Efficient test data provisioning at Robert Bosch with Data Sync Manager and Worksoft

Complex and rigid processes across the SAP landscape

Bosch Digital manages a highly complex, historically evolved SAP landscape consisting of various system lines and global templates.

In the past, test data provision relied primarily on complete system copies and traditional database refreshes. This approach was increasingly expensive and inefficient:

• Slow refresh processes: Creating full copies tied up resources and delayed test cycles noticeably.

• Lack of flexibility: Test managers couldn't request data on demand or promptly for specific manual or automated test cases.

• Cost and storage intensity: Full copies consumed enormous amounts of storage capacity on the target systems.

Demand-driven test data management with Data Sync Manager

To eliminate these bottlenecks, Bosch Digital implemented the Data Sync Manager (DSM) Suite from EPI-USE Labs. The goal was to transfer data directly into the respective test and training environments in a space-efficient, accurate and compliant way.

Three core components of the DSM Suite are used in day-to-day project operations: Client Sync™, Object Sync™ and Object Extractor™:

• Client Sync (Lean client copies):
  Instead of mirroring the entire system, lean, fully functional target clients are created with a minimal storage footprint. Data can be selected by time slice and by company code.

• Object Sync (Precise data on demand):
  Test managers can selectively copy specific transaction data (such as planned orders, sales orders, or scheduling agreements), including all relevant master data (material numbers, business partners), from one system to another.

• Object Extractor & Worksoft Certify Integration (Automation): For quality engineering, DSM was directly integrated into the test automation workflow with Worksoft Certify. Required data records are automatically extracted and imported into the test systems, enabling automated end-to-end tests (such as for sales order creation) to run without any manual effort.

Technical implementation and the key to success

A particular challenge of the project lay in the technical complexity of the SAP landscape – including complex table dependencies, customisation of table exception lists, and BDLS processes – and the internal approval workflows.

The deciding factor in the project’s long-term success was the organisational approach taken by Bosch Digital:

• Central Service Team: Bosch established a dedicated central service team for test automation, to serve as an interface between Basis teams, system administrators, and security officers.

• Standardisation: Through clear requirement templates, transparent process tracking, and regular planning co-ordination with customer teams, test data provisioning was institutionalised as a reliable, standardised service.

Faster and more efficient testing across the entire SAP landscape

By switching to highly automated test data management with DSM, Bosch Digital has achieved a noticeable increase in efficiency through time-slicing and company-slicing.

• Resource savings:
  A drastic reduction in storage requirements thanks to lean test clients compared to full database copies.

• Speed:
  Test data is available to manual testers and automation engineers in a very short time, rather than after days of waiting.

• Security and compliance (planned expansion):
  Strict data boundaries and precise controls prevent sensitive data from entering test environments unprotected.

About Bosch

Robert Bosch GmbH is a leading international technology and services company. Within the Group, Bosch Digital (BD), with approximately 11,500 employees worldwide, is responsible for digital transformation, IT infrastructure, and agile product development across all business divisions. www.bosch.com