SAP - Master Data Management Course Contents

SAP - Master Data Management
MDM History
MDM Overview
Console
• Console Introduction
• Repository Structures
• Taxonomy/Lookup/Hierarchy
• Qualifier/ Relationship
• Multilingual Support
Data Manager
• Data Manager Introduction
• MDM Modes
• Record Mode
• Hierarchy Mode
• Taxonomy Mode
• Matching Mode
• Workflow
• Browser embedded
Import Manager
• Import Manager Overview
• Configure Import Manager
• Import Map file
• Pre-requisites for Data Import
• Monitoring Import Status
• Performing Data Import
• Transformations
• Table joins and Lookup
• Splitting fields
• Partitioning
• Pivot and Reverse Pivot
Syndicator
• Syndicator Overview
• Maps and Map properties
• Item Mapping
• Destination Items
• Custom Item
• Syndicating Records
Master Data Harmonization
Rich Product Content Management RPCM (Overview)
Global Data Synchronization (Overview)
Integration scenario with XI
Security and User Management
Performance

For further details and demo , you can reach us at

Sree

sapmdm.co.in@gmail.com Mobile: 9620852299

What is Data Modelling in SAP MDM

Data Modeling:

Data Modeling means organizing the data just like we organize files in file cabinet. Placing the right data at right place allows to fetch data easily. Organizing the data in data structures effectively means to effective performance.

Getting Informed on SAP NetWeaver MDM 7.1 Documentation Updates Markus Ganser

To provide news on SAP NetWeaver MDM documentation updates in a timely manner, the MDM documentation team has provided a dedicated space in the MDM documentation center at SAP Service Marketplace for quite some time now (see SAP NetWeaver MDM 7.1 documentation updates, or SAP NetWeaver MDM 5.5 documentation updates).

To further streamline the publication channel for SAP NetWeaver MDM 7.1 documentation updates according to the MDM community on SDN, the MDM documentation team has decided to open a specific SDN thread in addition to the specified space at SAP Service Marketplace, and is commited to use the SDN discussion forum to continuously post information about docu updates and new documentation. So it's up to you to select the channel that suits you best.

Simply watch this new SDN thread, or include it in your favourite links if you like to stay tuned on what's going on in SAP NetWeaver MDM 7.1 documentation.

Tribute goes to the MDM documentation team.

Regards,

Markus

Google maps inside MDM Vito Palasciano

Introduction

Sometimes it can be useful to locate a vendor in order to understand in which part of the world it carries out his business activities. This blog describes how to encapsulate Google Maps directly into MDM so that it will show the vendor address each time a vendor is selected.
Getting to work…

Using the Google maps Web site (http://maps.google.com/) it is possible to search an address everywhere in the world. Once an address has been located, the “link“ functionality (the hypertext indicated by the red arrow) can be used in order to obtain the full link to the map, as highlighted in the red frame.

Google Maps

In the example above the link is http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Italy,+MILAN,+VIA+CALDERA+21
where the parameters are language (English, in this example) and address (Italy, MILAN, VIA CALDERA 21, in this example).

SAP MDM provides us with a tool named Web Tab which can be used to call an external application just by adding an URL in the Links table in Console and specifying same parameters.

It is necessary to paste a new link version into the Web Tab URL:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=
where parameter geo_map is a calculated field in MDM that contains Country name, City and Company Name separated by a comma.

A new link version into the Web Tab URL

Additionally, it is necessary to set the Web Pane URL in the configuration option in MDM Data Manager:

Web Pane URL configuration option

From now on, it will be possible to select a vendor and see the related map, as in the following examples:

Techedge Milan

Techedge Chicago

And, finally, hoping that Techedge will sooner or later open a branch at Beau Vallon Beach…

Techedge Seychelles

Enjoy your maps!

Vito Palasciano

Vito Palasciano is a Solution Architect at TechEdge currently focused on SAP Master Data Management.

MDM: Expectations v/s Realities

Master Data Management as a concept has existed as long as the ERP market or even before. The concept has been to help efficiently manage transactional and reporting functions within an application by having a separate repository for master data. The master data function gets called dynamically within the execution of a transaction.

This concept has evolved over the years, due to complexity of businesses and hence the IT Systems that are required to support it. In recent years the concept is gaining maturity by looking at Master data as a function to feed systems enterprise wide, not ERP alone. Hence MDM is now being viewed as a de-coupled application from the ERP applications.


Many vendors, some niche and other ERP vendors, have products to address this space. Though Gartner has reported the relative capability across various products in the ‘Magic Quadrant’, Consultants and Clients alike, are aware that none of the products have matured enough to warrant the name of ‘MDM Package Solution’. The products are still in the form of a tool/platform and a basic framework over which clients are expected to build a custom solution. Depending on what the client wants to achieve, the solution build up can be as expensive as a custom solution on any other platform.


SAP’s MDM product addresses master data across the enterprise like Material, Vendor and Customer. It also has certain content that is much suited for an SAP environment, hence there is good amount of data modeling effort that can be saved if the company has a SAP based landscape. These are some of the key differentiators for SAP MDM against other contemporaries.

The other features, like de-duplication, merging, harmonization etc are also part of the Product offerings.


However, the above alone does not make the offering a rich or a mature one. Today, the companies need to orchestrate and manage master data as a central application to the Enterprise. This needs a robust, user friendly and configurable package with a host of functionalities. The requirement from the Industry is the following:

* User friendly screens
* Complex validations that may need to be called from other applications
* Easy to configure and
* Manage workflows for data approval



What can SAP do to meet the above requirements with the current MDM package?

