ALE/IDOC procedure

[Former Member]

Hi exports,

can u just brief me the whole procedure of ALE/IDOC(inbound & outbound), with all transactions and an example.

[Former Member]

Hai Vipin,

ALE/ IDOC

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.netweaverguru.com/EDI/HTML/IDocBook.htm

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

http://www.sappoint.com/abap/ale.pdf

http://www.sappoint.com/abap/ale2.pdf

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

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_erp2005/helpdata/en/0b/2a60bb507d11d18ee90000e8366fc2/frameset.htm

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_erp2005/helpdata/en/78/217da751ce11d189570000e829fbbd/frameset.htm

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

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

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.netweaverguru.com/EDI/HTML/IDocBook.htm

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

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

Check these step-by-step links

https://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/servlet/prt/portal/prtroot/com.sap.km.cm.docs/library/uuid/ccab6730-0501...

https://sdn.sap.com/irj/servlet/prt/portal/prtroot/com.sap.km.cm.docs/library/uuid/8fd773b3-0301-001...

https://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/servlet/prt/portal/prtroot/com.sap.km.cm.docs/library/uuid/3c5d9ae3-0501...

Regards.

Eshwar.

[Former Member]

Hai.

check this.

ale steps:

Application Linking and Enabling (ALE)

In this document you will learn the step-by-step procedure to setup the ALE system and go through a transaction between two clients

For our purpose we have two clients

namely Client 100 and Client 200.

System name is SAPKDC (FOR BOTH 100 AND 200 CLIENTS).

Distribution of Material Master Data Between two Systems

1) SETUP LOGICAL SYSTEM: (Note: Do Not Create This Step)

To do this follow the following steps

Execute SALE Transaction Code

On The Screen Click on Sending and Receiving Systems.

Then Click on Logical Systems.

Then Click Defining Logical Systems.

Click New Entries Button

(E.g. (LG100 sending system)

(LG200 receiving system))

Enter two logical system names and their description.

Save

Comeback to SALE Transaction Code screen.

2) Now you have to allocate the created logical systems to respective clients.( Note: Do Not Create This Step)

LG100 assign to client 100

LG200 assign to client 200

To do this, do the following.

Click Assigning Client to Logical System.

Ignore the message that comes up on the screen.

Select client 100

Click details button on the toolbar icon or press F2.

In the logical system box, enter LG100.

Click on the save Icon

Click the back button.

Now select client 200.

Click details icon or press f2.

In logical Systems box, enter LG200.

Save

Back.

Comeback to SALE Transaction Code screen.

3) Maintain RFC Destination: (TR.CODE:SM59)

(Note: Do Not Create This Step)

Click Create Button on the Screen

On the Screen Maintain RFC Destination i.e LG200.

Enter LG200 in RFC destination box.

Connection type is 3

Give a description for the RFC destination.

Maintain Technical Settings on Details on Technical Settings tab

Target Host as : SAPKDC (NOTE: Save it as a Host Name)

Maintain Logon Details on Logon/Security tab.

Language: EN.

User: MMUSER200 (This is the logon for dist.)

Client : 200

Password: MM1234.

Save.

Click on create to do the above process for Client 200 in

The client 200 system.

4) Maintain Distribution Model.(BD64). (ABAPer role starts here)

Execute Maintain distribution model directly for

creating the model.

Click on change mode button on App tool bar of the Screen.

Create Model View pushbutton on App tool bar of the Screen.

A pop screen will appear in which you specify

Short text as Distribution for MM Data.

Enter Technical Name as LGMODEL.

Select Model View and Click on Add Message Type Pushbutton on App toolbar of the Screen.

A popup screen will appear in which you specify

Model View as LGMODEL.

Sender as LG100.

Receiver as LG200.

Again Click on Add Message Type Pushbutton on App toolbar of the Screen.

A popup screen will appear in which you specify

Model View as LGMODEL.

Sender as LG200.

Receiver as LG100.

SAVE.

On the same screen goto Menubar and select Environment.

