What Does the SAP FUE STAR Rule Set Freeze Mean for you?
SAP recently announced that version 1.70 of the STAR rule set (the rule set used to determine Full Use Equivalent (FUE) consumption) will be its final release.
This marks the end of periodic updates that, over time, have alternately tightened and softened the rules governing how FUEs are counted. SAP’s position is that the rule set has reached a point where it is appropriate and will not require further change.
For organisations on SAP Cloud ERP Private, or those planning to move in that direction, this is significant news – and largely good news.
A Fair Rule Set, now Locked in
As we discussed in a previous article – SAP FUE Optimisation: The STAR Rule Set’s Surprising Leniency – the STAR rule set has always been reasonably lenient. That remains true of V1.70. The changes introduced in this final version were subtle, and in many cases moved authorisations previously classified as Advanced FUE down to Core FUE. The practical implication is that most organisations should not face FUE over-consumption, provided they are willing to invest in updating their SAP role design to align with how FUEs are calculated.
The caveat there is important. Most existing SAP role designs were not built with licensing in mind. Where roles carry broader access than users actually need, the FUE count will be overstated – and that has a direct cost. The fix is either a targeted FUE role clean-up or, where the existing design is significantly outdated/inappropriate, a full SAP role redesign based on the principle of Licensing by Design. For organisations that have been unable to build a business case for an SAP role redesign, the FUE optimisation opportunity is now a compelling reason to act.
No More Mid-Subscription Surprises
One of the more disruptive consequences of previous rule set updates was the timing. A change mid-subscription period could trigger an unplanned true-up cost, or force a reactive clean-up project at short notice – neither of which is straightforward to manage.
With the rule set now frozen, that risk is removed. Organisations entering a subscription agreement can be confident that the rules applied at the start of the engagement are the rules they will be measured throughout the subscription. That predictability makes it significantly easier to plan, budget and manage FUE consumption over the life of a contract.
Understanding your Position
If you are unsure whether your current SAP role design can be adjusted to meet your FUE targets, or whether a more substantial redesign is needed, an FUE assessment is a practical first step. Soterion’s FUE assessment analyses usage at the SAP authorisation object field level and produces several key data points: the remediation opportunity available within the current design, and the best-case FUE count if all users were assigned (exact) access based on actual usage.
This gives you a clear picture of where you stand and what is achievable before committing to a project.
To find out more about how Soterion can help you optimise your FUE position – email us on [email protected]
