A question about ESS / MSS implementation.

Question

Hi All,
Just a brief again about our landscape as:
1. We have an ERP ECC5.0 system which has J2EE6.40(add-in) without the 'EP' usage type and the present Support package level of the relevant ESS and MSS components are as follows:
a. J2EE6.40 Support Package level is '17'.(We are going to deploy the XSS components here)
b. ERP ECC5.0 system's Software Components details are as follows:
SOFTWARE COMPONENTS RELEASE LEVEL HIGHEST SUPPORT PACKAGE APPLIED
SAP_BASIS 640 0016 SAPKB64016
SAP_ABA 640 0016 SAPKA64016
SAP_APPL 500 0009 SAPKH50009
SAP_HR 500 0019 SAPKE50019
EA-HR 500 0005 SAPKGPHC05
2. We have a separate NW2004s(Dual stack(ABAP7.0+J2EE7.0) installation having EP7.0 with Support Package level is '16'. (We are going to deploy the Business Package for ESS & MSS here).
Here are my questions?
1. what is the best 'Support Package' level recommendation or combination is applicable for all the components(J2EE6.40,SAP_BASIS,SAP_ABA,SAP_APPL,SAP_HR,EA-HR...etc.,) involved in this type of mixed landscape - ESS & MSS implementation?
2. If we apply the higher Support Packages 'only' for the ERP ECC5.0 software components such as: SAP_BASIS,SAP_ABA,SAP_APPL,SAP_HR,EA-HR - what other ERP ECC5.0 software components would get impacted from functionality prespective ?(let us say if we keep the current Support Package level for other software components as untouched)
3. Is there any dependency exist from the Support Package point-of-view between the ESS MSS Business Packages and with XSS components(PCUI_GP; ESS; MSS)
4. Is there any dependency exist from the Support Package point-of-view between XSS components and ERP ECC5.0 software components such as "SAP_BASIS,SAP_ABA,SAP_APPL,SAP_HR,EA-HR"
Kindly address my above concerns.
Regards,
Vijay

Answer 1

Hi Vijay
To answer your questions
First you should check note 1007341 which helps consultants proposing this type of landscape
To answer some of your questions
1) For SPs you have to patch ERP 2004 components following ERP 2004 stack and patch
    ERP 2005 components following the ERP2005 stack recommendations at www.service.sap.com/sp-stacks
    in terms of equivalence levels I would select SP levels from each stack with similiar release dates
2) Presumably you will be using ERP2004 components in the front-end in some capacity therefore these
    ERP2004 components must be patched in line with ECC 500 stacks
3) There is dependancies between Business Packages and XSS
4) There is dependancies between back-end components SAP_HR and EA_HR and XSS/BP
    SAP_HR and EA_HR also have their own dependancies with the other back-end components listed
Best wishes
Stuart