Automates SAP System Copy and Refresh. Solutions to the Max. Automation. Data Validation. Risk Management. Cost Reduction

Transcription

1 Solutions to the Max Automation Data Validation Risk Management Cost Reduction Automates SAP System Copy and Refresh Sales inquiries: Product inquiries:

2 irefresh Summary SAP Selective System Copy and Refresh process is a tedious process. The implementation and execution of Selective Refresh is difficult. With huge costs and limited time involved in SAP projects, it is necessary to use an easy-to-implement tool that will execute system copy/refresh quickly. There are very few proven tools in the market that provide System Copy and Refresh for SAP systems. Of these solutions, very few have the flexibility to provide Selective system copy and refresh, with appropriate selection parameters like time range, and operational modules. irefresh is SAP system copy and refresh tool built to simplify, automate and optimize the Selective data refresh process. It provides the following advantages: No additional hardware required. irefresh is an add-on component. Supports SAP ECC5.0 and ECC6.0 Supports other applications like SAP BI, SAP CRM, and SAP SCM Supports RFC connectivity to connect across the landscape Easy implementation with minimal steps Supports different Operating Systems and database systems Automated hands-free process Minimizes Downtime Allows Data validation Maintains High level Data security Better governance by implementation of IT rules and practices, with business policies

3 Introduction System copy and refresh is a necessary procedure to ensure that the data in non production systems like QA systems, matches the real-time data in Production systems. Real-time data is required in QA systems for several reasons like testing developments and upgrades, apply business scenarios, and test process improvements. Manually selecting data from production system and copying it to QA system presents many challenges. Selective Data Refresh While full system copy and refresh process faces many challenges, selective system copy and refresh is even more complex. Selective system copy and refresh presents some specific challenges. Selective data refresh or system copy extracts data from the production system based on certain selection parameters like time (date) range, and specific operational modules like FI/CO, or SD. This extraction presents the main challenge. In a multi-client environment, it becomes challenging to extract time-sliced data for refresh to the non-production QA systems. In most cases a full system copy or complete import/export of system environment becomes the norm. For example, with databases as large as 1 terabyte and up to 1000 system copy and refresh schedules per year, data refresh in a multi-client environment can be a nightmare in terms of resources, downtime and unsuccessful refresh and error handling. A consequence of the burden on the production system is performance of production system and its effect on production time. A heavily taxed production system will not deliver performance, resulting in delays in execution of operational processes. This translates in to business opportunity losses. Other common challenges faced in the selective and full system copy processes are as follows:

4 Time constraints due to: Manual mode of system copy High production system downtime It takes a long time to transfer the data from huge production databases to the QA systems. During such transfers, the QA systems may have a downtime of 3-4 days, leading to unnecessary project delays. The data has to be refreshed periodically leading to periodical downtime and further delays. Coordination in a multi-client environment, between users at different locations with different schedules, to align the refresh process This effort is critical since it is found that during the tedious data refresh process the production system s resources are burdened, affecting both the performance and the stability of the production system. Any threat to the production system can be considered a threat to the business continuity, since modern businesses that run SAP have come to depend on the robustness of the system to ensure productivity and maintain results. Integrity of data after selective data refresh is a critical concern. If the data integrity is not maintained, then the data refresh process could be termed as unsuccessful. A re-run of the process escalates time effect of the refresh process. The second major concern is cost. Project delays, business opportunity losses, additional hardware resources for data refresh, unsuccessful refresh and re-runs lead to cost escalations. Thus every event that affects project timeline and resources will affect cost adversely. Data Refresh and System Copy Tools While there are many tools available full system copy or data refresh, very few offer selective system copy function. Solutions like SAP TDMS (Test Data

5 Migration System which use 3-system architecture to execute selective system copy. SAP TDMS uses an additional system called the TDMS system which acts as the centralized control system where TDMS application is installed. This means additional hardware must be deployed for installation of TDMS system. The main disadvantages of the TDMS system are: High capital outlay and maintenance costs Complex installation process that includes dry-run process and elaborate planning Additional hardware to create intermediary system called Migration (TDMS) system Creation of shadow copy of production system is often recommended at operational level Other automation solutions like EPI-Use Data Sync Manager, UC4-HP, Select Refresh and LVM have several advantages and disadvantages. One main disadvantage is cost of use. A cost effective and easy-to-implement solution for selective refresh is the need of the hour. irefresh The question is what should be the features of a solution that provides maximum benefits to the users and has very few or no disadvantages. The following are the features that are desirable in a solution: Selective system copy capability that supports data extraction based on modules, time slice, and data type like Master Data and Transactional data Minimal hardware resources Simple-to-implement system landscape RFC based connectivity Simple setup and installation with quick turnaround time Cross Platform operations across OS (Operating Systems) and Databases (multi-architecture support) SAP multi-version and multi-module support

6 Short implementation time-span Automated process Customizable Database Scripts Faster execution minimizing downtime Process validation supporting data integrity Audit Trail Output review Error reporting Data Security Unicode to non-unicode transport Minimal maintenance Presenting irefresh irefresh is a versatile transport tool that is capable of Selective system copy. irefresh has the following advantages: Selective Refresh which allows data extraction based on selective parameters Selection parameters include o Selection of operational modules like FI/CO, and SD o Time range data Scalable model: seamless addition of new modules No additional hardware required. irefresh is an add-on component that is installed in source and target systems for selective refresh Minimal resources for implementation and operation No changes in landscape Supports RFC connectivity to connect across the landscape Supports SAP ECC5.0 and ECC6.0 Supports other applications like SAP BI, SAP CRM, and SAP SCM Easy implementation with minimal steps Automated process Does not affect production system Minimizes downtime Uses Standard SAP validation process Protects integrity, consistency and reliability of data Maintains high level of Data Security Offers better governance by implementation of IT rules and practices, with business policies

7 Built with most of the features required for Selective system copy irefresh is currently not capable of refresh system copy between Unicode to non- Unicode systems. This functionality is under development. irefresh Architecture irefresh architecture is robust in structure. This architecture was built to avoid the need to add on more hardware to the system landscape. irefresh is an add-on component that is installed on the target systems. It has a simple installation process that is completed in a very short time span. The architecture ensures easy installation and fast implementation. The irefresh process for Selective data refresh comprises only ABAP programs. For Selective System Copy and Refresh, irefresh must be installed in both the source (i.e. Production) system and target (i.e. QA) system. The irefresh process comprises of two steps: 1. Pre Refresh 2. Post Refresh In both pre Refresh and Post Refresh steps, Selective System Copy and Refresh process uses ABAP program interface to refresh the target QA system with data from the source Production system. The simplicity of the process allows irefresh to be efficient and effective. Transaction data and full Master data can be copied and refreshed. The appropriate selection can be made in the Pre Refresh and Post Refresh steps. The refreshed data can be cross checked manually.

8 A significant advantage and time-saver is that general parameters like Server Names that are specific to each organization, need not be input before every refresh. Instead, to save time, the default values for these parameters are stored in tables, which are used re-used during each system copy. Simplify Selective system copy process. Adopt irefresh to Simplify, Automate and Optimize your data refresh needs. irefresh supports Full system copy and refresh. To know more about irefresh Full System Copy and Refresh, ask for our white paper on this topic. irefresh: Pre Refresh Initial Screen

9 Selective System Copy and Refresh for SAP For More information on Simplify Automate Optimize Selective System Copy and Refresh Contact: Fremont Blvd Suite 710 Fremont, CA Tel: (510) Ext: 218 Sales inquiries: Product inquiries: Selective Refresh Automation Risk Management Cost Reduction