Sunny...
I think there are a number of variables that would help determine a most
efficient order. The first thing is that obviously, the Planner ESU
should be put down prior to the Update. But the overall order will
really depend on your business needs and time frame you have for testing.
A planner ESU generally speaking doesn't modify anything that is used by
end users, as it usually is only concerned with objects and processes
used during ESU, ASU, and Update application processes. So the Planner
ESU can be applied with minimal chance of any issues affecting the normal
business operations. An Update and Service Pack, on the other hand, will
usually have changes (lots, in most cases), that affect the business
processes. If you have a large amount of time for testing everything,
one method would be to apply everything, then build a package and test
for and fix issues. In that case, I'd say the easiest method from an
administration standpoint would be to apply the SP and Planner ESU
(shouldn't matter which order), build and deploy a package (to test, as
SP's can affect the package build/deploy mechanisms), then apply the
Update and build and deploy packages as needed. Now, if testing and
issue fixing time is at a premium, I believe the best bet would be to
apply the Planner ESU and SP, build and deploy packages, test for issues,
fix any items, then apply the Update, test, and fix. The reason I
suggest this, is that if you apply the Update and SP together and run
into issues, you are in the uncomfortable position of having to determine
is the issue caused by the SP or the Update (or in some cases a
combination of the two)? If you apply the SP and Update separately, you
isolate issues to either the SP or the Update. Plus, if the issues are
insurmountable, you can more easily pull off a SP or Update by itself,
rather than trying to undo both.
That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
Good Luck,
Jim
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