ALE, EDI, and IDoc Technologies for SAP

Application Link Enabling (ALE) is SAP's proprietary technology that enables data communications between two or more SAP R/3 systems and/or SAP R/3 legacy systems. ALE and EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) technologies are the best fit for this type of communication. With ALE, EDI, & IDoc Technologies for SAP, 2nd Edition, you will acquire powerful skills that are valuable to your employers, clients, or management. A natural follow-up to the original version, ALE, EDI, & IDoc Technologies for SAP (0761519033), this book covers the technical changes of the 4.6 version of SAP R/3. The topics covered in this book will be instrumental to functional and technical staff who are on new SAP implementations, are adding new EDI messages or interfaces to existing implementations, or who are upgrading from version 3.x to 4.x. It is aimed at experienced SAP professionals who are either new to ALE/EDI/IDoc technology or who need a reference for a specific procedure or task.

Contents
Acknowledgments
Foreword
Introduction

Section I: EDI

PART 1: EDI Basics

Chapter 1: Introduction to the EDI Process
What Is EDI? Benefits of the EDI Process
Business Process Using EDI Components Used in the EDI Process Summary

Chapter 2: Introduction to SAP EDI Architecture
SAP EDI Boundaries
EDI-Enabled Applications in SAP
Process Overview
IDocs Explained
Multiple Messages per IDoc
Independence of EDI Standards
Configuration Tools
Support Tools
Summary

PART 2: The SAP EDI Interface

Chapter 3: The SAP Outbound Process Types of Outbound Processes
Outbound Process with Message Control Outbound Process without Message Control Exception Handling in the Outbound Process
Summary

Chapter 4: The Inbound EDI Process
Components Used in the Inbound Process

Inbound Process via the Function Module Inbound Process via Workflow Exception Handling in the Inbound Process
Summary

Chapter 5: The EDI Subsystem
Overview of the EDI Subsystem
Responsibilities of the EDI Subsystem

Subsystem Architecture Mapping Concepts for IDocs and EDI Document Formats
Certification and Test Scenarios
Summary

PART 3: Configuring the EDI Interface

Chapter 6: Configuring Basic EDI Components
The Configuration Settings
Basic Settings for IDocs Communication Settings Summary

Chapter 7: Configuring Partner Profiles
Four Views of a Partner Profile

Tips for Maintaining Partner Profiles Using the Partner Profiles Summary

Chapter 8: Configuring Message Control
Introduction to Message Control

The Architecture of the Message Control Setting Up Standard Message Control Creating a New Condition Component
Building Message Control
Summary

Chapter 9: Configuring Workflow
Introduction to the Workflow Management System

Architecture of ALE/EDI Workflow Understanding the Error Notification Process Setting Up Workflow for Error Notification Setting Up Active Monitoring
Setting Up an Inbound Process via Workflow
Setting Up Notification of Successful Posting
Setting Up Advanced Workflow Using Tips and Techniques Summary

PART 4: Operating and Administering the EDI Interface

Chapter 10: Testing the EDI Interface
Testing the Outbound Process Testing the Inbound Process Testing the Workflow Exception Process
Summary

Chapter 11: Monitoring the Interface
Monitoring Errors via the SAP Inbox

Displaying the Processing Log for the Output Type
Displaying Information in the IDoc Tables Displaying the Workflow Log Displaying System Level Logs Displaying the Transactional RFC Log
Statistical Analysis of the Audit Log
To Use or Not to Use Workflow
Summary

Chapter 12: EDI Process Troubleshooting and Recovery
Troubleshooting the Outbound Process

Troubleshooting the Inbound Process Summary

Chapter 13: Managing EDI Process Performance and Throughput
Managing Performance of Outbound Processes

Managing Performance of Inbound Processes Improving Performance Summary

PART 5: EDI Scenarios

Chapter 14: Outbound with Message Control—Purchase Orders
Overview of the Purchase Order
The Analysis Phase The Preparation Phase The Setup Phase The Testing Phase
Executing the Process
Verifying the Output
Summary

Chapter 15: Outbound without Message Control—Remittance Advice
Overview of Remittance Advice/Payment Order
The Analysis Phase

The Preparation Phase The Setup Phase The Testing Phase
Executing the Process Summary

