5 reasons why high performing SAP teams automate SAP system refresh
Managing an SAP system refresh is complex. There are lots of moving parts, and there is plenty that can go wrong. Experienced, skilled SAP professionals familiar with your SAP infrastructure and environment are critical to success.
Like all repetitive SAP infrastructure tasks, SAP system refreshes are best completed by someone who knows and understands the infrastructure well. Someone who understands the system integrations and connections and the corresponding nuances involved.
Usually, this someone is an internal or external SAP basis person who is knowledgeable and familiar with the SAP infrastructure.
Here are five reasons why high-performing SAP teams automate SAP system refreshes.
There are more than five reasons, but here are five for starters.
1. Manual SAP system refreshes are expensive.
Most system/landscape copy activities are performed manually by SAP Basis administrators. It requires the time and attention of highly trained (and expensive) SAP specialists. Often at a time, other equally essential infrastructure tasks need attention.
High-performing SAP teams automate to reduce the overall cost of their refreshes.
2. Manual SAP system refreshes provides Inconsistent results.
SAP system refresh is complex; attention to detail is a requirement for a successful outcome. The manual process risks performing critical activities out of sequence or missing several critical tasks altogether. For example, there may be SAP table updates to consider, which, if overlooked, may result in a refreshed system inadequately reflecting the productive system.
High-performing SAP teams automate to ensure consistent results and better refresh outcomes.
3. Manual SAP system refreshes take a lot of time.
SAP system refreshes take time to complete. Agile and DevOps methodologies combined with progression towards continuous testing are increasing demand for the number of SAP system refreshes. For organisations running multiple integrated SAP applications, the increased demand on the basis team often cannot be met.
High-performing SAP teams automate to meet the increased system refresh frequency demand.
4. Manual SAP system refreshes miss the opportunity for optimisation.
Some SAP system refresh activities, such as the BDLS run, can be significantly optimised using intelligent tools. Once an activity is standardized and automated, efficient optimizations and performance improvements can often be realized. Without optimisation, post-copy BDLS runs are time-consuming and error prone.
High-performing SAP teams automate to speed up their post-copy process and eliminate human error.
5. Manual SAP system refreshes mean test systems remain out-of-date.
Many SAP teams have capitulated. Unable to meet the demand for SAP system refresh, they don’t update their QA environments regularly. This results in a clear business risk, as tests and releases of critical changes are performed on systems that no longer correspond to the current production environments.
High-performing SAP teams automate to ensure their project and test teams are always testing with up-to-date data.
Final word
Automating repetitive SAP system refreshes overcomes the barriers SAP teams face in delivering the least cost, reliable, and regular SAP system refresh cadence for the business.
Automation guarantees a quick, consistent refresh every time.
High-performing SAP teams are expected to do more with less. Essential tasks are delayed or take much longer to complete. Errors occur because even experts make mistakes when under pressure.
In an environment of skill shortages and time pressures, SAP system refresh automation provides a level of consistency otherwise not attainable. Tasks will complete on time, in sequence, and as expected.
For SAP system refresh automation we recommend Libelle SystemCopy from Libelle AG
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