The Quality Assurance (QA) system is the designated environment for conducting a full dress rehearsal of the system conversion. It should be a recent, full copy of the production system to ensure the test is as realistic as possible. Performing all conversion steps in the QA system allows the project team to execute the entire technical and functional process, identify and resolve errors, validate data, and accurately time the cutover activities. This comprehensive test cycle is crucial for minimizing risks and ensuring a smooth transition in the live Production environment.

A. Production: This is the live environment. The conversion is performed here only after all tests are successfully completed and errors are resolved in the QA system.

C. Sandbox: This system is typically used for initial proof-of-concept activities and isolated tests, not for a complete, data-rich dress rehearsal of the entire conversion.

D. Development: This system is used for custom code remediation and configuration but lacks the production data volume and user base for a valid end-to-end conversion test.

1. SAP Activate Roadmap Viewer: In the "Transition to SAP S/4HANA" roadmap

the Realize Phase contains the task "Execute Test Conversion to SAP S/4HANA". The procedure description for this task explicitly states: "The test conversion is executed in a dedicated system

which is a recent copy of the productive system..." In a standard three-system landscape (DEV

QAS

PRD)

this dedicated system is the Quality Assurance (QAS) system. (Source: SAP Activate Roadmap Viewer

accessed for SAP S/4HANA implementation methodologies).

2. Official SAP S/4HANA Conversion Guide: The official conversion guides consistently emphasize the necessity of test conversions. For example

the Conversion Guide for SAP S/4HANA 2023

in the section on planning the conversion project

mandates at least one full test run. It states

"We strongly recommend that you execute at least one test conversion on a system that is a recent copy of the productive system." This practice is fundamental to identifying system-specific issues before the production cutover. (Reference: Conversion Guide for SAP S/4HANA 2023

Chapter 2

Section "Project Planning").