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We launched our process-tracking tool, Process Observer, over a decade ago. Since then, a lot has changed. Now, our goal is Cloud First, and we want our customers to RISE to the cloud and GROW in the cloud.
SAP acquired and integrated Signavio a while ago and our biggest question was - what is the future of Process Observer in the cloud and how does it play together with SAP Signavio Process Intelligence? The answer — A new kid on the block, "BUSINESS EVENT LOGGING (BEL)."
BEL uses a much leaner and more performant approach compared to Process Observer. It also requires less configuration on your part while still giving you the freedom to enhance and integrate your processes. At the same time, it allows you to easily integrate with SAP Signavio Process Intelligence.
Fig. 1: Event Log Viewer App in Business Event Logging
Overview and Benefits
So, what is Business Event Logging?
- It collects the event data locally and you can use integration to extract the data into SAP Signavio Process Intelligence.
- It is based on Business Events, but it is also planned to support other sources like Change Documents.
- It provides field change information.
- It is available now in SAP S/4HANA CE, SAP S/4HANA OP/PC and SAP ABAP Platform Cloud.
How can BEL be useful for you?
- You can activate logging of events just by selecting the relevant Object Types. You can create process views (“cases”) in SAP Signavio Process Intelligence and analyze your processes there.
- You can use the data viewer apps to review logged data in multiple aspects.
- You can manage the data retention in the business event log with SAP ILM.
- You can extend processes or log your own processes by creating your own Business Events.
The Foundation
Business events are object-centric events created in the RAP framework. They are assigned with an event binding and are C2-released by SAP. You can find these events documented in the SAP Business Accelerator Hub, Follow the path: Explore / <your product> / Events.
Fig. 2: Business Events in the BEL Accelerator Hub
The RAP framework is an extensible framework: you can create your own objects, create events with binding, extend SAP delivered objects with your events, or just extend an SAP-delivered event.
Business events can also contain change information. For more information, you can explore event definitions in the SAP Business Accelerator Hub. This change information is now visible in the BEL log.
If you require additional standard events delivered by SAP, or change information, you can raise a request via the Customer Influence Portal. .
Beyond these Business Events, there are internal events such as RAP events, SAP-delivered C1- events, and Change Documents for other BEL data sources. We plan to support them in the future and will keep you updated.
Release support
You might be wondering when you could start using this. The great news is that if you’re in the cloud you can start right away!
SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud & SAP BTP, ABAP Environment:
For the SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition 2408 or later and for SAP BTP, ABAP Environment 2411 or later, we support:
- Logging of all released business events for all object types as listed in the SAP Accelerator Hub for the product.
- Logging of customer events. For more information, see the instructions in the product documentation.
You can find the detailed documentation for Business Event Logging for these products here:
SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition (latest): User documentation
SAP BTP, ABAP Environment (latest): User documentation
SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud & On-Premise:
The support in the SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud Edition and On-Premise Edition depends on the release.
Functionalities provided with PC/OP 2021 FPS2:
- Only logging of Order-to-Cash related events provided by SAP (based on Business Event Handling).
- Customer extensibility is not supported by Business Event Handling.
Functionalities provided with PC/OP 2022 FPS1:
- Only logging of Order-to-Cash related events provided by SAP (based on RAP)
- Customer events are supported with FPS 2 of OP 2022
Functionalities provided with PC/OP 2023 FPS2:
- Logging of all Business Events provided by SAP is supported (as documented in the SAP Business Accelerator Hub).
Functionalities provided with S/4HANA Private Cloud / On Premise 2023 (latest):
- You can view the list of functionalities in the User documentation.
We will cover the integration of the component and the customer extensibility in separate articles:
