How Legacy SAP Custom Code and Poor Test Data Management Are Costing Retailers Millions

In today’s fast-paced digital economy, retailers need reliable, high-performance enterprise systems to stay ahead of evolving customer demands. However, many SAP Retail environments are burdened by outdated custom code and ineffective test data management practices—resulting in hidden costs, system downtime, and project delays. Without the right SAP Test Data Management tools, these inefficiencies snowball, especially during large initiatives like S/4HANA Migration.

For enterprises that want to thrive in a data-driven, cloud-based future, effective Test Data Management (TDM) isn’t optional—it’s essential. In this blog, we’ll explore the challenges, consequences, and available SAP Test Data Management tools that help unlock cost savings, compliance, and digital agility.

The Hidden Cost of Legacy SAP Environments

Retailers often customize SAP to meet unique workflows. Over time, these customizations—often undocumented and unmaintained—create what we call technical debt. In parallel, most QA environments lack realistic, compliant, and reusable test data sets, further compounding the issues.

Consequences of Poor SAP Test Data Management:

• Delayed Go-Lives due to undetected issues

• Data Privacy Risks from unmasked production data

• Inconsistent Testing leading to missed bugs

• Increased Costs from longer testing cycles and patch rollbacks

• Blocked Clean Core Transformation efforts

Retailers lose millions through rework, security breaches, failed compliance audits, and missed sales opportunities. The solution? Adopt modern SAP Test Data Management tools aligned with a broader Clean Core Transformation strategy.

What is SAP Test Data Management?

SAP Test Data Management involves the creation, masking, subsetting, and automation of test data used across development, QA, and pre-production environments. The goal is to provide relevant, secure, and reusable test data that mirrors production conditions without compromising privacy or performance.

An effective TDM approach improves testing quality, accelerates project timelines, and supports compliance initiatives like GDPR, CCPA, or HIPAA—critical for retailers managing sensitive customer and payment data.

Top SAP Test Data Management Tools for Retailers

Implementing the right tools can significantly reduce the risk and cost associated with poor test data practices. Let’s explore some of the leading solutions:

1. SAP TDMS (Test Data Migration Server)

SAP’s own solution, TDMS enables subsetting of production data into non-production systems. Key features include:

• Creation of lean test clients

• Data anonymization for privacy

• Support for multiple modules (FI, MM, SD, etc.)

Ideal for SAP Retail organizations needing fast, secure test data that reflects real-world processes.

2. Data Sync Manager (EPI-USE Labs)

Data Sync Manager allows you to copy and scramble SAP data in real-time. Key benefits:

• Fine-grained control over data selection

• High-performance masking engine

• Integration with S/4HANA

A favorite among companies undergoing S/4HANA Migration, especially those focused on data privacy and governance.

3. Informatica TDM

Informatica’s Test Data Management platform is vendor-agnostic and integrates well with SAP. Benefits include:

• Advanced data masking

• Automated test data provisioning

• Policy-driven access control

Perfect for retailers with hybrid SAP and non-SAP systems looking for a centralized test data strategy.

4. Micro Focus Data Express

A powerful platform supporting data subsetting and masking across enterprise systems, including SAP:

• Strong automation capabilities

• Secure test data delivery

• Compliance-focused features

Ideal for large retailers managing multiple SAP and legacy systems.

5. McKinsol’s Purify Framework

Purify by McKinsol is a proprietary solution built to complement Custom Code Cleanup and TDM efforts. It provides:

• Automated code scanning and cleanup

• Safe test data generation and masking

• Clean Core alignment with SAP best practices

When used alongside McKinsol’s SAP Consulting services, Purify enables a smoother, risk-free digital transformation journey.

Why Retailers Must Prioritize Test Data Tools

In retail, seasonal spikes, promotions, and real-time inventory updates require systems to perform flawlessly. Poor test data leads to undetected issues in scenarios such as:

• Online-to-store order fulfillment

• Pricing discrepancies

• Stock visibility errors

• Loyalty program inconsistencies

SAP Test Data Management tools ensure that every process is tested under real-world conditions without exposing production data.

TDM and Clean Core Transformation: A Powerful Pair

The road to Clean Core Transformation—keeping SAP environments lean and standardized—requires both code cleanup and test integrity. Here’s how Test Data Management supports a clean core:

• Reduces dependency on hard-coded test cases tied to old custom code

• Enables validation of standard processes using masked, subsetted data

• Supports regression testing as old customizations are retired

Together with Custom Code Cleanup, effective TDM helps retailers modernize their SAP Retail systems with minimal risk and cost.

The McKinsol Advantage

At McKinsol, we don’t just deliver tools—we deliver outcomes. We bring over a decade of SAP Retail expertise and offer end-to-end support across:

• S/4HANA Migrations

• Custom Code Cleanup with Purify

• SAP Test Data Management Tool Implementation

• Data Privacy Compliance Audits

• Clean Core Advisory Services

We’ve helped major retailers slash testing timelines by up to 40%, reduce project costs by 30%, and accelerate their digital transformation by years.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Let Test Data Hold You Back

The cost of neglecting test data management is more than just financial—it risks your brand reputation, regulatory compliance, and innovation velocity. By investing in the right SAP Test Data Management tools, you prepare your retail organization for the future.

With tools like SAP TDMS, Informatica, EPI-USE, and McKinsol’s own Purify, you can gain full control of your test data landscape while optimizing performance and cost.

Let McKinsol help you turn your test data into a competitive advantage.