SAP Transport Request
An SAP transport request is the backbone of change and development management in an SAP system.
What is an SAP transport request?
An SAP transport request is a collection of objects and changes that have been made in an SAP system. It ensures that new developments, customising settings or corrections are transferred from one system to another in a structured and traceable manner – for example, from the development environment to the test or production environment.
Transport orders include:
- ABAP programmes and function modules
- Customising settings
- Table contents
- Security and authorisation settings
Each transport order usually consists of two parts:
| Components | Significance |
| customisation order | Contains system settings that do not need to be programmed |
| Workbench order | Contains ABAP developments and technical objects |
In SAP S/4HANA, the basic process remains the same, but has been expanded to include modern tools, Fiori apps and improved transport management.
Life cycle of a transport order
An SAP transport request usually goes through the following steps:
- Create – automatically when creating or changing an object, if no open task exists
- Edit – Developers and customisers make changes
- Share – first the tasks, then the main assignment
- Export – the system writes the changes to files in the transport directory (/usr/sap/trans)
- Import – the order is imported into the target system
Transport landscapes
In practice, three-tier landscapes often exist:
| System | Purpose |
| DEV | Development and customisation |
| QAS | Testing/Quality assurance |
| PRD | Productive operation |
Transportation takes place in the following order: DEV → QAS → PRD. S/4HANA also supports parallel development systems and release management tools such as ChaRM (Change Request Management).
Modes of transport
SAP distinguishes between, among other things:
- Workbench transports – for developments and repository objects
- Customising transports – for system settings
- Transporting copies – for tests without postponing the main order
- Relocation – for moving objects between clients
Transactions and Fiori apps
In SAP GUI sind besonders relevant:
| Transaction | Purpose |
| SE09 / SE10 | Transport Organiser - Overview of all orders |
| SE01 | Complete transport management |
| STMS | Transport Management System - Control imports |
| SE03 | Administration of transport settings |
In S/4HANA, Fiori apps such as Manage Software Change or Import Transport Requests are added as supplements.
Technical background
The actual transport files are located in two subfolders:
- cofiles – Control files with meta information
- data – actual dates of the changes
During import, the target system first reads the cofiles to determine the order and dependencies, and then imports the data files.
Best practices for transport orders
- Adhere to naming conventions – e.g. project number and short title in the description text
- Small, thematically clear transports – facilitates rollbacks
- Approval only after testing – errors in PRD are costly
- Define import windows – particularly important in 24/7 systems
- Use ChaRM or other change management tools for better traceability
Common errors and problems
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
| Transport cannot be imported | Missing dependencies or sequence problem | Check sequence in STMS, import missing transports |
| Objects overwritten | Multiple developers working on the same objects | Blocking concept and regular coordination |
| Different system stands | Transports not synchronised | Check complete import history |
FAQ – Frequently asked questions
How can I create a transport order?
Via SE09/SE10 or automatically when you create a new object and no open order exists.
Can I cancel a transport?
SAP does not offer a direct "Undo" function. You must create a correction transport or restore from a backup.
What is the difference between workbench and customising orders?
Workbench contains developments (ABAP, Dictionary), Customising contains system settings.
How does transport between clients work?
About client copies (SCC8/SCC9) or special transport of copies.
Fazit
The SAP transport request is a key tool for the secure and structured transfer of changes between systems. With S/4HANA, transport management becomes more modern, transparent and easier to integrate into holistic change management processes. Following clear processes, naming conventions and test strategies minimises risks and keeps your landscape stable.
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