And then select Generate Partner Profiles , then execute it.

On the Screen specify the Logical System as LG200.

Then execute the screen.

Click back.

Again On the same screen goto Menubar and select EDIT.

Again select Model View and then select Distribute.

****LOGIN to client 200.

Execute Tr.code BD64 and again On the same screen goto Menubar and select Environment.

And then select Generate Partner Profiles , then execute it.

On the Screen specify the Model View as LGMODEL

And Specify the Logical System as LG100.

Then execute the screen.

Click back.

*******Switch back to client 100 Session.

5) Create Material using MM03 Tr.Code.

Enter the material name as LGMATERIAL

Industry sector as Mechanical Engineering

Material Type as Finished Products.

And then Click on Data Pushbutton on the App tool bar.

Select views.

In the select views box for materials check basic data 1 AND 2.

Click enter icon.

In the next screen that you get

Give the text of the material as NEW MATERIAL.

Base unit of measure as KG.

Gross Weight as 200.

Net Weight as 100.

Weight Unit as KG.

In the description area language (E) and material description.

Click Save.

Now I Created a Material in Client 100 , I want to transfer this data to Client 200.

6) Execute BD10 to transfer the material in which you specify

the material as LGMATERIAL and

message type as MATMAS (client100).

Then a Screen will be displayed in which it shows that

1 Master Idoc Generated .. Enter

1 Communication Idoc Generated..Enter.

*******LOGIN to Client 200.

7) Execute BD11 to get the material in which you specify

the material as LGMATERIAL and

message type as MATMAS (client200).

😎 Execute Tr.code MM03 and give the material as LGMATERIAL

and see that the material is displayed as it was in Client 100.

If not follow these steps.

9) Execute Tr.code WE19( for rectification of errors in client200).

Specify the Existing Idoc Number and Executes it .

A Screen is displayed in which you specify the corresponding Function Module as INPUT_IDOC_MATMAS01 and execute it.

10) Execute Tr.code MM03 and give the material as LGMATERIAL

and see that the material is displayed as it was in Client 100.

Now the Material is correctly displayed in Client 200.

11) Monitoring of IDOCS.

Transaction Codes:

IDOC Display of Status: WE 05.

IDOC Date and Time: WE07.

Outbound:

Step 1. Application document is created when transaction is saved.

2. Message control is invoked.

3. Messages are processed by system.

4. Messages are Edited (if desired).

5. Output (ALE / EDI) is checked

6. Validate against Message control record from Partner Profile

7. Application Document is saved.

8. Entry NAST table is created for every selected output program

along with Medium & Timing.

9. Check for Process Immediately .

If (yes)

Determine Processing Program from TNAPR Table.

ELSE

Execute RSNASTED Program.

10. Read Partner Profile to determine Process Code.

11. Process Code points to the Function Module & Invoked.

12. IDoc is generated.

13. Check for ALE Request.

if (Yes)

Perform Filters, Conversions, Version Changes etc.

Else.

IDoc is stored in DATABASE.

INBOUND:

Step 1. EDI Subsystem creates an IDoc file from EDI Messages

2. Subsystem calls Functional Module EDI_DATA_INCOMING from startRFC program.

3. Data in Control Record is validate against the Partner Profile.

4. IDoc is generated in Database and syntax check is carried out.

5. IDoc file is deleted once file read.

6. Event PROCESSSTATE REACHED is triggered in Idoc Object Workflow.

7. Check for Process Immediately.

If NO

Execute RBDAPP01 Program

Else

Read Process Code from Partner Profile

Process Code Points to Function Module

Application Document Posted.

further help:

check url

http://www.sappoint.com/abap/ale.pdf

http://www.sappoint.com/abap/ale2.pdf

http://www.sapgenie.com/ale/configuration.htm

http://www.sappoint.com/abap/ale.pdf

http://www.sappoint.com/abap/ale2.pdf

http://www.sapdevelopment.co.uk/training

And also u can get lots of inof from the below link.

http://www.sapgenie.com/ale/why_ale.htm

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idoc:

Data Creation in Idoc

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.

