How can external systems exist integrated into SAP and which interfaces does the ERP system offer?

SAP standard interfaces offer possibilities to connect external systems to SAP. Last but not least, the digitalization of processes in companies requires integration of non-SAP systems. SAP interfaces permit any other software and other solutions to exchange information with the SAP arrangement. Each available interface for exchange of information has advantages and disadvantages. Here we present the nigh of import interfaces for integration, draw their basic functions and bear witness in a video exemplary the coupling of an SAP system with an RFC interface.

SAP interface RFC, BAPI, IDOC, SOAP and REST

SAP Interfaces

RFC  – BAPI  – IDoc  – SOAP  – Residual – SAP HANA

SAP interface RFC - Data exchange between SAP and SAP and from SAP to external systems

RFC – Remote Function Call

The classic way for communication between non-SAP systems and SAP is, co-ordinate to SAP itself, the RFC interface. RFC interfaces are likewise often used to communicate between SAP systems itself. Put just, RFC is a remote part phone call. The RFC interfaces for integration take been available since SAP/R3 until today.  With RFC, at that place is an RFC customer and an RFC server, whereby the client calls a function on the server. The function is executed on the remote system.  In an RFC coupling, both systems tin can act equally server and customer.  The call of an RFC part is synchronous, so that it is especially suitable for processes in which decisions or data are directly required for product. The OPC Router tin telephone call RFC interfaces in the SAP organization using all parameter types and data, merely information technology can also exist configured as an RFC server and serve as a telephone call target.

Example RFC in SAP SE80

Example RFC in SAP SE80

SAP BAPI Call

BAPI – Business Awarding Programming Interface

The basic concept of BAPIs is object-orientation. BAPIs brand the business objects available in the SAP arrangement for access by external systems. Concern objects correspond real objects such equally orders, customers or articles. The instances are accessed exclusively using methods provided by the business concern object. Technically the method is called on the basis of the RFC interfaces. The instance to which the calls are made is determined past key fields (client number, and and so on).  The OPC Router connects BAPIs via SAP plug-in.

SAP interface IDoc

IDoc Letters

The IDoc (Intermediate Document) is an SAP file format. It is intended for transfer of transaction data. The structure of an IDoc is prescribed by the IDoc type and defines the verbal length and position of fields in the file. The IDoc is divided into a header line, whatsoever number of data segments and status records. In dissimilarity to the RFC interfaces, communication via IDocs is e'er asynchronous. The sender creates an IDoc with data according to the specification of the IDoc blazon and transfers information technology to the target system. The receiving system accepts the IDoc and inserts it into the processing buffer for IDocs, from which the documents are processed successively. IDocs are a very onetime and proven method of communication and are especially suitable for transferring master data and posting records. You can utilise the SAP plug-in to send IDocs from whatever source.

SAP interfaces SOAP

Soap Webservice

Soap web services are one of the newer technologies for connecting SAP. Since version seven.0 and the introduction of SAP NetWeaver, Web services have been standard for interfaces.  SOAP is a pure spider web technology and functions are chosen using the HTTP protocol. RFC Functions are also made available via the SOAP interface. The client receives detailed information about the functions and their parameters via the WSDL file (Web Service Description Language). The WDSL file tin be retrieved via a divers URL.  Spider web services are created in SAP using WebDynpro and connected to ABAP programs and RFC interfaces. RFC functions can also be published as Web services using other solutions (such as SAP MII). The OPC Router can apply SAP Web services with its Lather plug-in.

SAP interface REST

REST API

For some years now, the SAP Gateway has had the functionality to provide ABAP functions and RFC interfaces in the grade of a REST API. REST has some advantages over SOAP, but is similar in technology, since information technology is also a function call via HTTP protocol. Compared to Soap, REST is easy to phone call from diverse platforms, transfers pure human-readable data in JSON or XML and is faster and saves resources. In the basic idea of Residual, an object is accessed via REST, non its methods. The land of the object tin be inverse by the REST access. The change is acquired by the passed parameters. A frequent awarding is the connexion of the SAP PI via the Balance interface.

SAP HANA interface

SAP HANA

In 2013, SAP published the HANA platform and thus also the in-memory database of the SAP HANA platform. The access to the relational database is comparable to the access to other relational database systems whereby an SAP connection tin can be implemented as a pure database connection. If the SAP awarding to be interfaced uses jointly agreed tables and functions, the information commutation tin can accept place via them. The SAP HANA database tin can exist tested free of charge and with the SAP HANA Plug-in of OPC Router access can be easily established.

Connecting OPC to an RFC

In this video, y'all can see an exemplary coupling of an SAP system with an RFC interface.

Further information

OPC Router REST Plug-in

Learn more near Rest! What is Residual? Residue stands for "Representational State Transfers" and is a mutual protocol for exchanging data between software systems.

OPC Router SAP HANA Plug-in

Read how our SAP HANA database plug-in enables you to exchange data of your production processes directly with the new SAP HANA database. Here you lot can find the details well-nigh the connection.

HERMA automates Production Communication with inray

Acquire more about the advantages of automated data exchange with the OPC Router at the agglutinative characterization manufacturer HERMA. With straight PLC-to-ERP communication, pre-production, product, packaging and maintenance are digitally merged. 14 machines and 35 connections between PLC controllers and ERP-SAP are smartly coupled by the middleware.

SAP integration via Elevate & Drop!

With the OPC Router you lot connect your production systems with SAP via the SAP interfaces RFC, BAPI, IDoc, REST or Lather.

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