* SAP needs to bring the Key components of Enterprise Portal and MDM together. This would mean that the configuration of screens and fields should be in sync and should not appear as two disjoint applications.
* Since the companies preferring SAP MDM are predominantly SAP shops, SAP needs to have EP-MDM ready for an SAP landscape. The lead time to configure and set up a Central master data management should come down drastically. This will increase the adoption and usability of SAP MDM
* SAP has tried to merge BO with SAP MDM, but these again should not be viewed and communicated as two different components. This should be communicated and projected as one single component. Currently there is a lot of confusion on what is the ETL recommended, is it of BOBJ or SAP MDM? These confusions in messaging adds to the reluctance in adoption
* Workflow is a major component of central master data management. The workflow in some cases can be as complex as running across SAP MDM and SAP ECC or other SAP applications. This can be done using the new BPM, but this again needs to be offered as a part of the product.



SAP needs to work on maturing the product to make it a robust single unit, than expect customers to work on multiple components such as BPM, EP, Webdynpro and MDM to put up a MDM Solution. Essentially, the concept can be borrowed from ECC, where-in you have; Transactional processing UI; Configuration and Developer workbench. The skills required for the same are Functional and ABAP technical and it is easy to implement and use.

The skills required for setting up the current MDM solution –using number of SAP components- are too many and can act as a big entry barrier for larger customer adoption.


SAP needs to put in a lot of resources and get this going fast before customers start looking at other products to meet their MDM needs. Most of the vendors are just catching up and faster they move the larger the pie of the market they will acquire.
Historically SAP has developed a number of products and matured it quickly to gain market share. The more recent example being CRM. I would still place my bets on SAP maturing the MDM solution to the leadership space of the Magic Quadrant.

Ravishankar Hossur Prinicpal Consultant; SAP Technologies

SAP Business Objects and SAP NetWeaver MDM - Bringing Together The Best of Two Worlds--Markus Ganser

This is really good news for data stewards and other IT people dedicated to information management and data quality management: SAP Business Objects and SAP NetWeaver continue to team up in a common approach to establish sustained enterprise strategies.

Attentive community readers may already have noticed that the SAP NetWeaver Information Management space and the SAP Business Objects Information Management space are semantically closely related, both covering one and the same hot spot in current enterprise strategies applied to gain the competitive edge. This has already been addressed in the Extending the Value of SAP NetWeaver Business Intelligence with the Business Objects Business Intelligence Platform presentation. And - the common ground can also be observed in the master data management space.

As already depicted in the SAP NetWeaver Master Data Management roadmap graphic below, you can see one example of how these areas have started to interact, combining the best of two worlds featuring end-to-end data quality driven master data management.



Roadmap2008

[*) Please note that possible future developments are subject to change and may be changed by SAP at any time for any reason without notice]

With the Data Quality Management (DQM) for SAP NetWeaver MDM package at hand, you can leverage the powerful address cleansing capabilities of SAP Business Objects Data Services in SAP NetWeaver MDM*.

For an architectural overview of SAP NetWeaver MDM and SAP Business Objects interacting through the DQM-MDM Enrichment Adapter see the following graphic.

image"

From the package you will get the following benefits:

1. Ready-to-run sophisticated address cleansing capabilities on an international scale.
2. Master data excellence by combining master data quality and master data persistency
3. Streamlined service-based integration via the MDM Enrichment Architecture.
4. Workflow-embedded data enrichment process.

The related user guide provides a general overview of BusinessObjects™ Data Quality Management software, version for SAP NetWeaver MDM, as well as specific information for installing and integrating this product with SAP NetWeaver MDM.

SAP Business Objects Data Services customers can download the Data Quality Management (DQM) for SAP NetWeaver MDM package from the SAP Download Center (Path: Download > Installations and Upgrades > Entry by Application Group > SAP Business Objects packages and products > BOBJ DQM FOR SAP NW MDM).

*) refers to SAP NetWeaver MDM 5.5 SP6; version for SAP NetWeaver MDM 7.1 is coming soon (will be announced separately)

SAP MDM TRAINING

sap-netweaver-tep12-questions Part-2

sap-netweaver-tep12-questions Part-2

1) Accessing a Portal Component in the Default Mode

Ans : doContent();

2) Extending this class when Developing your Portal Components

Ans : AbstractPortalComponent.

3) Portal Runtime call the methods in the Life Cycle

Ans : init(),

service()

destroy()

4) What are the Parameters that we have to pass to doConent();

Ans : IPortalComponentRequest ,IPortalComponentResponse;

5) How do u access a Resource from a request object

Ans : request,getResource();

6) Personalization concept what are the data type ….the type attribute supports

Ans : String , Date , Select , Boolean

7) How do u get the property from the IPortalCompenentProfile

Ans : getProperty(String)

8) What is the method has to be overridden by the class that extends from PageProcessorComponent

Ans : getPage();

9) Give the sequence of methods execution of DynPage

Ans :

1) doInitialization()

2) doProcessAfterInput()

3) doProcessBeforeOutput()

10) sequence of method calls when an event occurs

Ans :

1) doProcessAfterInput()

2) on

3) doProcessBeforeOutput()

11) how do u get the getCurrentEvent();

Ans :

IPageContext myContext = PageConectFactory.createPageConext(request,responce);

Event = myContext.getCurrentevent();

12) onClientClick() and onClick() are specified then which method will be called first

Ans : onClientClick();

13) JSPDynPage uses _________ type of approach

Ans : Model View Controller

14) The two properties in the component profile indicate that a JSP need to be compiled into portal component :

Ans : Property name = “JSP”

Property name = “ComponentType”

15) Which one is true in the following statement

a)

<%@ taglib uri = “hbj” prefix = “htmlb”>

b)

<%@ taglib uri = “hbj” prefix = “hbj”>

c)

<%@ taglib uri = “hbj” prefix = “htmlb”>

d)

<%@ taglib uri = “htmlb” prefix = “hbj”>



Ans : a



16) How do u call a jsp file :

Ans : setJspName();



17) If java Script are used _______tag is necessary for the page

Ans : Page tag



18) Which tag is used for including bean in the jsp file

Ans :



19) What is the scope of the bean

Ans : Session



20) Give the objects that are extend form the IPrincipal

Ans :

IGroup,IRole , IUser,IUserAccount,IUserMaint,



21) ____is the Central object from which all UME object factories are obtained

Ans : UMFactory

22) IUser user = UMfactory.getUserfactory().getUserbyLogonID(uid)

String userName = user.getDisplayName();

String email = user.getEmail();

Response.write(“ userName”+ username+” Email :”+ email);



1) Displays the username and Email ID

2) Throws an exception

3) Doesn’t Compile



Ans : 1.

