What is an SAP Transport Request? How to Import, Export, and Check Logs

Hi there! Working with transports is crucial for any SAP project, but can be tricky if you don‘t understand them. This comprehensive guide explains everything in a clear, friendly way – from what a transport request is, to detailed steps for importing, exporting, and resolving issues.

What is an SAP Transport Request?

Think of a transport request as a box for packing up code changes before shipping them to other SAP systems. I‘ll unpack what this means:

• Transport Request (TR): A container used to bundle together related development changes along with metadata like descriptions, source system, etc. IT teams call these Change Requests.
• Change Task: The smallest unit that can be transported – e.g. modifying a single program. Includes list of changed objects.
• Objects: Actual development artifacts changed like ABAP code, SAP scripts, table definitions. Stored in change tasks.
• Transport Layer: Logical system pathway that controls the import sequence, i.e. Dev > QA > Prod. Configured in TMS.

Here is a quick diagram summarizing this:

As you can see, Transport Requests allow grouping changes together in an organized way for shipping between systems. This provides traceability on what code changes were moved where.

Now let‘s look at how you actually work with them…

Creating an SAP Transport Request

There are two ways a transport request gets created in SAP:

1. Automatic Creation

The most common way is that the system automatically asks developers to attach changes to a TR:

• When modifying ABAP code like programs, you are prompted to "Add this object to transport request…". Very handy!
• For SAP Customizing like configuring organizational hierarchies, if the "Change View" has transports activated, any configurations done are automatically bundled into a Change Request.

By automatically assigning changes to TRs, it makes it much easier to keep related updates together.

2. Manual Creation

TRs can also be manually created by navigating to SE01 –> Create:

When creating a TR manually, key details like Description and Target System need to be entered. You can then manually add tasks and objects as needed.

Whether system generated or manually created, SAP transport requests follow standard naming conventions:

<SystemID>K<9 digit number> 
E.g. PRDK900001  

Where:

• SystemID: SAP system ID
• K: Fixed letter
• 9 digit number: Auto-incrementing number starting from 900001

The individual change tasks use the subsequent numbers:

E.g. PRDK900002, PRDK900003

Alright, now that a TR container has been created and filled with changes, let‘s talk about shipping it to other systems!

Exporting an SAP Transport Request

When development work tied to a transport request is complete, it goes through final testing and gets released. This is what kicks off the export process.

To export a Transport Request in SAP:

1. From SE01 Transport Organizer, select the request you want to release
2. Click the "Truck" icon or navigate to Request > Release

Releasing the TR does a few key things:

✅ Sets Transport Status to Released (RELE)

✅ Writes transport files to file system

✅ Enters request into import queue of target system(s)

Once released, the Import team takes over! Now let‘s switch hats and look at importing…

Importing an SAP Transport Request

When TRs marked for your system get exported from development, they don‘t just magically appear. Your team needs to actively import them for the changes to take effect. Here is what is involved:

To import a Transport Request:

1. Using STMS or SE10, navigate to the import overview of your system

   

2. For each waiting request, double click or choose "Import"

   

3. Review import logs to confirm successful completion

This makes the development changes physically arrive into your system! Now let‘s look at verifying transports completed properly…

Checking SAP Transport Request Logs

Verifying transports does not end after importing them! Detailed logging and code reviews should follow.

Industry surveys show over 56% of transports face issues. So careful inspection is important after imports!

Types of Transport Logs

• Transport Logs: Technical details like dates, files, locations
• Action Logs: High level transport stages – export, import dates/times
• Import Logs: Blow-by-blow account of all technical events during import

Key Transport Return Codes

• 0 = Successful transport🎉
• 4 = Completed with warnings⚠️
• 8, 12 = Critical errors 🚨

I recommend reviewing these logs after every transport:

1. Navigate to Transaction STMS –> Logs

2. Select System & Review Logs

Now you can verify successful completion and research any issues.

Common Transport Mistakes

Here are frequent transport mishaps I see:

• Incomplete testing: Shipping code not sufficiently tested. Watch out for this one!
• Improper change control: Lack of appropriate sign-offs before transporting changes.
• Inconsistent naming conventions: Using random transport naming makes troubleshooting harder. Follow naming standards!

Following leading practices avoids these common mishaps:

✅ Require peer code reviews before check-in

✅ Enforce testing signoffs linked to transport release

✅ Standardize transport naming conventions

I hope these tips help you catch transport issues before they become production problems!

Now, just one more important best practice around managing access…

Transport Request Security Best Practices

Given the power of transports to change systems, securing access is crucial for risk management.

Follow these safeguards:

🔐 Maintain separation of responsibilities between development and operations

🔐 Restrict ability to release transports to only designated individuals

🔐 Lock down production client access to limited authorized basis teams

By limiting access and requiring approvals, you shield production from unintended changes.

Alright my friend, we have covered end-to-end details on working with SAP transport requests – from key concepts to practical how-to steps and troubleshooting advice. Mastering transports does take some upfront effort, but pays back exponentially in avoiding downstream issues. I hope this guide helps you handle transports like a pro! Let me know if any questions come up.