What's the Difference between Conversion programmes & Interface ?

[Former Member]

Hi Folks,

Plz let me know the difference between Conversion programmes & Interface related to BDC concepts. Hey plz give good examples also.

thanks,

Naresh.

[Former Member]

Hi,

CONVERSIONS : Converting Legacy System DATA into a flat file

INTERFACES : Converting Flat File into SAP

Thanks,

Vishnu

[Former Member]

Hi Naresh,

As Vishnu mentioned, conversion programs are for transferring data from the legacy system into the SAP system (and would involve all the data format conversion e.g. material number might be 10 digits in legacy system and would need to be converted to 18 characters before updating in SAP). Hence conversion would normally happen on or just before Go Live to transfer all up-to-date information into SAP. Thereon all transactions would be performed in SAP and no information would/should be required from legacy system, hence conversions end there.

However if some processes (like data calculations or exchange of data) continues with another SAP system or non SAP system, then we use methods of data exchange called interfaces. Hence interfaces are more or less a day to day activity/process whereas conversion more like a one time activity.

LSMW is a popular tool for data conversion (migration from legacy). Interfaces employ services like XI, Idocs etc.

Hope this helps.

Regards.

Aditya

[Former Member]

HI,

check this thread

Regards.

Sailaja.

[Former Member]

Hey naresh,

Conversion converts the legacy data ( In other form) into the SAP system/database. Examples are BDC/LSMW/CATT etc.

Intefaces are the mediator programs between SAP and any other system.

For examples, if you need to send PO to your vendor who works on other than SAP system. Then, theses program converts the form of data from SAP to non-SAP and vice-versa. Intefaces can be inbound as well outbound.

Popular examples are EDI/IDOC, XI etc.