topic Re: RICEF in Application Development and Automation Discussions

RICEF

Former Member — Mon, 09 Jan 2006 09:28:17 GMT

RICEF Stands for Reports, Interfaces, Conversions, Extensions and Forms.

What's the differenve b/w Interfaces and Conversions?

Re: RICEF

Former Member — Mon, 09 Jan 2006 09:45:47 GMT

Hi,

Conversion is a data transfer in which data extracted from the external system is converted to the format of the SAP data transfer program.

Interface is also a data transfer program for which data may flows from external to SAP(Inbound) and from SAP to External systems(outbound).

Hope it would help you.

Reward points if it is helpful for you.

Thanks

Suresh

Re: RICEF

Former Member — Mon, 09 Jan 2006 09:46:40 GMT

Gaurav,

Interfaces are the integration points between two different systems. These interface exist as long as the two system will have to interact. The data could be in any format (IDOC, EDI etc)

Conversions on the other hand (most cases) are one time activities. When you are implementing a new system (SAP, the legacy data need to moved into SAP. This is where conversion comes into picture. So, you write conversion programs take the data from legacy and load it into new systems. Most of the times, the data here will be in flat files.

Regards,

Ravi

Note : Please reward if this helps.

Re: RICEF

Former Member — Mon, 09 Jan 2006 09:48:00 GMT

Conversion is a process by which we transfer legacy data from temporary tables to base tables.

Interfaces also does the same but is a daily process and most of the interfaces are automated by scheduling. Example:AutoInvoice

Conversion is a one time process where as interface is not so

Re: RICEF

Former Member — Mon, 09 Jan 2006 09:49:10 GMT

Conversions are normally one time uploads done at the beginning of the projects to upload most of the master data. Mostly conversions are done thru DIrect inputs or LSMWs. BDCs is also an option if we do not have SAP's direct input programs.

Whereas interfaces are some conversions which may run on a daily basis or weekly basis and is normally set up as jobs in back ground. This may be Inbound or Outbound interfaces depending on whether data comes into SAP or goes out from SAP.

From technical point of view, both are similar as they may use BDC/Session/Call transation or BAPI to update or download data.

Hope it helps