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Typical roles and tasks for system administrators and operations
Creating and managing an SAP infrastructure and application involves the teamwork of many
specialists. On the business side are the business management and operations people, who
focus on business processes, business applications, and services for users. The LOB
organization defines the content and services provided by the SAP solutions and creates the
implementation master plan. The skills of SAP business process management consultants,
SAP application developers, and SAP application administrators are typically required.
For a successful SAP implementation, and ultimately for the operation, the LOB must work
hand-in-hand with IT management and the IT center. IT specialists set up and manage the
server and network infrastructure, manage the data and storage, and maintain and keep the
infrastructure up to date.
Another role is the SAP Basis consultants or administrators who plan, install, and maintain
the SAP software and system on an infrastructure that is provided. Basis consultants are the
interface between the IT technicians and the business administration specialist. They
understand the SAP plans and requirements of the LOB and work with the IT specialists on
planning, preparing, and installing the systems.
The following types of roles are within the IT staff:
System programmers
Manage the server and storage layout. They also plan and manage
the operating systems and monitor their operation.
Database administrators
Manage the data and information. The database is the core
component of an SAP system, where all application and business
information are located. SAP is a multi-user, multi-server system that
requires a balanced and fast network.
IT networking staff (with the help of the SAP Basis consultant)
Must understand the SAP networking requirements and how to create
a reliable network.
Security officer and administrator
Ensures that important SAP systems are safe. The application has its
own security management for application access. However, protection
of the infrastructure is subject to the implementer and operations.
Table B-1 lists the most common roles of IT staff in an SAP context. Depending on skills and
organization, the roles described are not always distinct individuals. Your organization might
want to split roles among several people or combine several roles into one role. Define and
communicate who is responsible for which part of the plan. A clear responsibility structure
helps the project team to assign tasks and coordinate the work.
Table B-1 Roles and responsibilities of system administrators in an SAP project
Administrator role Administrative and operations tasks Application server
dependent
AIX administrator Optional: SAP NetWeaver Application Server (SAP NetWeaver AS)
environments on AIX
DB2 DBA SAP databases, table spaces, and so on
DB2 systems
programmer
Performs the DB2 installation, ZPARMS, basic configuration for
SAP, backup, and disaster recovery
146 Running SAP Solutions with IBM DB2 10 for z/OS on the IBM zEnterprise System
If AIX application
server