Ways of SAP system copy: export / import
TM-TMS (Transport Manager)
One of the most common methods of creating an SAP system copy is to use SAP's own tool "BR*Tools". This tool provides the ability to create a backup of the database, which can then be used to restore the system. It can also be used to export certain data from the database and import it into another system.
Powerful and sophisticated automation tools for the creation of SAP system copies provide a remedy here and demonstrably make it possible, in addition to time and cost savings, to increase the process quality of system copying, for example, or to maintain it at a consistently high level. In effect, they free up SAP Basis.
Automatic determination of delta states after SAP system copy/recovery
The third-party providers have adapted their tools to various special areas. For example, the "Clone & Test" tool from Pecaso, which is now part of Accenture, specializes in transferring data from SAP's HR module. In addition to HR data, the "Data Sync Manager" from the provider Epi-Use makes it possible to select additional objects from the areas of accounting and logistics. As with TDMS, "Infoshuttle" from Gamma Enterprise Technologies gives users the option of selecting any data from the SAP system. For transport, the tool uses Idocs, which, however, can only be used to transfer small amounts of test data. SNP's "Data Distillery" can either write extracted data directly into the tables of the target system via RFC or generate an export file that can be imported into target systems multiple times. In the source system, users can select by objects, processes and transactions. Further selection options, for example by organizational units or fiscal year, allow a percentage of the data to be filtered out of the system as consistent test data.
"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.
If no structural changes have been made to the SAP systems involved, the process is even 100% identical.