Implementing workflows across 2 SAP systems

[Dart, Jocelyn]

Hi Cham Sher-Ching,
I agree with Winifried that WF-XML might be an option - CRM is
4.6C/D depending on release so depends on whether the backend is also 4.6c.
 
However if you aren't lucky enough to have a 4.6c backend, then
another option is to create a workflow method which makes an RFC call
e.g. to a BAPI in the backend system.
 
As for workflow referencing the backend org plan - no it won't do that
directly so you have a couple of options:
 
a) Replicate what you can of the org plan using the CRM/BBP replication
tools
(basically ALE replication but you'll need to check whether your desired
infotypes are
included) - this may be enough.
 
b) If replication is insufficient, figure out what you need to do in the
backend - e.g.
are you just trying to find an approver or similar.  If you can, use Wf-XML
so that you
are essentially running the workflow across 2 systems - this is the most
elegant solution.
 
If Wf-XML isn't an option, you could code a method which does an RFC call to
the backend to get the
information - e.g. to find the userid of the approver or their email address
if you just
want to send them an email.  This is how CRM/BBP works anyway in some of the
standard workflows when
objects are sent to the backend - e.g. creating purchase orders.
 
If you want to do something more complicated (without Wf-XML), you could
have the
RFC raise a custom event in the backend system which triggers a workflow in
the backend.
Then if you need to return information to CRM, you could similar have an RFC
in the backend system
which raises an event your workflow is waiting for in the CRM system.  A
little crude but workable.
 
Hope that helps.
Regards,
        Jocelyn Dart
Consultant (BBP, Ecommerce, Internet Transaction Server, Workflow)
SAP Australia
Email jocelyn.dart at sap.com <mailto:jocelyn.dart at sap.com>
Tel: +61 412 390 267
Fax: +61 2 9935 4880
 
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Winfried Winterstein [mailto:winfried_winterstein at yahoo.com]
Sent: Friday, 15 December 2000 3:48 AM
To: SAP-WUG at MITVMA.MIT.EDU
Subject: Re: Implementing workflows across 2 SAP systems
 
 
Hello,
 
the scenario you are writing about sounds quite
exciting!
Following scenarios are possible:
* precondition: both systems have core R/3 level 4.6c
or 4.6d -> you can use WF-XML (a new step type within
workflow builder) to continue a workflow in a
different system. The other workflow can respond after
it has been finshed to continue the other workflow
that is in waiting state until reponse (optional).
* if you just want to see organizational data in a
different system you can use ALE to replicate data to
a different system
* use mySAP.com Workplace with the MiniApp Workflow
Inbox, where you can search for several components for
work items to be executed.
 
Regards,
WMW (CSC PLOENZKE)
--- Cham Sher Ching <sherch at cyberway.com.sg> schrieb:
> Hi everybody,
>
> Has anyone implemented workflows across 2 SAP
> systems eg. a core R/3 and CRM before ? Any
> suggestions as to how to make the 2 systems
> communicate with  each other? Assuming that
> communcation is possible, can an org unit is R/3
> core system be referenced in the CRM system, vice
> versa? Can a workflow started in CRM send a
> notification to a user's inbox residing in the R/3
> core system ? Any suggestions is greatly
> appreciated.
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Cham Sher-Ching
>
>
>
>
 
 
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