Lotus Notes integration

Thu May 17 05:32:08 EDT 2001

Hi Arnoud,
You can Download english version Lotus connector  from SAP server , check the
note number 0366030..

Yes you are right , I am also not able to find  any documentation on server side
installation...
Hope SAP will soon release  some documentation on this .....
Many companies are  looking this COnnector  for the SAP workflow-Lotus
solution.....
Keep on updating if u receive any such documentation ...
Thanks

Rakesh
Webflow/ITS Consultant
Andersen Consulting

"Van Heerde, Arnoud" wrote:

> Hi Rakesh and other members of this group,
>
> In note 77099 it says that it is available from 4.6C, but it can work from
> 4.5A. In earlier messages (below) Alan wrote that it is delivered on the GUI
> cd, but although I can find the databases: wf4notes.nsf, r3wadmin.nsf,
> r3wflog.nsf and wicont.nsf on my cd there is no setup program. On the cd it
> says SAP release 4.6D! So where can I get the setup program for the Lotus
> Notes Integration for SAP Business Workflow from SAP?
>
> In the online help on the Lotus Notes Integration for SAP Business Workflow,
> downloaded from http://service.sap.com/webflow Folder: Media Center ->
> System Documentation, it says that the installation is divided in two steps:
> a client and a server installation. But I can not find instructions for that
> server setup. Is that server setup program also on the GUI cd or does it
> belong to Lotes Notes environment?
>
> In the same online help there is an answer to your question regarding
> starting the SAP GUI from Lotus Notes. In that case you first have to
> complete the server setup on the Lotus Notes server (of which I have no idea
> how to complete) and after that you should have the database wf4notes.nsf in
> the data directory of Lotus Notes. After that you open this database and
> install the base components. Now you are able to execute user decisions in
> Lotes Notes directly and for all other work items the SAP GUI will be
> started.
>
> Suppose you have been through this before, but in case there are some
> omissions let me know and somebody please tell me how to do the server
> setup.
>
> Arnoud
>
> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Rakesh Dube [mailto:rakesh_dube at pacific.net.sg]
> Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2001 11:27 AM
> To: SAP-WUG at MITVMA.MIT.EDU
> Subject: Re: Lotus Notes integration
>
> 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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