Implementing SAP within an existing business infrastructure can be hauntingly difficult. But, if you are using the right tool and approach, we don’t think there’ll be any problem with it.
For instance, you won’t accidentally end up deleting your data, get inaccurate information, or anything as such. However, for that, you need to know what tools you need to use.
Let’s learn more about it.
How to Choose a Data Migration Tool?
The technique of data migration usually depends on the requirement of a business. Hence, the approach or the usage of tools would change in accordance with it as well.
For example, SAP S/4HANA can help a business in reducing its IT expenses by streamlining the SAP landscape it’s using. Hence, to use it properly, your business may prioritize financial data migration first to speed up the process.
Once it’s done, then you can move your legacy data to complete the entire procedure. This, in turn, will ensure that you are not losing any data or information in any manner.
Before you choose a data migration tool, here are a few things that you need to keep an eye on –
1: Reliability
When it comes to reliability, using a cloud-based tool will be perfect for you for two reasons. Firstly, it can ensure an 100% uptime thanks to the redundant architecture they come with.
And secondly, they are much faster and efficient than a normal, efficiency-focused tool. So, it can be ideal for you to complete the migration process within the given deadline.
2: Security
After all, the data migration tool will delve deeper with your organization’s personal data. So, it’s better to opt for something with a higher level of security, so that you don’t lose anything.
When it comes to security, you should also consider how you want to set up the tool too. You can either use a third-party tool with it or keep the tool as is. Either way works.
3: Scalability and Performance
The cloud-based tools again trump most of the others in this aspect owing to their excellency in speed, accuracy, and meticulousness.
It can also help them scale down or up the needs of a user through a single click or two. This, in turn, might improve how you are thinking about approaching your migration.
4: Data Destination and Source
The source and destination of your data will solely be based on your needs. For example, all of the self-scripting solutions tend to offer support to almost any source or destination.
But, they won’t be scalable enough. Due to this reason, they are considered to be perfect for a small project.
Most of the on-premise and cloud-based tools, conversely, can take care of several tools all at once. Therefore, they can be used while handling a larger and more time-consuming project.
5: Pricing
The pricing of a tool can be varied due to the features it comes with. Apart from this, it might also get affected by some other factors, including the following –
- Service level,
- The source of destination, and
- The quantity of data being migrated through it.
When it comes to using a SAP-based tool, you might not have to spend any additional money if you’ve bought their package. However, if you have any confusion regarding anything, don’t forget to go to their help center and ask them about it.
Why Should You Opt for a SAP Toolset?
There’re several reasons that prompts most people to go for the SAP migration toolset instead of something else. Keep reading to know more about them.
- There are more than one tool set available with SAP for both cloud and an on-premise environment.
- These tools usually follow the build and execution methodology, which can be driven with what you want to achieve with it.
- These tools are perfect for analyzing your data migration progression while it’s being done. So, even if some issue occurs, you can always take care of it accordingly.
The Data Migration Tools of SAP
There are several data migration tools available in SAP. Nonetheless, only three among them are used more commonly. Here’s what you need to know about them.
1: SDS and SIS
Otherwise known as SAP Information Steward (SIS) and SAP Data Services (SDS), this type of migration tool is generally used when you are –
- Working with huge data volumes.
- Taking care of complex transformation requirements, such as de-duplication.
- Integrating a large number of targets and data sources.
Besides, it’ll also be needed when you are trying to create a report on data quality, either as a continuous or an one-off activity.
Note: SAP Information Steward is a tool that’s usually used for dashboard reporting, profiling and data analysis. Hence, it’s commonly used and integrated with SAP DS when a project has quality-related tasks and data assessments.
2: SMC or SAP Migration Cockpit
SMC, in essence, is a relatively new application launched by SAP. And it’s been embedded in SAP S/4HANA too – both on-premise and cloud version. It’s also been positioned to use in the loading and transformation of data. So, there’s no need to integrate it all over again.
SAP Migration Cockpit can take data held within a predefined data template format. And, it is usually done in a staging database or a spreadsheet, and provides value mapping and technical validation. Besides, it can report to any technical validation problems as well.
Some of the core features of SAP Migration Cockpit may include –
- Replaces the LSMW within an SAP S/4HANA target environment.
- Can load information by using the .XML format for the smaller data volumes.
- Doesn’t require any kind of separate infrastructure, as it works on the same ecosystem as the data that will be loaded. SAP Transaction LTMC can start up the SMC.
Furthermore, SAP Migration Cockpit can also load data by using a specific HANA schema. It is only used for larger data volumes, though.
3: SAP Agile Data Preparation
The SAP ADP is a web tool, specifically developed by SAP, that can incorporate simplified or unraveled versions of SAP DS. It, in turn, helps it to enable profiling, deduplication, and data preparation properly. Moreover, it can also offer an extract and transform tool to complement the core loading functionality of SAP MC and works pretty well with limited data volume.
Note: Most people think that SAP ADP and SAP tend to compete with each other, given their features and how they function in a system. However, it’s untrue.
SAP IS, on one hand, is a full-fledged data prep tool and data quality monitoring system that’s installed on-premises. If you have the need for a monitoring tool or data quality assessment, it might be best to invest in SAP IS.
However, if the specific data migration procedure seems less complicated with minute data volumes, SAP ADP can be the poison of choice for them. The tool will correspondingly boost the data and improve its quality accordingly.
Bonus: Smart Data Quality and Smart Data Integration
The SDQ and the SDI are SAP HANA-based tools that can replicate and transform data in an instance through remote sources. All of these are generally done into SAP HANA and, hence, aren’t really usable with the SAP S/4HANA version at all.
Some of the features of the tool may include the following –
- It can support loading to the HANA systems within a public cloud environment.
- There’s no requirement of any separate or specific infrastructure, as it can run on the same HANA ecosystem.
- As a native HANA product, Smart Data Quality can process large volumes of data and information quite easily.
Note: SDQ is primarily used to proffer reports on the quality of data and to auto-correct and enrich it. It can also be deployed alongside SDI to ensure that you are integrating the data in a proper manner within your system.
The Bottom Line
Migrating a new set of data or something that existed previously on a SAP network or system can be quite difficult. That’s why using a data migration tool in a system will be a must.
Hopefully. we could provide as much information as you needed to make a decision on your own. However, if there’s still something else that you want to know, don’t forget to talk with a consultancy service regarding the same.
They’re more knowledgeable in this context and, hence, can offer more information through a call or a professional meet-up.
