ISV software companies are developing integrations to the SAP platform so that they can address the large SAP customer base. SAP integration approaches are important to provide a modern integration strategy, keep up with the various SAP versions, and provide a solution suitable for all the SAP versions being run by the SAP customers globally. There are several SAP integration approaches and we would describe the best practices for selecting them.
At Apprisia, we designed, developed and implemented services for enterprise integration across SAP and non-SAP business suites.
At a high level, the various SAP integration approaches are: File, Database, SAP RFC, SAP IDOC and SAP web services. The file and database are not specific to the SAP platform, and are a very common mechanism for data exchange. However, they suffer from latency issues, and are suitable for large data transfers or where the connecting application has rudimentary integration capabilities.
The SAP RFC and SAP IDOC have been the traditional means of integration. SAP RFC is suitable for request-response style of communication. SAP IDOC is suitable for bulk data transfers (10MB and larger message sizes typically). The SAP RFC and SAP IDOC are compatible with the oldest SAP versions, and they are a safe approach towards SAP integration for guaranteeing backward compatibility.
The SAP recommended integration mechanism is to use web services. These web services can be implemented and exposed by the SAP platform which can be easily invoked by the non-SAP application for request-response or data exchange. The web service support is fully supported in SAP ECC6. The web service support is weaker in the earlier SAP releases. However, most SAP customers are in the process of upgrading to SAP ECC6 and we should adopt the web service approach towards integration with the SAP platform. It can be safely assumed that most customers would be at SAP ECC6 release to make use of the web service based integration. This approach complies with the best practices and integration approach recommended by SAP.
Need Help:
In case you need assistance on SAP Integration, please contact us. Please send us your questions, comments or assistance request, and our team would be glad to assist you.
Please send us your questions, comments or assistance, and our team would be glad to assist you.
By Abhishek Khandelwal (on behalf of SAP Consulting Team)
Apprisia
SAP :: Streamlined
We offer variety of services including SAP ECC ,SAP HR,SAP BW,SAP CRM, SAP SCM,SAP BPM, Business Objects, SAP ABAP Development, SAP BASIS and SAP NetWeaver consulting. We have expertise in providing implementation,development, SAP Migration and SAP support services to SAP customers across diverse industries at a global level.
Have a question on SAP? Write to our SAP Architect : AskTheArchitect@Apprisia.com
(We promise a no-obligation consulting reply)
