override existing functionality Out of the Box
immediately
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 Release Guidance: continued
Feature Availability Flag protocol
Some Commerce Cloud features will be introduced in a disabled state – customers must act by a certain date. Example Showing Below: Display Discount Message Feature
Some Commerce Cloud features will be introduced in a disabled state – customers must act by a certain date. Example Showing Below: Display Discount Message
Feature

FEATURES

Customer has up to 12 months to test and activate feature

before it is available out of the box by default
Feature introduction monthly update 2211.4
1 (March 17, 2023)

In Q3 2023 (6 months after introduction): Feature

2 will be enabled by default, but customer has the
ability to disable it

In Q1 2024 (12 months after introduction): Feature

3 will be available out of the box and normally can’t
1 2 3 be disabled (unless disabling is part of the feature
itself)

4 BEST PRACTICE

Determine if your code has any dependency with

4
the new feature. If yes follow instructions, test
and activate feature asap and no later than out of the
box date. If no dependency, then do nothing or
override with custom code.

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 Release Guidance: continued
Navigate the technical changes of an Update Release
All technical aspects of an Update Release are brought into a single-page condensed material for easier navigation and better insights readability in planning and executing on the adoption of an update release
All technical aspects of an Update Release are brought into a single-page condensed material for easier navigation and better insights readability in planning and
executing on the adoption of an update release

Technical view

1 Fixes issues list; implementing a fixes issue

2 Security Notes, if any

3 Technical deprecations e.g. an API endpoint

4 Changes in APIs, Data Models, Spring, if any 1

2
3
5 3rd party compatibility and library upgrades
4
5
6 Upgrade steps and installer recipe
6

7 Procedure to activate/deactivate features.

7

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Notification of Key Technical Updates
Technical Update Resources

1. SAP Help | SAP Commerce Cloud in the Public Cloud > What’s Next

2. Consolidated view Notification of Key Technical Updates for Commerce

Cloud and complementary products

3. Detailed view of an upcoming technical update notification

2 3

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 Release Reference Materials:
Navigating Help Documentation
SAP Help holds the official and most updated reference to our policies, product release notes, and life cycle of versions for both 2211 Core and Composable Storefront.
SAP Help holds the official and most updated reference to our policies, product release notes, and life cycle of versions for both 2211 Core and Composable Storefront.

Update Release
Supported Releases Current Updates What’s New History
2211 Core 2211 Core 2211 Core 2211 Core
Composable Storefront Composable Storefront Composable Storefront Composable Storefront

▪ Major versions list ▪ Complete list of all 2211 continuous ▪ List of new functionality introduced ▪ Summary of monthly update releases
▪ Supported versions and EoMM dates innovation monthly updates across all Commerce products ▪ List of features including (for 2211 core)
▪ Update policies ▪ Key dates (introduction and end of ▪ For Commerce Cloud monthly updates, corresponding actions to take to
support) for each monthly update look for Update Release 2211.x in enable/disable
▪ Consequences for not running a
▪ Customers must always be on a column title ▪ List of bug fixes
supported version
supported monthly update

Change log
FEATURES

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Release Communication Channels:
How customers are informed
Customers can stay in-the-know with the below communication channels.

SAP Help
Official and most updated reference to our policies, product
1 release notes and life cycle of versions

Cloud Portal
Administration Console for Commerce Cloud customers
2 where we publish a banner reminding users of staying current

CSNS Email Notifications

303 Official Event Notification system where we send notice to
registered customers about important events

Customers Success Partners

4 Due to regional proximity engage with customers and remind
them of the policies we have and discuss strategies

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 Release Communication Channels: continued
How to navigate the 2211.xx Core Update Release Information Help Pages
Example Showing Below: for Update Release 2211.28
Example Showing Below: for Update Release 2211.28

1 FEATURES
New Features are listed in main menu and
come in 2 flavors

• #1 Automatically On Features that require

no action, (i.e. Data Visibility of Returns)

