Ways of SAP system copy: export / import
Differentiation between homogeneous and heterogeneous SAP system copy
With Automated System Copy for SAP, an SAP system copy can be scheduled and executed in a parallel mode, which has the advantage of reducing manual intervention to a minimum. In addition, daily work can continue as normal. Rehau had already been using the software provider's Business Automation platform for cross-platform scheduling of complex job chains since 2004. The existing installation was expanded to include the module for creating SAP system copies.
This means that the time required to create an SAP system copy - be it for providing a system copy for training purposes, be it for testing purposes or whatever - is drastically minimized. Instead of several days, only hours are required for system copying.
Conclusion
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.
While homogeneous SAP system copy expects identical combinations of operating/database systems on the source and target systems, there is also a requirement for different combinations of operating/database systems on the source and target systems in the project environment (eg, during migrations). This is referred to as a "heterogeneous SAP system copy". 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.
Of course, time savings also mean money savings. In addition, these processes for system copying can be planned, standardized and always run at a high level of process quality using automation tools of this kind. Especially the latter is of great importance in SAP Basis departments (and of course also for service providers). With "Shortcut for SAP Systems", a number of activities in the context of system copies can be carried out and automated. Your SAP Basis administration is thus significantly relieved. Automation also means that SAP Basis Administrators no longer have to work unreasonable hours. The product can be integrated into almost any automation software.
For the Unicode conversion of a 4.5 TB system (2.7 TB data) a downtime of 16 hours was achieved (including the follow-up work such as reconfiguration, updating DB statistics, generating reports, creating backups, testing the system).
Depending on the structure and size of the systems, this process can take anywhere from hours to several days.