Difference between SAP System Refresh and System Copy

In the SAP BASIS category, understanding the difference between SAP system refresh and system copy is crucial. Both processes involve transferring data from one SAP system to another, but they serve different purposes.

SAP System Refresh:

SAP system refresh is the process of copying the data and settings of a production SAP system to a quality assurance or development system. This is done to ensure that the non-production system mirrors the production system accurately for testing and development purposes. The data in the non-production system is overwritten with the data from the production system to keep them in sync.

SAP System Copy:

On the other hand, SAP system copy involves copying an entire SAP system, including its software, database, and configuration settings, to create a new standalone system. This is often done for system upgrades, migrations, or creating sandbox environments for testing new functionalities. The copied system exists independently of the original system and can be used for various purposes without affecting the original system.

Overall, while SAP system refresh is focused on keeping non-production systems up-to-date with production data, SAP system copy is more about creating new standalone systems for specific purposes.