Preparing a Data Carrier 
Note
This topic is relevant only for document management (DM) on the SAP GUI. It is not relevant for DM on the PLM Web UI.
Original application files are stored on different data carriers.
The following computers are define as Data carriers in the area of DMS:
Computer that is used to process the original application files (Server and frontend computer)
In most cases, you can access these computers (data carriers) over the network.
Computer where the workstation applications is installed for processing original application files (Server and frontend computer)
In most cases, you can access these computers (data carriers) over the network.
Computer where the secure area is set up and storage is controlled by DMS :
These secure areas are already set up in the standard SAP System.
The data transfer is done using the SAP ArchiveLink interface.
Vaults are defined in Customizing Document Management.
ExampleIn the following example, three data carriers are necessary for processing the original application files:
Microsoft Word is installed on the frontend computer as a workstation application. You are processing a text file that is saved on a server. After processing save the file in the secure area for later proof.
End of the example. NoteAdditionally to these data carriers you can use storage systems that are controlled by the Knowledge Provider as secure storage systems. The storage systems are defined in Customizing of Document Management and not as data carrier types. The definition of storage systems is done in special activities.
See also:
Storage of Data in Storage Systems Using the Knowledge Provider
End of the note.
Prerequisites
The settings for the data carrier are defined in Customizing 
Document management 
General data 
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The following settings are necessary:
Data that is necessary | Activity in Customizing |
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You must define a data carrier for your frontend computer. Example: PC (PC with operating system Windows NT) |
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You must define a data carrier for the archive and vault. |
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So you can transfer data among all the computers of your network you must control the processing access for the desired computer combination (frontend computer / data carrier of original application file). |
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In Document Management, every data carrier is identified by a logical name. You define the data carrier for the individual frontend computers PC003634 and PC00345678 as well as the server DEMO1 and PPSERV.
Features
You can store original application files on the following data carriers:
Server that can be accessed using the file manager.
The storage location that you enter in the document info record consists of the data carrier and the path in the file system.
Once an original application file has reached the stage where it needs to be recorded, either for security or legal reasons, you can save it in a secure storage area. The path for these data carriers is not shown in the document info record.
The following graphic shows the transport paths for an original application file to the different storage locations. This example explains how the transport occurs in secure areas when it is controlled by DMS (archive, vault, SAP Database).
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