Major Difference Between LSMW and BDC

[Former Member]

Hi ,

Could you please tell me, in what conditions we use LSMW or BDC ?

[Former Member]

Hello

LSMW and BDC are vastly different.

BDC (Batch Data Communication) is a technology used for data transfer. it is meant for transferring data thru SAP transactions itself. when u use BDC for data transfer, the sequence of steps is the same as when u use standard sap transaction screens for data upload. the only difference is that u can use different options for foreground/backgrou nd processing.

LSMW on the other hand is a tool that helps migrate data from a legacy system (non-sap system ) to SAP system. it offers u various options to use either batch input, direct input, BAPIs or idocs. it involves a series of some 17-18 steps to migrate data.

BDC:

Batch Data Communication (BDC) is the process of transferring data from one SAP System to another SAP system or from a non-SAP system to SAP System.

Features :

BDC is an automatic procedure.

This method is used to transfer large amount of data that is available in electronic medium.

BDC can be used primarily when installing the SAP system and when transferring data from a legacy system (external system).

BDC uses normal transaction codes to transfer data.

Types of BDC :

CLASSICAL BATCH INPUT (Session Method)

CALL TRANSACTION

BATCH INPUT METHOD:

This method is also called as ‘CLASSICAL METHOD’.

Features:

Asynchronous processing.

Synchronous Processing in database update.

Transfer data for more than one transaction.

Batch input processing log will be generated.

During processing, no transaction is started until the previous transaction has been written to the database.

CALL TRANSACTION METHOD :

This is another method to transfer data from the legacy system.

Features:

Synchronous processing. The system performs a database commit immediately before and after the CALL TRANSACTION USING statement.

Updating the database can be either synchronous or asynchronous. The program specifies the update type.

Transfer data for a single transaction.

Transfers data for a sequence of dialog screens.

No batch input processing log is generated.

LSMW:

The LSM Workbench is an R/3-based tool that supports You when transferring data from non-SAP systems ("Legacy Systems") to R/3 once or periodically.

The tool supports conversion of data of the legacy system in a convenient way. The data can then be imported into the R/3 system via batch input, direct input, BAPIs or IDocs.

Furthermore, the LSM Workbench provides a recording function that allows to generate a "data migration object" in an entry or change transaction.

The main advantages of the LSM Workbench:

• Part of R/3 and thus independent of individual platforms

• A variety of technical possibilities of data conversion:

• Data consistency due to standard import techniques:

Batch input

Direct input

BAPIs (Business Application Programming Interfaces)

IDocs (Intermediate Documents)

The import technique to be used in an individual case depends on the business object.

• Generation of the conversion program on the basis of defined rules

• Clear interactive process guide

• Interface for data in spreadsheet format

• Creation of data migration objects on the basis of recorded transactions

• Charge-free for SAP customers and SAP partners

i hope it is clear

[Former Member]

Hi Lokesh,

The answer could be simple: always use LSMW as this tools comprises many different migration tools, including BDC.

Regards,

John.

[Former Member]

LSMW offers different technique for migrating data: Direct input, BAPI, Idoc, Batch input recording. While BDC basically uses batch input sessions and CALL TRANSACTION method.

Limit on number of records which can be uploaded in one session of BDC (999 records). No such limit in LSMW.

LSMW is more to do with configuration while BDC involves programming.

LSMW can import data from legacy systems (e.g. in the form of Excel sheets or CSV files). I guess LSMW converts your data into batch input files automatically. If you use BDC; you need to write your batch input file yourself, line per line.

With LSMW, you get a "wizard" (so to say) that writes the batch input for you. It's the difference between writing a program yourself and letting a wizard write it for you.

But a wizard can only handle some specific situations (Excel file, sequential data in CSV files, for instance) but not ALL situations of data import. For those situations that LSMW cannot handle, you will need BDC.

Pls go through the following links. You will get comfortable levels of understanding.

http://www.karakas-online.de/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5003

http://www.geekinterview.com/question_details/33450

http://www.allinterview.com/showanswers/1646

Regards

[ThomasZloch]

why can you not type "LSMW BDC difference" in the search box on the left and check out the answers to the many indentical questions that have been asked in the past??

[Former Member]

BDC (Batch Data Communication) is a technology used for data transfer. it is meant for transferring data thru SAP transactions itself. when u use BDC for data transfer, the sequence of steps is the same as when u use standard sap transaction screens for data upload. the only difference is that u can use different options for foreground/background processing.

The LSM Workbench is an R/3-based tool that supports You when transferring data from non-SAP systems ("Legacy Systems") to R/3 once or periodically.

The tool supports conversion of data of the legacy system in a convenient way. The data can then be imported into the R/3 system via batch input, direct input, BAPIs or IDocs.

Furthermore, the LSM Workbench provides a recording function that allows to generate a "data migration object" in an entry or change transaction.

LSMW doesn't have screen no's and screen navigation direct table update with the structure of LSWM . where as BDC has screen navigation with DYNPR Which doesn't have structure only screen fields ....

LSMW is generally for normal SAP applications, while BDC is mainly for any customized application.

LSMW provides various methods for the migration of data, namely, those of direct input, Batch input recording and IDOC. BDC however, simply makes use of recording. There are two ways of implementing BDC, the call transaction method and the session method.

In LSMW, mapping is taken care of with the help of SAP, whereas in BDC one has to provide explicit mapping directions.

Coding is not very flexible in LSMW, whereas in BDC, coding is very flexible and applications can be easily customized. This is mainly because LSMW is devised specially for functional consultants who do not perform coding, while BDC is mainly made use of by technical consultants, who do perform coding.

