Food for thought for another productive system: until when must the system be identical, keyword: transaction log
Import of delta statuses after SAP system copy / restore
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.
Without interrupting operations, we copy your systems using established methods and products. We guarantee consistent quality and reliable reproducibility through standardized processes and a high degree of automation. Due to the SAP system copy, the test and development systems are up to date and tests can be performed reliably and trustworthily on the non-production systems.
Conclusion
SAP recommends that you always update enterprise software in your production system using the SAP transport system and never make changes directly in the production system. In addition, SAP suggests that you validate change transports through a QA system that is approximately identical to the production system and has up-to-date transaction data. Outdated data can affect the validity of change transport tests, which can lead to errors and failures in the production system. However, end-user transaction data is received only from the production system. Such data must therefore be passed regularly throughout the SAP transport chain to ensure that your non-production systems have up-to-date and valid transaction data. This can usually be accomplished by passing a system copy of the production system, created for updates, to the QA system. To reduce the number of test cycles, it is also advisable to update your development system occasionally.
With "Shortcut for SAP Systems" a tool is available that simplifies the SAP system copy and offers additional possibilities.
When copying from a snapshot to file level, the affected systems remain available.