Connection to the Alert Framework 

Purpose

The Alert Framework supplies you with alerts (for example, by e-mail or SMS) as a service provided by the SAP Web Application Server. In critical situations such as a delay or contamination, SAP Event Management (SAP EM) calls the Alert Framework. In this way it can inform you as the person responsible. This notification can contain information about the event handler (for example, purchase order number, destination, status) that belongs to the event message.

In comparison with the SAP Business Workflow, the Alert Framework offers simpler handling and is less performance intensive.

Prerequisites

To use the Alert Framework, you need the following:

·        A connection from the Alert Framework to your communication system (for example, an SMTP server)

For more information, see the SAP Library under mySAP Technology Components ® SAP Web Application Server ® Basis Services/Communication Interfaces (BC-SRV) ® Communication Interfaces (BC-SRV-COM) ® SAPconnect (BC-SRV-COM) ® Quick Guide to SMTP Configuration.

·        An RFC connection from SAP EM to the Alert Framework

When you first start the Alert Framework you specify an RFC connection to determine the system on which the Alert Framework runs. This can be the same system on which your SAP EM runs.

You do not need an RFC connection if you run your SAP EM and the Alert Framework on the same system and in the same client. Enter NONE in the transaction for changing the RFC destination to the central alert server.

For more information, see the SAP Library under mySAP Technology Components ® SAP Web Application Server ® Basis Services/Communication Interfaces (BC-SRV) ® Business Workplace and Services (BC-SRV-OFC) ® Alert Management (BC-SRV-GBT-ALM) ® Triggering an Alert.

·        An SAP Web Application Server 6.20

The Alert Framework requires a central server with SAP Web Application Server 6.20. As SAP EM is based on SAP Web Application Server 6.20, the central server of the Alert Framework can run on the same system.

Process Flow

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       1.      This process begins when you establish the connection to your communication system.

You choose the Implementation Guide (IMG) for Event Management ® Reactions to Event Messages ® Define Alert Framework Connection ® Define SAPconnect Administration.

       2.      You define the RFC connection from SAP EM to the Alert Framework.

You choose the Implementation Guide (IMG) forEvent Management ® Reactions to Event Messages ® Define Alert Framework Connection ® Define RFC Connection to Central Alert Server.

If you run SAP EM and the Alert Framework on the same system, enter NONE here.

       3.      You create at least one alert category and at least one alert container in Customizing for the Alert Framework, irrespective of whether you run the Alert Framework andSAP EM on the same system.

If you run the Alert Framework and SAP EM on the same system, choose the Implementation Guide (IMG) for Event Management ® Reactions to Event Messages ® Define Alert Framework Connection ® Define Alert Categories.

If you do not run the Alert Framework and SAP EM on the same system, choose the Implementation Guide (IMG) forSAP Supply Chain Management  ® SAP Web Application Server ® Basis Services ® Generic Business Tools ® Alert Management ® Define Alert Categories.

       4.      In Customizing for SAP EM you specify which alert category is used and how the SAP EM attributes should be mapped onto the elements of the alert container. These settings are joined together in an activity parameter ID.

       5.      You specify how (e-mail, pager, SMS) the warning should be sent and who the recipient should be.

Choose the Implementation Guide (IMG) forEvent Management ® Reactions to Event Messages ® Define Alert Framework Connection ® Define Alert Framework Integration to SAP Event Management.

       6.      You assign the alert category to a rule.

In the Implementation Guide (IMG) for Event Management, choose Reactions to Event Messages ® Define Rule Sets.

You specify in Customizing which alert category should be triggered in which rule within the rule set for the corresponding event handler.

You can use rule activity function /SAPTRX/CREATE_ALERT as a template and replace the first activity parameter with your activity parameter ID from step 4.

For a detailed description of the activity function, see the function module description. On the SAP Easy Access screen, choose Tools ® ABAP Workbench ® Development ® Function Builder. Enter the function module /SAPTRX/CREATE_ALERT and choose Display. Choose Goto  ® Documentation.

Example

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       1.      Your customer sends an event message Delivery Delay for a shipment to SAP EM that contains a specific event code, for example, DELAY for delay.

       2.      SAP EM updates the event handlers belonging to the shipment, which it finds using the tracking ID and the internal event code set.

       3.      Your new rule is contained in the rule set of the event handler. The rule calls the rule activity function ALERT_CREATE in response to the event Delay. This rule activity function connects SAP EM to the Alert Framework.

       4.      The alert is sent to the customer by e-mail.