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Component documentationCorrespondence

 

The following provides information on the structure and implementation of the correspondence tool, as well as about special aspects of using the correspondence tool.

The first section focuses on how to create correspondence using the correspondence tool. Familiarity with this section is a requirement for understanding the sections that follow.

The second section is aimed at software developers, who want to integrate the correspondence tool in an application. It is also aimed at customers, who want to modify the integration delivered by SAP to meet their own requirements as part of a customer project. This section explains the basic interrelationships and points out the functions that are needed. For more detailed information, see the system documentation for the individual functions.

The third section handles inbound processing of interactive PDF-based print forms.

The fourth section deals with particular aspects that you need to consider in a customer project.

This documentation describes the entire range of functions of the correspondence tool. For information on which of these functions are used by an application in a particular case, see the documentation of the relevant application.

Correspondence is essential for the business processes of companies. Correspondence, which is created daily in great numbers and sent to customers in the form of letters, faxes, and e-mails, fulfills various communication purposes:

  • Transfer of information (for example, notification about changes to conditions)

  • Documentation of business processes (for example, notification about the creation of a standing order, confirmation of termination, installment plan agreement)

The Correspondence application component supports you in creating both periodic and event-controlled correspondence. The main focus is on the creation of standardized mass correspondence by the application.

Creation Types of Correspondence

The creation of correspondence is considered:

  • Event-controlled, if correspondence is required for a specific business transaction (for example, confirmation of a change of address). The system creates correspondence as a single run when it executes the respective application program.

  • Periodic, if correspondence is required for business transactions that occur regularly (for example, bank statements). The system creates correspondence as a mass run when it periodically executes the respective application program. Using the selection criteria of the program, you can specify which business objects are considered when you create correspondence (for example, confirmations of execution for standing orders, invoices).

Integration

The system controls the creation and output of correspondence using the following application components:

  • Correspondence tool

    The correspondence tool manages the correspondence creation process using correspondence containers.

  • Print workbench

    The print workbench creates print programs and obtains and configures data. The print workbench enables you to configure the layout of correspondence to meet your requirements. You can send correspondence in different ways: as a letter, e-mail, fax, or SMS. If you output correspondence as a flat file, you can process the data externally with an output management system (OMS).

  • SAPscript, Smart Forms, PDF-based forms

    You can design the layout of correspondence and transfer data with SAPscript, Smart Forms and PDF-based forms.

The following sections explain the processes and functions of the correspondence tool in more detail. For more information about the print workbench and SAPscript, Smart Forms, and PDF-based forms, see the documentation on these components. You access this documentation at help.sap.com. Choose one of the following paths Start of the navigation path SAP NetWeaver Next navigation step Release xx Next navigation step SAP NetWeaver Next navigation step Application Platform (SAP Web Application Server) End of the navigation path:

  • Start of the navigation path Cross-Application Services Next navigation step Print Workbench End of the navigation path

  • Start of the navigation path Business Services Next navigation step Smart Forms End of the navigation path/PDF-Based Forms/SAPscript (BC-SRV-KPR)

Creation of Standardized Correspondence

Constraints

The following functions are not part of correspondence creation and need to be performed in an output management system:

  • Automatic assignment of marketing material to correspondence

  • Grouping of multiple types of correspondence to enable them to be sent together (for example, sending a bank statement, a confirmation of a standing order, and a change to conditions together)