From previous sections, it became clear what the use of this
software system is and who decides to implement it : SAP R/3 controls business
processes and manages esential company information. Enterprises needing those
services implement this standard software.
To manage the complex business needs of companies, the R3
product family offers leading technology solution:
·
Multitier client/server architecture.
·
Based on middleware for supporting open systems
technology.
·
Business Framework architecture, open to total
integration with other components and applications, including the internet
world. This is achived by the use of standard Business Application program
interfaces (BAPIs).
·
Homogeneous user interface among applications.
·
Comprehensive development environment.
·
Total application integration.
·
Solution Sets for configuring the system.
·
Wide range of services including hotline
support, training, consulting, quality checks, and so on.
·
Complete support for solving all the problems
arising from the millenium change (Y2K) and the appearance of the new European
currency, the euro.
 |
| SAP System Component |
The picture above shows the R3 components from a
functional point of view. The overall SAP R3 system is represented by
everything included inside the ellipse.
The lower layer is made of the operating system, physical
database (whose software is included in the SAP kit), and the network. The middleware layer, which is above it,
interfaces with the lower one and integrates the SAP R/3 applications on top of
it. This middle layer is known as the basis
system, as the basis system, and includes components such as the ABAP
development workbench, the system administration tools, batch job handling,
authorization and security management, and all cross-application modules.
ABAP/4 is a fourth-generation programing language that was
used to develop all R/3 application modules. When releases 4.0 and 4.5 were
introduced, and SAP’s strategy began to focus on object orientation, it was
decided to rename the programming language to simply ABAP, abandoning the 4 in
reference to fourth generation.
Middleware are the
layered software components that facilitate the development of client/server
applications that can be deployed in heterogeneous vendor platforms. The basis
system, also known as the kernel, is the SAP R/3 middleware.
The upper layer, the functional
layer, contains the different business applications: financial, human
resources, sales and distribution, materials management, and so on. The
integration of all applications relies on the basis system.
SAP defines client/server also from a business solution
point of view: a technology concept that leverages computing power to link core
business processes with software, trying together various functions, such as
financials, human resources, sales and distribution, logistics, and
manufacturing.
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