Conclusion
Import of delta statuses after SAP system copy / restore
Unicode conversion: A Unicode target system is built from a non-Unicode source system. Unicode conversion can only be performed using procedures based on R3load.
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). However, the selection of business objects is not possible in the standard system. The tables to be copied can only be determined on the basis of the date. The content restriction applies from a certain point in time. At least the SAP tool can be used to reduce the runtime of an extraction of test data compared to the system copy or client copy.
The system copy
An SAP system copy is not done in an hour. Due to the large amount of data in an SAP system, the individual steps can take a long time to complete. The export and the import do not always run without errors. Often one is held up by troubleshooting. Of course, the target system must be prepared before the actual copy can be performed: Setting up the server, installing the operating system and database software, downloading and copying the installation media. During the export, the source system cannot be used. Therefore, this task must be planned well and in advance.
In order to be able to work with the most up-to-date data possible on the development and quality assurance systems, it is necessary to bring an up-to-date production status onto these systems. This is often done via a complete system copy (production system -> development system, production system -> quality assurance system) and is very error-prone and user-intensive in ad-hoc configuration (especially if each developer/customizing user is responsible for saving the transports and importing them again after the copy). Every SAP system copy then carries the risk of losing the development status achieved and can lead to inconsistencies in programs and customizing, and any damage repair is usually very time-consuming.
SAP system copy is made much easier by the "Shortcut for SAP Systems" application.
When restarting, the complete table does not have to be exported again, but only a subset.
The website www.sap-corner.de offers many useful information about SAP basis.
Export and import statistics are created separately, as well as displayed in an overall view.