Note
This section of the documentation is relevant only for document management on the SAP GUI. It is not relevant for document management on the PLM Web UI.
You can use the functions that are collected under the term WebDocuments to edit document info records in the Web interface. You can directly start the workstation application for processing a linked original application file from document processing (metadata).
Those users (such as employees from product management or engineering) who do not know the functions of document management, or do not have access to the SAP graphical user interface (SAP GUI), can still edit documents without any problems.
By making various settings you can tailor document processing specially to your business processes. It is therefore possible to organize the interfaces and editing processes for different document types (for example, engineering drawings, specifications, and training material) in different ways.
The application logic corresponds to the logic for document management (application component CA-DMS).
The SAP Web Application Server (SAP Web AS) provides the platform for the use of the WebDocuments application. The SAP Web AS utilizes a side-based programming model with server-sided scripting, similar to popular server page technology.
Business Server Pages (BSP) and MIME objects form the basis for document processing in the web interface. Access via the Internet is achieved using HTTP protocol. The exchange of different types of data over the Internet is controlled with Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME) protocol.
Note
Business Server Pages are ready for document processing. You do not need to carry out any other activities.
You make the required system settings in Customizing for Document Management.
Document processing in the Web interface has been implemented as an additional feature. You therefore need to make the complete global settings for document management in Customizing for Document Management. You make these settings under the following structure nodes:
Control Data
Maintain general data
Note
Under these structure nodes you can choose to carry out the following activity: Start Processing for Documents. This activity enables you to include enterprise-specific processes. You can carry out these processes from the Document Search result list, for example, to set a specific status. The profile ensures that a user may choose only from the processes relevant to their daily tasks.
Special settings are required in addition to the global settings to enable processing in the Web interface. You make these settings in Customizing (IMG) for Document Management in the activity Define Document Type for Web Applications.
Carry out the following steps in this activity:
Activity | Setting |
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Define Document Type for Web Applications (obligatory) | You make settings to control the following processes:
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Determine Sequence of Field Groups (obligatory) | You have to make the following decisions:
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Select Functions for Web Interface (optional) | You select the functions that can be used in the Web interface to prepare or process additional document information. See also: |
Determine Application for Thumbnails (optional) | You determine a workstation application, which you use to display a preview (thumbnail) of a graphic file in the Web interface. |
Note
You can get more information in the IMG of Document Management as you carry out individual substeps.
The application logic of WebDocuments is identical to that of document management for mySAP Product Lifecycle Management (application component CA-DMS).
The following overview shows the BSP applications that you can call from the WebDocuments homepage.
BSP Application | Use |
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For search criteria you can enter data from the document info record, class data, data from the linked object, or a character string from the original application file. You get a results list, from which you can edit the document that has been found. | |
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If you create original application files, you can import these into a central secure storage area (storage system). | |
The previous ten documents that you edited are displayed. |
As an engineer you have created a design drawing, which is to be integrated by mySAP Product Lifecycle Management in further processes.
You create a document info record for this design drawing on your Web interface.
After you have entered a German and English description, you also enter the enterprise-specific additional data, such as Drawing Format and Product Number.
You add your design drawing as an original application file (such as in CATIA format). You import this design drawing into the storage system for your engineering department.
After you have saved the document info record, you send the document to an employee in the area of engineering.
A converter is available in this area, which allows the employee to create an additional file for the design drawing in CompuServe (*.gif) format. This file format is used to display a preview image for the design file throughout the enterprise.
After conversion, the employee enters this file as an additional original application file, and checks it into the storage system. The employee sends the document to the team members who are on a standard recipient list.