Starting IDoc Generation

The intermediate document (IDoc) is a container for exchanging data between SAP systems and non-SAP systems. The LSM Workbench uses IDocs as standard interface for data transfer.

IDocs are generated during distribution of message types and (object) methods.

The message type is the format for the transfer of data for a specific business process.

The IDoc technology uses two basic steps to import data in a file: You can call these steps in the LSM Workbench:

• Starting IDoc Generation

  First, the file with the converted data is read. The packets of information in this file are then saved to the SAP database in IDoc format, but not to the database of the corresponding application. The system assigns a number to each IDoc. The file with the converted data is then deleted.

• Starting IDoc Processing

  The IDocs created in the first step are passed to the associated application program. This application program checks the data and updates it in the application database, if necessary.

Whether the second step is started automatically or not depends on the ALE/IDoc settings.

One of the main parameters for this is stored in the partner profile (for a partner and a message type). This parameter defines whether the IDoc is to be processed immediately or by means of a background program.