A Successful SAP Migration: Michael A. Moore Brach's Confections, Inc

A Successful SAP
Migration
Michael A. Moore
Brach’s Confections, Inc.
Session Code: 904

Introduction
A Successful SAP Migration
Michael Moore
Manager of Systems Administration
Brach’s Confections, Inc.
e-mail: michael.moore@brachs.com
About Brach’s
One of America's leading manufacturers of confections

and fruit snacks
Wholly-owned subsidiary of K. J. Jacobs A.G. based in

Zurich, Switzerland
Principal offices in Woodridge, Illinois and Chattanooga,

Tennessee
Implemented SAP in 1995
SAP Modules: FI, CO, SD, MM, PP, PA, HR
Add-on’s: BSI Tax Factory, Gentran EDI

www.brachs.com
About the speaker
Joined Brach’s in March 2000
Areas of responsibility include:

SAP hardware
SAN Storage infrastructure
SAP Basis
SAP Security
SAP Change Control
Informix database
Data center backup & recovery
Corporate disaster recovery
SAP Data Archive infrastructure
The challenge
Reduce SAP infrastructure expense by 50%

without negatively impacting end users and
maintaining a fixed cost structure for 36+
months.
The options
Purchase exiting hardware
Replace with lower cost but similar hardware
Implement a heterogeneous SAP system
SAP Migration
Existing landscape
SAP R/3 release 4.6c (64-bit kernel)
420 Gig Informix 7.31 database
HP-UX 11.0
SAN was on separate lease

Purchase existing hardware
Existing hardware consisted of:
One HP V2250 12-way for SAP database and CI

Five HP K580 4-way’s for application servers
One HP K580 for SAMBA shares
We reviewed lease buyout, current system

utilization and on-going maintenance costs. It
was determined that this hardware model could
not sustain the company for an additional 36
months.
Heterogeneous landscape
In order to meet the financial goals without

requiring a migration – a heterogeneous
environment was reviewed and tested:
The model:
- upgrade UNIX database/SAP CI hardware
- multiple MS Windows application servers
- additional application servers for DEV, QAT
Successful testing was completed

SAP Migration
Reviewed sizing estimates and costs from Dell, Compaq,

Sun and IBM
Costs were obtained for turnkey SAP migration, staff

training, and additional support during transition
Substantial savings could be gained by changing

hardware platforms even when migration costs were
included.
DECISION: Investigate further ($$$)

Migration Concerns
Can we do it over a weekend?
Identify the Requirements/Impacts/Risks:

Non-SAP software available for target platform?
Will staff accept the change? Training?
Two Production outages required
Users available for testing?
Questionable performance on new h/w
How to ensure migration moves ALL data
Prove the concept
Test the export process for timing ($$).

The reality is the export should take longer
than the import – or something is wrong!
Work with new vendor to provide test hardware

If possible, test with similar hardware as
proposed and identical storage.
Sizing estimates
The SAP Standard Application benchmark uses

concurrent usage estimates to propose
hardware models. [http://service.sap.com/sizing]
IBM has the Insight tool which runs against the

current implementation to gather data points
every 5 minutes. Run this tool at peak times to
ensure proper sizing.
New system landscape
SAP R/3 4.6c (64-bit kernel)
Informix 7.31
IBM AIX 4.3.3
Existing SAN storage

Prepare for the migration - 1
SAP Certified Migration partner*

familiar with source and target platforms
Obtain SAP Migration toolkit and target platform

installation media and patches (service.sap.com/swcat)
Schedule the OS/DB Migration Service*
Submit SAP Migration Plan*
Create new SAP R/3 profiles for target platform
* - required for Production migration, requires Migrator’s Certificate number

Prepare for the migration - 2
Available disk space for export (15% of data in database)
Request Migration Keys (one for each system – DEV, QAT, PRD)
Prepare for printer definitions on new system (scripts)
Prepare for OS/DB backups on target system
SAP upgrades must be completed 6 weeks before

migration
Once you receive hardware – request SAP license!