IDoc is a intermediate document to exchange data between two SAP Systems.

*IDocs are structured ASCII files (or a virtual equivalent).

*Electronic Interchange Document

*They are the file format used by SAP R/3 to exchange data with foreign systems.

*Data Is transmitted in ASCII format, i.e. human readable form

*IDocs exchange messages

*IDocs are used like classical interface files

IDOC types are templates for specific message types depending on what is the business document, you want to exchange.

WE30 - you can create a IDOC type.

An IDOC with data, will have to be triggered by the application that is trying to send out the data.

FOr testing you can use WE19.

How to create idoc?

*WE30 - you can create a IDOC type

For more information in details on the same along with the examples can be viewed on:

http://www.netweaverguru.com/EDI/HTML/IDocBook.htm#_Toc8400404

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_erp2005/helpdata/en/0b/2a6620507d11d18ee90000e8366fc2/frameset.htm

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

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

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

http://www.erpgenie.com/sapedi/idoc_abap.htm

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.

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

Check these out..

Check below link. It will give the step by step procedure for IDOC creation.

http://www.supinfo-projects.com/cn/2005/idocs_en/2/

ALE/ IDOC

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.netweaverguru.com/EDI/HTML/IDocBook.htm

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

http://www.sappoint.com/abap/ale.pdf

http://www.sappoint.com/abap/ale2.pdf

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

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_erp2005/helpdata/en/0b/2a60bb507d11d18ee90000e8366fc2/frameset.htm

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_erp2005/helpdata/en/78/217da751ce11d189570000e829fbbd/frameset.htm

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

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

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.netweaverguru.com/EDI/HTML/IDocBook.htm

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

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

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

go trough these links.

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.netweaverguru.com/EDI/HTML/IDocBook.htm

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

http://www.sappoint.com/abap/ale.pdf

http://www.sappoint.com/abap/ale2.pdf

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

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_erp2005/helpdata/en/0b/2a60bb507d11d18ee90000e8366fc2/frameset.htm

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_erp2005/helpdata/en/78/217da751ce11d189570000e829fbbd/frameset.htm

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

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

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.netweaverguru.com/EDI/HTML/IDocBook.htm

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

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

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

An IDoc is simply a data container that is used to exchange information between any two processes that can understand the syntax and semantics of the data...

1.IDOCs are stored in the database. In the SAP system, IDOCs are stored in database tables.

2.IDOCs are independent of the sending and receiving systems.

3.IDOCs are independent of the direction of data exchange.

The two available process for IDOCs are

Outbound Process

Inbound Process

AND There are basically two types of IDOCs.

Basic IDOCs

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

Extended IDOCs

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

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)

imp links

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

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

www.sappoint.com

--here u can find the ppts and basic seetings for ALE

http://sappoint.com/presentation.html

www.sapgenie.com

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

WE30 - you can create a IDOC type.

An IDOC with data, will have to be triggered by the application that is trying to send out the data.

Try this..Hope this will help.

>>>> SAP ALE & IDOC<<<<

Steps to configuration(Basis) >>

1. Create Logical System (LS) for each applicable ALE-enabled client

2. Link client to Logical System on the respective servers

3. Create background user, to be used by ALE(with authorizaton for ALE postings)

4. Create RFC Destinations(SM59)

5. Ports in Idoc processing(WE21)

6. Generate partner profiles for sending system

The functional configuration(Tcode: SALE)

• Create a Customer Distribution Model (CDM);

• Add appropriate message types and filters to the CDM;

• Generate outbound partner profiles;

• Distribute the CDM to the receiving systems; and

• Generate inbound partner profiles on each of the clients.

