Hi Mike
Earlier this wasn't the case because we were not using advanced version of CRM in Solution Manager 7.0
but from solman 7.1 onwards since we are using advanced version of CRM which is the WEB UI you are switched to this mode or basically this transaction is called even you use sm_workcenter.
the best way is to always use the Workcenter concept because it is based upon the CENTRALIZED access for all the functionalities/modules of solution manager including Project Management/Change Management/Template Management/Technical Monitoring etc.
so you can use below tcodes/url for the same
Solman_workcenter(within solman system)
Sm_workcenter URL outside solman system
also workcenter roles need to be assigned additional to authorization roles so make sure these are assigned to the user
for e.g incident management
you need to have roles like
SAP_SMWORK_BASIC
SAP_SMWORK_INCIDENT_MAN
and PFCG role assigned to your business role
otherwise even your users have SAP ALL, they can't see workcenter tabs.
also check below document about workcenter concept
https://websmp204.sap-ag.de/~sapidb/011000358700000871562011E
hope this helps
Regards
Prakhar