Application Link Enabling (ALE) Technology SAP NetWeaver Course Version: 95 Course Duration: 3 Day(s) Publication Date: 2015 Publication Time:
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Contents Contents Course Overview... v Course Goals... v Course Objectives... v Unit 1: ALE Fundamentals... 1 Cross-System Business Processes... 1 The Distribution Model... 1 Basic ALE Customizing... 1 Intermediate Documents... 2 Synchronizing Customizing... 2 ALE and the SAP NetWeaver Exchange Infrastructure... 2 Unit 2: Master Data Distribution... 3 Example: Material Master... 3 Using Change Pointers... 3 Data Filtering and Reducing the Scope of Data... 3 Unit 3: Distributing Transaction Data: Message Control... 4 Message Control and IDoc Generation... 4 Example: Purchase Order Processing... 4 Unit 4: Distributing Transaction Data: BAPIs... 5 Business Object Types and BAPIs... 5 The Usage of BAPIs in ALE... 5 Example: Travel Expenses... 5 Unit 5: Monitoring Data Distribution, Error-Handling and Archiving... 6 IDoc Status Management... 6 Error Analysis and Handling... 6 SAP Workflow in ALE Environment... 6 Archiving IDocs... 7 Unit 6: Appendix... 8 Renaming Logical Systems... 8 IDoc Recovery Following Database Error... 8 2015 SAP SE. All rights reserved. iii
Contents 2015 SAP SE. All rights reserved. iv
Course Overview Course Overview This course explains how to use Application Link Enabling (ALE) using predefined example scenarios. You will learn how to configure ALE scenarios and how to control data exchange between systems. Target Audience This course is intended for the following audiences: Consultants Project team members Course Prerequisites Required Knowledge SAPTEC (Fundamentals of SAP Web AS) Recommended Knowledge BIT100 (SAP NetWeaver Process Integration) Course Goals This course will prepare the participant to: Create a system landscape for using different ALE scenarios (distributing master data and transaction data) Control data exchange between systems in a distributed system landscape Correctly assess the capabilities and limitations of ALE Course Objectives After completing this course, the participant will be able to: Set up a distribution model for exchanging master and transaction data between systems Create partner profiles for data exchange in enterprises and for electronic communication with business partners Determine the scope of data to be distributed, depending on its type and recipient Monitor data exchange between systems 2015 SAP SE. All rights reserved. v
Course Overview 2015 SAP SE. All rights reserved. vi
Unit 1 ALE Fundamentals Unit Overview In this unit, you will first learn about the possible applications of ALE in enterprises. You will then find out which basic settings you need to make in Customizing and applications to use ALE. Lesson: Cross-System Business Processes List examples of business processes in distributed system landscapes Differentiate ALE from EDI Lesson: The Distribution Model Explain the terms "logical system" or "logical system name", "message type" and "distribution model" Explain the function of the distribution model Lesson: Basic ALE Customizing Define logical system names and assign them to clients in SAP systems, where applicable Explain the terms "IDoc" and "basic type" Determine the assignment of message types to basic types Complete a view in a distribution model Explain the function of RFC destinations, ports and partner profiles 2015 SAP SE. All rights reserved. 1
Lesson: Intermediate Documents Explain and differentiate between the terms "basic type", "master IDoc" and "communications IDoc" Determine the details of basic types Describe the process from the creation of an IDoc in the sender system through to processing in the target system Lesson: Synchronizing Customizing Describe methods for adjusting Customizing settings in SAP system landscapes Lesson: ALE and the SAP NetWeaver Exchange Infrastructure Explain how ALE scenarios are integrated into SAP XI 2015 SAP SE. All rights reserved. 2
Unit 2 Master Data Distribution Unit Overview The decision to manage master data centrally is one of the main reasons for using ALE. In this unit you will learn about all the settings needed for setting up a central master data administration. Lesson: Example: Material Master Describe the configuration of an ALE scenario for distributing material master data Distribute material masters Lesson: Using Change Pointers Explain the use of change pointers in master data distribution and set them up in the system Lesson: Data Filtering and Reducing the Scope of Data Describe different methods for filtering data in IDoc processing Create a reduced message type and use it in the distribution process 2015 SAP SE. All rights reserved. 3
Unit 3 Distributing Transaction Data: Message Control Unit Overview Transaction data (documents, postings) can also be distributed beyond system boundaries using ALE. Message control is one of the methods you can use to implement cross-system processes. However, you can also use it for electronic communication with business partners (suppliers, customers). Lesson: Message Control and IDoc Generation Differentiate ALE and EDI Describe the basic functions of message control Explain how message control is used to generate IDocs Lesson: Example: Purchase Order Processing Create a purchase order and check the events of your message determination Describe the cross-system purchase order process Explain the most important Customizing settings for this process 2015 SAP SE. All rights reserved. 4
Unit 4 Distributing Transaction Data: BAPIs Unit Overview This unit explains how transaction data in a system landscape can be distributed in ALE using preconfigured interfaces to business object types, the Business Application Programming Interfaces (BAPIs). Lesson: Business Object Types and BAPIs Explain the terms "business object type" and "BAPI" Determine business object types and BAPIs using the BAPI Explorer, and also determine detailed information on BAPIs Lesson: The Usage of BAPIs in ALE Enter Customizing settings for synchronous BAPI calls Enter Customizing settings for asynchronous BAPI calls using the ALE interface Lesson: Example: Travel Expenses To describe the configuration of the ALE scenario "Transferring the accounting results of the travel expenses to Accounting". 2015 SAP SE. All rights reserved. 5
Unit 5 Monitoring Data Distribution, Error-Handling and Archiving Unit Overview This unit handles various different tasks that arise from the implementation of ALE and EDI scenarios. You will learn how to monitor the evolution of an IDoc, how to correct errors and then how to archive IDocs that are no longer needed. Lesson: IDoc Status Management Use the status monitor efficiently Set up and use the ALE audit Lesson: Error Analysis and Handling Perform error analysis using the ALE status monitor Resolve errors in the IDoc processing Lesson: SAP Workflow in ALE Environment Check workflow settings for the error handling of IDocs Understand the settings for process codes Describe the notification concept Monitor the IDoc processing using the SAP Workflow 2015 SAP SE. All rights reserved. 6
Lesson: Archiving IDocs Describe the IDoc archiving procedure Set the archivable statuses in the system 2015 SAP SE. All rights reserved. 7
Unit 6 Appendix Unit Overview In this appendix, you will find information about renaming logical systems and about courses of action for identifying and resending lost IDocs after a database breakdown. Lesson: Renaming Logical Systems Explain the correct procedure for changing logical system names Lesson: IDoc Recovery Following Database Error Describe the IDoc recovery procedure and the settings required for this function 2015 SAP SE. All rights reserved. 8