Optimization of SAP Test Data Management

Lean SAP systems. Lower costs. Maximum compliance

Effective SAP Test Data Management is more than just a technical detail – it is a key lever for efficiency, compliance, and cost control across your entire SAP landscape. As experienced SAP consultants, we analyze your current situation, identify concrete optimization potential, and support you throughout implementation – using proven methodologies and the right tools.

SAP Test Data Management Optimierung

In many SAP environments, the management of non-production data quietly consumes budget. System copies that take days. Sandboxes that grow uncontrollably. Test data that is outdated and leads to errors. And in the middle of it all: personal data that has no place in test environments, yet still resides there.

This is not an isolated case – it is the reality in a large share of SAP landscapes we encounter in our consulting work. The good news: there are clear, practical solutions. And the return on investment is usually visible faster than most expect.

The most common problems – and why they become costly

 In our SAP consulting engagements, we repeatedly encounter the same patterns:

  • Data trapped in the SAP ecosystem 

    Production data can hardly be used in isolation for testing or development purposes without causing integrity or compliance issues. This leads to inefficient workarounds, manual selections, and error-prone processes.

  • Slow time-to-market due to inadequate test data 

    Missing, outdated, or poorly structured test data slows down development cycles. Features that are fully developed end up waiting for valid testing. This costs time – and therefore money.

  • No access to production-like data for strategic decision-making 

    Realistic simulations, load testing, or process validations require up-to-date, representative data. Without a structured TDM strategy, this foundation is missing.

  • Uncontrolled growth of non-production infrastructure 

    Every new test phase and every project generates additional data demand. Without targeted selection and regular cleanup, non-production systems grow to the size of production—incurring similar costs but delivering only a fraction of the value.

  • GDPR risks from unprotected production data in test environments 

    An issue that is increasingly coming under scrutiny in audits and by data protection authorities. Unmasked PII in development and test systems represents a real compliance risk—with potentially significant consequences.

Our consulting approach

We do not view SAP Test Data Management as an isolated technical topic, but as an integral part of your IT and data strategy. Our consulting approach follows a clear structure:

  • Analysis & assessment 

    We analyze your existing SAP system landscape: the number and size of non-production systems, current processes for test data creation and maintenance, compliance status, and infrastructure costs. Based on this, we derive a clear picture of the current state.

  • Potential assessment 

    Where is the greatest optimization potential? Which systems are oversized? Where are the compliance gaps? Where does manual work create unnecessary effort? We quantify the potential—in terms of cost, time, and risk.

  • Strategy & tool recommendation 

    Based on your situation, we recommend the appropriate strategy and, where applicable, suitable tools. For complex SAP landscapes, we often rely on Qlik Gold Client – the market leader in SAP Test Data Management since 1998. 

  • Implementation & rollout 

    We support you throughout implementation: configuration, data selection, masking rules, and automation of refreshes. From the initial pilot to full productive operation.

  • Knowledge transfer & operations 

    Sustainability is important to us. We ensure that your team understands the new processes, can apply them effectively, and benefits from them in the long term.

Qlik Gold Client

Oversized non-production systems, poor test data, and GDPR risks in test environments—these are the hidden cost drivers in SAP landscapes. Qlik Gold Client addresses exactly these challenges: precisely, automatically, and without production downtime. Whether for ongoing operations, system consolidation, or an upcoming S/4HANA migration—with Qlik Gold Client, you stay in control of your SAP data and your costs.

Learn more about Qlik Gold Client

Qlik Gold client

How we specifically support you

  • Reduce infrastructure costs

    By using targeted data subsets instead of full client copies, your non-production infrastructure costs are significantly reduced. Savings of over 50% across the entire system landscape are realistic.

  • Ensure compliance

    We design and implement data masking concepts that fully and irreversibly anonymize personal data in test environments—in compliance with GDPR, CCPA, and LGPD.

  • Accelerate test cycles

    Up-to-date, consistent test data at the push of a button. We automate your refresh processes so developers and testers no longer have to wait.

SAP S/4HANA Migration

Test Data Management as a key success factor

 

SAP S/4HANA Migration Informatec

 

The migration to SAP S/4HANA is the largest IT project for many companies in the coming years. Poor test data management is one of the most common reasons for project delays and budget overruns.

In our consulting practice, we see it regularly: teams working with outdated or inconsistent test data lose time in error analysis, have to repeat tests, and encounter issues shortly before go-live that could have been identified much earlier. We help you eliminate this risk—through a structured TDM strategy that is integrated into your migration project from the very beginning.

Why work with us?

Informatec has been delivering data projects for over 25 years, supporting SAP customers across various industries and company sizes on their journey toward data-driven decision-making. Over this time, we have developed a deep understanding of the realities of complex SAP landscapes and built a broad network of expertise that extends far beyond traditional SAP consulting. 

Data platforms and complex system landscapes are our home: Whether Microsoft, Qlik, or Databricks—we understand the strengths of modern data technologies and how they unlock their full potential in combination with SAP. This broad technological expertise enables us to provide recommendations grounded in real-world experience.

Wherever we recommend tools, we have implemented them ourselves and understand their strengths and limitations from hands-on practice. When we design processes, we do so with the goal of empowering your team in the long term—not creating a lasting dependency on external consulting.

Let’s analyze together where your SAP test data is slowing you down—and what you can do about it. Schedule a free initial consultation with our SAP experts today.

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FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about our TDM Consulting

Which company sizes is your consulting suitable for?

Our approach scales—from mid-sized companies with a manageable SAP landscape to large enterprises with complex, international system environments.

Do we need to use a specific tool?

No. We recommend tools where they provide real added value. Strategy and process consulting always come first.

How long does a typical TDM consulting project take?

 It depends on the scope. An initial assessment with concrete recommendations is often possible within a few weeks.

Can you also support ongoing SAP projects?

 Yes. We also join ongoing migration or development projects and help stabilize TDM processes quickly.

Are your recommendations relevant for cloud-based SAP environments?

 Yes. Our consulting covers on-premise, cloud, and hybrid environments.