LSMW (Legacy System Migration

Workbench)
Frequently Asked Questions

 What is the LSM Workbench?

 Which data can be migrated using the LSMW?
 Is the imported data consistent?
 Are conversions carried out identically across the applications?
 Is an extensive knowledge of ABAP necessary to use the LSMW?
 Do I have to migrate table by table?
 Can I transfer data that is on my PC?
 Is the LSMW part of the standard SAP system?
 Is there an extra charge for the LSMW?
 For which SAP releases is the LSMW available?
 Is there an LSM training course?
 LSMW, DX, third party tools: which do we recommend to our customers?
 What support is available for LSMW?
 Can I migrate data from SAP system to SAP system via LSMW?
 Can I build periodic interfaces using LSMW?

What is the LSM workbench?

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)

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 imported data consistent?

Yes. The data is loaded via the standard interfaces of the applications. This will include all checks that are run for online
transactions. Invalid data will be rejected.
Are conversions carried out identically across the applications?
Yes. The LSMW works on the principle of central (reusable) rules. This approach guarantees that, for example, the material
number is converted in the same way
wherever the reusable rule is used for conversion.

Is an extensive knowledge of ABAP necessary to use the LSMW?

No. The LSMW provides the main conversion techniques at the push of a button. For complex conversions, individual ABAP
coding can be added.

Do I have to migrate table by table?

No. Business objects such as material master, customer master, or FI document are migrated.

Can I transfer data that is on my PC?

Yes. The LSMW can read the data directly from your PC. Only when using the periodic interface, the data has to be on a server
accessible by the SAP system.

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.

Is there an extra charge for the LSMW?

No, both the integrated and standalone LSMW versions are free of charge to SAP's customers and partners. For an explanation on
'integrated' versus 'standalone', see question above.

For which sap releases is the LSMW available?

There is an LSMW available for all SAP releases. However, it is important to make sure to use the correct LSMW version.
Newer SAP system releases (as of SAP Web AS 6.20) come with an 'integrated' LSMW. Thus, there is no need to install an
LSMW as add-on because it is already available in the system. On the contrary, an installation of an add-on could lead to
problems in this case. Only for releases older than SAP Web AS 6.20, it is necessary to install the LSMW extra as add-on.The
following table contains an overview of the LSMW versions and the SAP releases they refer to:

LSWM SAP System Release

Version
LSMW As of SAP Web Application Server Release 6.20, the LSMW is integrated in the SAP
4.0 system. This integrated version is referred to as 'LSMW 4.0'. Therefore, if you are
using a SAP system as of release SAP Web AS 6.20 or higher, you use this system-
integrated LSMW 4.0 'out of the box'.
LSMW LSMW 3.0 is the last standalone or add-on version of the LSMW. LSMW 3.0 is used
3.0 for SAP systems with release SAP Web Application Server 6.10.
LSMW LSMW 1.8 is the standalone or add-on version of the LSMW used for SAP systems
1.8 with SAP Basis release 4.6.
LSMW LSMW 1.7 is the standalone or add-on version of the LSMW used with SAP systems
1.7 with SAP Basis releases 4.0 and 4.5.
LSMW LSMW 1.0 is the standalone or add-on version of the LSMW used with SAP systems
1.0 with SAP Basis releases 3.0 F and 3.1x.
Is there an LSM training course?
There is no specific training course for LSMW:

 LSMW is part of the 5-day standard training BC420

 workshops at customer site are done at customers charge

LSMW, DX, third party tools: which do we recommend to our customers?

Do you already use a third-party tool for data mapping and data conversion (e.g. for ALE) ?

 If yes: Continue using the tool (if possible).

 If no: Can you and do you wish to convert data yourself (either in the legacy system or in the SAP system)? If
yes: Use the DX Workbench. If no: Use the LSM Workbench / combination of LSM Workbench and DX
Workbench
(or a third party tool).

What support is available for LSMW?

The usual support via component BC-SRV-DX-LSM .

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.