Steps to customize a new IDoc >>>

1. Define IDoc Segment (WE31)

2. Convert Segments into an IDoc type (WE30)

3. Create a Message Type (WE81)

4. Create valid Combination of Message & IDoc type(WE82)

5. Define Processing Code(WE41 for OUT / WE42 for IN)

6. Define Partner Profile(WE20)

Important Transaction Codes:

SALE - IMG ALE Configuration root

WE20 - Manually maintain partner profiles

BD64 - Maintain customer distribution model

BD71 - Distribute customer distribution model

SM59 - Create RFC Destinations

BDM5 - Consistency check (Transaction scenarios)

BD82 - Generate Partner Profiles

BD61 - Activate Change Pointers - Globally

BD50 - Activate Change Pointer for Msg Type

BD52 - Activate change pointer per change.doc object

BD59 - Allocation object type -> IDOC type

BD56 - Maintain IDOC Segment Filters

BD53 - Reduction of Message Types

BD21 - Select Change Pointer

BD87 - Status Monitor for ALE Messages

BDM5 - Consistency check (Transaction scenarios)

BD62 - Define rules

BD79 - Maintain rules

BD55 - Defining settings for IDoc conversion

WEDI - ALE IDoc Administration

WE21 - Ports in Idoc processing

WE60 - IDoc documentation

SARA - IDoc archiving (Object type IDOC)

WE47 - IDoc status maintenance

WE07 - IDoc statistics

BALE - ALE Distribution Administration

WE05 - IDoc overview

BD87 - Inbound IDoc reprocessing

BD88 - Outbound IDoc reprocessing

BDM2 - IDoc Trace

BDM7 - IDoc Audit Analysis

BD21 - Create IDocs from change pointers

SM58 - Schedule RFC Failures

Basic config for Distributed data:

BD64: Maintain a Distributed Model

BD82: Generate Partner Profile

BD64: Distribute the distribution Model

Programs

RBDMIDOC – Creating IDoc Type from Change Pointers

RSEOUT00 – Process all selected IDocs (EDI)

RBDAPP01 - Inbound Processing of IDocs Ready for Transfer

RSARFCEX - Execute Calls Not Yet Executed

RBDMOIND - Status Conversion with Successful tRFC Execution

RBDMANIN - Start error handling for non-posted IDocs

RBDSTATE - Send Audit Confirmations

FOr testing you can use WE19.

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ALE IDOC

Sending System(Outbound ALE Process)

Tcode SALE - for

a) Define Logical System

b) Assign Client to Logical System

Tcode SM59-RFC Destination

Tcode BD64 - Create Model View

Tcode BD82 - Generate partner Profiles & Create Ports

Tcode BD64 - Distribute the Model view

Message Type MATMAS

Tcode BD10 - Send Material Data

Tcode WE05 - Idoc List for watching any Errors

Receiving System(Inbound ALE )

Tcode SALE - for

a) Define Logical System

b) Assign Client to Logical System

Tcode SM59-RFC Destination

Tcode BD64 - Check for Model view whether it has distributed or not

Tcode BD82 -- Generate partner Profiles & Create Ports

Tcode BD11 Getting Material Data

Tcode WE05 - Idoc List for inbound status codes

ALE IDOC Steps

Sending System(Outbound ALE Process)

Tcode SALE ?3 for

a) Define Logical System

b) Assign Client to Logical System

Tcode SM59-RFC Destination

Tcode BD64 - Create Model View

Tcode BD82 - Generate partner Profiles & Create Ports

Tcode BD64 - Distribute the Model view

This is Receiving system Settings

Receiving System(Inbound ALE )

Tcode SALE - for

a) Define Logical System

b) Assign Client to Logical System

Tcode SM59-RFC Destination

Tcode BD64 - Check for Model view whether it has distributed or not

Tcode BD82 -- Generate partner Profiles & Create Ports

Tcode BD11 Getting Material Data

Tcode WE05 - Idoc List for inbound status codes

Message Type MATMAS

Tcode BD10 - Send Material Data

Tcode WE05 - Idoc List for watching any Errors

1)a Goto Tcode SALE

Click on Sending & Receiving Systems-->Select Logical Systems

Here Define Logical Systems---> Click on Execute Button

go for new entries

1) System Name : ERP000

Description : Sending System

2) System Name : ERP800

Description : Receiving System

press Enter & Save

it will ask Request

if you want new request create new Request orpress continue for transfering the objects

