The SAP Knowledge Provider (KPro) is a cross-application and media-neutral information technology infrastructure within the R/3 Basis System. The modular structure and openness on which KPro is based is reflected in its modular services and clearly defined interfaces. Its extensive flexibility means that KPro can be used to process the widest variety of information types within and relating to documents and document-like objects. For example, administration and index data, as well as pure content.

Applications that use the SAP Knowledge Provider involve various end users, who in turn have different requirements. There is therefore no universal interface for accessing KPro services regarding the following points:

• Specific knowledge management functions for end users
• Specific terminology for describing the document-like objects within the context of the individual application
• Specific design of work process flows
• Specific design of user interfaces

Consequently, many different applications can use KPro services by using their own user interfaces. The cross-application exchange of information via the KPro infrastructure on which the interfaces are based is ensured.

KPro is targeting the following application areas (the SAP applications that have already integrated KPro are listed in the section "KPro Client Applications"):

• Context-specific development and distribution of help texts and training material from SAP itself, as well as from SAP customers, within the context of the SAP Knowledge Warehouse
• Management of multi-media information objects for enterprises primarily engaged in the media field, for example, the collection and distribution of information using all possible media and distribution channels, such as print media, the Internet, television and radio
• Development, management and distribution of software and its components
• Administration of report lists in the Business Information Warehouse environment
• Connection of business transactions with additional static information objects for e-commerce solutions
• Extensive support for document-based business processes using SAP Business Workflow
• Publishing solutions for both the Internet and intranet. For example, international enterprises can obtain up to date information at any time using KPro about important issues within the enterprise, for example quality management.

Even though there is likely to be an overlap in the requirements of end users in various areas, significant differences regarding the general aims and requirements of the KPro client applications exist. For example, constructing an intranet is quite different from publishing a newspaper or administrating software components. In spite of these outward differences, what is required of the infrastructure is the same, such as Versioning, context resolution and the integration of various content servers and search engines. In order to meet these requirements, KPro provides a media-neutral and cross-application general infrastructure.

In order to use KPro, you may, depending on the SAP application, need to make some Customizing settings: In the implementation guide (IMG), choose Basis ® Basis Services ® SAP Knowledge Provider. Further explanation of the individual activities can be found in the IMG modules.

The role of KPro Administrator (SAP_BC_SRV_KPR_ADMIN) is provided for the SAP Knowledge Provider.

The SAP Knowledge Provider provides the following services within its information technology infrastructure:

• Integration of KPro client applications
• Integration of KPro services
• Integration of KPro servers

Client applications can use KPro services by integrating the relevant interfaces. You can select various services in accordance with flexibility and the scope of the required document management functions, for example, the Content Server HTTP interface for integrating storage systems, the IMS interface for integrating search and retrieval machines.

The following R/3 applications use KPro functions:

• SAP Knowledge Warehouse
• Business Document Service (BDS)

The SAP Knowledge Provider provides the following services:

• Document Management Service (DMS)

• Index Management Service

• Content Management Service

• Content Servers

• Web Servers