SAP Document Builder Implementation Considerations

SAP Document Builder is shipped with Customizing that contains detailed configuration information and sample entries. It enables content managers to define content in accordance with their business requirements. Various business add-ins (BAdIs) enhance standard functions.

Customizing includes functional and technical tasks. While functional implementation focuses on content configuration, technical implementation encompasses an array of tasks, such as mapping, form and report design, configuration of an assembly server, and BAdI implementations. Some tasks are performed once during implementation and other tasks require ongoing maintenance. Some key considerations for implementation include the following:

• Editor and assembly tool

• Integration with other components

• Blueprint of the structure and format of document output

• Business rules to generate documents

• Form use

You use the following information as guidelines for implementation decisions and as a starting point to gather information for the blueprinting process. SAP Document Builder solutions are not limited to the tools mentioned; you can create your own implementation with other editors or assembly tools.

SAP Document Builder is flexible and enables you to create documents in various formats. The tools used to edit and assemble are based on your requirements. For example, you can generate a PDF, an XML, a WordML, or a DOCX document, or a combination of PDF and Microsoft Word documents, to meet the requirements of your scenario. SAP Document Builder supports WordML and DOCX. WordML is supported for Microsoft Word 2003 and 2007; DOCX is supported for Microsoft Word 2007. DOCX is the preferred format because it does not require third-party ActiveX Control to edit element text while the WordML format does.

The WordML format implementation for PCs with the Microsoft Windows 7 OS is limited. For more information, see SAP Note 1547431 .

The following table lists the possible element and output formats and the required tools:

The following table lists general recommendations based on your requirements: