Step-by-Step Guide to SOAP Integration in SAP CPI

[abhishek-a]

Key Components in SOAP Integration:

1. SOAP Sender Adapter - Used when SAP CPI receives SOAP requests.
2. SOAP Receiver Adapter - Used when SAP CPI calls an external SOAP service.
3. WSDL File - Describes available operations and expected XML structures.
4. Security Mechanisms - Authentication methods such as Basic Auth, OAuth, or SSL/TLS.

Prerequisites for SOAP Integration

Before setting up the integration, ensure the following:

✅Access to SAP CPI (Cloud Integration Suite)
✅A valid WSDL file from the SOAP web service provider
✅Authentication credentials (if required)

Step-by-Step Guide: Consuming a SOAP Web Service in SAP CPI

Step 1: Upload the WSDL File

1. Log in to SAP CPI and navigate to Design → Integration Flow.
2. Create a new Integration Flow (iFlow).
3. In the iFlow, click on Resources and upload the WSDL file.

Step 2: Create an Integration Flow (iFlow)

1. Drag and drop a SOAP Sender Adapter onto the canvas (if receiving SOAP requests).

2. Drag and drop a SOAP Receiver Adapter (if calling an external SOAP service).

3. Add a Message Mapping step if data transformation is needed.

Step 3: Configure SOAP Sender Adapter

1. Click on the SOAP Sender Adapter and configure:

• Address: Define the endpoint URL where requests will be received. 

        

• Processing Mode: Select Synchronous or Asynchronous.

2. Save the configuration.

Step 4: Configure Message Mapping (Optional)

• If the SOAP request and response structures are different from what the system expects, configure Message Mapping.
• Convert JSON to SOAP XML or modify XML elements if needed.

Step 5: Configure SOAP Receiver Adapter

1. Click on the SOAP Receiver Adapter and configure:

• External Service URL: Provide the WSDL service endpoint. 

         

• Authentication: Configure Basic Auth or OAuth. 

         

• SSL/TLS Settings: Enable if required. 
  • Note: you can find this setting in postman or any testing app where you are executing the endpoint.

2. Save the configuration.

Step 6: Deploy and Test the Integration Flow

1. Deploy the iFlow in SAP CPI.
2. Use SOAP UI or Postman to send a test SOAP request.
3. Monitor message logs in SAP CPI Message Processing Monitor.

Handling Errors & Troubleshooting SOAP Issues

Common Errors & Solutions

Issue Solution

WSDL Import Issues	Ensure the WSDL is valid and accessible.
Authentication Failures	Verify credentials and authentication method.
Mapping Errors	Check XPath expressions and data format.
Timeout Issues	Increase timeout settings in the SOAP adapter.
Invalid SOAP Response	Ensure the response follows the expected schema.

Debugging Techniques

• Enable Trace Mode in SAP CPI for detailed logs.
• Use Message Processing Logs (MPL) to analyze message flows.
• Capture error responses using Exception Subprocesses.

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Best Practices for SOAP Integration in SAP CPI

✅Validate the WSDL before integrating.
✅Use logging and exception handling to improve monitoring.
✅Implement retry mechanisms to handle temporary failures.
✅Ensure security compliance with authentication and encryption.

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Conclusion

Integrating SOAP web services with SAP CPI can be seamless if the right configurations and best practices are followed. In this guide, we covered the step-by-step process, error handling techniques, and troubleshooting strategies.

Have you faced challenges while working with SOAP in SAP CPI? Share your experience in the comments!