Form Integration with SAPforms (BC-BMT-WFM) (SAP Library - SAP Business Workflow (BC-BMT-WFM))

Form Integration with SAPforms (BC-BMT-WFM)

Purpose

The form integration functionality allows employees or customers who have never worked with R/3 to use the R/3 System. This includes those users, for example, who only have a MAPI mail client (MS Exchange, MS Outlook) or a Web browser and do not have access to SAPGUI. Using SAPforms these users can also carry out simple, recurring activities using forms that are specially tailored to their needs. With SAPforms and a suitable form development environment (Visual Basic, MS Outlook, MS Word, MS Excel), you can easily create these forms and link them to the R/3 System.

You can edit certain types of form offline (that is, without a connection to the R/3 System) using your mail client (provided that this is supported by your e-mail system). The data is transferred immediately the next time you connect to the R/3 System.

The form integration functionality, therefore, can be used to:

Replace paper-based procedures with electronic forms that purposely have restricted functionality
Simplify and speed up request and approval processes
Facilitate simple self-service scenarios

Provide better support for mobile computing (offline data entry)

Start and control workflows in the R/3 System.

SAPforms is the interface that allows the integration of electronic forms

The form integration concept, however, also includes the integration of web forms.

From a technical perspective, the functions are completely autonomous. The SAPforms interface only supports integration of electronic forms. Since both integration types have similar functions, we have combined them under the term "form integration".

Implementation considerations

To use the electronic form integration functions, you must

Install SAPforms

Use a Windows 32-bit platform.

You also need a development environment, such as Visual Basic, MS Outlook, MS Word, or Excel, to create the forms.

To use the Web form integration functions, you must install the SAP@Web Studio.

Features

Starting a Workflow and Executing a Work Item

SAPforms is an interface whose primary function is to start workflows and execute work items:

You can start a workflow by executing a form. The data entered in the form is then supplied to the workflow.

You can execute a work item as a form. You can display and edit the data from the work item container in the form.

This function is supported by electronic and web forms. See also:

Starting workflows with electronic forms

Starting workflows with Web forms

Executing a work item as an electronic form

Executing work items with Web forms

BAPI Call

You can also call BAPIs from an electronic form. This function is only available online. See also:

Calling a BAPI

Using IDocs

Finally, you can fill and use IDocs with electronic forms:

Using IDocs