Articles: Transfer and Distribution of Master Data 

Use

One of the first steps required for putting the SAP Retail System into operation is normally to transfer article data from a legacy system. This is because it is not normally possible to re-create the articles manually since there are so many of them.

If your retail system is a distributed system, it is also necessary to exchange data between these systems. Other scenarios making it necessary to distribute article master data are as follows:

·        Transfer of article data from an SAP system

The legacy system can, of course, be an SAP system with industry materials. During data transfer, the system converts the industry materials into retail articles. However, this only applies in the case of different systems. To convert industry materials into retail articles in the same system, you must use program RMMMMPOI.

·        Distribution of changed and/or re-created article data between SAP systems; for example, an information system located on a separate computer

·        Supply of legacy systems or non-SAP systems with changed and/or recreated article data

·        Supply of data to sites with a separate system, for example, when commissioning a store

·        Transfer of data from data pools

·        Targeted distribution of articles (manual sending)

Integration

The SAP Retail System uses Application Link Enabling (ALE) to transfer and distribute data. This technique is the same for all SAP applications and is used in the SAP Retail System to distribute different kinds of master data and transaction data via defined interfaces known as IDocs. For a detailed description of ALE, the functions supported, and how to proceed, see the following SAP library documentation:

·        BC ALE Introduction and Administration

·        CA ALE Quick Start

·        BC ALE Programming Guide

·        BC BAPI User Guide

·        BC BAPI Programming

The functions offered by the assortment list and point-of-sale interface (outbound) also allow you to distribute article information. However, this information is used only to supply store systems and point-of-sale (POS) systems. It cannot be used to transfer and distribute article master records.

Additional Information

Assortments: Transfer and Distribution of Assortment and Assortment Module Data

Assortments: Transfer and Distribution of Layout Modules