Distribution with Background Processing (SAP Library

Distribution with Background Processing

Use

You can use these functions to simplify the processing of distribution in the target system. With each function, you start a complete process. The individual steps of the process, such as creating a baseline and exploding a baseline are executed by the system in the background.

Features

You can execute these functions in the background:

Function	The System Performs These Steps:
Complete distribution	Create and explode baselines, create distribution order, start distribution
Create Distribution	Create baselines
Explode baseline	Explode existing baselines
Replicate	Explode existing baselines, create distribution order, start distribution
Distribute	Start distribution (only in context menu of distribution orders)

You can execute these functions at different levels:

Configuration definition
Life-cycle phase
Configuration folder
Baseline

In the context menu of these objects, the system dynamically shows the functions that are available for the object under Background Processing. You access the context menu in the replication workbench by using the right-hand mouse button in the top left-hand screen area.

Automatic Approval and Sending of an ALE Distribution Packet

Complete distribution includes creating a baseline and exploding it, but not fixing it. However, you can fix a baseline at any time after the distribution transaction.

Caution

Once a baseline has been fixed, you can no longer delete it.

In the replication workbench, background processing remains unchanged, so that it is still possible to start from a configuration folder and execute complete distribution up to creating the ALE distribution packet in the background.

You also have the option of specifying that an ALE distribution packet is immediately released and then sent as soon as it is created. To do this, in Customizing for product data distribution, under Application Link Enabling (ALE) ® Uniform Packaging Service, process activity Define Packet Types. In the Automatic Transaction Control (Outbound) view, you can activate automatic release and automatic sending for packet type IMPORT.

There is a comparable setting in the recipient system, where automatic approval and automatic posting can be defined. To do this, in Customizing for product data distribution, under Application Link Enabling (ALE) ® Uniform Packaging Service, process activity Define Packet Types. In the Automatic Transaction Control (Inbound) view, you can activate automatic approval and automatic posting for packet type IMPORT.

Note

When you send from the source system, it can occur in spite of these Customizing settings that not all IDocs are sent and some IDocs in the distribution packet are distributed incorrectly (see also Status of Distribution Orders and Distribution Packets). In this case the IDocs must be processed again in the ALE distribution unit.

Mass Processing

When you start background processing for a superior object (such as a configuration definition or life-cycle phase), the system uses the function on all subordinate objects.

Example:

If you use the complete distribution function on a configuration definition, the system creates a baseline for every subordinate folder of the configuration definition and distributes these baselines to the recipients.

You can start a function for several objects at once (for example, several configuration folders).

Example:

You select several configuration folders and choose the complete distribution function. The system creates a baseline for each selected folder and distributes these baselines to the recipients.

To select several objects, hold down the control key on your keyboard.

The objects must have the same type, so you can use a function on two configuration folders, but not on a configuration folder and a life-cycle phase.

Job Overview

You can use Job Overview on the initial screen of the replication workbench to display an overview of background jobs.