Integration with Biometric systems in SAP PI/PO(singlestack)

[mayank_yadav]

Hi All,

I have a scenario where client system is to be integrated (in PI 7.4 singlestack) with Biometric system for

recording clock in/clock out time.

Flow (Async)is inbound i.e. Biometric ->PI -> SAP

What could be the best flow in this case:

proxy to proxy

Soap to Proxy/file

JDBC to Proxy

When asked about file format , the client insists on picking it up from database by directly connecting to it.

But simple way from my pov is to use webservice to pick data from biometric system and send through proxy or file

to SAP.

Please suggest adapters(both) with protocols to avoid complexity and save time to deliver the client.

Also suggestions in case of Alerts to be configured.

Regards,

Mayank

[former_member836986]

SAP has a simplest way to integrate the biometric device through its po/pi API https://api.sap.com/api/ClockInClockOut/overview. If the biometric device supports Biometric Web API, then it can be configured to communicate with SAP server in real-time with the punch logs recorded in the biometric device. If it doesn't support it, you can work with the Biometric Web API providers to enable WebApi for the devices.

[apu_das2]

Hi Mayank,

Few clarifications -

1. I guess your Bio metric system is a third party system and not a SAP system. On that case you will not be able to create native proxy connection with your Bio metric system.

2. SOAP connection can be created but remember SOAP in outbound side work on push method means it will not be able to pull data automatically but your Bio metric system needs to call the WS. Make sure they can do it.

3. If the database of your Bio metric system is ORACLE then you can go for JDBC adapter though connection for MS Access is also possible. But as others said there should have field to flag the record in DB so that PI will not pick the same data again and again.

   Otherwise you can make the flow synchronous an initiate from SAP end . You flow will be -

                     SAP <-> PI <-> Bio metric system

   Now there will be a outbound proxy in SAP end that will be triggered as per schedule.In the Bio metric system end let the team to write some Store procedure / use XML SQL Format to take start and end date time stamp from SAP end  and accordingly pick data from Bio metric system DB. No need to update any flag as your OB proxy will provide sequential date time stamp as per programming.

Thanks,
Apu

[mayank_yadav]

Hi Apu,

Client is using savior biometric system and not sure if its software is SAP certified so

that we can use std interfaces.

Morever, is it possible if we can just use soap and make async interface.

What if we can use JDBC & go for async flow? JDBC to proxy.

There exists certain doubt if the client will go for writing
stored procedure bcoz they don't have teams maintaining that.

Regards,

Mayank

[former_member187587]

Open them a query on the web site asking for integration documentation to the Savior server.

[apu_das2]

Hi Mayank,

1. You can definitely go for SOAP to Proxy design but as I said before you need to make sure your Bio metric system is capable enough to call PI hosted Web service as WS will not work in pull method but your Biometric system needs to call the WS and provide data in the parameters.

2. Async JDBC to proxy is also possible if your Biometric system DB is Oracle/SQL . But as Nimrod said there is a need of update field which you need to update to flag so that PI will not pick data repetitively. If its not possible then as I said make a Proxy to JDBC sync scenario from SAP to Bio Metric system and use XML SQL format so that you can push dynamic date time stamp taken from outbound proxy to add the condition in database select query.

Thanks,

Apu

[mayank_yadav]

Hi Apu,

1. Does the integration documentation contains all info reqd for establishing connection to biometric system with SAP PI.

2.Async JDBC to Proxy: If Update field is provided then single SQL query will be reqd for

fetching data or different multiple SQL querries will be reqd to pick data from database.Please specify.

Thanks,

Mayank

[apu_das2]

Hi Mayank,

1. I think you will not get specific info like integration with Bio Metric system but there are numerous documents where you can get information regarding integration with third party system or integration using SOAP adapter/JDBC adapter.

2. You have provision to put single query only but if require you can merge the query and put that in Select query / Update query section. I think for your case it will not require very complex query.

Thanks,

Apu

[mayank_yadav]

Hi Apu,

In case the update field is provided from biometric s/m, then

does the finger swiping will trigger the event from biometric for the data

flow to PI (Async: JDBC to Proxy flow)?

Or What could be the triggering event .

Regards,

Mayank

[former_member187587]

If it is a well design product then at least intermediate tables should exist for the usage of interfacing.

These tables will get updated frequently from the "live tables" and the select and update of PI will be done from there.

The even on the system will just write data to the tables.

A job should replicate that data to the intermediate tables.

a PI JDBC adapter will be scheduled to check for updates on the intermediate tables.

Off curser the best approach is a SOAP web service that will be invoked by the biometric system calling the PI end point.

[mayank_yadav]

Hi Nimrod,

Thanks for the prompt response. The use of intermediate tables is feasible

but the client doesn't wants to expose their database directly due to security threat.

Otherwise this could have been simple task , a job could have run and data could have

ben sent from intermediate table through PI to destination system.

Another option now we are trying for is by placing file in the shared folder at FTP server,

but the conversion will come into the picture. Is that a good practice for integrating biometric

interface. Can complexities involved be forecasted & resolved for this method? 

[former_member187587]

Depends on the answer to the follwoing questions:

• What is the update frequency needed in the SAP system? daily? hourly? near real time?
• All complexities can be resolved but your are getting into architecture consulting zone and not integration questions on SDN. I don't have all you case data.

[former_member187587]

The decision should be taken based on the business scenario and some solution architecture guidelines.

• Basically , if the biometric system provides an update fields to mark the selected records as picked then you can select directly from the table.Writing to live tables is bad practice however. (by an Integration platform)
• Does a single record from the time management table is enough to create a business transaction in SAP HR. e.g. do you have all the data required in the source record.
• Do you need enrichment fro the data ? from which data source?
• Is there a unique combination of keys in the table that allows you to group records semantically to perform posting of an IDoc (for example) with multiple records? (need to consult with SAP HR team)
• Do you need to return some kind of responseto the time management or not (will define whether you are dealing with synchronous scenario or a-synchronous.
• Does the order of records is imprtant to SAP (Enter\Exit) ?

[mayank_yadav]

Hi Nimrod,

Here the biometric system does not requires update fields.

We are trying to make it simple by using proxy and not the IDoc.

Its an asynch interface and client is asking to pick data from database.

How can we pick data through proxy and send it to ECC via proxy.

Regards,

Mayank

[former_member187587]

You need an update field on the database side becasue if not SAP PI will picj the same records again and again....and you dont want that...

[mayank_yadav]

Thanks Nimrod ,

I wasn't aware of that , and even client is new to SAP.

Whats your suggestion on adapters if we use proxy at both ends?

[former_member187587]

1. Proxy to Proxy you will have the same challenge.
2. What we usually do is better analysis on this 3rd party system for available API. maybe they have exposed web services, file mechanism or middle tables aimed for integration. look for the Biometric product documentation according to the installed version.
3. If it is a closed black box with no API other integration approach should be considered.

SAP PI is an ESB.It is based on messaging integration style. This means a structure message should be generated by the source system and forwarded in an ordered manner to the PI.