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Function documentationBusiness Function Documentation

 

The documentation of the new or enhanced applications in the enhancement packages is oriented on the content of the business functions. This applies for the system documentation and the SAP Library.

Features

SAP Library

In the SAP Library, the documentation of the business functions consists of two areas: The description of the business functions themselves and the related application documentation.

  • Business Function Description

    The descriptions give you an initial overview of which new functions SAP offers with the enhancement packages. The description provides a point of entry to the more detailed documentation and helps you to decide whether you might want to use the business function.

  • Related application documentation

    In most cases, there is extensive application documentation in addition to the description of the business function.

You can access the descriptions of the business functions that are delivered with the enhancement packages as follows:

  • You can get information using the SAP Help Portal at http://help.sap.comInformation published on SAP site in the SAP Library for the given SAP application under Business Functions (SAP Enhancement Package ...). All business functions are described there. Using the links to the application documentation contained in the documentation of the business functions, you can get detailed information about the content of the business functions.

  • In transaction SFW5 in your ABAP-based system, use the links to the descriptions of the individual business functions. Using these links, you can call up the descriptions of the business functions in the SAP Help Portal. From there, you can use all links to further documentation.

    Note Note

    The original for business functions can be in different software layers, and they can be delivered in different enhancement packages. For example, there are business functions that are in SAP NetWeaver, in the layer for reusable processes and tools for the SAP Business Suite, or in the application layer. For technical reasons, business functions are always displayed in relation to their original assignment. Therefore, keep the following special considerations in mind:

    • Example: If you call the description of a business function that is in SAP NetWeaver, then the SAP Help Portal structure displays only those business functions that also are in the same enhancement package of SAP NetWeaver.

    • If you call the description of a business function of an application, then the structure displays the descriptions of all business functions available in transaction SFW5 of the given enhancement package of that application.

    End of the note.
  • You can use the SAP Library connected to your ABAP-based system to get information about the content of the business functions. You install the the SAP Library on your server using the business functions. In doing so, you update only those parts of your SAP Library that contain information about the new developments in a given business function. You can therefore update your SAP Library dependent on the parts of the software you have installed and activated. This means that your SAP Library reflects the level of the software that you have installed and use.

    Note Note

    For information about installing the SAP Library in the context of the enhancement packages, see the documentation DVD that is part of the software delivery (“Readme” text) or 1066110Information published on SAP site.

    End of the note.

    Caution Caution

    When you call the SAP Library that is on your server, you can display the descriptions of all business functions. However, the links from a business function description to further application documentation only function correctly if you have also installed the application documentation for this business function. Only if you have installed the application documentation can you ensure the following:

    • You can execute all links from the business function description to the application documentation.

    • All links from the business function description to the application documentation display the current version of the application documentation that corresponds to the software when the business function is active.

    Note that activating a business function does not automatically lead to the installation of the related application documentation. You have to install the application documentation on your server in addition to activating the business function.

    End of the caution.

Business function descriptions contain technical data. The most important technical data is explained below.

Explanation of the Technical Data in the Business Function Description

Technical Name of Business Function

Unique Technical Name of Business Function

You can see the technical name in transaction SFW5 in the Business Function column.

Type of Business Function

Information about whether the business function is an enterprise extension, an enterprise business function, or an industry business function

This information is mainly relevant for SAP ERP. For more information, see Types of Business Functions in SAP ERP.

Available As Of

Number of enhancement package from which the business function is available

Technical Usage

Grouping of software components and contents of SAP enhancement package that have to be installed together in order for you to be able to use the contents of a specific business function

In most cases, the technical usages have a clearly understandable name from which you can recognize the business applications contained in them.

Application Component

Application component for which the new functions in the business function were developed

Based on this information, you can see if additional efforts are required for the implementation, for example, if you are not yet using this application component.

Prerequisite Business Function

Business functions that have to be activated in addition to the business function described in order for you to be able to use the new functions

Note that only the directly prerequisite business functions are listed in the documentation. If you need a complete overview of the dependencies that need to be considered, use the respective links in the documentation. Once you have installed the corresponding software components, you can get information about the complete dependency chain of a business function using transaction SFW5.

Software Component

Software components of your ABAP-based system that you have to import to be able to use and activate the business function

SAP NetWeaver

SAP NetWeaver component that is not necessary for the full release, but that is required for the use of the business function

Portal content

Version of the business package that you need to be able to use the business function or individual functions of the business function

BI Content

Release version of the business content (BI content) that you need to be able to use the business function or individual functions of the business function

XI/ESR Content

Release version and namespace of the enterprise services that you can use for the business function

Third-Party Product

Non-SAP application that you can connect with, for example, using interfaces

System documentation

The system documentation for the functions that belong to the scope of a business function is only active and visible in your ABAP-based system if you have activated the business function.

This does not include the release notes. Irrespective of the whether or not the business functions are active, you can see all release notes in the software component that you have installed in your system. You can judge the relevance of a release note for a specific business function from the technical name of the business function in the title. The business function is also named in the text of the release note.