Automatic returns movement

[Former Member]

Hi,

We need to automate the returns process. Our client has a non sap returns application. This application has all the details of the returns goods. The application output is a flat file.

The client has also SAP installed. In SAP we need to create Through the above flat file we need to create a Post a goods movement only. The goods movement will put the stock in blocked stock.

We have been told to use batch input in SAP. My questions are :-

1) Is batch input same as BDC ? If yes, then we will record the goods movement T code and then we will use the flat file to post the different returns materials.

2) We do not want to do the step one manually. We do not want to manually run the BDC. We want to automate the process. that is as and when the non sap system send a flat file. The BDC/Batch input gets activated automatcially and create the goods movement. How to do this ?

regds

[Former Member]

Hello sapsd73

1) Yes, batch input is BDC. But my counter question to you is 'which movement type will you use'? Is it 651 or 657 and if so, the system will not allow it. May be you can use 451 (if so I am not sure you can post to blocked stock) and then transfer it to blocked stock with another movement? Can you not use BDC to create a Return order and Delivery back to back, thus sticking to SAP standard practices.

2) You can call the BDC from a shell program and set up a background batch jo for that program to run nightly (simple) or may be you can work with ABAPer to trigger the run whenever the file is loaded to the SAP Directory (AL11)- Not sure about this.

Hope this helps to trigger some thoughts..

[former_member182609]

Yes you are correct.

Develop BDC to post material documents through flat file automatically.To automate this process you need to sep up BDC developed custom program batch job and schedule this .

What ever flat files sent by non sap systems you need to place one location ,Create one application directory in sap from there your batch program should pick up flat files every time as per scheduled .

Place non sap flat files in which youi created sap application directory ,It will pick batch jobs automatically.

Check with your ABAP person to create sap directoyr to pick the files for BDC program to post automatic material documents.

[Former Member]

Thanks for the inputs. But we do not want to t/f the files manually from no sap system to sap directory. How to automate this ? what are the porgrams to do this ?

[former_member182609]

how do you get the data from non sap systems ? are they send the files through mail ? we are using same process .we use UC4 to automate the files to sap directory.

[Former Member]

Thanks Sridhar, we can use any option. We have to suggest client.

1) If the file is sent thru mail (Lotus notes etc), then what is UC4. ?

2) If the file is sent from clients server to our SAP server. then what is the procedure ?

regds

[Former Member]

I think you can use EDI interface for this purpose. Flat file will come to SAP as an IDOC and this in turn will create a inbound delivery. Please work with your ABAP / Basis to get the EDI interface setup.

Have the delivery type configuration done. Use the delivery type LO for this purpose.

Hope this helps

Regards

Sai

[Former Member]

Thanks Sai. But the inbound idoc is generated in SAP or the idoc will be generated out side SAP (by middleware team) and then the middleware team will send the idoc to SAP ?

regds

[Former Member]

The IDOC will be generated in SAP.

Regards

Sai