Configuration Engine in mySAP ERP 

Use

You can use the Configuration Engine (also IPC or SCE) to configure products in mySAP ERP if you are already using the IPC in other sales channels, such as mySAP CRM or SAP E-Commerce for mySAP ERP.

By opting for the Configuration Engine, you can use one tool to configure products, and do not have to switch between Variant Configuration in ERP and the IPC in other channels. This means, for example, that you use the same user interface for interactive product configuration in the different environments. Furthermore, you can use the IPC to test your model in ERP before you apply it to a different channel.

Prerequisites

Before you use the Configuration Engine to interactively configure a certain configurable material for a product, you have to make sure that all the processes and scenarios in which this material is used do not need to access the standard Variant Configuration function in ERP at any point in the processing chain.

Runtime versions of the knowledge base of the configurable material form the basis for product configuration with the Configuration Engine.

Runtime Versions of the Knowledge Base

You provide a configurable material for configuration with the Configuration Engine in the form of runtime versions of the knowledge base. You must take this into account when you create your model. In particular, make sure that you are aware of the structural and functional differences between Variant Configuration and the Configuration Engine. For more information, see ERP Master Data and the Configuration Engine.

The following are also required:

·        A user interface

·        An active Java Transaction Server; for more information, see the SAP Notes 854170 and 844817

User Interface

The Configuration Engine requires a user interface. This user interface is not part of ERP. First, you must set up this user interface outside ERP. You can then refer to it in ERP.

You set up the user interface (JSP-UI) as part of an XCM scenario. You configure how the interface is called in Customizing for ERP. For more information, see the Implementation Guide (IMG) for Variant Configuration under Maintain Reference to Configuration User Interfaces.

Constraints

The Configuration Engine is not suitable for configuring products in ERP if this also involves the standard Variant Configuration function. This is the case with certain object characteristics whose results must be calculated with Variant Configuration but are not supported by the Configuration Engine.

Similarly, you cannot deploy the Configuration Engine if you are using order BOMs, batch input for the configuration, or Variant Configuration user exits. For more information, see the release information for Integration of IPC in ECC 6.0 and SAP Note 855860.

Once you have identified a configuration material for product configuration using the Configuration Engine exclusively, the material is no longer suitable for use with the standard Variant Configuration function.

Identifying the Material

Before a material can be used for product configuration in the ERP logistics processes with the Configuration Engine, you have to identify it accordingly. For more information, see Identification of a Material.

Enhancements

If necessary, you can use customer-specific enhancements (BAdI) to adapt the configuration process to your requirements.

For more information on the methods required, see the documentation for the BAdI ERP_CFG_ADAPT in the CFG_ERP_ADAPT package.