News & Events Archive
RELATED LINKS
G3 Global's Strategic business consulting services
will design business process and methodologies suited to your business
requirements...
G3 Global offers Solutions delivery services to
implement streamlined communication between different external systems
and SAP...
Interface process methodology
G3 Global was engaged to review and streamline the interface process for a client using numerous satellite systems interfacing to SAP, and was required to propose and implement a standardised interface solution to address the above issues.
Existing bespoke interface programs all previously utilised a method of processing termed Batch Input which required extensive manual intervention, was open to manual error, and did not provide a long term audit trail. The process was extremely inefficient when processing higher volumes and potentially problematic when upgrading to future SAP releases.
Each of the bespoke programs was modified to replace direct posting via Batch Input with transformation of the relevant input file into SAP Financial posting IDocs ("Intermediate Documents"). IDocs are a current and widely used SAP interface technology providing an efficient means of processing, controlling and monitoring interface data.
A common interface process methodology was developed for all interfaces to follow enabling:
- ease of introduction of future interfaces,
- a control process to prevent file omissions or being double processed
- an automation process to kick-off interfaces when files were available, and to transfer processed files to an archive directory for audit purposes.
- A clear, auditable error handling process
- Audit reporting that reconciles from original source file through to final SAP documents, including clearly highlighting any user intervention to changes or remove documents prior to processing
- Automated processing status and audit reports are emailed on completion
As a result of the process improvement the interface process has been greatly improved as follows:
- Standardisation of interface processing
Internally, all interface programs now use a common iDoc format for financial postings, which will assist with future maintainability and readability of programs and provides a consistent approach to interface design and processing. - Monitoring / Audit trail
SAP provides standard IDoc monitoring tools, which provide details of the status of all IDocs in the system (e.g. successful/failed postings). These tools have been enhanced by the creation of a bespoke iDoc audit report which identifies every source interface file and the resulting target SAP document, changes made, errors, etc. - Error handling
Previous manual intervention (which was often error prone) has been eliminated with near immediate processing of inbound interface files not reliant on support staff for execution. - Transparency of errors
Accessible via the monitoring tools and iDoc audit report as standard IDoc editing facilities allow idoc changes where authorised, but also keep a record of all changes. - Emailing of interface results
Key staff members are immediately informed of the results of each interface via email, execution ensuring swift communication and transparency of interface results. - Enhanced program efficiency
Bespoke program efficiency has been greatly improved together with enhanced readability and maintainability. - Well positioned for SAP release upgrades
The previous Batch Input technique used by interface programs is notoriously problematic when upgrading to a new SAP release. Conversion to iDoc processing facilitates reduced program maintenance during system upgrades. - Further enhancements
The current automated interface framework and the IDoc processing adopted by the bespoke interface program provide a template that can easily be adopted by future interface requirements.
An interface console can provide statistical and monitoring information on the automated interface system which in turn would allow drilldown to IDoc monitoring, IDoc audit report and the application server file directories.
