Lotus Notes integration

Wed May 16 23:27:01 EDT 2001

Hi  Arnoud,
I configured the Lotus Notes Integration, as per configuration is concerned
it is not difficult.

If you want to execute the Decision task then it is ready made solution ,
but if u need to create Webform then you have explore more. I am also in
exploring customized webflow  for the Purchase requisition and HR related
webflow .

Outlook configuration is MAPI configuration  , where we are calling the SAP
Gui from outlook mail box but in the Lotus Notes Integration by SAP  I am
still exploring option to call GUI .

I worked with the  LN SAP workflow connector by Lotus which is simmillar to
the MAPI where you can call the SAP GUI like outlook .

Let me know if u need more detail.
Thanks
Rakesh
Webflow/ITS Consultant
Andersen Consulting

"Van Heerde, Arnoud" wrote:

> Hi Everybody,
>
> Does anybody have suggestions on the installation of the free SAP version of
> Lotus Notes integration? If I just want to execute my work items on-line in
> Lotus Notes, how much time will it take to make this work? Is it as simple
> as the Outlook integration?
> Any tips, tricks, dos and don'ts regarding this will be welcome.
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Arnoud van Heerde
>
> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Rickayzen, Alan
> Sent: Monday, April 23, 2001 5:59 AM
> To: SAP-WUG at MITVMA.MIT.EDU
> Subject: Re: Execute workitem from Lotus Notes (no SAP user)
>
> Rakesh,
> The Lotus Notes integration downloadable from Lotus does require the LN SAP
> Connector and this does cost money.
>
> However, the SAP version, not only offers additional features BUT ALSO IS
> FREE. All the software comes on the GUI CD. You DO NOT HAVE TO BUY THE LN
> SAP Connector.
>
> Kind regards,
>
> Alan Rickayzen
> SAP AG
>
> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Rakesh Dube [mailto:rakesh_dube at pacific.net.sg]
> Sent: Freitag, 20. April 2001 08:34
> To: SAP-WUG at MITVMA.MIT.EDU
> Subject: Re: Execute workitem from Lotus Notes (no SAP user)
>
> Hi ,
> We also have problem related  to Lotus Notes and work item but different
> nature
> Actully we configured the Purchase req. and purchase order workflow
> My client want to approve the PO/PR from Lotus Notes
>
> We demostrated the Workflow connector to him , he was happy but problem is
> only
> 2 approver are there and LN SAP connector(Software) is costing him around
> 10K S$
> As per him this is very high cost for 2 user.
>
> Can any one suggest some other alternatives method to approve workitem from
> LN
>
> Thanks
> Rakesh
>
> Kjetil Kilhavn wrote:
>
> > Although Alan and Jocelyn advice you from doing this what you are really
> asking
> > is whether it is possible, and if so how it can be done. I won't say the
> advice
> > against doing it are bad, because I haven't thought much about those
> aspects -
> > but I agree that you need to do a lot of the authorisation checking
> yourself.
> > Just because something isn't always a good idea that doesn't necessarily
> imply
> > it is never a good idea. If you can live with it, then here are some
> > suggestions.
> >
> > You can do this by using the integration tools from Lotus. There are two
> of
> > them, one called the SAP connector (I think) and the other called LSX for
> SAP
> > R/3 RFC.
> >
> > We have until now used the LSX for integration (not your scenario), and it
> has
> > worked OK with SAP version 3.1, 4.0 and 4.5. With 4.6 we have encountered
> a
> > problem, so we will not be using it anymore. However, since our problem
> was
> > related to starting the GUI, you can possibly still use that solution.
> Note that
> > Lotus wants to phase it out, so support is limited.
> >
> > Checked the internet pages, it the LSX and then "Lotus Enterprise
> Integrator or
> > Domino Enterprise Connection Services with the Domino Connector for SAP
> R/3".
> > See their pages at
> > http://lotus.com/products/eibu_knowbase.nsf/eipages/homeconsap
> >
> > The demo of the connector focuses on field mapping. The nice thing about
> the LSX
> > is that the LotusScript extensions give you a fair amount of control. You
> could
> > e.g. first call a function to do authorisation checking, and then if that
> was OK
> > call a function to do the desired processing. Thereby you would avoid the
> > problem Jocelyn mentioned about the workflow continuing even if the user
> wasn't
> > authorised.
> >
> > Another option (to hide password etc also from those who have designer
> access in
> > Notes) is to call an executable program from your Notes form (or whatever)
> and
> > use a C++ program to do all the communication towards SAP. I suppose SAP
> keeps
> > updating their C++ toolkit to support every release. It has some nice
> classes,
> > so if you have some developers with a fair C++ knowledge they should be
> able to
> > hatch the egg here.
> >
> > I'd recommend calling your own functions in SAP from Notes (or a C++
