ALE,EDI and IDOCs

[Former Member]

Hi all SAP gurus

can anyone send me steps on ALE,EDI and IDOCs

atma_ram_1@yahoo.co.in

Thanks & Regards

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Dear Atma Ram,

The interface concept of the classic R/3 is based on two different strategies: Remote Function Calls (RFC) and data exchange through IDoc message documents. RFC makes direct and synchronous calls of a program in the remote system. If the caller is an external program it will call an RFC-enabled function in R/3 and if the calling program is the R/3 system it will call an RFC-function in another R/3-system or it will call a non-R/3 program through a gateway-proxy (usually rfcexec.exe). BAPIs are a subset of the RFC-enabled function modules, especially designed as Application Programming Interface (API) to the SAP business object, or in other words: are function modules officially released by SAP to be called from external programs.

IDocs are text encoded documents with a rigid structure that are used to exchange data between R/3 and a foreign system. Instead of calling a program in the destination system directly, the data is first packed into an IDoc and then sent to the receiving system, where it is analyzed and properly processed. Therefore an IDoc data exchange is always an asynchronous process. The significant difference between simple RFC-calls and IDoc data exchange is the fact, that every action performed on IDocs are protocolled by R/3 and IDocs can be reprocessed if an error occurred in one of the message steps.

While IDocs have to be understood as a data exchange protocol, EDI and ALE are typical use cases for IDocs. R/3 uses IDocs for both EDI and ALE to deliver data to the receiving system. ALE is basically the scheduling mechanism that defines when and between which partners and what kind of data will be exchanged on a regular or event triggered basis. Such a set-up is called an ALE-scenario.

The philosophical difference between EDI and ALE can be pinned as follows: If we send data to an external partner, we generally speak of EDI, while ALE is a mechanism to reliable replicate data between trusting systems to store a redundant copy of the IDoc data. The difference is made clear, when we think of a purchase order that is sent as an IDoc. If we send the purchase order to a supplier then the supplier will store the purchase order as a sales order. However, if we send the purchase order via ALE to another R/3 system, then the receiving system will store the purchase order also as a purchase order.

Hope this helps you.

Do award points if you found them useful.

Regards,

Rakesh

P.S. you can send me a mail at my mail id rakeshsinghchauhan@gmail.com for any specific details

[Former Member]

hi

ALE

ALE is SAP proprietary technology that enables data communications between two or more SAP R/3 systems and/or R/3 and external systems. When a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution such as R/3 is implemented, companies have to interface the ERP system with legacy systems or other ERP systems.

ALE provides intelligent mechanisms where by clients can achieve integration as well as distribution of applications and data.

ALE technology facilitates rapid application prototyping and application interface development, thus reducing implementation time.

The ALE components are inherently integrated with SAP applications and are robust, leading to a highly reliable system.

ALE comes with application distribution/integration scenarios as well as a set of tools, programs, data definitions, and methodologies that you can easily configure to get an interface up and running.

====

There are basically two types of IDOCs.

Basic IDOCs

Extended IDOCs

Idoc Components

Basic Idoc

Basic IDOC type defines the structure and format of the business document that is to be exchanged between two systems.

Extension Idoc

Extending the functionality by adding more segments to existing Basic IDOCs.

Creation of IDoc

To Create Idoc we need to follow these steps:

Create Segment ( WE31)

Create Idoc Type ( WE30)

Create Message Type ( WE81)

Assign Idoc Type to Message Type ( WE82)

Creating a Segment

Go to transaction code WE31

Enter the name for your segment type and click on the Create icon

Type the short text

Enter the variable names and data elements

Save it and go back

Go to Edit -> Set Release

Follow steps to create more number of segments

Create IDOC Type

Go to transaction code WE30

Enter the Object Name, select Basic type and click Create icon

Select the create new option and enter a description for your basic IDOC type and press enter

Select the IDOC Name and click Create icon

The system prompts us to enter a segment type and its attributes

Choose the appropriate values and press Enter

The system transfers the name of the segment type to the IDOC editor.

Create IDOC Type

Follow these steps to add more number of segments to Parent or as Parent-child relation

Save it and go back

Go to Edit -> Set release

Create Message Type

Go to transaction code WE81

Change the details from Display mode to Change mode

After selection, the system will give this message “The table is cross-client (see Help for further info)”. Press Enter

Click New Entries to create new Message Type

Fill details

Save it and go back

Assign Message Type to IDoc Type

Go to transaction code WE82

Change the details from Display mode to Change mode

After selection, the system will give this message “The table is cross-client (see Help for further info)”. Press Enter.

Click New Entries to create new Message Type.

Fill details

Save it and go back

====

http://www.sap-img.com/abap/ale-bapi.htm

http://www.sap-img.com/

http://help.sap.com/printdocu/core/Print46c/en/data/pdf/BCMIDALEIO/BCMIDALEIO.pdf

http://help.sap.com/printdocu/core/Print46c/en/data/pdf/BCMIDALEPRO/BCMIDALEPRO.pdf

http://help.sap.com/printdocu/core/Print46c/en/data/pdf/CABFAALEQS/CABFAALEQS.pdf

http://help.sap.com/printdocu/core/Print46c/en/data/pdf/BCSRVEDISC/CAEDISCAP_STC.pdf

http://help.sap.com/printdocu/core/Print46c/en/data/pdf/BCSRVEDI/CAEDI.pdf

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_erp2004/helpdata/en/dc/6b835943d711d1893e0000e8323c4f/content.htm

http://www.sapgenie.com/sapgenie/docs/ale_scenario_development_procedure.doc

http://edocs.bea.com/elink/adapter/r3/userhtm/ale.htm#1008419

http://www.sapgenie.com/sapedi/index.htm

http://expertanswercenter.techtarget.com/eac/knowledgebaseCategory/0,295197,sid63_tax296858_idx0_off...

http://sap.ittoolbox.com/documents/popular-q-and-a/extending-a-basic-idoc-type-2358

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_47x200/helpdata/en/dc/6b7eee43d711d1893e0000e8323c4f/frameset.htm

=====

Reward if USeful

Thanx & Regards.

Naren..

Message was edited by:

Dasari Narendra

[Former Member]

Naren

Thanks

some of your links are not working.

e.g.

http://www.allsaplinks.com/idoc_sample.html

http://www.allsaplinks.com/

http://www.sappoint.com/abap.html

etc.

maybe you can re-edit this template for future use.

Regards

Atma

[Former Member]

Hi

The interface concept of the classic R/3 is based on two different strategies: Remote Function Calls (RFC) and data exchange through IDoc message documents. RFC makes direct and synchronous calls of a program in the remote system. If the caller is an external program it will call an RFC-enabled function in R/3 and if the calling program is the R/3 system it will call an RFC-function in another R/3-system or it will call a non-R/3 program through a gateway-proxy (usually rfcexec.exe). BAPIs are a subset of the RFC-enabled function modules, especially designed as Application Programming Interface (API) to the SAP business object, or in other words: are function modules officially released by SAP to be called from external programs.

IDocs are text encoded documents with a rigid structure that are used to exchange data between R/3 and a foreign system. Instead of calling a program in the destination system directly, the data is first packed into an IDoc and then sent to the receiving system, where it is analyzed and properly processed. Therefore an IDoc data exchange is always an asynchronous process. The significant difference between simple RFC-calls and IDoc data exchange is the fact, that every action performed on IDocs are protocolled by R/3 and IDocs can be reprocessed if an error occurred in one of the message steps.

While IDocs have to be understood as a data exchange protocol, EDI and ALE are typical use cases for IDocs. R/3 uses IDocs for both EDI and ALE to deliver data to the receiving system. ALE is basically the scheduling mechanism that defines when and between which partners and what kind of data will be exchanged on a regular or event triggered basis. Such a set-up is called an ALE-scenario.

The philosophical difference between EDI and ALE can be pinned as follows: If we send data to an external partner, we generally speak of EDI, while ALE is a mechanism to reliable replicate data between trusting systems to store a redundant copy of the IDoc data. The difference is made clear, when we think of a purchase order that is sent as an IDoc. If we send the purchase order to a supplier then the supplier will store the purchase order as a sales order. However, if we send the purchase order via ALE to another R/3 system, then the receiving system will store the purchase order also as a purchase order.

<a href="http://www.thespot4sap.com/Articles/SAP_ALE_Introduction.asp">ALE TUTORIAL</a>

<a href="http://www.erpgenie.com/sapedi/index.htm">SAP EDI AND IDOC</a>

[former_member227476]

1.1 What is ALE?

The ALE (Application Link Enabling) concept available in R/3 (Release 3.0) supports the development of applications across different SAP systems. It incorporates the exchange of business information across these systems whilst ensuring consistency and integrity of the data. This functionality is achieved with the use of Idocs (Information Document) as opposed to the use of a centralised database

• What is EDI?

o The computer-to-computer electronic exchange of machine-processable business documents in a standard format.

o An electronic alternative to paper, fax, and phone-based transactions used by companies to communicate with one another

[Former Member]

hi

search in this forum you will get tonnes of material

rehards

prashanth goud