Scope of the SAP system copy
SAP SYSTEM COPY - in a nutshell
Partial copies from SAP systems with the help of tools open up potential savings and in many cases make system copies and complete client copies superfluous. The ability to anonymize data reduces the effort required to comply with data protection regulations in training systems, for example. In addition, up-to-date, consistent test data improves the flexibility and quality of development and test environments. Users save money through reduced resource requirements.
To ensure that SAP solutions are nevertheless used optimally, decision-makers are well advised to regularly subject IT landscapes and applications to intensive testing. This helps to avoid potential errors and risks during operation, which can quickly lead to immense costs. But providing test data can also prove to be a challenge. Given the increased use of Big Data, storage space and resulting costs are constantly rising. In addition, testing is complicated by the growing complexity of applications and IT architecture. It can therefore be profitable for companies to invest in professional test data management, which offers decisive advantages.
On-premises: all involved source/target systems in the company's own data centers
The steps to be taken before shutting down the target SAP system can be summarized as follows: Well before performing the upgrade, inform the target system users - especially project managers, developers, and testers - about the planned maintenance work via e-mail, SAP system messages, and/or a message at the system logon. Using the SAP transport system requires careful preparation so that software development projects can be completed as far as possible. Shortly before the start of the update, inform users again that maintenance work on the system is imminent and that they should log off from the target system. After logging users off and locking them out, download system-specific content from the target system database for customization (including security settings, Remote Function Call (RFC) targets, and operating modes).
Against the background of constantly changing business processes, the SAP production systems that serve as the basis for these processes must also be continuously adapted and further developed. To ensure that these processes run smoothly at all times, adaptations and further developments must be comprehensively tested in a non-production SAP system using current production data. Only then can changes be incorporated into the production system. However, updating the databases of non-production SAP systems for testing, quality assurance and development with new production data is usually a time-consuming and error-prone process that involves lengthy interruptions to the SAP software lifecycle. By automating and accelerating SAP data, the workload of IT administrators can be significantly reduced and interruptions to the SAP software lifecycle can be kept to a minimum. This white paper presents a solution that helps shorten SAP refresh cycles based on UC4 process automation integration with HP infrastructure software. This solution can reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO) and the length of the SAP software lifecycle. As a result, business processes can be made more agile, risks can be reduced, and the workload of IT administrators can be reduced. Target audience: SAP technical consultants and IT decision makers who are familiar with commonly used procedures for homogeneous SAP system copies.
SAP system copy is made much easier by the "Shortcut for SAP Systems" application.
A modern test data solution can implement these requirements in a largely automated manner, reducing manual effort, lowering the susceptibility to errors, and saving time and money.
However, it is important to regularly schedule and monitor the creation of system copies to ensure that a working copy of the system is available in the event of an emergency.