ALE

[Former Member]

What is ALE , what is its use and what are the steps invoved in it?

[Former Member]

Hi Tanuj,

The integration technology Application Link Enabling (ALE) is an important middleware tool in SAP's Business Framework Architecture (BFA). BFA is a component-based architecture enabling software components from SAP and from other software vendors to communicate and be integrated with each other.

ALE can integrate business processes between SAP systems and non-SAP systems as well as between SAP systems.

Data is exchanged between application systems in a controlled manner and consistency is maintained.

Company-wide applications such as accounting, human resource management and sales planning may be carried out in the company’s headquarters, whereas production and materials management may be carried out in decentralized plants.

The application systems of an ALE integrated system are loosely linked. Data is exchanged asynchronously, whereby the data arrives in the receiver system, even if the receiver system cannot be connected to at the time the data is sent. Synchronous connections are only used by ALE to read data.

ALE provides administration, development and testing tools.

To use the ALE tools choose Tools ® IDoc Interface/ALE.

ALE business processes are part of the standard SAP application system delivery. They are described in the application documentation (Library of ALE Business Processes).

For more information about the required system settings see the Implementation Guide (IMG):

Transaction SPRO ® SAP Reference IMG ® Application Server -> IDoc Interface/ALE

(or the transaction SALE).

For information on programming see the ALE Programming Guide.

To make it easier to assign ALE functions to specific user types, the following user roles have been defined:

● ALE administration SAP_BC_MID_ALE_ADMIN

● ALE development SAP_BC_MID_ALE_DEVELOPER

● Master data distribution for logistics SAP_BC_MID_ALE_MD_LO

● Master data distribution for financials SAP_BC_MID_ALE_MD_FI

● Master data distibution for HR SAP_BC_MID_ALE_MD_HR

Implementation Considerations

Decentralized business applications ensuring data consistency are used because:

● The increasing globalization of markets has led to the physical division of organizational units.

● Business processes are not restricted to one organization only and more and more customers and vendors are becoming involved.

● SAP system performance can be improved by distributing the business applications.

For further information about ALE implementation, see:

ALE and the SAP Procedure Model

Features

ALE supports the configuration and operation of distributed applications. ALE controls Messaging across loosely coupled SAP systems, ensuring that data is always consistent.

Applications are integrated using a local database rather than a central one. Instead, the applications access a local database. There is no data retention. ALE guarantees the distribution and synchronization of master data, Customizing data and transaction data through asynchronous communication.

Synchronous communication is used in ALE to read data only.

ALE has many benefits:

● Application data can be distributed between different releases of SAP systems

● Data can continue to be exchanged after a release upgrade without requiring special maintenance

● Customers can add their own enhancements

● Communication interfaces enable connections to non-SAP systems.

● More recent SAP and R/2 systems can communicate with each other.

ALE has functions for monitoring messages flows and handling communication problems.

Creation of Custom IDOc type and message Type

First Create Partner Profile(WE20 Tcode) and Port Definition in WE19 Tcodes.

take the Basis help to create them.

1.First create segments in WE31 Tcode with the required dataelements

2.Create the Basic Idoc Type in WE30

release the Segments and IDOC type.

3.Create Message type in We81

4.Assign the message type to IDOC type in WE82 T code

5.Create the process code in We41 (for Outbound) WE42 (for Inbound)

6.Create A fun module in SE37 starting with ZIDOC_OUTPUT_.. by copying some Inbound (for Inbound) Outbound Fun module

7.Create Workflow setting if needed ..

8. Assign the fun module to Idoc Type, Message Type and WF object (if it is there0

9.Define setting for fun module in BD51

10.In BD51 Define the settings for Fun module..

10.Assign the Processs Code to Fun mod`ule

Outbound:

Step 1. Application document is created when transaction is saved.

2. Message control is invoked.

3. Messages are processed by system.

4. Messages are Edited (if desired).

5. Output (ALE / EDI) is checked

6. Validate against Message control record from Partner Profile

7. Application Document is saved.

8. Entry NAST table is created for every selected output program

along with Medium & Timing.

9. Check for Process Immediately .

If (yes)

Determine Processing Program from TNAPR Table.

ELSE

Execute RSNASTED Program.

10. Read Partner Profile to determine Process Code.

11. Process Code points to the Function Module & Invoked.

12. IDoc is generated.

13. Check for ALE Request.

if (Yes)

Perform Filters, Conversions, Version Changes etc.

Else.

IDoc is stored in DATABASE.

INBOUND:

Step 1. EDI Subsystem creates an IDoc file from EDI Messages

2. Subsystem calls Functional Module EDI_DATA_INCOMING from startRFC program.

3. Data in Control Record is validate against the Partner Profile.

4. IDoc is generated in Database and syntax check is carried out.

5. IDoc file is deleted once file read.

6. Event PROCESSSTATE REACHED is triggered in Idoc Object Workflow.

7. Check for Process Immediately.

If NO

Execute RBDAPP01 Program

Else

Read Process Code from Partner Profile

Process Code Points to Function Module

Application Document Posted.

ALE/ IDOC

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_erp2004/helpdata/en/dc/6b835943d711d1893e0000e8323c4f/content.htm

http://www.sapgenie.com/sapgenie/docs/ale_scenario_development_procedure.doc

http://edocs.bea.com/elink/adapter/r3/userhtm/ale.htm#1008419

http://www.netweaverguru.com/EDI/HTML/IDocBook.htm

http://www.sapgenie.com/sapedi/index.htm

http://www.sappoint.com/abap/ale.pdf

http://www.sappoint.com/abap/ale2.pdf

http://www.sapgenie.com/sapedi/idoc_abap.htm

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_erp2005/helpdata/en/0b/2a60bb507d11d18ee90000e8366fc2/frameset.htm

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_erp2005/helpdata/en/78/217da751ce11d189570000e829fbbd/frameset.htm

http://www.allsaplinks.com/idoc_sample.html

http://www.sappoint.com/abap.html

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_erp2004/helpdata/en/dc/6b835943d711d1893e0000e8323c4f/content.htm

http://www.sapgenie.com/sapgenie/docs/ale_scenario_development_procedure.doc

http://edocs.bea.com/elink/adapter/r3/userhtm/ale.htm#1008419

http://www.netweaverguru.com/EDI/HTML/IDocBook.htm

http://www.sapgenie.com/sapedi/index.htm

http://www.allsaplinks.com/idoc_sample.html

http://www.allsaplinks.com/idoc_sample.html

http://www.allsaplinks.com/

http://www.sap-img.com/

http://www.sappoint.com/abap.html

http://help.sap.com/printdocu/core/Print46c/en/data/pdf/BCMIDALEIO/BCMIDALEIO.pdf

http://help.sap.com/printdocu/core/Print46c/en/data/pdf/BCMIDALEPRO/BCMIDALEPRO.pdf

http://help.sap.com/printdocu/core/Print46c/en/data/pdf/CABFAALEQS/CABFAALEQS.pdf

http://help.sap.com/printdocu/core/Print46c/en/data/pdf/BCSRVEDISC/CAEDISCAP_STC.pdf

http://help.sap.com/printdocu/core/Print46c/en/data/pdf/BCSRVEDI/CAEDI.pdf

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_erp2004/helpdata/en/dc/6b835943d711d1893e0000e8323c4f/content.htm

http://www.sapgenie.com/sapgenie/docs/ale_scenario_development_procedure.doc

http://edocs.bea.com/elink/adapter/r3/userhtm/ale.htm#1008419

http://www.netweaverguru.com/EDI/HTML/IDocBook.htm

http://www.sapgenie.com/sapedi/index.htm

http://expertanswercenter.techtarget.com/eac/knowledgebaseCategory/0,295197,sid63_tax296858_idx0_off...

http://sap.ittoolbox.com/documents/popular-q-and-a/extending-a-basic-idoc-type-2358

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_47x200/helpdata/en/dc/6b7eee43d711d1893e0000e8323c4f/frameset.htm

ALE/ IDOC/ XML

http://www.sapgenie.com/sapgenie/docs/ale_scenario_development_procedure.doc

http://www.thespot4sap.com/Articles/SAP_XML_Business_Integration.asp

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_srm30/helpdata/en/72/0fe1385bed2815e10000000a114084/content.htm

Good Luck and thanks

Phani,

Reward if helpful.

[Former Member]

ALE

Application Link Enabling (ALE) is a mechanism for the exchange of business data between loosely-coupled R/3 applications built by customers of SAP, the enterprise resource management program. ALE provides SAP customers with a program distribution model and technology that enables them to interconnect programs across various platforms and systems.

There are three layers in the ALE system: application services, distribution services, and communication services. The vehicle for data transfer is called an IDoc (intermediate document), which is a container for the application data to be transmitted. After a user performs an SAP transaction, one or more IDocs are generated in the sending database and passed to the ALE communication layer. The communication layer performs a Remote Function Call (RFC), using the port definition and RFC destination specified by the customer model. The IDoc is transmitted to the receiver, which may be an R/3, R/2, or some external system. If the data is distributed from a master system, the same transaction performed by the sender will be performed by the receiving system, using the information contained in the IDoc.

Changes made to fields in master data tables can be set to trigger distribution of the changes to slave systems, so that multiple database servers can update the same information simultaneously. IDocs carry information directly between SAP systems. In order to communicate with a non-SAP system, an IDoc is first transmitted to an intermediary system that translates the data to a format that will be understood by the receiver. Return data also passes through the translating system, where it is again encapsulated into an IDoc.

Also please check these online documents for ALE and IDoc.

http://help.sap.com/printdocu/core/Print46c/en/data/pdf/BCMIDALEIO/BCMIDALEIO.pdf

http://help.sap.com/printdocu/core/Print46c/en/data/pdf/BCMIDALEPRO/BCMIDALEPRO.pdf

http://help.sap.com/printdocu/core/Print46c/en/data/pdf/CABFAALEQS/CABFAALEQS.pdf

http://help.sap.com/printdocu/core/Print46c/en/data/pdf/BCSRVEDISC/CAEDISCAP_STC.pdf

http://help.sap.com/printdocu/core/Print46c/en/data/pdf/BCSRVEDI/CAEDI.pdf

Outbound:

Step 1. Application document is created when transaction is saved.

2. Message control is invoked.

3. Messages are processed by system.

4. Messages are Edited (if desired).

5. Output (ALE / EDI) is checked

6. Validate against Message control record from Partner Profile

7. Application Document is saved.

8. Entry NAST table is created for every selected output program

along with Medium & Timing.

9. Check for Process Immediately .

If (yes)

Determine Processing Program from TNAPR Table.

ELSE

Execute RSNASTED Program.

10. Read Partner Profile to determine Process Code.

11. Process Code points to the Function Module & Invoked.

12. IDoc is generated.

13. Check for ALE Request.

if (Yes)

Perform Filters, Conversions, Version Changes etc.

Else.

IDoc is stored in DATABASE.

INBOUND:

Step 1. EDI Subsystem creates an IDoc file from EDI Messages

2. Subsystem calls Functional Module EDI_DATA_INCOMING from startRFC program.

3. Data in Control Record is validate against the Partner Profile.

4. IDoc is generated in Database and syntax check is carried out.

5. IDoc file is deleted once file read.

6. Event PROCESSSTATE REACHED is triggered in Idoc Object Workflow.

7. Check for Process Immediately.

If NO

Execute RBDAPP01 Program

Else

Read Process Code from Partner Profile

Process Code Points to Function Module

Application Document Posted.

further help:

TCODES Required for ALE configuration

sale - ALE Customizing

bale - Distribution Administration (ALE)

bdm7 - ALE Audit - statistical analyses

bdm8 - ALE Audit - sending confirmations

wedi - IDOC Type and EDI Basis (IDOC Configuration)

bd87 - Process Inbound IDOCs

bd88 - Process Outbound IDOCs

bdm2 - Cross-system IDOC Reporting

snro - Number Range Objects (for IDOCs)

we02 - Display IDOC

we05 - IDOC lists

we07 - IDOC statistics

we15 - Outbound IDOC from NAST - message control

we30 - IDOC Type development

we31 - IDOC Segment development

we46 - IDoc Administration

we47 - Status Code Maintenance

we57 - Assign function module to logical message and IDoc type

we63 - IDOC Type for Parser Output

we82 - Assign IDOC to Message Type

we60 - IDOC Documentation - IDOC Types

we61 - IDOC Documentation - IDOC Record Types

we81 - Create new IDOC Message Types

we82 - Assign IDOC to Message Type

check url

http://www.sappoint.com/abap/ale.pdf

http://www.sappoint.com/abap/ale2.pdf

http://www.sapgenie.com/ale/configuration.htm

http://www.sappoint.com/abap/ale.pdf

http://www.sappoint.com/abap/ale2.pdf

http://www.sapdevelopment.co.uk/training

And also u can get lots of inof from the below link.

http://www.sapgenie.com/ale/why_ale.htm

Regards,

Raj.