IDoc Interface/Electronic Data Interchange (BC-SRV-EDI) (SAP Library - IDoc Interface/Electronic Data Interchange (BC-SRV-EDI))

IDoc Interface/Electronic Data Interchange (BC-SRV-EDI)

Purpose

Business data is exchanged with an external system using the IDoc Interface.

The IDoc Interface consists of the definition of a data structure and a processing logic for this.

The data structure is the IDoc. It is the exchange format that unites the communicating systems. Using IDocs you can define an exception handling within the SAP System using SAP Business Workflow, without the need for the data to already be an SAP application document.

You require the IDoc Interface in the following scenarios:

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)
Application Link Enabling (ALE)
Linking to any other business application systems (for example, PC applications, external workflow tools) using IDoc.

Features

You can access all the functions cited from the Initial node of the IDoc Interface: Choose SAP Menu ® Tools ® Business Communication ® IDoc Basis.

Processing IDocs

Describes the various inbound and outbound processing paths and status processing. This section is intended for both administrators and end users.

Configuring Ports

Describes the technical link to the external system, right down to the operating system level. Ports must be configured before data exchange with the external system can take place. This section is intended for administrators.

Defining a Partner

The partner profiles are a further prerequisite for data exchange. This involves defining who can exchange messages with the SAP System and using which port. This section is intended for administrators.

Processing Tests

The IDoc Interface provides tools for testing IDoc processing. These tests should be performed when new messages are used and when new IDoc types are defined. This section is intended for administrators.

Monitoring

Both passive (display processing) and active (dispatch warnings and notes) monitoring functions are documented here. This section is intended for both administrators and application end users.

Archiving IDocs

The options available for archiving IDocs are described here. This section is intended for administrators.

Structure, Documentation and Definition of IDoc Types

Customer extensions to IDoc types are described here. This section is intended for developers and administrators.

General configuration

IDoc Administration: User Parameters

This section describes those IDoc administration parameters which are changed frequently for configuration purposes while the application is in use. This section is intended for administrators.

Additional Settings

There are other ways of configuring the working environment for your IDoc Interface, although this is not usually necessary. These options are listed here. This section is intended for administrators.