23) List the methods used to create successful user

Ans :

1) NewUser(uid);

2) setFirstName()

3) setLastName()

4) setEmail()

5) setPassword();





24) can we construct an unique id manually .

Ans : false can create a unique id .



25) Unique IDs are used to identify objects across data sources.

Ans : ..



26) How do u retrieve log on information

Ans : umdata.enrich(map);



27) What is the return type of map.get(“”);

Ans : String



28) How do u load the data in the Client Eventing across the iviews

Ans : EPCM.loadClientData();



29) What is the object available in the pages

Ans : EPCM

30) What problems does HTMLB the overcomes on servelts

Ans :

Visualization and business logic are not separate

Development has to take care of different web clients and versions

NamesSpace conflicts with form elements



31) Stored data is identified by the key …..

Ans : Namespace+name



32) Frame Work Levels

Ans :

Level = 0 ….. not supported by both javaScript, Java

Level = 1 ----only by browser (java Script )

Level = 2 ----both javaScript and Java



33) Features of portal Services in the portal

Ans :

1) portal services are way to provide functionality to portal component

2) portal services implement no user interface

3) portal service may be accessed from out side portal framework



34) Why do we need custom portal Services in the portal

Ans :

1) Can be used by other Portal Application

2) Provide commonly used Functionality

3) Can be exposed as webservice

35) To build a new portal service ……interface must be implemented

Ans :

IService



36) Life cycle of a portal service

Ans :

Init()

Afterinit()

Destroy()



37) Service name =

Ans :

.

.

.

.



38) Portal service name is myService …what would be the name of interface that extends IService

Ans : IMyService



39) JCA/J2EE connector Architecture is not API. True /False

Ans : true

40) ConnectorFrameWork is SAP Extended API from CCI . all methods in Connector FrameWork has methods with suffix as EX()….

Ans : False only some methods



41) What is the method used to get connection in the Java Connectors

Ans : Service.getConnection();



42) How do u get the locale from the request object.

Ans : Request.getLocale();



43) What is the return type for the table type structure .

Ans : IRecordSet.



44) Give the name of the method that returns resource bundle for the current locale.

Ans : getResourceBundle()



45) Localization.properties

Localization_de_DE.properties.

Localization_en_EN.properties.

What is the Resource bundle name : ?

Ans : Localization



46) What is the data type that returns by the method getString (key)



Ans : String



47) How do u access the a key in the properties file xyz = abc

Ans : getString (“xyz”)

48) What type of objects can be translated

Ans : Text

49) the portal translation process is supported by tools

Ans :

Translation worklist coordination

Worklist translation



50) to customize the Logoff screen to the portal ----file is used to change

Ans : masthead

51) SAP Recommends not to modify the SAP code , then what are the process to customize the code

Ans :

1) copy the existing file and rename it according to customer name space

2) create new custom component



52) how can we customize the company Branding



Ans :

1) masthead

2) through customize applicaton





53) Their one question on Desktop inner page




54) What are the components that are added to Portal Desktop

Ans :

Default Frame work

Themes



55) What is the jsp name that contains log on page

Ans : umLogonPage.jsp

56) Authschemes.xml is modified to get custom log on component



57) How do u access portal services from WebDynpro applications

Ans : WDPortalUtils



58) Cache Level :

Ans : none ,session ,user,shared




59) getCachingLevel() is used to get the Cachelevel



60) When will the doinitialization () method is called

Ans :

1 When the page is loaded for the first time

2 When the page is refreshed

3 When object is called from the another object



61) Cached objects are retrieved using the --- method

Ans : get(key)

62) How can the portal service access to external Web Service

Ans :

Generate java proxy out of WSDL file with PDK

You can execute the java proxy as portal service

Root Cause Analysis for SAP MDM 5.5 SP06 with SAP Solution Manager Diagnostics Detlef Thoms SAP Employee

For today's complex IT solutions, analyzing the root cause of an incident requires a systematic top down approach to finally pinpoint to the root cause of an incident. SAP MDM 5.5 SP06 Patch1 or higher can be integrated into the Root Cause Analysis scenario in SAP Solution Manager as of Solution Manager 4.0 SP15. Solution Manager Diagnostics provides two applications to perform workload analysis:

The E2E Workload Analysis application provides hourly aggregated performance and resource consumption data. It allows comparing performance data of multiple systems and has a very flexible data display. It provides solution wide performance data and allows isolating a system or software component that caused performance problems. The E2E Workload Analysis is the starting point for Root Cause Analysis of performance problems.

Wily Introscope provides non-aggregated performance and resource data for MDM and Java Systems. It can be used to perform detailed analysis of the MDM or Java System once the E2E Workload Analysis isolates a system or software component that caused performance problems. The Introscope Enterprise Manager is part of the CA Wily Introscope system management application. It is installed as part of SAP Solution Manager.



Since the new capabilities have been recently released I would like to point you to some resources that demonstrate how to perform Root Cause Analysis for SAP MDM using SAP Solution Manager.

The first one is a setup guide: "How To...setup SMD for MDM Root Cause Analysis - MDM 5.5 SP06"
http://service.sap.com/installMDM > Operations > MDM 5.5 - Monitoring Guides (ZIP File)

A second guide describes how to perform a root cause analysis:
"How to Perform Root Cause Analysis for Master Data Management with Solution Manager Diagnostics"

In addition a further SDN article and a presentation give an overview of the new capabilities:
„Root cause Analysis with Solution Manager Diagnostics for MDM"
„Monitoring Capabilities and Root Cause Analysis for SAP MDM"

A Know How Network Call (KHNC) will be given on April 30th. The presentation will be recorded and can then be found here.



