DST time change for global companies

[Former Member]

We are curious to hear how other companies are handling the DST time changes in spring and fall especially if they are global and operating in multiple time zones.

Do you set servers to UTC/GMT?

And set SAP systems to UTC?

And let users set their local time zone?

Would that mean we don't have to worry about the fall and spring time change any more because UTC doesn't change? (That would be nice!)

TIA,

Margie

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Hi Margie

Is there a specific issue you're facing?

Usually it's not a problem whatever the system time zone is, for users their operations take time stamping from user time zone set in SU01. Daylight saving was a problem once, 2 years back when the law was modified. Those applications which user end time stamping plays important role, like ESS/MSS, had an offset because of inconsistent time zone. And it was correct by several notes released quickly.

Regards,

Effan

[Former Member]

We were reading Note 391658 and it also says to shut down the SAP system in during time change in fall. Which is why we are asking the question - our company would like to avoid having downtime for time change, especially with company codes in 6 different time zones.

We might let our production systems run during switch to DST on March 14th, does the system do that with a single one-hour jump? (Understanding that in fall it half-steps for two hours to lose an hour).

Thanks again,

Margie

[Former Member]

Hi Margie,

as I do have in mind, you are on 7.00 technology everywhere ...

In spring, it was never a problem and in autumn it was a problem up to 6.20 kernel or perhaps even ECC5. But, with ECC6 the system "slows down" the time during "switch back" in autumn for 2 hours and therefore "it just should work fine".

So, the question is really:

Do you see any issues here ?

Regards

Volker Gueldenpfennig, consolut international ag

http://www.consolut.net - http://www.4soi.de - http://www.easymarketplace.de

[Former Member]

Hello Volker,

I am a bit surprised by this:

But, with ECC6 the system "slows down" the time during "switch back" in autumn for 2 hours and therefore "it just should work fine".

So far I thought that we had to follow SAP Note 102088.

And this doesn't mention "slows down", but still reads:

Ensure that the SAP system is inactive during these "double hours", that is, switch it off an hour before standard time starts for exactly two hours.

regards

[Former Member]

Hi Joe,

I didn't read that note ...

At least I saw it live once and it really works fine )

It is a feature as of 6.40 kernel and fully supported as of ECC 6.

=> You can always let SAP running in which ever timezone you are running (if the setup is correct)

Regards

Volker Gueldenpfennig, consolut international ag

http://www.consolut.net - http://www.4soi.de - http://www.easymarketplace.de

[Former Member]

Hello Volker,

thanks for clarifying.

We have some time left till next autumn. I'll look for more information and maybe let systems up and running...

regards

[christian_otte]

Hi Volker,

these "right setting" makes me unconfident.

note 7417 tells me that that better shut down the system because the majority of the applications are not certified for a continued operation

note 102088 tells me how to minimize the downtime to one hour... these is the procedure we were using the last years

note 950114 tells me how to avoid the double hour by using zdate/DSTswitch_contloctime (=on you need not to shut down the system)

note 391658 tells me "If you are converting from summer time to winter time, shut down all SAP instances before the scheduled conversion (for example, at 01:30) and wait at least an hour before you restart them."

Your experience to let the systems run was quite good, but it is dissapoints me that SAP does not give a distinct statement about the DST. As mentioned befor, it is not practicable to shut down the SAP system in a global environment.

cu, Christian

[Former Member]

Hi Christian,

the notes might be a bit crazy - you are correct not everything is "certified". But, you should ask your best ABAP man (A...) what crazy code you need for an issue ...

gettime, sy-uzeit and all the stuff is "correct" and continues - only crazy things like

"select timestamp from mara" or similar gives you the "wrong time" ....

So, I would go for it !

(otherwise, you can give me a call )

Regards

Volker Gueldenpfennig, consolut international ag

http://www.consolut.net - http://www.4soi.de - http://www.easymarketplace.de