Upgrading SAP to SAP S/4 HANA (including S/4 HANA 2025)

Neptune DXP - SAP Edition is ready and certified for S/4HANA, including S/4HANA 2025. Depending on your installation history, there are minor prerequisites to address before proceeding with the upgrade. In particular, if Neptune DXP - SAP Edition version 4.x or older (previously, Neptune UX Platform) was ever installed on your system (even if you are currently running a newer version), an Attribute Change Package must be applied before starting the upgrade process.

What is an Attribute Change Package?

An Attribute Change Package (ACP) is a small technical OCS package file, typically only a few kilobytes in size. It does not contain functional changes. Instead, it carries only the import attributes for another ABAP OCS package — such as a Support Package or add-on installation and upgrade package.

Applying an ACP updates the compatibility metadata of an installed software component, allowing the SAP upgrade tooling (SUM) to recognize it as compatible with the target system version.

For further information, see SAP Add-On Assembly Kit documentation.

Apply the Attribute Change Package

When this is required: An ACP must be applied before starting the S/4HANA upgrade if either of the following is true:

  • Your system is currently running Neptune DXP - SAP Edition version 4.x or older (previously, Neptune UX Platform).

  • An older version of Neptune was installed via SAINT at any point, even if you are currently running a newer version of Neptune DXP - SAP Edition.

If you have already started the SUM process, it must be restarted after completing this procedure.

Step 1: Determine the NEPTUNE software component release

In the SAP menu, go to System → Status.

acp system status

Locate software component NEPTUNE and note the release value shown.

acp component neptune

Use the release value to identify the correct ACP file from the ACP file selection table.

Step 2: (For release 400_700 only) Check the SEPS Inbox

If the NEPTUNE release is 400_700, an additional check is needed to determine which installation package was used, as different ACP files exist for different package numbers.

  1. Open transaction SEPS and go to Goto → Inbox.

    acp goto inbox
  2. Search for NEPTUNE.

    acp inbox neptune
  3. Identify the relevant entry:

    acp sapk 400coinneptune
    • If the system was upgraded from an earlier release: look for the entry beginning with SAPK-400*CH*.

    • If this was a fresh installation at version 4.0: look for the entry beginning with SAPK-400*CO*.

  4. Note the file number shown in that entry.

  5. Use the file number to select the correct ACP file from the ACP file selection table.

Step 3: Ensure previous ACP entries are marked as deleted

Before uploading the new ACP file, check that any previous ACP uploads for NEPTUNE at this release are marked as deleted in the SEPS Inbox. The subject line for these entries follows the format NEPTUNE===400_700.

acp neptune 400 700

Step 4: Install the ACP file via transaction SAINT

  1. Open transaction SAINT.

  2. Go to Installation Package → Load Packages → From Front End.

    upgs4 saint
  3. Select the .PAT file you downloaded.

  4. Select Decompress.

    upgs4 patfile
There is no need to select Start. The ACP is applied automatically at this point.

Step 5: Verify the result

If the ACP was applied correctly, the KEEP option for NEPTUNE will be available in the PREP_EXTENSION/IS_SELECT step of SUM.

acp sum keep

This marks the Neptune software component as compatible with S/4HANA, including S/4HANA 2025, and you can proceed with the upgrade.

Step 6 (conditional): Restart SUM

If the SUM process was already underway when you applied the ACP, restart SUM. When prompted, select "Ignore check results and continue".

acp sum ignore

Apply the HTTP Handler syntax fix

When this is required: This fix applies only if your current Neptune DXP - SAP Edition version is below 5.2.0. Versions in this range contain a syntax error in the HTTP handler class that must be corrected manually.

  1. Open transaction SE24 and locate class /NEPTUNE/HTTP_HANDLER.

  2. Go to method TWO_FACTOR_CHECK.

  3. Find the type declaration for variable lv_validity.

  4. Change the type from string to i.

    upgs4 class
  5. Save and activate the class.

Neptune DXP - SAP Edition 5.3.1 or higher is recommended for full compatibility with S/4HANA 1809 and later. The browser-based App Designer will not function on versions below 5.3.1.

ACP file selection

Use the NEPTUNE software component release (found in System → Status) to identify which ACP file to download.

NEPTUNE release Condition ACP file

300_700

ACP_NEPTUNE_NAD_300_158.SAR

310_700

ACP_NEPTUNE_NAD_310_159.SAR

400_700

SEPS Inbox file numbers 72 / 73

ACP_NEPTUNE_UXP_400_CH72_CO73_154.SAR

400_700

SEPS Inbox file numbers 75 / 76

ACP_NEPTUNE_UXP_400_CO75_CH76_160.SAR

For instructions on how to look up the SEPS Inbox file number, see Apply the Attribute Change Package, Step 2.

Neptune DXP - SAP Edition version compatibility

Neptune DXP - SAP Edition version S/4HANA compatibility

5.3.1 or higher

Fully compatible with S/4HANA 1809 and higher, including S/4HANA 2025

5.2.0 – 5.3.0

Compatible after applying the HTTP handler syntax fix

Below 5.2.0

Requires the HTTP handler syntax fix; App Designer not functional

Application server buffer reset commands

These commands reset specific buffers on the application server and are entered directly in the SAP command field.

Command Buffer reset

$SYNC

All application server buffers

/$CUA

CUA (Common User Access) buffer

/$TAB

Table buffers

/$NAM

Name tab buffer

/$DYN

Screen buffer

/$ESM

Export/Import Shared Memory buffer

/$PXA

Program (PXA) buffer

Troubleshooting

ICF node error after installation

Symptom: After installation, testing any Neptune ICF node produces an error.

upgs4 test icf
upgs4 icf msg

Resolution:

  1. Open transaction SE24 and attempt to open class /NEPTUNE/HTTP_HANDLER.

  2. If the class cannot be opened, the application server buffers need to be reset.

  3. Execute the buffer reset commands listed in the Application server buffer reset commands table, starting with $SYNC.

  4. Retry opening the class and testing the ICF node.