SAP NetWeaver RIG is also planning a feedback project on the usage of Solution Manager Diagnostics for MDM - purpose of this is to gather customer feedback about the new functionalities for Root Cause Analysis and Monitoring. If you are right now working or will work with the new capabilities, please let me (detlef.thoms@sap.com) know. We have prepared a brief questionnaire to roll-in your feedback and requirements into the next version!



Detlef Thoms is a RIG Expert for SAP MDM and a member of the SAP NetWeaver Regional Implementation Group(RIG).

SAP MDM integration with R/3 system by Ravi Kumar

We all know what are the different It scenarios supported by MDM, namely:
Master Data Consolidation

*
– Cleansing and de-duplication
*
–Data normalization including categorization and taxonomy management
*
–New interactive consolidation capabilities

•Master Data Harmonization

*
–Automated synchronization of globally relevant master data information
*
–New interactive distribution capabilities

•Central Master Data Management

*
–One-stop data maintenance
*
–Ongoing master data quality

In this Blog I will try to cover the different steps required for integrating MDM with R/3 system which is the source of Master data.After cleansing and de-duplication of Data in MDM all changes/ updates will be reflecting back in SAP R/3. this step by step procedure should help in understanding the procedure for implementing MDM IT scenarios. :)



Different settings required for doing this are:

* Settings in R3
* Settings in XI
* Settings in MDM
* MDM console
* Import Manager
* Syndication Manager

MDM Process flow









Process Flow: Trigger Idoc containing Masters from R/3.XI converts these Idocs to XML files and places in ready folder for Inbound port. Files received by Import Manager into MDM and after changes etal via Syndicator Manager xml file placed in Ready folder of outbound Port from where it will be picked by XI and sent to R/3 using the Idocs.





Setting in R/3:

Step 1



T.Code: SALE

Define Logical System





Sender Logical System:





Receiver Logical System:



















Step 2: T.code: SALE



Assign Client to Sender Logical System:







Step 3:

Create RFC destination of type ‘3' for SAP XI system using transaction - SM59





Step 4:



Create a Distribution model through T.Code: SALE/BD64



Here we need to mention Sender Client (DEVCLNT500) and Receiver Client (XICLNT100) and Message type (MATMAS)









Step 5:

Using T.Code: WE21



Maintain Ports for IDoc Processing



















Step: 6



Maintain Partner Profile using the T.code: WE20









Step 7:

Using BD12/BD10 T.code to Send Customer IDoc or material IDoc











Using T.code WE02 we can confirm or see the message transformations.







Now we are able to generate IDoc from R/3 containing the master data.

Settings in MDM:

Select the repository for which you want to do the settings.









Go to "Admin" and select "Client Systems" and right click on it and create your client system















Then go to "Ports" for creating a Port for Client System







Here you are defining the Outbound Port for the Client system (MDC R/3) defined in previous step.

You have an option of processing the data Automatically/manually.





After Saving the "Port" and "Client System" you need to ensure the folders in respective repository has been created in server.







Because "Ready" is the folder where all the files get exchange from.



Similar steps should be repeated for Inbound Port.





MDM Import Manager: Assuming that all the settings are done in XI also we move to Import manager where we will select the file to be imported and steps to be followed for import of Data into MDM



Step 1: Login to Import Manager and connect to Source file. Select type as PORT. System automatically connects to the Inbound Port of the repository logged into.







Step 2: Do all Field mapping and value mapping in Map Field/Value tab.we can use the standard maps provided in Business content or do all mappings manually and save the map.







Step 3: Go to match records Tab select the Field used for Matching records and select the import action. PS : For each record we can manually override create/skip as import action.











Step 4: After all mappings has been done and import action is Ready to Import in Import status tab execute the import









This will import the records contained in the xml file from the Ready folder into MDM.GO to Data manager and check all records created from R3.





Syndicator Manager MDM:



Any changes made in MDM data manager based upon the validations/Assignemnts and Business rules the changed record should be syndicated back to R3 which is Data source.



Step 1: Login to Syndicator Manager giving the repository name. select File> Destination Properties and select Port as shown:



Select the remote system R3 in this case

Select the Port which we have created for Outbound port where the Syndicated file can be placed in XML format.











Step 2: Do all the mappings again. Use the standard maps provided in Business content or do it manually like in Import manager. We have the options of selecting few records based on search parameters. We also have the option of Supressing all unchanged records in map Properties. This will select only those records which has been changed in Data manager instead of all existing records.









Step 3: In Destination Preview we can actually see all records with the values for fields before syndicating. This should be always done before executing to reduce the erroneous /incomplete data flow. Once you have all the details execute the syndication.











Step 4: Check the IDoc list in SAP. In case of status 51 do the further analysis why it has failed.











RESULT: data changed in MDM Data manager will be updated in SAP R3 system provided all the mappings are correct.

Ravi Kumar is Consultant with Infosys.

SOA and MDM - Two Integration Solutions That Go Great Together? By Loraine Lawson

I just happened to receive notice today in my inbox of a Webinar on master data management (MDM) and SOA. Normally, I save these announcements for Friday's integration news round-up, but the event is scheduled for this Thursday, March 20, at 11 a.m. ET.

This event caught my eye for a couple of reasons.

First - though perhaps not the best reason - it's like a meeting of the products on opposite sides of the "peak of inflated expectations" on the famous Gartner hype cycle: Master data management is on its way up and SOA...well, I suspect SOA may be headed for the trough of disillusionment. I know I'm feeling pretty disillusioned since I learned people can't even agree on a definition for the "service" in SOA. But I won't go there...for now.

Second, both SOA and MDM involve, in one way or another, integration - so I can't help but wonder what happens when you marry the two, which is precisely what the event promises to discuss.

