Where will PI go?

[Former Member]

The SAP Information Interchange is SAP's new EDI and B2B managed service. It is a managed EDI/B2B exchange service that is operated in a cloud computing environment. It utilizes SAP's NetWeaver platform as a foundation for the service which makes integrating with SAP users that have NetWeaver very simple - almost plug and play. Even those without NetWeaver can activate the service using IDocs or tRFC.

/people/kevin.benedict/blog/2010/03/01/sapreg-information-interchange--saps-new-edi-solution

http://www.crossgate.com/solutions-amp-services/sap-information-interchange-by-crossgate/

http://www.gartner.com/DisplayDocument?id=1311333

Any one knows the relationship between PI & Information Interchange?

will SAP Information Interchange replace PI or it's only enhancement for PI?

where will PI go?

Regards

Lawrensh

[former_member185881 · Accepted solution]

Hi

Acoording to my understanding it will affect SEEBURGER not SAP PI.

Upto now for B2B we are using SEEBURGER adapters but in near future we can switch over to SAP Information Interchage.

SAP Information Interchange is not an Integration Technology in its full so according to me it will be used along with PI.

Regards

Dheeraj kumar

[prateek]

SAP recommends PI for strategic Integration needs for an organization. SAP Information Interchange would be the new EDI/B2B solution. It is not an entire middleware in itself and therefore it would be used along wth PI for caterering to all types of Integration needs for an organization. Therefore SAP Information Interchange should be treated as an add on with PI to complemen PI's integration capabilities.

Regards,

Prateek

[Former Member]

I think the answer to this was provided in the blog given as reference.

*Custom mappings ?

2010-03-03 02:51:23 Christian Sy Business Card [Reply]

Interesting. But how do you handle the requirement of customer-specific mappings ? I have not seen one single customer which did not require any specific mapping changes between Idoc and EDIFact (so far about EDI "standard"). Is it possible that the customer does the mapping in his own PI and then just calls a SAP EDI service which converts the document 1:1 between XML and EDIFact ?

And what about monitoring options ? Famous topic, we sent the document, but customer did not receive it. What now ? Where to look ?

Regards,

CSY

Custom mappings ?

2010-03-03 15:16:18 Kevin Benedict Business Card [Reply]

Good question CSY! SII (SAP Information Interchange) is a managed EDI Hub, and as such they will need to map the customer specific requirements into the Hub. However, once the map is created it will be available for re-use by all other SAP customers that exchange EDI with that particular customer. That is my understanding.

Interoperability with PI

2010-03-02 02:33:43 Kenneth Eriksen Business Card [Reply]

Hi,

Interesting news! Do you know how this will operate in relation to SAP PI? Will PI be necessary for Information Interchange to function or will Information Interchange reduce the need for companies to invest in PI as their integration platform?

Thanks for any feedback!

Br,

Kenneth

Interoperability with PI

2010-03-02 09:14:53 Kevin Benedict Business Card [Reply]

The SAP Information Interchange uses NetWeaver PI itself, in the EDI Hub, and can easily connect PI-to-PI with any other SAP customer using it. However, the EDI Hub can also connect to any SAP customer via tRFC, web service or IDoc as well.

Interoperability with PI

2010-03-04 06:14:16 Steve Sprague Business Card [Reply]

The service can connect to an SAP application in two ways today. The standard certified processes are based on standardized IDOCs via RFC connections. You can also utilize SAP PI as a middleware and exchange XML IDOCs as well as Enterprise Services in future releases.

From an implementation perspective - there is a managed service/hosted component that Crossgate provides that manages all the day to day operations, transactional monitoring, partner connectivity, as well as add on components such as e-Invoicing support in 38 countries.

To other comments, here is a more defined definition:

The SAP Information Interchange is a standalone runtime system for managing B2B mapping based on the message content. SAP Information Interchange runs in the role of a B2B/EDI translator (mapping engine). SAP Information Interchange integrates into the backend system (e.g. SAP ERP) and translates the backend system (standard IDOC formats, PI connectivity, or via Enterprise Services) to the external business partnersu2019 message format (i.e. Wal-Mart Purchase Order EDI format). The major difference is that you are no longer purchasing a EDI mapping tool and building the content. Instead, the runtime is included and pricing is based on a set of profiles representing the individual rules and requirements of the Trading Partner.

This is the major difference to any competitor. Content, you actually are purchasing the Wal-Mart Purchase Order to Orders05 IDOC which is running and working. This content is then maintained by SAP. For example if Wal-Mart were to add an additional field or change their version as they tend to do -- that mapping format change is provided within the support contract.

The core of the mapping methodology is based on a canonical structure. Similar to the classic way EAI solutions are implemented. The left side (or ERP interface) is maintained with SAP based on the GDT definitions and Enterprise Service descriptions. The right side (Partner Proifles) are always mapped to the canonical format. Interestingly enough, this mapping procedure has been done for years. Many of the large global enterprise have used canonical structures between their apps and B2B solutions in order to provide a buffer from internal changes as well as flexibility to consolidate systems. *

Personally, I think that PI will remain here. It is not just restricted to EDI.

[rajasekhar_reddy14]

Hi,

Till now SAP doesnt have a product on handling B2B /EDI Trnsactions .Many SAP Customers using products from GXS,STERLING,SEE BURGER for EDI transaction.

Now SAP enter in to this market,its really good news ,SAP Information Interchange uses NetWeaver PI.

SAP Information Interchange is new product from SAP,PI Supports its(Loosley coupling),its my understanding.

Regards,

Raj