This document discusses common data management challenges and evaluates different tools for moving data between SAP systems. It analyzes tools like TDMS, client copy, custom programs, R3Trans and manual entry based on factors such as data volume, technical difficulty, disruption caused and skill requirements. The document recommends using lower tier tools like CATT, custom programs or manual entry for low volume data, and higher tier tools for larger amounts of frequently copied data.

1. Common But Difficult Data Management Challenge Many people, same requirement … I am doing some user demo’s . How do I get a professional demo without releasing transports? … I don’t have enough Master Data to unit test . How do get clean Master data into Development? … Not another System Copy! How many more System copies can we afford? Occasional users often lack the specialized knowledge needed to locate and act on data in enterprise applications We need a sustainable and cost effective SAP Data Management strategy to improve productivity and return on software investments

3. Compatibility Matrix Which data management tool for which requirement Low Yes Yes High Yes No No Yes Manual Data Entry Low Yes Yes High Yes No Yes No Flash Copy SE Medium Yes Yes Low No Yes No Yes R3Trans Low Yes Little Low Yes No No Yes CATT & eCATT Medium Yes Yes Medium Yes No No Yes ABAP Program Medium Yes Yes Medium Yes Yes No No Client Transport Medium Yes Yes Medium Yes Yes No No Client Copy High ERP, BI, CRM Little High Yes Yes Possibly Yes TDMS Technical Difficulty Complete Stack In House Skill Effort Data Integrity Disruptive Large Volume Selective Copy

4. Data Management Tool evaluation TDMS Can be slow when working though large source systems Very slow when taking transaction data No EP or PI support Sensitive data is copied (might need scrambling or complex authorization) Production systems are growing (storage costs will blow out) Specialized knowledge required (need to skill up) Disadvantages Shell creation - Repository and client independent data only Master and configuration data only Master and configuration data in addition to time slice of transactional data TDMS for HCM (PA and OM data) Some BI and CRM copy functionality No Post copy tasks to be performed No need to release open Transports No need to re-apply Transports No loss of Repository change history Possibility of NetApp disk technology improvements Could create a TDMS ‘lean’ client for jumping other systems Advantages

5. Data Management Tool evaluation Client Copy and Client Transport Can be slow when working though large source systems Not recommended for clients > 1gb Need temporary workspace on disk for export files No EP or PI support Sensitive data is copied (might need scrambling or complex authorization) Production systems are growing (storage costs will blow out) Post copy tasks take time (users, interfaces, BDLS, BI connections etc) Open transports need to be released Transports need to be re-applied Repository objects lose change history Disadvantages Well known by Basis team Will be fast for smaller source clients Works for all ABAP based systems Advantages

6. Data Management Tool evaluation Custom ABAP program Development costs and time Production systems are growing (storage costs will blow out) Created maintenance and support overhead Need a highly skilled resource Not recommended or supported by SAP Disadvantages Most development staff are well skilled at AusPost Can take selective data regularly Can be coded for entire NetWeaver stack Sensitive data can be scrambled on copy No Post copy tasks to be performed No need to release open Transports No need to re-apply Transports No loss of Repository change history Advantages

7. Data Management Tool evaluation CATT and eCATT Can be slow when working though large transaction volumes Not recommended for large data requirements Not widely used at AusPost Disadvantages Can take selective transactions quickly Can be re-used by testing team Well established and free SAP tool Fast and accurate Can be coded for entire NetWeaver stack No Post copy tasks to be performed No need to release open Transports No need to re-apply Transports No loss of Repository change history Sensitive data can be scrambled on data entry Advantages

8. Data Management Tool evaluation R3Trans Can be slow when working though large tables Not recommended for tables > 1gb Need temporary workspace on disk for export files Sensitive data is copied (might need scrambling or complex authorization) Production systems are growing (storage costs will blow out) Not “officially” supported by SAP Disadvantages Can take selective tables quickly Well known by Basis team Will be fast for smaller source clients Can be coded for entire NetWeaver stack No Post copy tasks to be performed No need to release open Transports No need to re-apply Transports No loss of Repository change history Great for “Z” tables Advantages

9. Data Management Tool evaluation Flash Copy SE (or full system copy) Production systems are growing (storage costs may blow out) Post copy tasks take time (users, interfaces, BDLS, BI connections etc) Open transports need to be released Transports need to be re-applied Repository objects lose change history Sensitive data is copied (might need scrambling or complex authorization) Technology establishment takes some time Disadvantages Easy to perform once technology is established Proven track record for Finance deployment Enough existing infrastructure for the entire Production landscape Sustainable approach Approved by Enterprise Architecture as a strategically sound approach Advantages

10. Data Management Tool evaluation Manual Data entry Can be slow when working though large transaction volumes Not recommended for large data requirements Disadvantages Can take selective transactions quickly Can be re-used by testing team Well established process to get data into the SAP system Can be performed for the entire NetWeaver stack No Post copy tasks to be performed No need to release open Transports No need to re-apply Transports No loss of Repository change history Sensitive data is manually scrambled on data entry Advantages