• #2 Customer Configured Features

2.1 Recommended Features that require
action, but no activation date defined (i.e.
Data Hub Dependency Descriptor)

2.2 Disabled Features that require action

by a certain date (i.e. Display Discount
Messages and Savings Rules) ,

UPGRADE INSTRUCTIONS

• Step by step guide on how to update

to 2211.24 Release

CHANGE LOG

• Lists of added or changes files in this

Update Release

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 Release Communication Channels: continued
Cloud Portal Banners
Notification Banners are shown in two different areas: Build or Environment Important Note:
This banner will appear 3 MONTHS before the deadline of the version or update the customer is currently running on their environment. • Banners are shown to all customer
regardless of version and therefore
must be generic enough to fit all
2 possible scenarios.

• Banners are meant to be a reminder

and not a means to relay large
amounts of information.

• We changed the delay to 3 months

before triggering the banner because
2211 customers would see the
banner all the time if the delay was 6
months.

• The idea of sharing the KBA within

the banner is to prevent customers
This banner appears when the version or update the currently is running on their environment is EoMM.
from being surprised when Product
Supports sends them this article
when they open a ticket regarding a
“build issue”. Proactively sharing this
information should help them
understand that they need to move to
a current version. KBA contains all
relevant links and resolution.

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Release Communication Channels: continued
Event Notification System
Registered Events: This system is used to communicate to large numbers of customers and records official notifications for reference.

Important Note:
3 • Customer must be registered
and need to update their
contacts if they wish to get
the information. Please
remind them to periodically
maintain their list.

• When searching, “EventID” is

mandatory so make sure you
have this information before
hand.
• We will continue to leverage
Customer Notifications using
SCP Event system whenever
appropriate, but this should
be used diligently since we
want people to pay attention
to these messages and not
become - SPAM.

To ensure you are aware of updates, outages, maintenance, etc. you must opt - in to receive notifications from the Cloud Service Availability Center
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Release Awareness Offerings
Ensure Engagement and Alignment
Utilize the release resources below to stay up to date and engaged with the most recent innovations.

Hear From The Experts

• Latest: Release Blog , Q3 Release Recap , & Q3 Tech-Focused Update || Up Next: Q4 Release Recap Webcast

• SAP Commerce Cloud Roadmap Update Webcast Replay

• NEW Commerce Cloud Framework Update FAQ

• SAP Commerce Cloud Composable Storefront (“Spartacus”) Update Webcasts: Q1 2024 | Q4 2024

• Accelerator UIs End of Support: Timelines, Implications, and Options Webcast (May 15, 2024)

• References/Reminders to Stay Current with Commerce Cloud & Composable Storefront

• About Monthly Update Releases: Step-by-Step Actions & FAQs Answered

• Adopting Continuous Innovation Release Guidance Webcasts: English

Online Guides
Consult the SAP Help Portal for Upgrading SAP Commerce Cloud and Installing and Upgrading SAP Commerce Cloud, Integration Extension Pack

Stay Current Program

Supplement SAP Certifications with self-assessments for: 2311 Business Users and Developers .

News and Updates

Subscribe to receive the monthly Commerce Cloud Newsletter and CX Webcast Newsletter.
PUBLI C 15
Additional Resources:

What’s New Viewer & Engagement Program CX Release Navigator SAP Community
Road Map Explorer & Learning Journeys Use the CX Release Online Community pages for
Read Release Notes and get Index of online resources Navigator as a single point interaction and Performance
for all CX solution release Optimization Tips
a preview of currently
Role-based learning resources across the SAP
planned Road Map features Blog: Where To Find CX
pathways for: ecosystem
Customers | Partners Works Articles

Technical/ Functional Embedded Services Onboarding & SAP for Me

Specifications Embedded Upgrades service Fundamental Your Support portal to find
Deliverables for Legacy (Platform/Platinum/ Activities answers and report issue
Editions and Composable & Technical) evolved to incidences
Service activities embedded
Premier Editions support you adopting a
in your license
continuous update cadence

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