12 SAP Monitoring Best Practices

You have invested in having the highest quality system, integrating inventory, finance, human resources, logistics, and everything else by implementing SAP. Now, to get the most of that system, it is crucial that it is functioning at its optimal level. In order to make sure that it is doing so, there are a number of monitoring options available to you. In this post, we will examine the best practices around SAP monitoring.

Why Is Monitoring Important?

SAP monitoring is important because the complexity of the system and the multiple users create numerous opportunities for something to go wrong. Usually, those errors would simply slow down the system and it would keep performing, though less effectively (think about the difference between high speed broadband internet and a dial-up modem). So, one significant benefit to SAP monitoring is to ensure peak efficiency. As you know, SAP coordinates all aspects of your business, including finances and accounting, customer and inventory databases. There is a lot of sensitive data there, and it is crucial that it is properly protected. Security concerns mean that SAP monitoring cannot be bypassed. Moreover, constant monitoring prevents issues from occurring in the same way your annual physical exam is intended to catch developing problem. You might discover that you have high cholesterol and therefore change your habits, now, to prevent coronary heart disease developing later. This element of proactive intervention is not often thought about, but it is an essential facet of SAP monitoring.

What Does it Monitor?

SAP monitoring can be divided into three different areas: critical tasks, SAP systems, and databases. The monitoring frequency differs among them; some things are checked every few seconds, some, every 24 hours. The monitoring system as a whole needs daily attention. Let’s look at these three areas in more detail.

Critical Tasks

There are really only 2 critical tasks. You need to check that the R/3 System is available to users and check that the daily backup has been executed without errors.

SAP Systems

There are a number of SAP systems that should be part of your daily monitoring routine:

· Make sure that all application servers are up and running.

· Check on work processes. (Note which are marked “running” or “waiting.”)

· Look at the Global Work Process overview. (None should be greater than 1800 per second.)

· Check for failed updates. (They may be marked as “update terminated.”)

· Check system log for errors, warnings, security messages, database problems. Investigate and rectify each.

· Review for canceled jobs.

· Check for old locks.

o When a user is accessing a particular object, it is “locked” so another user cannot change it simultaneously.

o Often these locks aren’t removed, and bottleneck the system as locked tables cannot be updated by other processes.

· Note the users on the system. Review for unknown or different user ID and/or terminal. **This should be done several times a day for best security.**

· Check for spool problems. If something shows “in process” for over an hour, it needs to be investigated.

· Check the job log for new or incorrect jobs.

· Review and resolve dumps. If there are excessive numbers of them or unusual dumps, pursue an inquiry.

· Look at buffer statistics. See if there are swaps.

Databases

Your databases are the foundations of your business. Keeping them secure, accurate, and accessible is key. SAP monitoring best practices call for a daily review of the error log to discover and deal with any problems. Another important monitoring tool is to check database growth. If tablespace is used more than 90%, add a new data file to it. If there are missing indexes, rebuild. Finally, carefully examine the database statistics log.

These SAP monitoring best practices will keep your business running efficiently and securely. You can be confident that future problems are being anticipated and ameliorated, too. SAP monitoring is a key service that 1st Basis offers. Our experts will undertake this daily task and customize it to suit your particular needs. Contact us now to get the most out of your SAP System.