Working with Search Connectors
With this function you can define a completely new search connector (see Search Connector) for Business Context Viewer (BCV). You use search connectors to establish the connection between the data provision technology and BCV, providing search access to a specific data provider at a specific destination (logical system) or list of destinations.
You can maintain search connectors only if the following applies:
You have the necessary authorizations, which are granted to you in one of the following ways:
In Role Maintenance (PFCG) transaction, you are assigned to the BCV Administrator (SAP_BCV_ADMIN) role.
On SAP NetWeaver Portal, you are assigned to the BCV Administrator (com.sap.pct.bs_fnd.BCV_ADMIN) role.
Optionally, you have defined meanings or use ones predefined by SAP (see Definition of Meanings). The system uses meanings in drill-downs.
If you do not use the data provision technologies that SAP provides then you can define data provision technologies of your own. For this, you have to implement a new class that implements the /BCV/IF_SIN_DSP_SEARCH interface.
Creation of Search Connectors
You can create a new search connector in the following way:
You can create a search connector by composing a completely new search connector definition (see Definition of Search Connectors).
You can copy and change an existing search connector.
A set of predefined, standard search connectors (the ID of which begins with the number 1) is delivered by SAP applications using BCV. If you are a user of one of these applications, you can use these search connectors directly or copy them to the customer namespace (by using an ID that starts with a letter from A to Z) and change them as required. For more information, see:
Displaying and Changing Search Connectors
You can display and change an existing search connector.
Deletion of Search Connectors
You can delete an existing search connector. The system performs a where-used check to determine whether the system is using the search connector in other objects (for example, in queries), before deleting it. If the system is using the search connector in another object, the system does not delete it and gives you information about which object is using the search connector.
Transport of Search Connectors
You can transport a search connector between PLM systems. You have to transport a search connector with all dependent objects, such as input and output fields.
Checks for Search Connectors
The system performs the following checks on search connectors:
Where-used list
Before deleting a search connector, the system automatically creates a where-used list. You can only delete search connectors that the system is not using in other objects (for example, in queries.) You can perform a where-used check on a search connector manually at any time.
Consistency check
Before saving a search connector, the system performs a consistency check. If the check results in at least one error or warning (which means that an inconsistency exists or might exist), the system asks you whether you want to save the search connector anyway. Temporary inconsistencies can occur in cases where, for example, you cannot finish the search connector definition but do not want to discard the incomplete definition. Before processing a search connector, the system automatically performs a consistency check to prevent data inconsistencies. The system can only process consistent search connectors. You can perform a consistency check on one or more search connectors manually at any time by using the consistency check program. You have to correct data inconsistencies detected by the program manually. For more information, see Consistency Check.
Testing
You can execute a search connector in a test run. The system generates a temporary query.
The search connector test can only handle search connectors with up to 999 input fields.
Creating Queries
You can create queries depending on a search connector. (For more information, see Definition of Queries).
For more information about the setting of individual fields, see the field help and input help texts.