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Purpose

The WebFlow function makes it possible to execute workflows using the intranet and the Internet. The WebFlow functions make it possible to:

Prerequisites

A Web server must be configured for the SAP System for the transmission and reception of the XML documents to be successful. For more information, see Configuring the Web Server.

Process Flow

This graphic is explained in the accompanying text

You can either send XML documents you have created yourself or have WebFlow create a Wf-XML document from your data. For more information, see Creation of a Wf-XML Document.

To send XML or Wf-XML documents, you use the step type Web activity in a workflow. For more information, see Maintenance of a Web Activity.

The transfer protocols http and https are used for the transmission. A transmission of this type is not completed until the other system has sent back an http reply.

A special service must be active for a workflow to be started by an inbound Wf-XML document in a SAP System. This service processes the inbound Wf-XML document and writes the data contained into the import parameters of the workflow to be started. The workflow is then started and executed.

The following are possible scenarios:

Sending an XML document to another system

You can send an XML document that you created yourself from your SAP System A to system B using the WebFlow function. The Web activity sends your XML document to the recipient you specified. If system B's http reply contains an XML document, it can be stored in the workflow container. The workflow in system A is then continued.

Sending an XML document of type SOAP to another system

You can send an XML document of type SOAP from your SAP System A to system B from the WebFlow function. The Web activity sends your XML document to the recipient you specified. If system B's http reply contains a result, it can be stored in the workflow container. The workflow in system A is then continued.

Sending a Wf-XML document to another system

You can have the WebFlow function create the XML document to be sent. A Wf-XML document is then sent to system B, which contains your data and the http reply is evaluated by the WebFlow function. The workflow in system A is then continued.

The WebFlow function supports different versions of the Wf-XML format. In Version 1.0, the process started on system B can be influenced. You can also wait for the result of the process on system B in a wait step and process the results further in your workflow.

Sending a Wf-XML document to another system with feedback

This scenario is the same as the scenario without feedback up to reception of the http reply.

The Web activity waits for a Wf-XML reply document. The Web activity writes the data in it into the workflow container and the workflow in system A is continued.

Sending a Wf-XML document to another SAP system and starting a Business Workflow

If you want to start a workflow in SAP System B using a WebFlow function, have the system create a Wf-XML document for you from your data. You can use a wizard to generate the URL to which the Wf-XML document is sent. To ensure that the workflow to be started in system B receives all the data required, you must know the interface of the workflow to be called in full. The http reply is evaluated by the WebFlow and the workflow on System A is then continued.

The WebFlow function supports different versions of the Wf-XML format. In Version 1.0, the workflow started on system B can be influenced. You can also wait for the result of a workflow on system B in a wait step on system A and process the results further in your workflow. In Version 1.1, your workflow can send a notification with data to the workflow in system B during further execution. Your workflow can also receive notifications with data from the workflow on system B.

Sending a Wf-XML document to another SAP system and starting a workflow with feedback

This scenario is the same as the scenario without feedback up to reception of the http reply.

Once the Business Workflow in system B is terminated, the export parameter data of the interface is sent back to the calling workflow in system A as a Wf-XML reply document. The Web activity writes this data into the workflow container and the workflow in system A is continued.

Starting a workflow with an inbound Wf-XML document

When a Wf-XML document arrives, the WebFlow tries to start the workflow named in the document. The data contained in the Wf-XML document is written into the relevant import parameters of the interface. The WebFlow function sends an http reply back.

Once the Business Workflow has been terminated the WebFlow creates a XML response document. The export parameter data of the interface is written into this, and the document is sent back to the calling system. Sending of the XML response document occurs independently of whether the calling system evaluates this XML response document.

The started workflow can react to status change messages and data inquiry messages of the calling system when Wf-XML Version 1.0 is used. From version 1.1, the workflow can also react to later notifications of the calling system and also send notifications to the calling system.

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