For BDC:

http://myweb.dal.ca/hchinni/sap/bdc_home.htm

https://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/sdn/wiki?path=/display/home/bdc&;

http://www.sap-img.com/abap/learning-bdc-programming.htm

http://www.sapdevelopment.co.uk/bdc/bdchome.htm

For LSMW

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_nw04s/helpdata/en/87/f3ae74e68111d1b3ff006094b944c8/content.htm

http://www.sap-img.com/sap-data-migration.htm

http://www.scmexpertonline.com/downloads/SCM_LSMW_StepsOnWeb.doc

http://allsaplinks.com/lsmw.html

BDC and LSMW Diff

LSMW is having different different options and as in BDC we have to code

a program but i suppose the main difference in both the cases is:-

LSMW has been developed mainly for the Functional people who has no

knowledge of the technical aspects of report or BDC in ABAP because its very user friendly and handy to use.

So, simply they can upload the master records using LSMW.

Earlier they had to contact to a ABAP person and ask him to create a BDC taking extra time and efforts.

lsmw is basically for standard sap application.

BDC is basically for customized applications.

In lsmw mapping is take care by sap.

In bdc we have to give mapping concept explicitly.

LSMW offers different techniques for migrating data say : Direct input , Batch input recording , BAPI , IDOC

It basically uses recording.

LSMW is basically designed for Functional consultants who do no coding .

BDC is used by technical consultants , who do coding.

Coding cannot be done flexibily as BDC.

Coding can be done flexibly to customize applications.

Also:

BDC and LSMW are the two data migration techniques (from legacy to SAP) . BDC technique is usually done by ABAPers. It consists of three methods.

1) Call Dialog Method

2) Session Method

3) Call Transaction Method

In the case of Session Method , a BDC Session is created , which has the data and info to run it in batch mode. When the user runs this session, every transactions are run in batch mode and tables are updated.

WHile in call transaction, no session is created. Instead , a report prog is created , which takes input from the file and calls the transaction in Batch mode.

Call dialog method is similar to call transaction, except that updation is done by the calling program itself.This method is obsolete.

Advantages of Batch Input Method are

1)Can process large data volumes

2) data integrity is maintained

Just check these links.

LSMW and BDC are vastly different.

BDC (Batch Data Communication) is a technology used for data transfer. it is meant for transferring data thru SAP transactions itself. when u use BDC for data transfer, the sequence of steps is the same as when u use standard sap transaction screens for data upload. the only difference is that u can use different options for foreground/backgrou nd processing.

LSMW on the other hand is a tool that helps migrate data from a legacy system (non-sap system ) to SAP system. it offers u various options to use either batch input, direct input, BAPIs or idocs. it involves a series of some 17-18 steps to migrate data.

BDC:

Batch Data Communication (BDC) is the process of transferring data from one SAP System to another SAP system or from a non-SAP system to SAP System.

Features :

BDC is an automatic procedure.

This method is used to transfer large amount of data that is available in electronic medium.

BDC can be used primarily when installing the SAP system and when transferring data from a legacy system (external system).

BDC uses normal transaction codes to transfer data.

Types of BDC :

CLASSICAL BATCH INPUT (Session Method)

CALL TRANSACTION

BATCH INPUT METHOD:

This method is also called as ‘CLASSICAL METHOD’.

Features:

Asynchronous processing.

Synchronous Processing in database update.

Transfer data for more than one transaction.

Batch input processing log will be generated.

During processing, no transaction is started until the previous transaction has been written to the database.

CALL TRANSACTION METHOD :

This is another method to transfer data from the legacy system.

Features:

Synchronous processing. The system performs a database commit immediately before and after the CALL TRANSACTION USING statement.

Updating the database can be either synchronous or asynchronous. The program specifies the update type.

Transfer data for a single transaction.

Transfers data for a sequence of dialog screens.

No batch input processing log is generated.

LSMW:

The LSM Workbench is an R/3-based tool that supports You when transferring data from non-SAP systems ("Legacy Systems") to R/3 once or periodically.

The tool supports conversion of data of the legacy system in a convenient way. The data can then be imported into the R/3 system via batch input, direct input, BAPIs or IDocs.

Furthermore, the LSM Workbench provides a recording function that allows to generate a "data migration object" in an entry or change transaction.

The main advantages of the LSM Workbench:

• Part of R/3 and thus independent of individual platforms

• A variety of technical possibilities of data conversion:

• Data consistency due to standard import techniques:

Batch input

Direct input

BAPIs (Business Application Programming Interfaces)

IDocs (Intermediate Documents)

The import technique to be used in an individual case depends on the business object.

• Generation of the conversion program on the basis of defined rules

• Clear interactive process guide

• Interface for data in spreadsheet format

• Creation of data migration objects on the basis of recorded transactions

• Charge-free for SAP customers and SAP partners

Reward points if found helpful…

Regards,

Chandru

[Former Member]

HI

BDC- It is Batch data communication. Its used for data conversion from legacy system to SAP system. Tcode is SHDB.

LSMW- It is legacy system migration workbench. Its also used for data conversion from legacy system to SAP system. But it is role of functional consultant.

There are 14 steps in LSMW. As soon as you complete the one step, automatically it will go to next step.

In general you can use LSMW. But if you want to transfer more than 40,000 data, then it is not possible in LSMW. That time you can take help of BDC.

[Former Member]

hi,

In simple words....

BDC is the method to upload the data from flat file in which you have to write the every single logic in it..

where as LSMW is automated process ie most of the logic is desinged by the system itself.

2. BDC is used for the continuous data upload as well as master data upload where as lsmw is used for one time requirement ie most of the times for master data upload.

3. in lsmw u can apply 4 different techniques DI/BI, recording, bapi and idoc where as in bdc those r limited.

4. LSMW will not support call transaction method.