System and client refreshes are a necessary but time-consuming part of SAP operations. For organizations running on SAP Cloud ERP Private Edition (formerly known as RISE by SAP), these activities can be even more challenging due to hosting restrictions and limited administrative access. Basis teams often spend days performing manual post-copy steps, which slows down testing cycles and delays project timelines.
This is exactly where IT-Conductor FLUX can make a difference.
In this blog post, we’ll look at the common challenges SAP Cloud ERP customers face with system refreshes, introduce a typical scenario where post-copy automation becomes essential, and explore how IT-Conductor FLUX can simplify this process while saving significant time and effort.
The Challenge for SAP Cloud ERP Customers
In our recent webinar, we discussed how the managed hosting model simplifies infrastructure but introduces new operational challenges for Basis teams. (If you missed it, you can also check out the recorded session).
SAP Cloud ERP customers operate in a managed hosting model that limits OS-level and database-level access. While this managed approach reduces infrastructure overhead, it also introduces new challenges for Basis teams.
Refreshing non-production systems like QA, UAT, or development can take days due to the manual work required after the database copy. After the database copy, Basis teams have to put everything back in place, like restoring technical settings, reconnecting RFCs, restarting batch jobs, and making sure all integrations are working. All before testers or developers can even start using the system again.
Think about refreshing a non-production system, like our QA, UAT, or development environments. It's not as simple as just copying the database. The catch is all the manual steps that follow: restoring configurations, reconnecting systems, restarting jobs, and verifying integrations. This can easily eat up days before we can hand it back to our testers or developers.
Additionally, many organizations need to protect certain clients from being overwritten or apply data masking for compliance when using production data in test systems. Doing all of this by hand takes a lot of time, can easily lead to mistakes, and often slows down projects that depend on fresh, reliable test data.
The Scenario: Post-Cloud ERP Operational Challenges
Consider a company that recently moved to SAP Cloud ERP and consolidated multiple landscapes as part of its migration. Like many Cloud ERP customers, they faced:
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Frequent pressure to refresh non-production systems (QA, UAT, and unit testing clients).
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Manual post-copy activities take 2–3 days per refresh.
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Limited Basis resources and the need for time savings.
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The need to copy development system clients without overwriting client 100.
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Compliance considerations require data masking in non-production environments.
Because SAP Cloud ERP restricts OS-level and database-level access, traditional post-copy automation tools were not an option. The organization needed a SAP-native automation tool designed for Cloud ERP environments.
How FLUX Simplifies Post-Copy Automation
This is where IT-Conductor FLUX comes in. Designed to work entirely within SAP, FLUX is an SAP-native post-copy automation tool that streamlines these refresh processes. Unlike traditional automation solutions, FLUX:
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Requires no OS-level or database-level access—ideal for Cloud ERP-hosted environments.
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Runs entirely within SAP GUI using standard R3 transactions.
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It is installed as an SAP transport (no SAINT required).
FLUX automates the restoration of technical configurations, including SAP licenses, RFC connections, and SAML settings, while also handling batch job resets and integration reactivation. Administrators can selectively copy configurations or clients, ensuring critical development clients remain untouched.
Before vs. After FLUX: Time and Effort Saved
Here’s what the difference looks like in practice:
|
Post-Copy Task |
Manual (Traditional Approach) |
Automated with FLUX |
|---|---|---|
|
SAP License Reactivation |
~1 hour |
Fully automated |
|
RFC Reconnection |
~2 hours |
Fully automated |
|
Batch Job Re-scheduling & Activation |
~1 hour |
Fully automated |
|
Integration Reconfiguration (20+ different technical configs) |
~8-12 hours |
Fully automated |
|
Scope by Client (Custom task list) |
~1-2 days |
Targeted automation per client (configurable) |
|
Total Post-Copy Duration |
2–3 days |
1–2 hours |
How IT-Conductor FLUX Fits This Use Case
In the scenario above, FLUX would drastically reduce the time and effort required for system refreshes. Instead of spending two to three days on post-copy activities, Basis teams could complete the process in just a few hours.
By automating the repetitive tasks that typically consume Basis resources, FLUX allows teams to focus on higher-value work while making sure that QA and UAT systems are ready for testing sooner rather than later.
FLUX Key features that address this scenario include:
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Post-Refresh Automation: Automates configuration restoration, batch jobs, and integration setups.
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Selective Client & Configuration Copy: Transfers technical settings while leaving key clients untouched.
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Custom Packages: Tailored packages can be created based on specific business requirements.
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Detailed Logging: Provides transparency and audit-friendly documentation.
Figure 1: Creating a New Import Configuration in IT-Conductor FLUX
Figure 2: Package Log in IT-Conductor FLUX
Learn more about IT-Conductor FLUX Features: Announcing IT-Conductor FLUX™ - A Revolutionary SAP-Native PCA Tool
Why FLUX Matters for SAP Cloud ERP Customers
SAP Cloud ERP customers face unique constraints:
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No direct OS-level or database-level access.
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Smaller Basis teams and fewer resources compared to traditional on-premise SAP environments
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Pressure to refresh non-production systems quickly without disrupting operations.
FLUX directly addresses these challenges by operating natively within SAP, using only SAP-approved transports and standard transactions. This makes it one of the few tools that can provide true post-copy automation in a Cloud ERP environment without violating SAP hosting policies.
For smaller SAP teams, FLUX’s ability to reduce refresh time from 2–3 days to just 3–4 hours translates into:
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Over 60% time savings for Basis teams.
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Faster testing cycles and improved QA consistency.
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Reduced manual errors and more predictable refresh outcomes.
Conclusion
For Cloud ERP customers looking to modernize their operations while staying within SAP hosting guidelines, FLUX provides a scalable and practical solution.
Organizations looking to save time, improve testing consistency, and reduce manual effort in their SAP Cloud ERP environments should consider evaluating FLUX as part of their system refresh strategy.
Learn more about how IT-Conductor FLUX works in SAP Cloud ERP environments
