Challenges with SAP system copies
SAP Landscape Copies
For some time now, SAP customers have been supported in system copying by very powerful automation tools that can be used as needed. In addition to this area of activity, additional automation tools are also available, for example up to the creation of sandboxes, which provide valuable services.
SAP SE is a software company that uses the proprietary programming language ABAP. SAP® landscapes include not only production but also Quality Assurance (QA) systems as well as test and other staging systems. For appropriate and consistent testing and acceptance of changes in programs and processes, SAP recommends the "homogeneous system copy" approach to provide non-production systems with up-to-date data.
Synonym(s): SAP System Refresh, SAP System Copy, SAP Client Copy, SAP Client Copy, Landscape Copy, Landscape Copy
SAP software plays a central role in the IT landscape of Rehau, a provider of polymer-based solutions for construction, automotive and industry. Currently, the IT department provides over 120 SAP systems centrally in the sense of "shared service hosting". The IT team must regularly copy the SAP productive environment in order to be able to carry out testing and development work on the "real" system without manipulating the productive systems. Rehau recently opted for the 'Automated System Copy for SAP' solution. The tool from Automic, a specialist in business automation, allows SAP system copies to be created almost fully automatically.
The initial screen will then, for example, already show an overview of the - in some cases automatically - integrated systems and their status, as well as system information such as release, patch level and the like. The use of a comprehensive dashboard will then also be included.
"Shortcut for SAP Systems" can considerably simplify and shorten a number of activities within the scope of a system copy or a system refresh. By using this application in conjunction with the information on system-specific tables from the PCA tool, the system-specific data can be backed up and restored after the system copy / system refresh. As a result, many of the activities mentioned here regarding data backup / restore can be performed much more easily; the creation of screenshots and the subsequent manual restoration of the state documented in this way can then be completely eliminated.
SAP Basis refers to the administration of SAP system that includes activities like installation and configuration, load balancing, and performance of SAP applications running on Java stack and SAP ABAP. This includes the maintenance of different services related to database, operating system, application and web servers in SAP system landscape and stopping and starting the system. Here you can find some useful information about SAP Basis: www.sap-corner.de.
Although a one-time effort is still required, the system landscape is examined so well that the system copy and any subsequent ones are performed literally at the push of a button.
UC4 Automated System Copy can automate and accelerate this transaction by analyzing the underlying processes and executing them in parallel.