SAP Workflow - Integrating with external systems

[Warwick Hill]

I had a query from a client the other day asking if SAP Workflow can manage
tasks in external systems as well as in SAP.
 
The scenario is that a company would have SAP and other systems supporting
it's various applications. If the company wants to use a "workflow"
solution,
I would assume they can either implement the various workflow packages on
the different systems or have one workflow package which can access/control
each of the systems.
 
>From work that has been done so far I understand that it's possible to have
SAP issue commands to other systems but that the other system will not allow
 
SAP to make direct changes. The other system will receive the command from
SAP and then manage the change itself.
 
Has anyone had experience in this and is there a best standard approach if
we want to use SAP Workflow as the main controller of the tasks ?
 
many thanks for any advice,
 
 
Warwick Hill
Senior SAP Consultant
CSC-ITS
 
9420 2620
0417 994 043