B) goto Tcode SALE

Select Assign Client to Logical Systems-->Execute

000--> Double click on this

Give the following Information

Client : ERP 000

City :

Logical System

Currency

Client role

Save this Data

Step 2) For RFC Creation

Goto Tcode SM59-->Select R/3 Connects

Click on Create Button

RFC Destination Name should be same as partner's logical system name and case sensitive to create the ports automatically while generating the partner profiles

give the information for required fields

RFC Destination : ERP800

Connection type: 3

Description

Target Host : ERP000

System No:000

lan : EN

Client : 800

User : Login User Name

Password:

save this & Test it & RemortLogin

3)

Goto Tcode BD64 -- click on Change mode button

click on create moduleview

short text : xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Technical Neme : MODEL_ALV

save this & Press ok

select your just created modelview Name :'MODEL_ALV'.

goto add message type

Model Name : MODEL_ALV

sender : ERP000

Receiver : ERP800

Message type :MATMAS

save & Press Enter

4) Goto Tcode BD82

Give Model View : MODEL_ALV

Partner system : ERP800

execute this by press F8 Button

it will gives you sending system port No :A000000015(Like)

5) Goto Tcode BD64

seelct the modelview

goto >edit>modelview-->distribute

press ok & Press enter

6)goto Tcode : BD10 for Material sending

Material : mat_001

Message Type : MATMAS

Logical System : ERP800

and Execute

7)goto Tcode : BD11 for Material Receiving

Material : mat_001

Message Type : MATMAS

and Execute --> 1 request idoc created for message type Matmas

press enter

Here Master Idoc set for Messge type MATMAS-->press Enter

1 Communication Idoc generated for Message Type

this is your IDOC

Change Pointers

I know how to change the description of a material using ALE Change Pointers.

I will give the following few steps

1) Tcode BD61---> check the change pointers activated check box

save and goback.

2) Tcode BD50---> check the MATMAS check box save and comeback.

3) Tcode BD51---> goto IDOC_INPUT_MATMAS01 select the checkbox save and comeback.

4) Tcode BD52---> give message type : matmas press ok button.

select all what ever you want and delete remaining fields.

save & come back.

5) 5) go to Tcode MM02 select one material and try to change the description and save it

it will effects the target systems material desciption will also changes

6) goto Tcode SE38 give program Name is : RBDMIDOC and Execute

give Message type : MATMAS and Executte

ALE/IDOC Status Codes/Messages

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---

01 Error --> Idoc Added

30 Error --> Idoc ready for dispatch(ALE Service)

then goto SE38 --> Execute the Program RBDMIDOC

29 Error --> ALE Service Layer

then goto SE38 --> Execute the Program RSEOUT00

03 Error --> Data Passed to Port ok

then goto SE38 --> Execute the Program RBDMOIND

12 Error --> Dispatch ok

Inbound Status Codes

50 Error --> It will go for ALE Service Layer

56 Error --> Idoc with Errors added

51 Error --> Application Document not posted

65 Error --> Error in ALE Service Layer

for 51 or 56 Errors do the following steps

goto WE19 > give the IDOC Number and Execute>

Press on Inbound function Module

for 65 Error --> goto SE38 --> Execute the Program RBDAPP01 then your getting 51 Error

regards.

sowjanya.b

[Former Member]

HI,

Set up of an ALE distribution model for customers master data - Part 1

What is ALE?

ALE stands for Application Link Enabling and is a remote connection technology allowing the decentralization of business processes by connecting decentralized systems together.

Using ALE, it is fairly easy to synchronize several SAP systems so that they contain the same data objects at anytime. These objects may be master data (customers, vendors, GL accounts, cost centers, ...) or transaction data (FI documents, purchase orders, ...). To enable the synchronization, ALE supports not only mass transfer of data between systems but also selective data transfers of objects changed since the last transfer.

How does it work?