Chapter 16: Inbound with Function Module—Sales Orders
Overview of the Sales Order Process
The Analysis Phase

The Preparation Phase The Setup Phase The Testing Phase
Executing Processes
Verifying Output
Summary

Chapter 17: Inbound via Workflow—Sales Order Changes
Overview of the Sales Order Change
The Analysis Phase
The Design and Development Phase
The Preparation Phase

The Setup Phase The Testing Phase
Executing the Process
Verifying the Output
Summary

Section II: ALE

Part 6: ALE Basics

Chapter 18: Introduction to Distributed Systems
Introduction to the Distributed Process
Reasons for Distributing Processes Existing Technologies for Data Distribution Distributed SAP Systems Summary

Chapter 19: Introduction to ALE Technology
ALE Architecture

Overview of IDocs Special Features of Data Distribution
Tools Summary

PART 7: The SAP ALE Interface

Chapter 20: The Outbound ALE Process
Overview of Components Used in the Outbound Process Process Flow for Distributing Transactional Data
Process Flow for Distributing Master Data Exception Handling in the Outbound Process
Summary

Chapter 21: The Inbound ALE Process
Overview of Components Used in an Inbound Process

Process Flow for the Inbound Process via a Function Module Process Flow for the Inbound Process via Workflow
Exception Handling in the Inbound Process
Summary

PART 8: Configuring the ALE Interface

Chapter 22: Configuring the ALE Infrastructure
Making the Configuration Settings
Basic Settings for IDocs Communication Settings Advanced Settings Summary

Chapter 23: Distributing Master Data
Overview of Distributing Master Data

Strategies for Distributing Master Data Basic Configuration for Distributing Data Techniques for Distributing Master Data Advanced Distribution Option via Classification Advanced Formatting Scenarios Extending IDocs
Frequently Asked Questions on Master Data
Summary

Chapter 24: Implementing Distributed Business Processes
Introduction to Distributed Processing

Implementing a Distributed Scenario Distributing Control Data Summary

Chapter 25: SAP to Non-SAP Communication
ALE/IDoc Interface Applications

Why Is ALE/IDoc a Better Approach?
Legacy Interface Development Issues
Interfacing with Non-SAP Systems Configuration Requirements Summary

PART 9: Operating and Administering the ALE Interface

Chapter 26: Testing the ALE Interface
Testing Outbound Processes Testing Inbound Processes Testing the Workflow Exception Process
Summary

Chapter 27: ALE Process Troubleshooting and Recovery
How to Troubleshoot
Troubleshooting the Outbound Process

Troubleshooting the Inbound Process
Summary

Chapter 28: Managing ALE Process Performance and Throughput
Methods for Performance Management
Managing Performance of Outbound Processes

Managing Performance of Inbound Processes General Strategies
Summary

Section III: IDocs

PART 10: IDoc Basics

Chapter 29: IDocs from the Outside
What Is an IDoc?
IDoc Applications ALE Integration IDoc Interface Benefits Future IDoc Applications
Summary

Chapter 30: IDocs on the Inside
Comparing Flat File Structure to IDoc Structure
IDoc Definition Components

IDoc Run-Time Components Syntax Rules for an IDoc
Summary

PART 11: Customer Modifications to the IDoc Interface

Chapter 31: Extending and Developing a Basic IDoc Type
Extending versus Developing New IDocs Creating a New IDoc Type Extending a Basic IDoc Type
Summary

Chapter 32: Programming in the IDoc Interface
Writing ABAP/4 Programs
Programs for Custom Basic IDoc Types

Programs for IDoc Extensions Programs to Enhance the Process Summary

Chapter 33: Customizing the Interface for New or Extended IDocs
Configuring the System for New IDocs

Configuring the System for Extended IDocs Summary

PART 12: Archiving in the IDoc Interface

Chapter 34: Archiving IDocs and Deleting Work Items
The Difference between Archiving and Deleting
When Should You Start Archiving or Deleting?
Overview of the Archiving Module Maintaining Platform-Independent File Names Archiving IDocs Deleting Work Items Summary

Appendix: FAQs, User Exits, and Miscellaneous Resources

Frequently Asked Questions
Transaction Codes
Programs Release 4.x versus 3.x Internet Resources Other Resources

Index