> program),
> > and then in those functions do the magic. Then the code outside SAP would
> be
> > fairly small.
> > --
> > KjetilK
> >
> > From:  "Dart, Jocelyn" <jocelyn.dart at sap.com>@MITVMA.MIT.EDU> on
> 20.04.2001
> >        01:44
> >
> > Please respond to "SAP Workflow Users' Group" <SAP-WUG at MITVMA.MIT.EDU>
> >
> > Sent by:  SAP Workflow <Owner-SAP-WUG at MITVMA.MIT.EDU>
> >
> > To:    SAP-WUG at MITVMA.MIT.EDU
> > cc:     (bcc: Kjetil Kilhavn)
> >
> > Subject:  Re: Execute workitem from Lotus Notes (no SAP user)
> >
> > Hi Flavio,
> > I've been through this discussion with another customer.
> > I can only support Alan's advice, i.e. PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS!!!
> > Just because something is technically possible, doesn't mean it's a good
> > idea.
> >
> > Using a generic user to send back the workitem results is very dangerous
> > from a
> > security standpoint.  Even if you are able to record who sent the mail,
> how
> > often
> > will that log be checked?  Given that the executed workitem will continue
> > the workflow
> > immediately the results are received, even if you do find an unauthorised
> > person
> > has sent the results, how will you catch it in time?  And how are you
> going
> > to reverse what's happened?
> > Especially if there is a monetary or contractual flow on?
> >
> > The classic scenario to explain worst case:
> > a) Authorised person receives email with executable workitem attachment
> > b) Authorised person needs more info before making decision, so forwards
> > copy of workitem
> > with request for more info back to the initiator
> > c) Initiator is now able to execute the workitem attachment - i.e. approve
> > their own stuff!!!
> >
> > If it's the licensing that's the issue, suggest you ring your local SAP
> > helpdesk
> > and get someone to discuss the licensing issue with your account manager
> at
> > SAP.
> > If you are on a mySAP licence it may not cost any extra (i.e. it may
> already
> > be
> > included in your current licensing agreement), even if you are on an
> > old licence these are minimal users and should attract a minimal cost.
> > But you have to talk to the licensing experts on this.
> > 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: Flavio Oliveira [mailto:oliveiraflavio at hotmail.com]
> > Sent: Friday, 20 April 2001 6:49 AM
> > To: SAP-WUG at MITVMA.MIT.EDU
> > Subject: Re: Execute workitem from Lotus Notes (no SAP user)
> >
> > Alan:
> >
> > The problem is that I have some users that will use SAP very sporadically
> > and, some times, they are not locally at our site. Is not interesting for
> us
> > to have specific SAP user id's for this kind of sporadicaly users.
> >
> > That is why we are trying to use lotus notes id's.
> >
> > The problems with log information we can try to solve by putting the notes
> > id as the user who has realy approved the document. I know that this is
> > possible only by changing standard SAP and we will have to decide what is
> > better: either create SAP users for all involved people or try to use the
> > lotus notes solution (with all the inconvenient that we know that exist).
> >
> > I would appreciate any suggestion.
> > Thank you very much.
> > Flavio.
> >
> > >From: "Rickayzen, Alan" <alan.rickayzen at sap.com>
> > >Reply-To: SAP Workflow Users' Group <SAP-WUG at MITVMA.MIT.EDU>
> > >To: SAP-WUG at MITVMA.MIT.EDU
> > >Subject: Re: Execute workitem from Lotus Notes (no SAP user)
> > >Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001 14:32:13 +0200
> > >
> > >Flavio,
> > >The problem is that e-mails can be forwarded to anyone and by providing a
> > >generic mechanism you completely lose control over who-does-what in the
> SAP
> > >backend system. It would be like creating a user with no password control
> > >whatsoever.
> > >
> > >You also lose all accountability in the different workflow logs.
> > >
> > >Why do it via e-mail rather than using the Web Inbox which everyone can
> > >access (via their user id and access control)?
> > >
> > >It would help if you could paint the exact scenario.
> > >
> > >Alan Rickayzen
> > >SAP AG
> > >
> > >-----Original Message-----
> > >From: Flavio Oliveira [mailto:oliveiraflavio at hotmail.com]
> > >Sent: Donnerstag, 19. April 2001 14:23
> > >To: SAP-WUG at MITVMA.MIT.EDU
> > >Subject: Execute workitem from Lotus Notes (no SAP user)
> > >
> > >
> > >I know that is possible to send a notification from workflow to an
> internet
> > >email address.
> > >
> > >But is it possible to execute a workitem from this internet address and
> use
> > >some generic SAP user to actually update the data on SAP?
> > >
> > >Thanks.
> > >Flavio.
> > >_________________________________________________________________________
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> >
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> >
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