Third, MDM is all about the data and, as regular readers know, SOA has data "issues," whether you're talking data integration or data services. So, it'll be interesting to see how the two even fit together. The promo e-mail entices with this bit of marketing:

"More than just the latest three-letter acronym, SOA case studies demonstrate that in order to be successful, you must spend time on the data contents of all those messages flying around your ESB or EAI infrastructure (hint: it's not just web services!). Conversely, MDM isn't just the latest trend....Combined, MDM and SOA provide the best of best worlds and increase your chance of succeeding with an enterprise-wide future data architecture."

Marty Moseley, the CTO of Initiate Systems, is the presenter in this event, which is the latest in an ongoing vendor-sponsored MDM University Webinar Sessions. You'll need to select the presentation and fill out a basic form to preregister. After submitting the form, you'll gain access to the previous presentations, which are available for on-demand viewing.

One thing that SOA and MDM do have in common: Neither are supposed to be tied to specific technologies or vendors. While that's well-publicized with SOA, it's perhaps not so often said about MDM.

If you're just starting an MDM initiative, you might want to check out my February interview with Rob Karel, a Forrester Research principal analyst specializing in master data management (MDM) and data integration.

Karel explains what you need to know about MDM and what you should do before you talk to vendors about specific solutions, including this list of questions you should answer before you talk to vendors:

* Do I have sufficient business sponsorship and participation in the MDM effort?

* Am I solving for operational MDM, analytical MDM, or both?

* What sources and targets do I need to integrate my MDM solution with?

* What data integration solution should I leverage (ETL, SOA, EII, EAI, etc.)?

* Am I looking for a single vendor solution or best of breed to build out my MDM ecosystem?

* Have I scoped our MDM strategy appropriately?

Karel also walks through the MDM adoption steps you should take - assuming you want a solution that fits your needs, rather than just buying what a vendor offers. Given that Thursday's MDM/SOA Webinar is vendor-sponsored, the Q&A with Karel might be a useful pre-event read.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Loraine_Lawson

Loraine Lawson - EzineArticles Expert Author

ERP/Accounting Selection: Microsoft Dynamics, Oracle, SAP – expansion to Europe by: Andrew Karasev

This article is targeted at US-based mid-size and large companies, planning the expansion and opening branches in Europe. It is for IT director, who is nowadays responsible for ERP/MRP platform selection and following implementation. The format of the article doesn’t allow us to come up with detail specs comparison, we will be rather giving you highlights for further research and checklist of things that you should not miss at the consideration. We will begin with the specific of the market and then point out to the solutions available.

• Multiple Languages. Continental Europe doesn’t speak on English language natively – documentation is in German, French, Italian or whichever country you consider. It is not just a question of finding English speaking and writing accounting personnel – as you will see, reading further

• Taxation. Now it is becoming more standardized, however you should now that in Europe you have to deal with VAT (Value Added Tax), in comparison to Sales Tax in the US. VAT should be paid not only by end consumer, but also by resellers, distributors, etc. Also it is common practice when Services are taxable in European countries.

• Government Reporting. In the USA you report on the federal and state levels and usually IRS and the states don’t care about the accounting system you use. In Europe, again depending on the country and probably this tendency is more applicable when you move Eastward, the government might have more involvement in the ERP brands selection, recommending several systems as approved, certified, localized, etc.

• Accounting Procedures. In some countries (France, Russia) you may encounter with the situation, when government wants you to use recommended chart of accounts, usually generalized and geared toward manufacturing accounting, which might be a nightmare in the case if you are service-oriented business. Considering innovative nature of US businesses in expansion mode – this issue should be addressed

Now we will give you solutions highlights

• Local ERP. The specific legislation and conditions of the country you chose for your European penetration probably produced several locally originated ERPs. As a tendency – these systems typically deal with government reporting and available in local language only. If you decide to implement such a solution, please understand the trade-ins – you can not find US/international managers who could efficiently take the control over when needed.

• Microsoft Dynamics. Microsoft Business Solutions these systems for continental Europe: Navision, Axapta – Microsoft Dynamics NAV and Microsoft Dynamics AX (Microsoft Great Plains/Microsoft Dynamics GP will be pulled out from France, Germany and Holland, where it currently has some market presence). Navision & Axapta are both localized and “approved”

• SAP Business One. Assuming that you represent mid-size business – this system has all-in-one and the named user license includes all the modules (you can have CRM-only client for your sales people at ½ of the price). SAP Business One was designed with the ideas of the Multilanguage, flexible reporting and object-oriented tax engine. Plus SAP Business One has transaction integration to mySAP.

• Oracle Financials/E-Business Suite. This solution, coming from Oracle, also referred as Oracle Applications should be considered as very efficient and reliable. It is also localized and has very long market presence history in Europe. Oracle comes with J2EE/EJB/Java customization & development

• IBM Lotus Notes/Domino. It is not an ERP – it is rather the platform, Lotus is very popular in Europe and you should consider and respect it if you purchase existing company, using Lotus for document workflow

• Integration, Customization & Reporting. You should consider European branch ERP integration ability to your corporate ERP in the USA and management reporting compliance.

Please do not hesitate to call or email us: USA 1-866-528-0577, 1-630-961-5918 help@albaspectrum.com

About The Author

Andrew Karasev is Chief Technology Officer at Alba Spectrum Technologies ( http://www.albaspectrum.com http://www.enterlogix.com.br http://greatplains.com.mx ) - Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains, Navision, Axapta MS CRM, Oracle Financials and IBM Lotus Domino Partner, serving corporate customers in the following industries: Aerospace & Defense, Medical & Healthcare, Distribution & Logistics, Hospitality, Banking & Finance, Wholesale & Retail, Chemicals, Oil & Gas, Placement & Recruiting, Advertising & Publishing, Textile, Pharmaceutical, Non-Profit, Beverages, Conglomerates, Apparels, Durables, Manufacturing and having locations in multiple states and internationally.