Viewed from a high level perspective, the process is straight and simple: a sender system selects the data that needs to be distributed, packs it in a standard format and sends it to one or several receiving systems. When a receiving system gets the data, it unpacks the standard format and records the data.

In fact, 3 layers are involved in this process:

An application layer which selects and records data in R/3.

A distribution layer which filters and converts data.

A communication layer which ensures the actual communication of records generated in a standard format.

The senders and receivers are determined thanks to a so-called distribution model which defines the transfer rules (who sends what to who?). The definition of the distribution model must be known by all systems involved (either as sender or receiver) and must consequently exist on all those systems.

The Intermediate Document (IDoc)

The data transferred using ALE must have a SAP standard format to be understood from all partners in the communication. This format is the Intermediate Document (IDoc) which represents an intermediary structure between raw SAP data and EDI formats. This structure is not constant, it depends on the data to be transferred and SAP provides the structures for most SAP standard objects such as customers master data, sales orders, ...

An IDoc with a specific structure is said to have a specific type. The IDoc type is nothing more than a version of a specific IDoc structure designed to contain data for a specific object type. For example, the IDoc type DEBMAS05 is the fifth version of a structure that represents a customer master data. The management of versions for IDocs structures is necessary because the objects evolve with time and tend to become more and more complex with new data fields or tables being added regularly.

The conversion of raw data forth (for the sender system) and back (for the receiver system) to the IDoc format is also ensured by SAP standard function modules as long as you transfer standard objects. For non standard objects (enhancements), you must define your own IDoc structure and write your own conversion function modules.

RFC connections

The data communication between the SAP servers may be done by several ways. The 2 most common ways are the transactional RFC and the file. The RFC connection is used to make a direct connection between servers while the file interface speaks for itself, it uses a file containing the IDocs from the sender system as input in the receiver(s) system(s).

The selection of a communication method is made though the ports configuration as we will see in the next section. For the purpose of this article, we are going to choose the most efficient method: the transactional RFC method. To set it up, we first need to define the RFC destinations of the partner systems.

An RFC destination may be seen as a set of settings necessary to connect to a system using the RFC protocol. These settings include the address and type of the partner system along with connection information such as the user ID and password to use.

The RFC destinations of all partners systems must be defined on all systems to include in the distribution model. The transaction to use for this purpose is SM59.

Definition of the communication ports

The communication ports determine the type of data communication that must occur between systems. When the communication is to use the RFC protocol, transactional RFC ports must be created specifying the RFC destinations of the partner systems. Use transaction WE21 for this purpose.

Partners profiles

In SAP, all partners systems involved in a distribution model have a profile. There exist several profile types such as customers profiles, vendors profiles, ... but this distinction between profiles is generally not necessary and you will create in most cases your partners profiles using a generic Logical System type.

Before entering the settings of the logical systems partners, you have to create them in customizing. Also, each system in the distribution model must be assigned in its own system its own logical system that represents it. This assignment is done at client level and not at system level. This is not easy to explain nor to understand so let's take a simple example. Let's consider we have a simple distribution model made up of a sender system (S01) and a receiver system (R01). We need to transfer data from S01 / client 100 to R01 / client 200. In both the systems, we will define the logical systems S01_100 and R01_200. But in sender system S01, the logical system S01_100 will be assigned to the client 100 while in the receiver system R01, it will be R01_200 that will be assigned to client 200. With such a configuration you see it is even possible to transfer data between two clients from the same system.

A partner profile is used to determine a lot of important settings that will be involved in the data transfer. These settings vary depending on the role of the partner system (sender / receiver) and are defined per message type. A message type is more or less a version independent IDoc type. It is mainly a convenient way of defining settings and identifying IDocs using a criterium independent of the partner system.

For a sender partner system (inbound parameters are filled in), following important settings are set per message type in the partner profile:

A process code used to indicate which function module will be used to convert the IDoc data to SAP data.

The time of input of the IDoc: as soon as the IDoc is created in the system or on request (using program RBDAPP01).

The post processing agent who will have to treat the data input errors if need be. The post processing agent may be either a user or any other HR organizational unit.