SAP Planning Guide
This is an important document that details the

migration project and responsibilities of the
customer, migration partner and SAP.
SAP support is obligated to fix the migration

tools. The certified migration partner is
responsible for delivering the knowledge
required to use the migration tools.
Project Plan
Sign R/3 Migration Services contract
Propose dates for GoingLive Migration Check
Prepare overall project plan with dates
SAP approves migration plan (5 days)
Setup remote access to target platform
Identify backup/restore mechanism for target platform
Must have Certified Migrator contracted to submit plan to

SAP – certified by SAP release that you are migrating.
SAP Migration Project Audit
SAP Remote service required by SAP for all migration

projects.
Identifies source and target environments, schedule and

certified consultant (they check against their records and
certifications are release dependent)
Customer proposes date for the Pre-Migration check
At a minimum two Production migrations are required –

one test two weeks prior to actual Go-Live migration
Each session will receive a Green, Yellow or Red light

Ready to begin
Migration Toolkit
Install Migration Toolkit for export

Apply patches
/usr/sap/put (migration tools and doc)
/PRDMIGRATE (LABEL.ASC)
../DB (DDLINF.TPL)
../DB/INF (*.EXT files)
../DATA (*.STR, *.TOC, *.nnn)
Programs and Command Files
R3SETUP- master program

CEDBMIG.R3S – R3SETUP migration control file
R3load- utility used to unload/load data (creates TOC, LOG and data
dump files)
R3ldctl- utility used to create R3load control files (DDLINF.TPL, *STR,
SAPVIEW.STR)
DDLINF.TPL – DDL for target database
SAP<TABART>.STR – table/index definitions from ABAP Dictionary
SAP<TABART>.cmd – command file ( DDL to use)
SAP<TABART>.ext – initial extent sizes (can change these)
SAP<TABART>.TOC – contents of the data dump file(s) [includes row
count]
SPLITSTR.PL – command file to split STR files to increase performance
buildinf.pfl – size of the dbspaces to create during installation
Monitor the process
DBEXPORT.log.## - created for every run of

“R3SETUP –f DBEXPORT.R3S”
DBEXPORT.R3S.## - updated control file used for next run
SAP<TABART>.log – specific log for each set of tables
Database and Operating System Error logs
Database performance – monitor and tune

Pre-Export Checks
Ensure R/3 will not restart

All updates are completed
All users are logged off
Ensure no jobs are running or released
Release all remaining locks
Release all unconfirmed repairs
Ensure op mode switch will not occur
Set client 000 users
Stop R/3 and leave database running
SAP note 143059

Overview of the export process
Create R3LOAD control files (DDLINF.TPL,

SAP<TABART>.STR, SAP<TABART>.EXT)
Create templates for DB Sizes to be created on

target system (DBSIZE.TPL)
Create export command (*.CMD) files for each

data class
Begin database unload (process each file by

order of file creation)
Migration process - Export
Start export “R3SETUP –f DBEXPORT.R3S”
Stop at step SPLITSTRFILES_IND_IND
Split STR files manually
Restart export “R3SETUP –f DBEXPORT.R3S”
Data export will begin…

SAP<TABART>.STR files
Key to R3load migration performance!!!
Determines order of export process

- NT: ordered by name
- UNIX: ordered by creation time stamp
Determines where tables are placed on target

system
Tables not in the ABAP Dictionary will not be

migrated
SAP Note 46272
Split STR files
Tool to use: SPLITSTR.PL
What? Control files for export/import process
Why split? To increase throughput
Example syntax:
splitstr.pl limit=500M –p <target_dir> -d <source_dir>
Requirements: Perl5 (http://www.perl.com)
SAP Note: 200444

Overview of the import process
Install database and R/3 software
Set migration key
Create database (DBSIZE.TPL)
Generate R3LOAD import command files
Start the data import …
Update statistics
Change database log mode to logging

