Data Transfer Using "http Post" 

Use

For some functions of the Supplier Workplace, you can transfer data from the manufacturer’s system to the supplier’s system. The user can then transfer a document in XML format, for example, a scheduling agreement release, from an Internet browser to another system, for example, an ERP system. The system converts the data to the SAP IDoc format used for the document and sends it in the form of IDoc XML with the linked SAP Business Connector to any http address that you wish. See Maintain Communication Parameters for Data Transfer.

The supplier has the option of setting an http address per application or business process. You can transfer data using “http post” for the following functions: forecast and JIT delivery schedules, purchase orders, supplier settlements (ERS credit memo display, consignment settlements and revaluation) and the display of returnable packaging accounts.

The electronic transfer of data using “http post” is particularly useful if the supplier can process such an XML document automatically, that means, if the supplier can import, for example, a scheduling agreement release as an incoming release from the Supplier Workplace to an SD system. The supplier then does not have to transfer the data manually into the system.

You find further information about this in the SAP note 400097 in the SAP Support Portal. This system contains up-to-date technical notes about the Business Connector.

Integration

To transfer the data using http post, the manufacturer (the operator of the Supplier Workplace) uses the IDoc outbound interface. The technical basis is therefore the same as for data transfer using EDI.

The SAP Business Connector is used for the transfer of data using the http log that is normal in the Internet.

Prerequisites

·         A Business Connector must be connected to the manufacturer’s SAP system and be set up as the logical system there. For this, read the documentation in SAP Service Marketplace under the alias Connectors; Business Connector → Documentation.

·         Settings for the IDoc message generation: you have made these settings in Customizing, under Materials Management → Supplier Workplace → Default Values for Data Transfer, Inbound or Default Values for Data Transfer, Outbound. The system uses these default values to determine which IDoc is to be transported as an XML file over which outbound port, and so on.

·         The supplier defines a URL address in the Supplier Workplace. See Maintain Communication Parameters for Data Transfer.

Features

If a user accesses the XML data transfer function in one of the Supplier Workplace functions, the following happens:

·         For the document to be transferred, the system generates – depending on certain settings – a message record for the medium 6 (EDI) and writes it to the database.

·         In the technical settings (message record and outbound partner agreement), it is defined that the generated IDoc is sent as an XML document to the SAP Business Connector that is connected to the SAP System. The SAP Business Connector is defined as the logical system and entered in the IDoc partner agreement that exists specifically for the XML data transfer.

·         In the routing table of the Business Connector, the settings are made about which target address (for example, an URL of the supplier) is used for the XML document. The communication parameters entered by the supplier are transferred directly to the routing table.

Activities

Maintain inbound and outbound parameters for the Business Connector:

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       1.      To maintain the outbound parameters for the Business Connector, access Customizing and choose Materials Management → Supplier Workplace → Default Values for Data Transfer, Outbound. The parameters correspond with the data that must be maintained for the partner agreement when communicating over EDI. See Defining Partners.

A list of the business processes in the Supplier Workplace appears and you can maintain parameters for each individual process. The following fields are ready for input and contain default values:

Logical Type: logical message assigned to the IDoc. 

Message Type: type used for the IDoc.

Process Code: the IDoc interface uses the process code to find the business process that checks the conversion of the IDoc to the SAP document.  The process code describes the function module that provides the data for the IDoc.

Receiving Port: you define a port that receives the data for the Business Connector. There must be at least one port for the business processes of the Supplier Workplace.

Role: role that requires the IDoc for the control record.

Type: type for the partner agreement.

Test: if this indicator is selected, the message is sent by IDoc only for test purposes.

Basic Type: name of the IDoc.

Extension: the user can program additional enhancements for the IDoc without having to make modifications to the basic type.

View: the data for the existing IDoc type can be restricted and certain segments can be hidden.

Recipient Type: attribute of a recipient address.

ID: person who is informed of any errors in the processing.

Group: the business processes of the Supplier Workplace are put into business groups.

       2.      To maintain the inbound parameters for the Business Connector, that is, the data that is entered by the supplier, you access Customizing and choose Materials Management → Supplier Workplace → Default Values for Data Transfer, Inbound.

You maintain the same fields as for the outbound parameters.