XML Interface

[Former Member]

Hi,

I need to write interfaces in SAP R/3 generating XML files. Couple of ways to do this:

1> Use XML port type for IDOC creation

2> Use XI

3> Use Business Connector (BC)

4> Use other tools like Webmethods etc..

Disadvantages:

1> SAP is going to stop support of SAP BC from Dec 31, 2004 or from SAP 4.7.

2> For using XML port for IDOC, I might have to create custom IDOCs for some interfaces as all interfaces might not have standard IDOC to use.

Question? How do I evaluate these options for generating

XML interfaces? There might be some inbound interfaces also where SAP needs to convert XML files and post data.

I need PROS and CONS for these possible options, so my managament team can decide what to use.

-Thanks in Advance

-BJS

[chan_dang]

Hi Bhaven,

(1> Use XML port type for IDOC creation)

Are you successfully to generate an XML file using XML port type?

I was able to create an outbound IDoc but failed to generate an XML file when using XML port type.

Could you give me the instructions to do this?

I'm on 4.6C.

Thanks!

CD

[Former Member]

Hi Bhaven,

For custom interfaces on your SAP backend system you have the following possibilities to send messages to Xi:

1) Implement an empty remote enabled FM with interface parameters containing the neccessary data. You can then import the RFC FM metadat to Xi. In your ABAP code you can execute a RFC function call with Xi as the destination. And then use Xi to map to the target XML format.

2) If you implement the "empty" remote enabled FM as a BAPI you can always generate the corresponding IDOC interface. In your ABAP code you can use the generated interface to send your generated IDOCs to Xi.

3) You can generate ABAP proxies from Xi which you can use in your ABAP code to send messages directly to Xi. Requires that the backend system has the Xi plug-in implemented.

Kind regards Johan Göthberg

[Former Member]

Hi Bhaven,

If i am understanding your question correctly, you want to know how XI will help you in developing the interface where u can send the XML file or receive data that is in the form of a xml file.

In case where XI is used SAP will not have to convert the XML files to post the data.

The XI will convert the XML data into the IDOC format and will send the IDOC to the SAP.

You will just have to create the mapping at XI end from XML file to the respective IDOC type.

And vice-versa is also possible.

Thanks

[Former Member]

Thanks Nikhil. What if, there is no standard IDOC available for the interface? Can XI convert XML into a flat file and then send it to SAP? Same question for outbound from SAP, can SAP send a flat (non IDOC format) to XI and then can XI convert it to XML?

Also, I hope XI can convert this XML to XSL (bcos that is what the partner is expecting)?

-Thanks

Bhaven

[Former Member]

Bhaven,

XI can convert XML to Flat file (fixed length or delimited). You will need to provide the mapping. To post the data in SAP, you'll have to write a custom program (ABAP) that can interpret the flat file structure & update accordingly.

On the other way also SAP XI has the capability to convert a Flat file (fixed length or delimited) into XML message. Again you will have to code the mapping in XI.

Internally (in XI) messaging is achieved via XML.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Homiar.

[Former Member]

As XSL is an XML-based format, you can create it as easily as any other xml format.

Christian