What is SAP LSMW?
The LSMW (Legacy System Migration Workbench) is a tool based on SAP software that supports single or periodic data transfer from non-SAP to SAP systems (and with restriction from SAP to SAP system). Its core functions are:- Importing legacy data from PC spreadsheet tables or sequential files
- Converting data from its original (legacy system) format to the target (SAP) format
- Importing the data using the standard interfaces of SAP (IDoc inbound processing, Batch Input, Direct Input)
LSMW also supports conversion of data of the legacy system in a numerous way. The data can then be imported into the SAP R/3 system via batch input, direct input, BAPIs or IDocs.
Furthermore, the LSM Workbench provides a recording function that allows generating a "data migration object" to enable migration from any required transaction.
Which data can be migrated using the LSMW?
By means of standard transfer programs: a wide range of master data (e.g. G/L accounts, customer master, vendor master, material master, bills of material) and transaction data (e.g. financial documents, sales orders)
By means of recording of transactions: further data objects (if the transaction can be run in batch input mode)
Is the LSMW part of the standard SAP system?
It depends on the release of the SAP system:
- As of SAP Web Application Server Release 6.20, the LSMW is integrated in the SAP system. Therefore, if you are using a SAP system of this release or higher, you use the system-integrated LSMW 'out of the box'.
- Only for releases lower than SAP Web AS 6.20, you have to install the standalone LSMW as add-on. You can download the LSMW as add-on from the SWDC (Software Download Center) of the SAP Service Marketplace.
Can I migrate data from SAP system to SAP system via LSMW?
Generally, the LSMW is used to transfer data from legacy Non-SAP systems into SAP systems. However, with a few restrictions, it is also possible to migrate from SAP system to SAP system:
- The export has be programmed.
- The source structures have to be defined. The fields of the source structures can be loaded from the dictionary.
- Automatic field mapping is possible.
- The import can take a lot of time, since the data amount when migrating from SAP system to SAP system is mostly higher than for migration from legacy systems.
- History data often cannot be built up.
Can I build periodic interfaces using LSMW?
Yes. It is possible to build periodic interfaces using the LSMW framework program /SAPDMC/SAP_LSMW_INTERFACE.
Steps to Migrate Data using LSMW
To start the LSMW workbench use transaction LSMW
Enter Transaction LSMW in SAP, to start the workbench.
LSMW workbench shows the following information-
Project: An ID with a maximum of 10 characters to name your data transfer project. If you want to transfer data from several legacy systems, you may create a project e.g. for every legacy system.
Subproject: An ID with a maximum of 10 characters that is used as a further structuring attribute.
Object: An ID with a maximum of 10 characters to name the business object.
Enter Project ID, Subproject ID, Object ID. Click Execute The next screen gives the STEPS in your LSMW data Migration
You can select the desired step and click execute. Let's look into each step in details
Step 1- Maintain Object Attributes.
There are four Modes of Data Transfer:
- Standard/ Batch Input: Standard upload Programs
- Batch Input Recording: Here you can create a recording of your own and use it to upload/change data
- BAPIs: Standard BAPIs are used to upload Data
- IDOCs: Any Inbound IDOC function modules can be used to process the data
Based on the requirement we try to find a suitable method to be processed. If it is a standard Master we can find it in the first method. Otherwise, we try to use BAPIs or Idocs. If the requirement is a very custom one we use a recording to process the data.
Step 2 - Maintain Source Structures
The source structures can be used to design the hierarchy of the files to be uploaded.
Step 3- Maintain Source Fields
In this screen, the Fields which will be uploaded from the text file can be maintained here. The fields with identical names are taken as the Key
Source Filed is used to identify whether a certain record should go to the specified structure. Eg: Suppose a file contains header rows and item rows, we can specify the first field as the indicator say 'H' for a header and 'I' for Item. Thus when the file is being read, it checks the first field, if it is 'H' then it is read into the Header source structure else it is written to the item source structure.
The Source fields can be easily maintained in the form of a table maintenance.
Step 4 - Maintain Structure Relationships
The Structures which are needed for the processing of the data need to be assigned here. The Object may contain many structures and many source structures. The Mapping between the source and the target structures should be done after careful checking.
Step 5- Maintain Field Mapping and Conversion Rules
In this step, you assign source fields to target fields and define how the field contents will be converted.
All fields of all target structures, which you selected in the previous step, will be displayed. For each target field the following information is displayed:
- Field description
- Assigned source fields (if any)
- Rule type (fixed value, translation etc.)
- Coding.
Note: Some fields are preset by the system. These fields are called "technical fields" are marked with "Default setting". The coding for these fields is not displayed when first entering the field mapping; it can be displayed via the display variant. Changing the default setting may seriously affect the flow of the data conversion. If you erroneously changed the default setting, you can restore it by choosing Extras -> Restore to default.
Step 6- Maintain Fixed Values, Translations and User-written Routines
Here the 3 reusable functions are maintained:
- Fixed Values: Fixed values are values which are fixed across the project eg: Company Code. We can assign a fixed value to BUKRS and this fixed value can be used in all the objects in this project. So if the value changes we can only change at one place i.e. in the fixed values instead of changing in each and every object.
- Translations: Here you can maintain the fixed translation for any legacy field and the translation can be assigned to the filed, in Field Mapping and Conversion Rules. Translation can be 1:1 or many: 1 etc.
- User Defined Routines: These are user defined subroutines that are used in the object for processing the data.
All the Three functions mentioned above are reusable Rules which are valid for all objects in one Project.
Step7- Specify Files
Here we define the Files that we use to upload the data. The File can be on the Front end or in the application server.
Step 8- Assign Files
Here we define which file we are going to use for current upload i.e. whether the file is on Presentation server or application server.
Step 9- Read Data
Reading the data from the file gives us an option to read only a few records and not the entire chunk in order to enable Testing of first few records. This also provides the user defined selection parameter which can be used to restrict the read data based on the condition specified.
Step 10- Display Read Data
In this step, you can display all or a part of the read data in table form. Clicking on a line displays all information for this line in a clear way. The same happens when you click on Field contents.
Change display allows selecting either a one-line or multi-line view.
Display color palette displays the colors for the individual hierarchy levels.
Step 11- Convert Data
Converting the data is the transfer of data from source to target structures based on the conversion routines written in maintain Field Mapping and conversion routines.
Step 12- Import Data
The steps displayed by the program depend on the selected object type
