Those with direct experience would identify with most of the weaknesses listed and, hopefully some of the strengths. In summary, the post states that ChaRM does what it is supposed to do but it can be complex to set up and use, costly to run and maintain, and inflexible.

However, this is fast becoming moot, because as of 2027 Solution Manager ChaRM will be going away to be replaced by proposed change and request management functionalities in Cloud ALM. SAP customers, many who have spent millions on ChaRM over the years, will have to junk their investment and take on the new solution.

Cloud ALM

SAP customers must decide if, and then when, to transition ChaRM functionality to Cloud ALM. There is a problem, however...

Cloud ALM is in its infancy.

Cloud ALM is not yet mature and there is much to do to bring its change management features to the same maturity level as Solution Manager ChaRM. For those looking to transition sooner rather than later, SAP customers are having to let go of known functionality for proposed, and promised, functionality.

An alternative is to hold out for as long as possible in the hope Cloud ALM functionality is mature enough to replicate existing ChaRM functionality. Keeping in mind, most ChaRM installations are heavily customised to individualised workflows, roles, and processes.

Another alternative is to move to a third-party application.

Third-party alternatives

There are significant benefits in moving off SAP Solution Manager ChaRM to a third-party alternative instead of Cloud ALM. Here are a few.

Firstly, these solutions are mature.

They are tried and tested and improving all the time. They are well supported and do not require customisation (code remediation) but can be configured to individualised workflows, roles, and processes with minimal effort.

Next, third-party solutions are flexible.

Third-party alternatives are entirely flexible. Particularly when it comes to roles, workflows, approval processes, and transport migration paths. Rarely does one need to change their process to fit the solution, rather, the solution can be moulded to fit existing processes and practices.

Solution Manager ChaRM is inflexible, similarly, Cloud ALM is shaping up to be inflexible as well, with limited role options, fixed processes, and so on.

Finally, these solutions are all-in-one.

For Solution Manager ChaRM to be able to provide close to the same functionality, things like Focused Build, Focused Run, CSOL, Quality Gate Management (not in scope for Cloud ALM) need to be set up and included.

Next steps

Meeting the 2027 deadline to transition from Solution Manager ChaRM to Cloud ALM may not be practical. It is unclear what functionality will be available in Cloud ALM by 2027.

Additionally, there is no path to migrate from ChaRM to Cloud ALM and only limited data migration opportunities. A complete rebuild is required.

A third-party alternative must be a serious consideration.

Here are three to consider.

• ActiveControl
• Rev-Trac
• SmartChange

About us

Leg Up Software are experts in SAP IT operational and infrastructure software automation solutions, including those to support an enterprises’ transformation journey.

We know the SAP operations and infrastructure automation solutions landscape and have already done the legwork identifying the best available solutions.

We have excellent relationships with many software vendors, including the ones mentioned here, and can negotiate an evaluation process that best suits your circumstance and budget.

Why not set up a time to get the conversation started by putting something in our calendar.