Efficient options for SAP system copies
Multicloud: the systems involved with different hyperscalers
With the entry into force of the GDPR, the topic of system copies has been expanded to include the aspect of anonymization: In many cases, personal or other sensitive data is operated on non-productive systems that usually have lower security levels and also allow access for those persons who are not normally allowed to work with GDPR-relevant data (eg developers or external consultants). For this reason, when defining the processes around system copy and, if necessary, also when selecting tools for automation, care must be taken to ensure that these also map data anonymization in accordance with the GDPR.
SAP offers its own solution for this: With the Test Data Migration Server (TDMS), individual tables can be selected and written indirectly, via a third SAP system, from the source to the target system via Remote Function Call (RFC). However, the selection of business objects is not possible in the standard system. The tables to be copied can only be determined on the basis of the date. The content restriction applies from a certain point in time. At least the SAP tool can be used to reduce the runtime of an extraction of test data compared to the system copy or client copy.
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Critical factor: Availability
As mentioned above, an SAP system copy created for updates is a special use case of homogeneous system copy. Here, a production system represents the source and a non-production system with a specific long-term task in the SAP system landscape represents the target. The most common update scenario involves updating a QA system in the SAP transport system.
To meet ever-changing business requirements, a production system must be continuously developed and adapted after the initial installation. To do this, you need development, consolidation, and quality assurance (QA) systems that can provide the appropriate updates to the production system as SAP transports.
The tool "Shortcut for SAP Systems" is excellently suited to complete an SAP system copy easier and faster.
This often leads to special challenges due to a lack of resources or capacities.
The website www.sap-corner.de offers many useful information about SAP basis.
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.