The key to SAP System success was the strategy of making open solutions, in which the
applications can run on multiple operating systems, databases, and
communication technologies. This enables customers to remain independent of a
single vendor if they wish.
The list of current SAP-supported systems can be found also
on the internet link form the information center for Technology infrastructure
at www.sap.com/products/techno/index.htm.
Select Platforms, then Hardware.
What basically makes systems open is the use of standard
formats for data exchange, communication interfaces, and program-to-program
communication. SAP extends the openness concept in several respects:
·
At the
system level. Support for multiple hardware platforms and operating
systems, such as all types of UNIX from main system vendors, Microsoft Windows.
Support for a large number of graphical user interfaces (GUIs), such as for all
windows flavors,Macintosh,Motif,Internet browsers, and so on. In 1999 SAP also
announced support for the Linux operating system.
·
At the
database level. SAP supports various relational database systems such as
Oracle, Informix, Adabas D, DB2, and SQL Server. Access to the data managed by
R/3 is possible using standard R/3 reports as well as any other SQL standard
tool: ODBC,SQL,Browsers, And so on. SAP system has incorporated the standard
ANSI-SQL as the Database Manipulation
Language (DML), which allows users and programmers to store, view, and
retrieve data to and from all different underlying database products.
·
At the
application level. The system is open to be enhanced and extended to meet
specific business requirements. The ABAP repository and the R/3 reference model
enable users to understand the relationships and inner workings of R/3 systems
and external programs invoke R/3 function modules via RFCs (Remote Function
Calls) or RPCs (Remote Procedure Calls), or by using Business Application
Program Interfaces (BAPIs). SAP offers the Remote Function Call Software
Developer Kit (RFC SDK), a standard interface for customers and complementary
software partners to carry out individual extensions to SAP Business
applications that support the direct communication with the function modules of
SAP.
·
At the
desktop level. With the deployment of Microsoft OLE (Object Linking and
Embedding) technology, R/3 enables desktop users to access SAP data and
functions from many OLE client programs. With the introduction of SAP R/3
release 4.0 and especially with 4.5 and 4.6, SAP leveraged the concept of
integration with PC Programs, mainly with the technology provided by ActiveX
and Java.
·
At the
external communication level:
o
SAP R/3 includes EDI (Electronic Data
Interchange) interfaces to automate the exchange of data (invoices,orders,etc)
between R/3 and other applications systems used by business Partners.
o
It also uses MAPI (Messaging Application Program
Interface) technology, suporting standard X. 400 and SMTP protocols. These
standards allow R/3 users to communicate with other mail systems and the
internet.
o
Since release 3.1, with the incorporation of the
BAPI technology, SAP has actively supported the new electronic commerce technology with the deployment of the internet,
which allow business transactions to happen between internet users and R/3
systems.
o
Using development environments such as standard
ANSI C, C++, Visual Studio, Java, Delphi or Visual Basic, Developer can
integrate external applications with the SAP System. Exchanging information on the
level of business objects.
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1 comments:
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