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Procedure documentationActivating and Configuring the Help Center for SAP Applications Locate this document in the navigation structure

 

The Help Center provides a means to embed company-specific information about SAP business applications (from ERP) in the user's work area. If the Help Center has been activated in the SAP system, it opens when users launch the application help. Users can enter their own notes on the application in the Help Center and launch company-internal information or the application help provided by SAP.

Installation

The Help Center application is part of the SAP_BASIS software component in the SAP NetWeaver usage type Web AS ABAP. Once the SAP_BASIS software component has been installed, the Help Center application is available in the SAP back-end system.

Basic Configuration

To make the Help Center available, you have to activate it in the implementation guide (IMG) in the SAP back-end system. The basic configuration also includes the specification of the storage folder (shared network folder) for the files that are linked to from the Help Center.

Configuration in the Portal

To make the Help Center available for SAP applications in the portal, you must connect the Help Center iView delivered by SAP to the back-end system. To do this, you configure the predefined system alias accordingly.

Technical Background

From a technical perspective, SAP applications are transaction screens or Web Dynpros and users can launch them in both the SAP system and the portal. The Help Center is tailored to these different technical requirements as follows:

Type of SAP Application

Launch of the Help Center

Configuration

ABAP transaction dynpro

(in the SAP system)

In the SAP GUI for Windows or Java using the menu path   Help   Application Help  

  • Basic configuration in the SAP back-end system

  • Activation of the relevant services in the Internet Communication Framework (ICF)

  • Setup of Single Sign-On (SSO)

Web Dynpro ABAP

(in the SAP system)

On the Web Dynpro user interface using the help link or the F1 button

Basic configuration in the SAP back-end system

ABAP transaction dynpro

(in the SAP NetWeaver Portal)

In the SAP GUI for HTML using the menu path   Help   Application Help  

  • Basic configuration in the SAP back-end system

  • Configuration of the connection to the SAP back-end system using the predefined system alias

  • Hiding of the portal masthead (because the portal menu is not required)

Web Dynpro ABAP

(in the SAP NetWeaver Portal)

  • On the Web Dynpro user interface using the help link or the F1 button

  • In the help menu in the portal masthead using the optional menu item Help Center

  • Basic configuration in the SAP back-end system

  • Configuration of the connection to the SAP back-end system using the predefined system alias

  • Insertion of the Help Center menu item in the portal masthead help menu

The figure below illustrates the technical background of the Help Center. It shows how users launch the Help Center application depending on the environment in which the SAP application is running.

This graphic is explained in the accompanying text.

Help Center – Technical Background

Procedure

Working Through the Basic Configuration of the Help Center
  1. Activate the Help Center in the SAP back-end system.

    More Information: Activating the Help Center

  2. Define the shared network folder for storing files with company-specific content and prepare the folder structure.

    More Information: Providing Network Folders for Help Center Files

  3. Decide whether or not users should be able to launch the application help as a link in the Help Center. If you hide the link to the application help across the system, define which users should nevertheless still be able to access the application help.

    More Information: Controlling Access to Application Help in the Help Center

Providing the Help Center in the SAP GUI for Windows for Applications in SAP Systems
  1. In the Internet Communication Framework (ICF), activate all services that are relevant for Web Dynpro ABAP and for the Help Center application.

    More Information: Activating ICF Services for the Help Center

  2. Enable Single Sign-On (SSO) for launching the Help Center.

    More Information: Making Single Sign-On Available for the Help Center

Providing the Help Center in the Portal for Applications in SAP Systems
  1. To embed the Help Center in the portal, SAP delivers the preconfigured Help Center iView. The Help Center application and the system alias of the back-end system are entered in the iView properties. You have to create the system alias required here in the next step.

    More Information: Checking the Properties of the Help Center iView

  2. To connect the Help Center to the back-end system, create the system alias required in the portal and configure its parameters.

    More Information: Configuring the Connection Between the Help Center and the Back-End System

  3. Only if you are using the Help Center with Web Dynpro applications in the portal: Activate the menu item for launching the Help Center on the framework page used by the portal.

    More Information: Inserting the Menu Item for Launching the Help Center in the Portal Masthead