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 Communication: ALE Locate this document in the navigation structure

During the download, data is sent by ALE (Application Link Enabling). ALE supports the creation and operation of distributed applications, and enables the business-driven interchange of messages between computer systems in a distributed environment. Data consistency is maintained throughout the network. Application integration is not achieved through a central database, but through synchronous and asynchronous communication.

ALE consists of the following three layers:

  • Application services

  • Distribution services

  • Communication services

Data is sent asynchronously from the SAP system to the optimization system with POI.

The data exchange between SAP systems and external systems takes place through data containers called IDocs (intermediate document type) . IDocs have a neutral data structure. The external system, however, must contain an ‘inbound_IDoc_process’ function which is necessary for inbound processing on the external side of the exchange.

This graphic is explained in the accompanying text.

The above graphic illustrates communication between the SAP system and an external system