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In the face of large data accumulation, data archiving plays a vital role in maintaining SAP system performance while adhering to legal requirements. Strategize and execute your SAP data archiving plan with this guide! Begin with the basic principles, before diving into tools for storage and transactions for accessing archived data. Whether you´re using a classic approach or SAP Information Lifecycle Management, get the know-how you need to clean out the clutter in your SAP system.

Strategy to Execution
Learn how to develop an archiving strategy that best suits your business needs. Then walk through the planning and execution of your archiving project with step-by-step instructions and screenshots.

Storage and Access
Discover the best tools and transactions for storing and accessing your archived SAP data-like the ArchiveLink and WebDAV interfaces for storage and the Archive
Explorer and Transaction VA03 for accessing data.

Classic Approach versus SAP ILM
Get an in-depth look at both SAP archiving methods: the classic archiving approach using tools such as the Archive Development Kit, or SAP Information Lifecycle Management (SAP ILM), which includes functions for retention management and implementing system shutdowns.

Highlights:

Technical environment and concepts
Legal principles and framework
Data storage and access
Interfaces and transactions
Strategy and project planning
Implementation and management
SAP Information Lifecycle Management
ArchiveLink
WebDAV
Archive Information Systems

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... Introduction ... 13

... PART I Basic Principles ...

1 ... Basic Principles and Legal Frameworks of SAP Data Archiving ... 23

1.1 ... Safeguarding Performance of SAP Systems ... 24

1.2 ... Information Lifecycle Management ... 26

1.3 ... Archive Development Kit ... 33

1.4 ... Transactions and Processes ... 34

1.5 ... Legal Regulations ... 64

1.6 ... Tools for Electronic Tax Audits ... 71

1.7 ... Interfaces in the SAP Landscape ... 84

1.8 ... Parties and Organizations Involved .... 87

1.9 ... Summary ... 94

2 ... Storage Options for Archived Data ... 97

2.1 ... ArchiveLink Interface ... 99

2.2 ... WebDAV Interface ... 110

2.3 ... Data Storage Locations ... 113

2.4 ... Cost Considerations ... 121

2.5 ... Recommendations for Storage Strategies ... 123

2.6 ... Summary ... 131

3 ... Access Options for Archived Data ... 133

3.1 ... Read Programs ... 133

3.2 ... Direct Access ... 138

3.3 ... Archive Information System ... 144

3.4 ... Document Relationship Browser ... 157

3.5 ... Print Lists ... 162

3.6 ... Third-Party Add-ons ... 164

3.7 ... Summary ... 167

... PART II ... Implementing Data Archiving Projects

4 ... Developing a Data Archiving Strategy ... 171

4.1 ... Choosing the Right Time ... 171

4.2 ... Developing an Archiving Concept ... 185

4.3 ... Summary ... 219

5 ... Planning Archiving Projects ... 221

5.1 ... Archiving Projects in Three Sample Industries ... 222

5.2... Change Management and Communication ... 260

5.3 ... Defining Decision-Makers ... 269

5.4 ... Creating a Project Plan and Schedule ... 272

5.5 ... Summary ... 279

6 ... Implementing Archiving Projects ... 281

6.1 ... Implementation Phase ... 281

6.2 ... Final Preparation ... 293

6.3 ... Go-Live and Support ... 340

6.4 ... Summary ... 365

7 ... Managing Archiving Systems ... 367

7.1 ... System Analysis .... 368

7.2 ... Communication ... 376

7.3 ... Operation ... 381

7.4 ... Monitoring ... 384

7.5 ... Documentation ... 392

7.6 ... Summary ... 402

8 ... SAP Information Lifecycle Management ... 405

8.1 ... Setting Up SAP Information Lifecycle Management ... 406

8.2 ... Tasks of SAP Information Lifecycle Management ... 413

8.3 ... Archiving Data ... 417

8.4 ... Using Retention Management ... 425

8.5 ... Implementing System Shutdowns ... 448

8.6 ... Summary ... 461

9 ... Future of SAP Data Archiving ... 463

9.1 ... Development of Traditional SAP Data Archiving ... 464

9.2 ... Development of Archiving Using SAP ILM ... 466

9.3 ... Technological Trends ... 468

9.4 ... Summary ... 480

... Appendices ... 483

A ... Transactions ... 485

B ... Archiving Objects-Compact Overviews ... 491

C ... Concept Template ... 513

D ... List of Abbreviations ... 517

E ... The Author ... 519

... Index ... 521

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