Pre- and post-processing
Before shutting down the target system
Basically, a distinction is made between the initial setup and refresh of a non-productive SAP system. In the past, the cost of a refresh, i.e., updating the environment with new data, often corresponded to the cost of the initial setup. This also restricted the availability of the productive system, which is hardly tolerable for companies that operate internationally and in different time zones.
Of course, time savings also mean money savings. In addition, these processes for system copying using such automation tools can be planned, standardized and always run at a high level of process quality. Especially the latter is of great importance in SAP Basis departments (and of course also for service providers).
Copy only specific data
In the case of BSC, sophisticated mechanisms make it possible to exclude configuration errors, since relevant parameter settings are made automatically and according to predefined rules. For example, it is automatically recognized whether the system is an Abap, Java or double-stack system.
A system copy can be created either with SAP transactions (R3trans, from R4.6C SAPinst) or at file and database level. Costs and effort increase with the size of the system and the requirements for availability and data protection. In addition, administrative rework is often necessary, starting with the system name and extending to printers and interfaces.
To shorten the list of activities and to simplify the complete process of a system copy or a system refresh and to save manual activities, you can use "Shortcut for SAP Systems". Several manual activities can be omitted because with "Shortcut for SAP Systems" the system-specific data can be saved before the copy and imported again afterwards - also automated. This reduces the error-proneness that is inevitably caused by manual activities and enormously reduces the time span until the system is available again.
Target system installation can start after 'Prepare Export' has run.
Technically, it is quite possible to build up a degree of automation here as well, but officially certified consultants ("migration consultants") are required to perform the heterogeneous system copy.