Businesses have become complex in multi-nodal supply chain functions. Digitally transformed environments are a projection of complex, real-time business activities, without geographical limitations, and supported by analytical and transactional software. High-end cloud platforms can help migrate any SAP database and its associated sub programs. But with the growing complexity of big data and SCM processes, finding the right methodology for migration of one platform to other must be done with utmost care, so that no data relevancy is lost or disrupted.
SAP HANA is tailormade for businesses which generate high velocity data, like a complex SCM environment does. The following steps are for a successful implementation:
System Preparation
The most important activity is perhaps the formation of the team. Well-informed representatives from both, the organization and channel partner, shall be present during the initial planning sessions. They map the best possible way; the IT landscape of the organization has to be developed to churn out optimum results.
The same goes with hardware requirement study, where adequate RAM requirements, OS versions, proper networking availability, and server tools are checked. At this point, obsolete applications, which exist in silos, are uninstalled for better system cohesion.
Addition of various support programs shoot up the administrative, maintenance and licensing cost. This is where SAP HANA has an edge, as it offers greater usability by consolidating various IT resources, ultimately providing better ROI.
Migration
This process can be carried out both, on premise, or through cloud-based domains. The migration of database to HANA platform is usually done in a two-phrase process, firstly, upgrade of the system to support HANA platform, secondly, migration of the database in itself.
The storage systems are reconfigured to optimize the system performance. The general process is well documented and precise, nullifying the possibility of human error. The migration of the source database to target database is initiated by the locking of the source database, ensuring zero data loss during transfer. It is advisable to use R3load command option, during this import/export procedure, for migration speed enhancement.
While carrying out the import export procedure of database, it is advisable to do in a structured format. This formatted approach segregates data as per their characteristics like functional or application data. Database Migration Option is the latest methodology, where it is possible to go for a system upgrade and migration at the same time. This is very important for modern supply chains as it ensures zero live data loss. Therefore, day-to-day activities of the organization can be carried out without interruption.
It is also advisable to consider the possibilities of datacentre expansion with the growing business and regulatory requirements. However, for this to happen, organizations must ensure the availability of system configuration 1.0 SP9.
Validation of Migration
After the migration procedure is complete, the best practice is to recheck the entire SAP environment through functional acceptance trial. This is done with the help of log files generated during the import export process.
[Number of objects exported from source database] vs [number of objects imported to target database] gives the picture of the migration’s success. Any discrepancy arising in this phase can be quickly addresses and resolved in no time.
At most emerging-market companies that specialize in supply-chain operations, the implementation is taking place without additional burdens. Best practices should be considered inherent to this implementation and HANA experts have revealed this will be at the core of a networked economy.