Migration Process - Import
Already complete the installation up to the data import

step
Move exported data and command files to target system

- ftp binary mode
- no need for additional compression
Start the import forcing a stop after data loaded but

before update statistics
Manually perform a parallel update statistics
Restart R3SETUP –f CEDBMIG.R3S and run to completion

Post-Import Steps
Verify other filesystems are available (/usr/sap/trans)

Run transaction SICK
Run Transaction SPAD
Initialize CTS with the Database Copy option
Reset DDIC, SAP* and SAPR3 passwords
Verify kernel level, Support Package levels
Regenerate all programs and screens
Install SAP license
Update SAP printer configuration (if hostname changed)
TEMSE consistency check
Reschedule jobs
Reset Operation Modes
Maintain RFC destinations
Begin verification testing
START THE FIRST BACKUP!!
Verification Testing
Complete a functional test with super users

similar to a post upgrade test
Check all bolt-on’s:

EDI
Barcode software interfaces (RFC)
BSI Tax Factory
Easy Archive
Document Management
Migration over
Black-out period for changes (1-2 weeks)

(exception: may need to relocate tables to different dbspaces)
Change control – new baseline
Schedule Post Migration GoingLive Check (4-6

weeks later)
Our Timeline
Summer 2001 – review hardware vendors and

arrange for test equipment
October 22-26th – vendor onsite to test export
Nov – Feb: data reduction efforts
March 14th order placed for IBM equipment
June 6-8th – first test DEV migration
June 28-30th – first Production migration
July 5th-7th – final DEV migration
July 12-14th – Production Go-Live
Improving performance - 1
Migration Tool parameters

initial number of parallel import/export processes equal
to 2.5 times CPU count
disk layout
O/S parameters: on HP-UX increase dbc_max_pct
Update statistics before export

Improving performance - 2
For the large tables remove ORDER_BY_PKEY from

DDLINF.TPL.
CAUTION: NOT OFFICIALLY SUPPORTED so TEST, TEST,

TEST!!!
We did this for GLPCA, ACCTIT, COEP and BSIS and

reduced the export time from 26.5 hours to 12.25 hours!
SAP Notes: 216777 and 118059
How to do this:
copy the DDLINF.TPL file to DDLINF2.TPL file
modify DDLINF2.TPL and remove the ORDER_BY_PKEY statement
modify the SAPxxx.cmd files to use the DDLINF2.TPL file
in CEDBEXP.R3S (???) in the section DBEXPR3LOADEXEC_IND_INF set the value
WRITE_FORCE=NO, otherwise the modified command files will be overwritten
Saving time when testing
Understand R3SETUP and control file

CEDBMIG.R3S is ordered by [labels]
Stop processing in R3S command file at a

desired point :
[EXE_BOGUS]
CLASS=CExitStep
EXIT=YES
STATUS=Error – rerun a step

STATUS=OK – skip a step (i.e. Update Stats)
SAP Note: 118059

Problems encountered
Export
R3ldctl had to be recompiled – number of TABART’s to account for.
NOTE: R3ldctl is also located in /sapmnt/<SID>/exe which is
in the PATH. If this file is changed, must replace in both places!
DBSIZE.TPL will not be created correctly if Informix Fragmented Tables are used.
Must be modified manually for size information.
Import
Check and recheck permissions after completing the ftp (import directory = 755)
Number of raw devices allocated – R3SETUP changed to support >100 chunks
R3load could not account for more than 64 data classes
First import will fail.

Database space size will be insufficient. Import will be slow. Modify the
DBSIZE.TPL file to ensure dbspaces created on 2 Gig boundaries (chunks) and
modify ONCONFIG for improved load performance, increase TEMP space!!!
Other
Avoid network issues – for all production migrations
work from the console
Target platform time synchronization
Duplicate keys when loading
Will need at least 4-6 weeks to debug Migration Toolkit
After export/import tools are fixed – do the migration at

least three times to tune the process
Provide super-users a stable system to test with

(including print)
Good thing: import is restartable!!

