July 30, 2009
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Since 2006 SAP has directed clients to convert to Unicode systems. Although non-Unicode systems are still supported, SAP has documented scenarios where non-Unicode systems can incur data loss.
SAP Note 838402 – Problems with Non-Unicode SAP Landscapes, describes in detail how integration between non-Unicode and Unicode systems can cause silent data loss. Specifically in:
- Components written in Java
- MS Office Integration
- HTTP/HTML
- SOA
If an SAP customer does encounter data loss in a non-Unicode system, SAP will recommend a Unicode conversion to avoid any further loss.
The SAP progression towards full Unicode conversion began in 2006 when SAP stated that future versions of SAP applications were to be exclusively in 64-bit and Unicode (Read the announcement). SAP has since stated in SAP Note 838402 that “New releases of SAP NetWeaver and SAP applications based on SAP NetWeaver, released in 2007 or later, will no longer support new installations of non-Unicode systems.” SAP went on to advise that it is a strategic direction to move their customers to Unicode, and that they are already discussing ending support for non-Unicode systems in future releases.
If you are planning an upgrade to SAP NetWeaver 2007 or later, SAP stresses that non-Unicode systems will still be supported. However, they also state that “Due to the intrinsic limitations of non-Unicode code pages SAP recommends a conversion to Unicode, especially when upgrading system to NetWeaver 7.0 (ERP 2005) and higher releases.” – SAP Note 838402.
Symmetry has not yet heard of reported occurrences of data loss amongst our client base. However, we want to ensure that our clients are aware of the possible risks and that the SAP response to any data loss in this situation will be to recommend a conversion.
Symmetry will continue to support both Unicode and non-Unicode Systems. It is Symmetry’s recommendation that our clients convert their systems to Unicode in order to ensure full functionality and reduce the risk of data loss.
If you have any questions regarding this recommendation or the potential for data loss in your systems please feel free to contact a Symmetry representative.
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