We are serving USA Nationwide: CA, IL, NY, FL, AZ, CO, TX, WI, WA, MI, MA, MO, LA, NM, MN, Europe: Germany, France, Belgium, Poland, Russia, Middle East (Egypt, Saudi Arabia, OAE, Bahrain), Asia: China, Australia, New Zealand, Oceania, South & Central America: Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Venezuela, Columbia, Ecuador, Chili, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico

SAP Business One – MRP Implementation in São Paulo by: Arthur Ferretti

SAP just introduced localized version of its mid-size and small ERP solution – SAP Business One. As you probably know SAP Business One has Multilanguage in one company feature, and it is adaptable to unique tax rules, which is the case in Brazil. Among the other localized solutions: Microsoft Navision, Oracle Financials (or the whole set of Oracle Business Suite – Oracle Applications), Microsoft Axapta (localized version should be release in 2006), SAP Business One should be considered to be implemented for either Brazilian company with the connections to European and American market and business partners or for Brazilian branch of multinational corporation. Let’s consider market specifics and how SAP Business One could potentially fit for the ERP market in Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro or the whole Brazil.

• Multilanguage & Brazilian Portuguese Support. This is really strong point of SAP Business One - you can switch from say Portuguese to American English by pressing cntrl keys combination. System will close all your existing screens and this is probably the only inconvenience you may notice. Please, be aware that SAP Business One has also version with Portuguese interface for continental Portugal.

• Manufacturing/Production module. For the multinational company Brazil is often considered as the place for quality and cost efficient manufacturing operations. And we see diversified needs for manufacturing automation – from machinery to food processing. SAP Business One Production module targets the whole spectrum of manufacturing needs.

• CRM. CRM module is integrated within the system. We should mention modern design of CRM module and really intuitive interface for business professionals, dealing with sales analysis.

• HR. SAP Business One doesn’t have Payroll module for Brazil.

• Drag & Relate. This feature allows you intuitively drag and compare/relate the data in the system.

• Customization, Reporting & Integration. SAP BO integrates with Microsoft Office on the level of COM objects, it sits in MS SQL Server database (the only platform available for Brazil at this time). It has SAP Business One SDK and we expect large number of ISV with custom products show up on the Brazilian market within a few years. Besides internal SAP BO reporting – you can do reporting from SQL Server directly.

• Competitors. If you are looking from the number of installations in Brazil, then you should consider Microsiga, where you will see similar slightly higher license and system implementation prices. If you are looking for international ERP brand, localized for Brazil – then consider Microsoft Navision/Dynamics NAV, Microsoft Axapta/Dynamics AX and Oracle E-Business Suite, which includes Oracle Financials, also known as Oracle Applications. Microsiga should be recognized as very efficient Brazilian tax & government reporting solution, at the same time SAP, Microsoft and Oracle are catching up with the compliance of their localized MRPs.

• Releasing Dates. SAP Business One, having over 8,000 installations Worldwide is scheduled to be released in Brazil in November/December 2005. Microsoft Navision and Oracle E-Business Suite are available and availability of localized Microsoft Axapta (Microsoft Dynamics AX) version is 2006.

• Licensing Price Structure. SAP Business One has all-in-one named user licenses. This means that you do not pay for adding new modules – all the modules are available for the user and included in the license price. CRM-only user license is available at 50% or the all-in-one user license. SAP Business One requires also annual maintenance fee, which will give you now standard for the ERP industry software upgrade and discounted technical support.

Please give as a call São Paulo 55-11-3444-4949, USA 1-866-528-0577, 1-630-961-5918! help@albaspectrum.com

About The Author

Arthur Ferretti is SAP Business One specialist at Alba Spectrum Technologies ( http://www.albaspectrum.com ) – Oracle, SAP, Microsoft Great Plains, Navision, Axapta, Microsoft CRM and IBM Lotus Notes Domino Partner, serving clients in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Porto Alegre, Curitiba, Belo Horizonte, Recife, Manaus, Lisboa, Coimbra, Porto, Cascais and having locations in multiple states and internationally.

Basics of Database in SAP by: Ron Victor

SAP like enterprise applications are specifically made up of programs with the data which are used by and created by those programs. In a meaningful way the data are organized within in a database, For the benefit of programmers, which are made easy so that they can access and find the necessary data to do something useful, for instance run a financial report or to create a sales order. The programs and the data will be in same database for SAP component or product like ECC, Normally each component will posses its own database (Even some exceptions exists) - a production system landscape composed of SAP Business Warehouse (BW), SAP ECC, plus SAP Customer Relationship Management (CRM) consists of three production databases. Given its basic station in the life of an SAP system, since it is important we have to understand the over all role of database.

Highlights of this hour comprise

Exploring the concepts as well as structures of an RDBMS

Determine which databases are supported by SAP

Learning the disparity between a primary and foreign key

Find out why indexes speed up data retrieval

Structure of Database

A database can be said as electronic warehouse where we can store information’s in an organized manner so that the system can find the desired information quickly.

The database is composed of tables, columns (called fields), and rows (called records or data). A simple example of a database is telephone book which are organized alphabetically so that it make the user to get their information very easily likewise the database is formed with the same concept. Instead of man the system will do the work so the work can be done easily and efficiently.

The basic structure of a database is somewhat comparable to a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet in which columns (fields) store row after row of records (data). The major difference between a database as well as a spreadsheet is simply that databases be able to contain multiple tables that are connected to one another through relationships. Thus, a database can be thought of as a much more complex, plus ultimately much more useful, spreadsheet.

The database plays an important role in each SAP system, as it houses all the data that are used by that particular SAP component or else product. Several brands of databases exist, making it easy intended for an IT shop to choose a database vendor with which they are probably already well-known. Currently, SAP can use a range of different brand name database releases ranging from very expensive as well as imminently flexible to very inexpensive as well as yet quite capable.