Data reduction/prevention
The less data there is to migrate the shorter the

outage.
Look in http://service.sap.com/data-archiving
for the Data Prevention Checklist for
opportunities to substantially eliminate data
from typically large tables (ACCTIT, GLPCA, …)
Vendor sizing web sites
SAP
service.sap.com/sizing
Dell:
http://www.dell.com/us/en/biz/topics/power_ps4q99-sap.htm
http://www.dell.com/us/en/biz/topics/products_sap_center_pedge_software_sap_center.htm
IBM:
www.ibm.com/erp/sap/insight
HP/Compaq:
http://h40045.www4.hp.com/
Sun:
http://www.sun.com/solutions/global/SAP/
SAP Documentation
SAP OS/DB Migration Service Remote Project Audit
Heterogeneous OS and DB Migration of R/3 Systems –

Planning Guide
SAP Installation Guide for target platform
SAP Notes (BC-INS-MIGR3)

82478 - overall note on R/3 migration
543715 – non-R/3 and incremental migrations
200444 – splitting STR files
16083 – standard jobs
16875 – TemSe cleanup
88842 – NOCHECK.TXT
118059 – create separate unloads for large tables/ordering
Several additional notes for EBCDIC conversion
http://service.sap.com/osdbmigration
Closing and Questions
In summary, we met our goals of reducing

costs 50% while actually increasing
performance up to three-fold.
Reasons for success:

selected an experienced partner
had executive buy-in
TEST TEST TEST!!
postponed go-live date three weeks
Thank you for attending!
Please remember to complete
and return your evaluation form
following this session.
Session Code: 904

A Successful SAP Migration: Michael A. Moore Brach's Confections, Inc

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What challenges did Brach's face with their existing SAP infrastructure?

What challenges did Brach's face with their existing SAP infrastructure?

What options did Brach's consider to address the challenges?

What options did Brach's consider to address the challenges?

A Successful SAP

Session Code: 904

A Successful SAP Migration

One of America's leading manufacturers of confections

Wholly-owned subsidiary of K. J. Jacobs A.G. based in

Principal offices in Woodridge, Illinois and Chattanooga,

Implemented SAP in 1995

SAP Modules: FI, CO, SD, MM, PP, PA, HR

Add-on’s: BSI Tax Factory, Gentran EDI

Joined Brach’s in March 2000

Areas of responsibility include:

Reduce SAP infrastructure expense by 50%

Purchase exiting hardware

Replace with lower cost but similar hardware

Implement a heterogeneous SAP system

SAP R/3 release 4.6c (64-bit kernel)

420 Gig Informix 7.31 database

SAN was on separate lease

Existing hardware consisted of:

One HP V2250 12-way for SAP database and CI

We reviewed lease buyout, current system

In order to meet the financial goals without

Successful testing was completed

Reviewed sizing estimates and costs from Dell, Compaq,

Costs were obtained for turnkey SAP migration, staff

Substantial savings could be gained by changing

DECISION: Investigate further ($$$)

Can we do it over a weekend?

Identify the Requirements/Impacts/Risks:

Test the export process for timing ($$).

Work with new vendor to provide test hardware

The SAP Standard Application benchmark uses

IBM has the Insight tool which runs against the

SAP R/3 4.6c (64-bit kernel)

IBM AIX 4.3.3

Existing SAN storage

SAP Certified Migration partner*

Obtain SAP Migration toolkit and target platform

Schedule the OS/DB Migration Service*

Submit SAP Migration Plan*

Create new SAP R/3 profiles for target platform

* - required for Production migration, requires Migrator’s Certificate number

Available disk space for export (15% of data in database)

Prepare for printer definitions on new system (scripts)

Prepare for OS/DB backups on target system

SAP upgrades must be completed 6 weeks before

Once you receive hardware – request SAP license!

This is an important document that details the

SAP support is obligated to fix the migration

Sign R/3 Migration Services contract

Propose dates for GoingLive Migration Check

Prepare overall project plan with dates

SAP approves migration plan (5 days)

Setup remote access to target platform

Identify backup/restore mechanism for target platform