We are pleased to inform you that Software AG is going to change the correction procedure for the Entire Systems Management products Entire Operations (NOP), and Entire Output Management (NOM). The new correction procedure addresses several customer concerns regarding the quality of INPL corrections. The main features are:

• Regular (NOP: every 2 months / NOM: every 3 months) delivery of service packs.

  Benefit: Improves the planning of updates.

• Apply many corrections with a single update.

  Benefit: Reduced time for maintaining the environment.

• Download and apply the latest correction always.

  Benefit: Simplified handling of corrections.

• Dependencies between corrections resolved within the service pack.

  Benefit: Improved quality will be included in the service pack.

• Individual corrections can be delivered in urgent cases.

The new procedure covers the update mechanism in the same way which has already been introduced for a couple of years. The major difference is the regular time periods between the updates. The support of urgent problem fixes is not touched by this rhythm, because Software AG will continue to deliver individual corrections.

Software AG will start the process with NOP version 4.1.1, and NOM version 2.1.1. The first update version will be delivered in August 2002. The new procedure does not apply to versions older than NOP 4.1.1, and NOM 2.1.1. Software AG recommends upgrading the Entire Systems Management environment to the latest SM level, to benefit from this new service pack procedure.

Over a period of time, additional products will follow this service pack procedure. In future, a similar procedure to apply Zaps may also be introduced.

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FAQs

Do I have to download all corrections from Service Pack 1 again with Service Pack 2?

No, the service packs are cumulative. This ensures that all dependencies between corrections are resolved. Only one service pack has to be applied; it is not necessary to apply prerequisite service packs.

When will an individual correction be delivered?

Individual corrections will be created and delivered to customers in critical production problem cases, or in the case of escalations, as a hot fix. Hot fixes are automatically part of the next service pack.

Will the service packs replace SMs in future?

No, SMs will be created as well, but the number of SMs might be reduced in future.

Are service packs added to released versions?

The current service pack will automatically be added to the product tape, and will be delivered together with the released version. This means customers always get the latest correction level, when they order a product version.

How can the service pack be backed out, if side effects occur?

Service packs contain several fixes, and consist of a large number of Natural modules. Once they are applied, it is difficult to restore the system libraries. Therefore, Software AG recommends that you make a backup of the FNAT file, before applying the service pack.