Efficient options for SAP system copies
The system copy
To build a target system that can be used for testing, development and training purposes, there are two different approaches: Users can reinstall an SAP system and import all transports and support packages that have also made it into the production system to date. However, when their number reaches the hundreds and thousands, the effort becomes disproportionately high. In addition, the data still has to be imported from the production system, for example via a client copy.
On the other hand, such a tool must ensure that traceability or transparency is always available. What happens in the smallest detail during an SAP system copy creation must be visible in whatever form in order to be able to track down possible errors, but also, for example, to optimize the actual copying process or to accelerate it even further, for example by using log files and more.
SAP system copy and the cloud
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.
Homogeneous system copy: In this type of copy, the operating system and database on the target system are the same as on the source system. So Windows remains Windows and Linux remains Linux. And if the SAPHana database is running on the source system, it will also be used on the target system.
Tools such as "Shortcut for SAP Systems" supplement missing functions in the area of SAP system copy.
Complete shutdown of the production system is best avoided altogether.
The maturity and performance of automation tools for SAP system copying have evolved over a period of more than 15 years.