BAPIs within SAP’s BAPIs within SAP’s Business FrameworkBusiness Framework

What is SAP’s Business Framework?What is SAP’s Business Framework?

Business Framework is SAP’s strategic product architecture on which R/3 is developed

Business Framework allows interaction between

R/3 and R/3 Systems, or

R/3 and External Systems

Essential ElementsBusiness Components

(e.g. HR, MM, FI, CO...)Business Objects (BO)

(e.g. Employee, Material, ...)Business Application Programming Interfaces (BAPI)

(e.g. Material.GetDetail)

Clientcomponents

Clientcomponents

ALE

BAPI BAPI

BAPI

BOBOBOBO

BAPIBAPI

BOBOBAPIBAPI

BusinessComponents

BAPIBAPI

Source: SAP

What are Objects?What are Objects?

Traditional view:Functions and data

Today’s view:Objects

Function

Function Function

Function Function Function

Function

Function

Data Data

DataData

Data

- Maintenance

+ Reusability- Reusability

+ Maintenance

Source: SAP

SAP’s Business ObjectsSAP’s Business Objects

“ “R/3 contains about 170 R/3 contains about 170

different Business Objects”different Business Objects”

Business Objects mirror the real business world SAP’s object strategy represents objects

on a business level and not only on a technical level They ensure easier understanding of the R/3 System

Business Objects are technology independent Easier reuse for within new applications (Reusability) Lower maintenance effort necessary (Maintainability)

Kernel

KernelIntegrity

Integrity

Busi-ness Rules

Interface

Interface

Access

Access

• COM/DCOM• Java• CORBA

BAPI

BAPI

BAPI

DataData

Source: SAP

BAPI Benefits in the Business FrameworkBAPI Benefits in the Business Framework

Easier technology to useOffers Predefined Functions

(e.g. ”Material.GetDetail" vs. RFCs, IDOCs, …)Better documented, supported ...

Makes SAP R/3 an ‘Open System’This type of design separates business-logic and

User Interface

Introduction of new technology (e.g. Java within Internet Application Components)

BAPIs will be long-term stable interfaces into R/3(e.g. stable and upward-compatible)

Conclusion: BAPIs in the Business FrameworkConclusion: BAPIs in the Business Framework

Status Quo Today (R/3 Release < 4.0) 150 BAPIs are available

Future (R/3 Release 4.0) over 1000 BAPIs will be available...

BAPIs will use ALE-methods

Recommendation Interfacing technology of the future within

the R/3 environment

Utilization of this Standard Interfaces wherever possible, reduces maintenance and costs.

BAPIs in the R/3 SystemBAPIs in the R/3 System

Representation of the Material-BAPIs in the R/3

Business Navigator

Exit