Challenges with SAP system copies
Copy only specific data
The guideline that integrated job logic is preferable to customizing has also proven its worth. The key point here is that each step of a copy job knows the overall context, including the steps that preceded and follow it.
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.
Performing SAP system copies automatically
Normally, therefore, the target system is created using a copy of the production system. The advantages here are: After the initial setup, data is already available, and users receive a completely identical test environment. However, the disadvantages of this procedure are the high memory requirements, the lack of anonymization of the data and the long runtime of the copy process.
One example: In an SAP environment, a system copy must be performed for various reasons - until now manually. Such a copy is always required when the QA system of a multi-level SAP architecture has to be brought up to the status of the current production system: Be it for testing new applications or during a release upgrade, for maintenance purposes or for updating the quality assurance and test system. In principle, the task proves to be simple: All files belonging to the clean configuration and implementation of the SAP environment must be transferred from the productive systems to the quality assurance system in the correct order and in the correct directories.
Tools such as "Shortcut for SAP Systems" supplement missing functions in the area of SAP system copy.
If users have to shut down the productive system during the copy, the runtime of the operation or the unavailability of the productive system becomes a critical factor.
Since there are no options within the client to select what all should be copied, the runtime is often unacceptable.