If there is one constant with technology, it changes itself and everything around. We decided to donate a couple of strings of code to the community thirsting for changes. In response to challenges with media data migration, our developers tackled creating a tool for automatization backups and migration. Recently we’ve rolled out the Commerce CBM module 2.0. And the work is humming along under the 3.0v now.
We’ve been over 10 years in the industry with Hybris e-commerce development for B2B companies. The Cloud Backup and Migration v. 2.0 for SAP® Commerce is released to support content managers and developers’ daily efforts concerning high volume data migration.
It can cut down on the number of potential backup management and the data migration issues at runtime on a hot server mode. You can download source code from Aimprosoft GitHub or SAPAppCenter to install it on your Hybris Commerce 18.08 project.
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The first achievements came quickly:
- There has been a 24 hours decrease in time necessary for backup creation and deployment due to automation on hot servers in real-time. We have already tried the CBM module in our B2B projects with a positive result.
- The potency of using Amazon S3 and Dropbox cloud storage for backup management became real.
- The CBM module has been an alternative to a hardly configurable and time-consuming OOTB approach to data backing up, migration, and management in SAP Hybris projects.
Features of the Commerce CBM
A batch of the following features is designed to make data migration more potent. Let’s fill you in on the solution.
Real time
It all started out with media migration in real-time. Before the CBM, developers had to set up separate extensions to migrate data via backoffice from a local machine to external storages. Now media migration between a local machine and cloud storages (Dropbox and Amazon S3) takes a time of two clicks to relocate files.
Moreover, files remain of the same quality after migration, and you avoid users’ productivity lost followed by possible downtime. The current technical parameters of the SAP Hybris website don’t influence the operation of the Commerce CBM.
Open source
Working on the e-commerce B2C website with apparel and glasses goods, project developers had to manage backups of item lists with heavy media files manually. With no OOTB automated backup management solution in SAP, it delayed delivery time. Developers had to write scripts, restrict permissions to archived content, and filter media files before backing up.
In contrast to the casual ways of backup management and media migration, the CBM module is a ready-to-use open-source tool that reduces delivery time for several hours. It is available for free.
Storage connectors
Here we tried to add simplicity and relief for users connecting to Dropbox. As there is no typical connection to SAP Commerce Cloud, we provided more convenient access to cloud storage as one of the most popular among our e-commerce clients, similar to Amazon S3 connection flow. Users can import and export data between Dropbox cloud accounts and local storage, as target or source storage seamlessly. It’s so gratifying finding pleasure in the little things, right?
Server space optimization
It is always a difficult task particularly when it comes to media files that take up around 90% of total storage space. We wanted to decrease disk storage use, network bandwidth, reduce storage and network costs, and accelerate file migration.
The CBM module allows favoring cloud storage for data migration up to cost, space, or any other preferences. Content managers and developers can access the server to use media content while the website continues operating.
Those hard times passed when you had to stop running the live commerce website to download data before migration. The module makes massive file migration from the running website to the local machine within seconds with an URL generated in the strategy. It refers to the target storage during the data migration process.
Intuitive perspective
When we started, we wanted to make a beautiful product besides being functional. We delivered the goods with a custom intuitive perspective for the back office. It streamlines its look and provides easier access to the functions you are going to use.
Automated archiving
Data archiving is performed automatically in B2C Accelerator of the SAP Commerce Cloud 1808/1811 edition. Backed up files of ImpEx, CSV, and media format can be stored and restored in one zip archive. You can manage the whole website’s content or item catalogs in one click when you carry out backup activities. Store and restore backups (ImpEx, CSV, media files) in one zip archive.
Unlimited cloud accounts
If there is too much media content in your e-commerce projects, managing it is pretty challenging. The right solution for organizing it must have several available storage accounts.
The CBM enables your data to be backup-ready with multiple cloud storage accounts. I mean, integrating with Amazon S3 and Dropbox clouds, the CBM module connects any number of new or active accounts. You can switch from one cloud storage to another, migrate data seamlessly, and organize backups omitting your local machine. Quick temporary or permanent backup transfer of any data volumes is one of the most expected enhancements of this undertaking. Yes, and add here the hot server mode.
Independent contribution
The need to work in parallel was the impetus to create the CBM module and its focus on automation.
The CBM makes team collaboration more efficient. That is particularly beneficial for remote project members when it is impossible to push your peer in the back, asking for leaving data alone. Content managers and developers can access the latest data backups at any time, wasting no time waiting when your colleague finishes their task.
Our invention has proved correct: the first adopters tested export/import data backup operations independently and applied created backups on any server successfully.
Access permissions
If anyone can access your business data easily, your system is low protected. To protect data access better, the module has functionality on the Set Permissions Page, where a supervisor can set roles to control access to the data. You can restrict permissions to access backups minimizing security risks with role-based access control.
Dynamically growing data volumes can be used by different users in shared access securely with the CBM Commerce.
Media migration from Dropbox
The thing with media migration is a lack of necessary capabilities to perform it in SAP Commerce projects. That’s our attempt to solve data migration issues fast and without cutting corners.
The CBM Commerce exports and imports your data with a single tool. Before installing the extension, the server with an SAP Commerce 1808/1811 has to be stopped. To download the module, you can from the Aimprosoft GitHub account or SAPAppCenter.
Update the system after the CBM extension installation and add the login credentials. There are two available cloud storages: Dropbox and Amazon S3, where you can choose data migration accounts from a drop-down list in the Migration Section. Our clients dictate to us their needs, so we plan to extend the number of storages in the upcoming versions of module.
Choosing a source and target storages, the module prevents you from matching them. It is programmed to have files imported and exported in different locations. When you migrate files from Dropbox to Amazon S3 and mistakenly rechoose Dropbox as an endpoint of data transfer, you’ll be accompanied by a pop-up messaging you about the wrong option. Besides, you will know about the migration progress from verification messages following your actions.
Anyone can learn the ropes of using it easily. Backups are available for the next moves right after the migration is completed.
Media migration from Amazon S3
The list of Amazon S3 active accounts is dropped down to help you choose source storage on the import page. We made several connections available with credentials for a direct media file migration between import and export storage. The list of connectors is dropped down to choose data import storage.
The batch volume of migrating data influences the runtime. Starting importing, you launch the process of files uploading. Take the cues from help messages to track the progress on successful downloading and applying files. The ‘History’ section contains information about an import task status, code, and the name of the performer.
Whether it is Dropbox or Amazon cloud, you can check credentials due to connection providers implemented to the CBM module. If the migrated files are restored fully in the state before you started back up, the import succeeded.
Please, consider the scenarios above as one of the possible but not the only ones. The CBM Commerce also performs export scenarios on the fly with massive data scopes.
Summing up
During digital transformation across the board with a view to accelerating efficient data migration can become a forte of the business. We do our share today for the benefit of the not indifferent community.
Please don’t sit on it; try it now and share your experience and ideas with us. We will appreciate your feedback to improve backup management and media migration issues.
