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IDoc / Business Connector - future developments

Former Member
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248

hi,

I would like to know some possibilities to transfer data from a non-sap-system to a sap-system. I think the IDoc-interface is really good for transporting data into SAP-systems. I have spoken with some people they mean that the IDoc-interface is out-of-date. What do you think about it? Which other possibilities exist?

Another possibility is to use XML-documents, but how could I transfer this data? With business-connector (it's also a out-of-date tool)?

What do you think which are future developments of transferring data into SAP-systems (e.g. 4.6c / 4.7)?

thanks

markus

7 REPLIES 7

RichHeilman
Developer Advocate
Developer Advocate
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109

I think <a href="https://www.sdn.sap.comhttp://www.sdn.sap.comhttp://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/sdn/developerareas/webservices">Web Services</a> will be taking over. This seems to be the hot thing right now.

Regards,

Rich Heilman

Former Member
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109

What version of SAP are you looking to interface?

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109

hi,

we are using 4.6c.

thanks

markus

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109

The reason why asked about the version is that there some integration methods that may not be available in some versions like the Webservices that Rich mentioned is not available in 46C. Idocs is not an outdated technology, but it is more geared towards EDI interfaces rather than other interfaces.

You have to first differentiate between your conversion/bulk load requirements, online/real-time requirements and your batch interface requirements. Depending on which one you are talking about, the choice of the interfacing tools will differ. No one tool is good for all. RFCs/BAPIs are a good way to do real-time interfaces with users online, via business connector. But this is resource intensive, so you should not use it for bulk data transfers. You can still use the same BAPI or RFC as a simple function module call in a custom program and schedule the custom program to load data from the external systems through files during off-peak hours. This way your data is loaded into the system while it is not interrupting with the online users for resources.

IDOCs/RFC/BAPI/BI/DI/Call transactions/standard SAP program are the different interfacing/data conversion technologies you can use. Don't forget the powerful LSMW tool which is really easy to use and powerful enough to have complex mapping done and flexible enough to write some code to achieve some specific mapping transformations.

Bottom line is you have to evaluate what is best for your case and use it. It can be a mixture of all.

Srinivas

former_member181962
Active Contributor
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109

Hi Markus,

Data transfer into SAP systems using IDOCs is a relatively new technique when compared to other techniques like BDCs etc.

I don't think they are out dated.

The other ways of data transfer into SAP system are using BAPIs and direct input methods.

BAPIs are equally good.

The term 'outdated' may be an over statement.

When we talk about technology, Business connectors are gping to be replaced by SAP's proprietory NETWEAVER Exchange Infrastructure(XI).

XI promises to be the the right blend of JAVA and ABAP techonologies addressing almost all possible hurdles and bottlenecks that were prevalent in Business connectors.

The message transfer in XI is according to Open standards and hence XML is supported.

Regards,

Ravi Kanth Talagana

Former Member
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109

Here is the help from SAP in this regard. If you have access to service market place, you can order this cd.

<i>The SAP R/3 Interface Adviser (<a href="http://service.sap.com/int-adviser">Interface Adviser</a>) represents a centralized pool of information

for designing and implementing permanent interfaces between SAP R/3 and external systems. Its purpose is to

reduce the effort required to define and implement distributed business processes and their interfaces as well as

to avoid faulty interface designs and the associated problems in performance, data consistency, and handling.</i>

Please don't forget to reward and close the post if answered.

Srinivas

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109

Look at this pdf document as well.

<a href="https://www.sdn.sap.comhttp://www.sdn.sap.comhttp://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/servlet/prt/portal/prtroot/docs/library/uuid/6f53be90-0201-0010-0892-a398d1d0c4d4">SAP Integration Guide</a>