VAN for B2B Integration

[rrmalgi]

Hi,

If we are using SAP PO B2B Add On or SAP CPI (with Enterprise Edition licence) for B2B integration, do we really need VAN? What are the advantages/disadvantages of using VAN along with SAP PO B2B Addon or SAP CPI?

Regards,

Malgi

[vicky20691 · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Yes that is the correct understanding if all the partners can be directly connected to it (mostly problem of network restriction)

Technically YES if it is new implementation , it gives you good chance to have consolidated landscape with just one middleware to handle A2A and B2B without VANs

You can do some reading here

https://picourse.com/best-practices-b2b-setup/

Regards,

Vikas

[vicky20691]

Hi,

The answer is No. VAN is nothing but a network provider which transmits EDI message from point A to point B. so basically a middleware and in modern world VAN does encryption, translation etc. which SAP PI/CPI does.

If you ask me about advantages of using VAN then here you go

1. Suppose you have 1500 partners already connected to a VAN

2. Now you implement SAP CPI/PI , and decides to connect to partners. It will involve cost and risk of implementing SAP CPI/Pi as well as cost and risk of 1500 partners changing connection to CPI/PI.

3. so initially you can go for SAP PI/CPI along with VAN and slowly remove connections to partners from VAN and SAP PI/CPI. This will be cost efficient and business will be assured of reduced risk.

Regards,

Vikas

[rrmalgi]

Thank you. So if we are setting up new B2B integration(with no VAN currently in place) using SAP PO/SAP CPI then VAN is not required. Rather SAP PO/SAP CPI performs the functions of a VAN

Regards,

Malgi

[Former Member]

Hi Vikas,

Can please let me know what adapter and configuration that need to be done for to enable VAN.

I am asking this question agreeing with you on your point 3

[former_member313603]

Hi Vikas,

Just to confirm, are you saying that SAP CPI has all the VAN capabilities?

Also how both SAP CPI and VAN will work in parallel? Won't both do the same thing? I mean who will do what?

Thanks,

Jomy