Conclusion
Automate SAP system copies
The database import can be performed using various tools. Sapinstaller provides a working way to import the database cleanly.
Especially in complex environments, SAP system copies regularly represent a critical challenge in terms of time and expertise and thus become a real cost factor in the long run. This is because system copies must be scheduled at an early stage, are complex, time-consuming and resource-intensive, require specific knowledge, tie up important employee capacities due to the large number of manual interventions, and are error-prone.
SAP system update and database update
Users do not have to deal with individual tables, but can access a database of business entities. This means that they do not select tables, but business objects such as employees or documents. To do this, however, the tools must contain the object dependencies for SAP's complex data model. Even companies that offer the setup of test systems as a service rarely do this for any SAP dataset. In addition, users can define objects themselves to accommodate customizing and in-house developments.
Advantage of the system copy: Users receive one hundred percent consistent test data. A disadvantage, however, is the high storage space requirement of such a test system, which corresponds to that of the productive system. In addition, an authorization concept for the system copy is required to protect the authentic data it contains. Otherwise, company secrets are at risk, and there is a violation of regulations such as the Federal Data Protection Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
With "Shortcut for SAP Systems" you get additional functions for the SAP system copy.
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).
Understanding the structure and functioning of the system is especially important for IT administration. It is not for nothing that "SAP Basis Administrator" is a separate professional field. On the page www.sap-corner.de you will find useful information on this topic.
An SAP system copy (also referred to as client copy) describes the procedure of equipping non-productive SAP systems (eg QA, test, project systems) with current productive data in order to be able to develop, test and execute realistic processes.