SAP Retail has an open interface for communicating with POS systems. Since every POS system has its own communication interface that has usually been defined in a different way to that of SAP Retail, SAP Retail communicates with the POS systems in the stores using one or more converters.

The converters are located in the same place as SAP Retail and communicate with the system by means of intermediate documents (IDocs) via a local area network (LAN). The converters usually communicate with the POS systems via a wide area network (WAN), using a modem, packet switched data transmission or the Internet, for example.

You can use more converters to distribute loads and increase reliability. The converters convert the messages sent between SAP Retail and the POS systems into the required format. They also trigger communication with the POS systems at the correct time, while also ensuring that a suitable communication medium and communications protocol is used. Each converter usually supports the formats needed by a number of different POS systems.

The converters are not part of SAP Retail. They are offered by SAP partners. The converter software runs on separate hardware, for example a PC, independent of the R/3 system. For further information on installing and operating the converters, please refer to the documentation relating to the particular system you are using.