For a receiver partner system (outbound parameters are filled in), following settings are specified in the partner profile:

The receiver port to which the data will be sent.

The sending method: one IDoc at a time or by packets.

The IDoc type that will be sent to that partner. For a given message type, the IDoc type sent may vary depending on the receiver system. Indeed you may have different versions of SAP in your system landscape.

Definition of the distribution model and data filtering

We have already seen that the distribution model is used to decide who sends what to who. But, as you guessed, there is a little bit more to be said about it and the way to manage it.

The distribution model is maintained in a central transaction (BD64) which lets you access the most useful environmental settings necessary to set up the model. Before creating the model, you must first decide on which system you are going to create it. Indeed the model must exist in all partners systems and two possibilities exist to achieve this.

Either you create the model on each system manually (with the same model technical name), which is feasible only with few systems and/or simple models. Either you create it in a specific system (usually the source system) and distribute it to the other systems thanks to the distribution command in the BD64 transaction menu.

If we want to copy the customers master data from the production system to the other systems in the maintenance line for example, we may create the distribution model on the production system and distribute it to all partners systems.

The actual creation of the model requests that you mention a technical name for the model (unique identifier in the systems landscape), a sender system, a receiver system and message types to exchange between those systems. You may afterwards add more sending and receiving systems in the model as well as more message types.

For each message type defined between a sender and a receiver, you may set filters on specific fields of the message type so that IDocs be generated only when these specific values are matched. For example, you may decide to send only customers of a specific account group. These filters are set by selecting the 'no filter set' text under message types in BD64.

There exists also another kind of filters which are segments filters. They do not filter IDocs creation based on values like we have just seen but filter unconditionally segments of created IDocs which must be excluded from the transfer (transaction BD56).

Regards,

S.Nehru.

[Former Member]

hi,

ALE

A distributed process is one in which part of a business process is carried on one system and part on another.

The sales process which Includes sales order, calculating delivery dates, checking availability, performing credit checks,& calculating prices etc. could be carried on one SAP system.

The shipping process that performs shipping related activities such as determining the shipping point ,creating deliveries,Picking goods & performing goods issue etc. could be carried on another system.

The two systems needs to exchange data at appropriate time to stay synchronized. SAP provides tools to keep the system synchronized.

Reason for Distribution

Geographical Location

Consolidation (of several business units).

System Capacity

Mission Critical Applications (E.g. Manufacturing & Distribution application)

Upgrading a Module Separately.

Data Security.

DISTRIBUTED PROCESS

SAP Answer For a Distributed Environment

SAP has provided ALE (Application Link Enabling) as the solution to these issues. It allows you to:

Distribute your applications across several SAP systems, such that centralized functions, as well as decentralized functions can operate in the same company arena.

Couple R/2 and R/3 systems, in some instances.

Couple SAP and external systems, via IDocs (Intermediate documents) and an external translation mechanism.

ALE Definition

Application Link Enabling (ALE) is a set of business processes and tools that allow applications on different computer systems to be linked. This can be done between different SAP systems as well as between SAP and non-SAP systems.

In a single R/3 system different applications are integrated via a single database (e.g. finance, sales, production, human resources). However, many companies do not have just one integrated system but a distributed environment with different applications running on different systems. To run the whole business in such an environment the distributed applications have to be linked. This can be done through ALE.

Benefits

Integration of distributed systems.

Integration with Non-SAP system.

Reliable Distribution.

Release Upgrade.

ALE Process

The Process flow used to exchange data between distributed systems in ALE Architecture consists of an

Outbound Process.

Inbound Process.

An Exceptional handling Process

Inbound & Outbound Process

The outbound process sends data to one or more SAP systems.

Steps Includes:

Identify the need for sending an IDOC.

Generate the Master IDOC.

Generate the communication IDOC.

Deliver the Communication IDOC.

The inbound process receives an IDOC and creates a document in the system.

Steps includes:

Store the IDOC in the database.

Invoke the posting module.

Create the document.

regards,

sreelakshmi