It is significant to note that not all database vendors as well as versions are supported by SAP. SAP is likely to stick with the market leaders, over the years adding as well as removing support intended for certain vendors. In this way they not just limit the amount of database-specific customization they have to perform, but they endow with IT shops with flexibility plus choices, keys to success both for SAP as well as the IT organizations tasked with organize and supporting SAP solutions.

About The Author
Ron Victor is a SEO copywriter for http://www.simplysap.com He written many articles in various topics.For more information visit http://www.simplysap.comContact him at ron.seocopywriter@gmail.com

Software Consulting for Todays Business by Fernando Vargaz

With so many businesses now making the switch to business management software, the need for software consulting services has also expanded in kind. You see, each business will have its own unique requirements that will necessitate that any business related software that they implement be custom fit to their exacting needs.

Payroll Software

Take payroll software for instance. While the fundamental principles of the payroll system are basically the same from one business to another, the intricacies involved in how each company compiles the data that they use to calculate and process payroll information can differ dramatically from one business to another.

Manufacturing Software

The same thing applies to manufacturing and inventory based software. Needless to say, no two manufacturing companies will be the same and neither will the systems that they have in place for storing and keeping inventory of the materials that they base their manufacturing operations from.

Determining Differing Needs

So, while two manufacturing businesses may need the same basic software tools, each company will need it customized to fit their own unique applications. Determining what theses needs are and how they will be integrated into the software that they use will be the job of a software consultant.

Make it Easy on Yourself and Your Company

Trying to make software work that is not customized to a companies exacting needs can be far more trouble then it is worth and in the end will inevitably lead to unnecessary expenses and losses. This is why it is imperative for a company to seek out and confer with a software consultant prior to implementing any type of business based software.

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Written by Fernando Vargaz. Get all the best details on software consultant and sap developer

Offshore Development as it Pertains to Websites by Fernando Vargaz

Today you have more choices then ever before with regards to the people and place your website is going to be developed. Of course, this means that offshore development is definitely one of your options. However; what exactly are the benefits, if any, to taking this route for having your website created?

Lower Overall Cost

Actually there are many and some of these benefits may in fact surprise you. Of course, for the time being overall labor costs will be much lower offshore but there is far more to consider then just cheap labor when launching a website. After all, the last thing that you need is a website that looks like it was done cheaply.

To Sell in Rome talk to Romans

With offshore markets expanding as they have been in the past decade, who better to go to to understand and capitalize on overseas markets then the people who live there. It is these people who can best provide you with expertise and insight that you need to best cater to this growing market region.

A Collaborative Team Working Together

One thing that you will also find in offshore website development enterprises is that their entire labor pool works together under one roof. With this arrangement they are far better able to collaborate more effectively, particularly on the more complex projects that require an actual team effort.

You Won't be Dealing With Kids

Another positive aspect of offshore development as it pertains to websites is the level of professionalism that you are more likely o encounter. The truth is that when you deal with an offshore developer who is designing your website chances are that he or she is a university graduate, around 35 years of age, who has an extended family to support. This of course means a far more responsive and diligent designer you will be dealing with.

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About the Author

Written by Fernando Vargaz. Come on over to my website and find all you wanted to know about oracle consulting as well as sap consulting

A Few Tips to Help You Become a Successful SAP Developer by Fernando Vargaz

Who wouldn't like to become a successful SAP developer? It's a fantastic job to have that is not only intellectually rewarding but financially rewarding as well. However; bear in mind that you must have a certain level of intelligence and education before you even consider taking the necessary steps to becoming a SAP developer.

Know SAP Products

SAP employs a huge number of consultants that work in conjunction with SAP developers. This is because SAP is a consulting firm that in turn developers and sells the products that the consultants recommend. Of course this would also means that your knowledge of SAP products must be complete.

More Stuff to Know

Also, because SAP consultants serve a wide range of business genres, ranging from all areas of the chemical and petrochemical industries, as well as other industries including all types of manufacturing and wholesaling industries, it does help if you possess some level of expertise in some type of business or industry.

No Place for Wimps

However; you have to bear in mind that SAP developers and consultants work in world filled with ambitious type A personalities, so the stress level can be very high at times. What this means is that if you are not entirely up to the challenge then you may want to reconsider other career options.

Willing to Think Out of the Box

However; the pay and benefits for a good qualified SAP developer are among the best that you will find anywhere, so if you like good money then you will like being a SAP developer. So, if the bad economy has gotten you down, don't fret because there are still plenty of god job opportunities out there for people who are willing to think out of the box such as SAP developers do.

sap developer, sap consultant

About the Author

Written by Fernando Vargaz. Find the top information on sap developer as well as sap consultant



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SAP Business One Consultant Newsflash: Nationwide Support by Andrew Karasev

SAP B1 ERP and MRP is rising star in American and Canadian accounting software market, especially since the release of SAP BO 2007A for US in May of 2008. SAP Business One has complete set of modules to serve small to mid-size firm: Financials, Manufacturing, MRP, CRM, Services, Purchasing, Picking and Packing, Sales, and others. Plus consider modern interface with intuitive export to Excel, drag-and-relate, users self study and self discovery possibilities. In this small publication we would like to give you SB1 case studies and typical implementation scenarios paragraphs:

1. Discrete manufacturing or light assembly. If your company is small and doesn't need full-scale production software, typically expensive in both software licensing and implementation services, SBO is excellent candidate to consider. If you are making to order, then SB1 has disassembly Production Order, where you can disassemble cancelled order and place all the parts back on the shelves or their bins

2. Service Warranty Contracts. Warranties are typical business scenario for small manufacturing, dealership and distribution companies and it is probably true statement, that this reasonable market niche is underserved. In SAP Business One you can associate serialized item (with serial number) with Service Contract, and then you can repair the item on as needed base under warranty with free technician support, spare parts, or decide to bill for portion of warranty services. You can also associate technical support knowledge base with your items and contracts

3. Warehouse Management. Picking and Packing functionality allows you to automate paperwork associated with assembly, finished goods and parts storage and release to be shipped to your customers or returned back to your suppliers. There are also barcode add-ons to automate barcoding scanners in real time or batch mode with barcode servers

4. SAP Business One Reporting. Please, consider such industry standard reports design tool as Crystal Reports to be deployed.


