1. BAPIs within SAP’s Business Framework

2. What is SAP’s Business Framework? Business Framework is SAP’s strategic product architecture on which R/3 is developed Business Framework allows interaction between  R/3 and R/3 Systems, or  R/3 and External Systems Essential Elements  Business Components (e.g. HR, MM, FI, CO...)  Business Objects (BO) (e.g. Employee, Material,...)  Business Application Programming Interfaces (BAPI) (e.g. Material.GetDetail) Client components Client components ALE BAPI BO BAPI BO BAPI Business Components BAPI Source: SAP

3. What are Objects? Traditional view: Functions and data Today’s view: Objects Function Data - Maintenance + Reusability - Reusability + Maintenance Source: SAP

4. SAP’s Business Objects “R/3 contains about 170 “R/3 contains about 170 different Business Objects” different Business Objects” Business Objects mirror the real business world  SAP’s object strategy represents objects on a business level and not only on a technical level  They ensure easier understanding of the R/3 System Business Objects are technology independent Easier reuse for within new applications (Reusability) Lower maintenance effort necessary (Maintainability) Kernel Integrity Busi- ness Rules Interface Access COM/DCOM Java CORBA BAPI Data Source: SAP

5. BAPI Benefits in the Business Framework Easier technology to use  Offers Predefined Functions (e.g. ”Material.GetDetail" vs. RFCs, IDOCs, …)  Better documented, supported... Makes SAP R/3 an ‘Open System’  This type of design separates business-logic and User Interface Introduction of new technology (e.g. Java within Internet Application Components) BAPIs will be long-term stable interfaces into R/3 (e.g. stable and upward-compatible)

6. Conclusion: BAPIs in the Business Framework Status Quo  Today (R/3 Release < 4.0) 150 BAPIs are available  Future (R/3 Release  4.0) over 1000 BAPIs will be available...  BAPIs will use ALE-methods Recommendation  Interfacing technology of the future within the R/3 environment  Utilization of this Standard Interfaces wherever possible, reduces maintenance and costs.

7.  BAPIs in the R/3 System Representation of the Material-BAPIs in the R/3 Business Navigator Exit