to implement the previously described “business sandbox” or a specialized “development

sandbox,” which for all purposes is like a technical sandbox, except that it
services developers and the like—the folks tasked with configuring the business
processes.
. Training system—This is the most misunderstood system, in our experience. A
“training” system is normally dedicated to supporting SAP end-user training—how
they execute business processes in a particular area, how they use the SAPGUI, and
so on. But too many times we have seen training systems pulled in a hundred different
directions, supporting technology training, development training, integration
testing, disaster-recovery testing, and more. All of this extra hands-on training and
testing needs to be done, of course, but by using the training system, end-user training
time is compromised.
. Test/QA system, or quality assurance, or consolidation, or integration—Labeled
many things over the years, training in the integration and testing of configuration
or functional changes is performed on this system in a “training” client.
. Staging system—Emulating the most mission-critical tasks and business processes to
be performed ultimately in production is the role of this system. Thus, performance
testing and hands-on training are commonly executed here, supporting the entire
SAP TSO much as the technical sandbox does, but in a more formal, less “crash-andburn”
manner. Stress testing is often performed against this environment as well, as
staging typically duplicates production.
. Production system—No formal training of any type should occur on this system
(though informal post-go-live “training” is inevitable and expected among end-user
colleagues).
. Disaster-recovery system—This system supports training specific to the DR solution
implemented, or any number of HA options that may be used.
As you can see, three of the systems described in the preceding list are especially intended
to support training in one form or another. Different systems are focused on providing
training environments for technology staff, development staff, and end users. These three
core training systems—the technical sandbox, business sandbox, and training system,
respectively—are each visited next, followed by a discussion of the training necessary for
supporting an SAP IT organization’s unique SAP technology stack