About the Author

Andrew Karasev, Alba Spectrum LLC, help@albaspectrum.com 1-866-528-0577, http://www.albaspectrum.com . We specialize in SAP Business One nationwide implementation and support. Serving ERP community since 1994, local service in Chicago, Houston, San Diego, Atlanta. Information portal: http://www.pegasplanet.com

ERP for Small Business: SAP Business One vs. Great Plains Dynamics GP by Andrew Karasev

If you are small of mid-size business, and you are in the corporate ERP and MRP selection process, please read this small publication. We would like you to concentrate on your Business Processes automation requirements in trying to understand which small business accounting package will fit the best for your enterprise

1. Database Platform. There are several reliable and relatively inexpensive SQL oriented DB platforms on the ERP market: MySQL (good option if you are making custom programming in PHP platform), Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Select (also consider Microsoft SQL Server 2008 for Small Business Server 2008) - also you can get scaled down version from Oracle, which is outside of the scope for this paper. SQL compliance is in our opinion critical, and it is not recommended to choose proprietary DB, typically coming together with such accounting applications as MYOB, Peach Tree, Quick Books

2. Words of respect to Linux and other free Operating Systems. We recommend you to review such Linux platforms as Suse, for example, where you can get software free of charge, and where you pay per customer support case only as you go. We would like to keep reservations at this time to recommend ERP selection on Linux, however we encourage you to make your own ERP market discovery

3. SAP Business One. This ERP and MRP application for Small Business comes from SAP and we trust this ERP brand. SB1 is available on Microsoft SQL Server 2005 and with version SAP Business One 2007A it is now pretty reliable and localized for United States: 1099, Sales Tax, Barcode, Warehouse management, Credit Cards Processing, eCommerce module, CRM. SAP Business One SDK allows you to customize user interface as well as Database transactions: EDI, Integrations with legacy systems: Microsoft CRM, Lotus Notes Domino, Oracle

4. Great Plains Dynamics GP. This solution is coming directly from Microsoft Dynamics subdivision. If you are one-person-operations, we would like you to review Microsoft Small Business Accounting - both SAP BO and Dynamics GP would be probably too expensive for you. Current Dynamics GP, belonging and supported by Microsoft Business Solutions had long small business accounting trace: Great Plains Accounting for DOS: 9.2 and 9.5 were the most popular versions, Great Plains Small Business Financials 7.5, 8.0 and 9.0 were dedicated to small business scaled down versions of Microsoft Great Plains. Current trend in SBF is upgrade and migration to Dynamics GP Business Ready

5. MRP. Both SAP Business One and Great Plains Dynamics GP offer discrete Manufacturing and MRP modules. SAP Business One is closer to small business in our opinion, where you can do intuitive Production Module self discovery. Great Plains, however has Bill of Materials module, which could cover small business manufacturing and assembly

6. Great Plains eConnect versus SAP Business One SDK programming. Both SDK packages are targeted to custom ecommerce applications and software developers. We would like to treat them with the same respect and recommend for deployment

7. Corporate ERP reporting. In both cases we recommend you to consider Crystal Reports. In the case when you are tight with the budget, try to consider Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services or SSRS, as this extension is coming free with Microsoft SQL Server 2005 or 2000 Standard or Enterprise

8. Legacy accounting data conversion and migration. If you company deployed such proprietary accounting packages as PeachTree, MYOB, QuickBooks, we recommend you to consider printing modules reports and saving them in Text tab or comma delimited files, Excel also is good option

9. ERP for International Business. Even Small Business could be involved in international operations, such as purchasing your merchandise from China, India, Philippines, Brazil, Mexico, Russia. If this is your scenario, please try to make the research of Microsoft Business Solutions ERP products support internationally. At this time Dynamics GP is supported in English Speaking countries, and SAP Business One is localized for major nations: Latin America, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal and Brazil, Israel to name a few


About the Author

Andrew Karasev, Alba Spectrum LLC, help@albaspectrum.com 1-866-528-0577, http://www.albaspectrum.com. Serving ERP and MRP community since 1994, local service in Chicago, Houston, San Diego, Atlanta. Information portal: http://www.pegasplanet.com We serve you USA and Canada nationwide from our Dynamics GP call center



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Advantages of BAPI in SAP

1. SAP BAPIs provide developers with stable, reliable interfaces for accessing the functionality offered bySAP business objects.

2. BAPIs can reduce development cost by providing built in functionality through predefined methods of the SAP business objects. These methods can reduce programming time in development projects.

3. Maintenance costs can be reduced because the BAPIs are stable and documented structures representing SAP’s investment in the R/3 business object architecture.

Naming Standards:

1. Instance-independent BAPIs can be used without explicitly creating an instance n of the business object.

2. Instance-dependent BAPIs require explicit creation of the business object instance.

BAPI Life Cycle: Change Management

1.On the basis of SAP Release strategy and the strict rules for enhancing existing BAPIs, application developers can rely on the stability of BAPI interfaces.

2. Each enhancement to a released BAPI is carried out ensuring that the syntax and contents are downwardly compatible. This means that applications programmed with BAPIs in a particular R/3 Release are not affected by changes to this BAPI in later releases.

3. If changes that are not downwards compatible need to be made to an existing BAPI, a new interface, that is, a new additional BAPI is created. This BAPI has the same name of the existing BAPI to be replaced but with a number added at the end, for example, CustomerCode.GetDetail1.

4. The BAPI to be replaced is marked as expiring (obsolete) in the Release in which the successor BAPI is implemented, but will continue to be supported in the next two functional Releases.

5.The BOR organizes SAP objects in a hierarchical scheme within applications.

6. The object-oriented principle of inheritance is supported enabling hierarchies and subclassing.

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