12-03-2005 11:37 AM
Hi, I should load into SAP external documents
(curricula) attached to applicant data. Via web interface,
applicants can only attach files created with Word, Adobe
Acrobat, Notepad. The web server will send the applicant
data + the attachment (via an XML message) to an integration server (TIBCO), which in turn will send the data to SAP HR. I presume TIBCO can extract the attachment
from the XML envelope and send it to the SAP server. Is
there anyone that can tell me how can I load these files into SAP (without corrupting their contents)? Once loaded
the attachment, the SAP system has to be able to invoke
(via OLE automation) the exact application used to create
it (transaction: PB20). A function exists that can import
whatever type of attachment: SO_OBJECT_INSERT; this
function, however, needs to be filled with the file
contents (TABLE parameter); this implies that the ABAP
program has to read the file contents in such a way that
guarantees its integrity (binary mode, I presume). Is
there a function that loads the attachment by reading
its local path? This way the read operation would be
transparent. Or maybe there exist an RFC function module
that can be invoked directly from TIBCO.. (I don't know).
Thanks in advance.
Adriano.
12-03-2005 1:02 PM
When TIBCO loads this files to SAP server, i believe there will be a separate directory created for your application which will contain all these attachments. You can upload these files using OPEN DATASET / READ DATASET. This should help you to get the details correctly. You can see contents of application server file using transaction AL11.
To answer your second question, you can use GUI_DOWNLOAD, provided you have saved attachment on a presentation server. If you use this function, you will not be ableto run your program in background.
Also pls check once using ABAP program if it reads contents of acrobat file correctly.
12-04-2005 10:10 AM
Hi Ashish, thank you very much for your reply. Yes, the
quicker solution to my problem will be reading the external documents by: OPEN/READ DATASET ... IN BINARY
MODE, then passing the records to the function:
SO_OBJECT_INSERT. Do you think the target structure has to
respect a specific length?
Your last consideration forces me to do another
question: have you ever had difficulty in handling a
document in .PDF format within SAP environment? I've no
experience about it. I presume (but I'm not sure) that
loading the file as it is (using binary mode) should be
sufficient to guarantee that Acrobat will open the
document correctly. I know there are functions specialized
in handling .PDF format, but I don't know whether they may
be useful in this context.
With regard to this topic (.PDF handling) I noticed
that table: TSOPE (external formats accepted) doesn't
include .PDF on my system. I presume this table has to be
updated for SAP to be able to invoke Acrobat front-end
side. Do you know if there is a special transaction to do
it, and if other steps are required in order to make
possible that invocation?
Thanks again.
Adriano.
12-04-2005 10:47 AM
Hi Adriano,
I am not logged on to SAP right now. I loaded the different kinds of documents9 PDF, JPEG, DOC) to SAP CRM recently. I had found one method for BDS (business document services) object. It was 'Create_with_file' method.
I am not sure that if BDS is available at R3 side but DMS(document management services)is. You can create an documentin DMS and assign it to one or more business object. Then that document becomes available through General Object Sevices. Check the methods of DMS. The tables are DRAW and DRED.
I hope it helps. If it does, please award points.
12-04-2005 2:19 PM
As Sharad said, you can upload acrobat documents in SAP. Regarding the structure length as per function SO_OBJECT_INSERT, it limits to 255 characters per line. I have not used Methods for this but surely there should be ABAP classes / methods available. You can explore that area too. I will also check and let you know if i come across anything.
12-04-2005 2:35 PM
If you are looking for loading data from Application server, record size should be less that 1096 characters. You can try this - get your attachment on application server and then load it to SAP by reading this file and see if this satisfies your requirement.
12-04-2005 5:35 PM
Hi Sharad, first of all I want to thank you for your
help. BDS is a very interesting option. I've no experience
with it but I'm studying the relevant documentation and
I'd like to use it to implement my solution. I've read the
BDS is part of the SAP System, so there should be no
problem in using it. The ABAP OO class:
cl_bds_document_set provides, as you told me, a method
named: CREATE_WITH_FILES, through which it's possible to
load a certain file from a certain directory. The question
is: do you know where this method stores the file contents? The module involved by the development is:
HR-Selection; debugging the standard code during the
storing/retrieval phase, I found out the standard (see
function: SO_OBJECT_INSERT) stores the file contents in
SOC3 table (cluster table of type: INDX). Transactions:
PB20/PB30 access that table to retrieve the attachment.
Regarding DMS, can you recommend some URL where I can
find complete documentation?
Thanks again.
Adriano.
12-04-2005 5:55 PM
Hi Ashish, first I'll try using the BDS class, as
suggested by Sharad. As an alternative, I'll try using the
'traditional' approach (OPEN/READ DATASET in custom
program). It's true: the table parameter of
SO_OBJECT_INSERT has a length limited to 255 characters.
I think there should be no problem in reading the file
contents (in binary mode) 255 characters each time. The
problem is that I'm making analysis and I've no
authorization for creating programs.. So I must be sure
that the solution will function before passing the
document to the developers.
Thanks again.
Adriano.
12-05-2005 5:23 AM
You can read the online help at
http://help.sap.com/saphelp_erp2005/helpdata/en/dd/f5253715dfb808e10000009b38f889/frameset.htm
you can use generic object services to attach documents to objects (master data, transactions, etc).
(transaction OAOR)
http://help.sap.com/saphelp_erp2005/helpdata/en/be/3fe63659241157e10000009b38f889/frameset.htm
alternate approach - SAP Easy Document Management
http://help.sap.com/saphelp_erp2004/helpdata/en/db/003353fca05c47bfc8f391cf296fc8/frameset.htm
Regards
Raja
12-05-2005 8:09 AM
Hi,
What is the difference between direct input and BDC.
What is the main advantage of using direct input method.
rgds
p.kp