BIT300
Application Link Enabling (ALE)
Technology
SAP NetWeaver
Course Outline
Course Version: 95
Course Duration: 3 Day(s) Publication Date: 2015
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BIT300 Contents
Contents
Course Overview ... v
Course Goals ... v
Course Objectives ... v
Unit 1: ALE Fundamentals ... 1
Cross-System Business Processes ... 1
The Distribution Model ... 1
Basic ALE Customizing ... 1
Intermediate Documents ... 2
Synchronizing Customizing... 2
ALE and the SAP NetWeaver Exchange Infrastructure... 2
Unit 2: Master Data Distribution ... 3
Example: Material Master ... 3
Using Change Pointers... 3
Data Filtering and Reducing the Scope of Data ... 3
Unit 3: Distributing Transaction Data: Message Control ... 4
Message Control and IDoc Generation ... 4
Example: Purchase Order Processing ... 4
Unit 4: Distributing Transaction Data: BAPIs ... 5
Business Object Types and BAPIs ... 5
The Usage of BAPIs in ALE ... 5
Example: Travel Expenses ... 5
Unit 5: Monitoring Data Distribution, Error-Handling and Archiving ... 6
IDoc Status Management ... 6
Error Analysis and Handling ... 6
SAP Workflow in ALE Environment ... 6
Archiving IDocs... 7
Unit 6: Appendix ... 8
Renaming Logical Systems... 8
BIT300 Contents
BIT300 Course Overview
Course Overview
This course explains how to use Application Link Enabling (ALE) using predefined example scenarios. You will learn how to configure ALE scenarios and how to control data exchange between systems.
Target Audience
This course is intended for the following audiences: • Consultants
• Project team members
Course Prerequisites
Required Knowledge
• SAPTEC (Fundamentals of SAP Web AS) Recommended Knowledge
• BIT100 (SAP NetWeaver Process Integration)
Course Goals
This course will prepare the participant to:
• Create a system landscape for using different ALE scenarios (distributing master data and transaction data)
• Control data exchange between systems in a distributed system landscape • Correctly assess the capabilities and limitations of ALE
Course Objectives
After completing this course, the participant will be able to:
• Set up a distribution model for exchanging master and transaction data between systems • Create partner profiles for data exchange in enterprises and for electronic communication
with business partners
• Determine the scope of data to be distributed, depending on its type and recipient • Monitor data exchange between systems
BIT300 Course Overview
BIT300 Course Outline
Unit 1
ALE Fundamentals
Unit Overview
In this unit, you will first learn about the possible applications of ALE in enterprises. You will then find out which basic settings you need to make in Customizing and applications to use ALE.
Lesson: Cross-System Business Processes
Lesson Objectives
After completing this lesson, the participant will be able to:
• List examples of business processes in distributed system landscapes • Differentiate ALE from EDI
Lesson: The Distribution Model
Lesson Objectives
After completing this lesson, the participant will be able to:
• Explain the terms "logical system" or "logical system name", "mes-sage type" and "distribution model"
• Explain the function of the distribution model
Lesson: Basic ALE Customizing
Lesson Objectives
After completing this lesson, the participant will be able to:
• Define logical system names and assign them to clients in SAP systems, where applicable
• Explain the terms "IDoc" and "basic type"
• Determine the assignment of message types to basic types • Complete a view in a distribution model
BIT300 Course Outline
Lesson: Intermediate Documents
Lesson Objectives
After completing this lesson, the participant will be able to:
• Explain and differentiate between the terms "basic type", "master IDoc" and "communications IDoc"
• Determine the details of basic types
• Describe the process from the creation of an IDoc in the sender system through to processing in the target system
Lesson: Synchronizing Customizing
Lesson Objectives
After completing this lesson, the participant will be able to:
• Describe methods for adjusting Customizing settings in SAP system landscapes
Lesson: ALE and the SAP NetWeaver Exchange
Infrastructure
Lesson Objectives
After completing this lesson, the participant will be able to: • Explain how ALE scenarios are integrated into SAP XI
BIT300 Course Outline
Unit 2
Master Data Distribution
Unit Overview
The decision to manage master data centrally is one of the main reasons for using ALE. In this unit you will learn about all the settings needed for setting up a central master data administration.
Lesson: Example: Material Master
Lesson Objectives
After completing this lesson, the participant will be able to:
• Describe the configuration of an ALE scenario for distributing material master data • Distribute material masters
Lesson: Using Change Pointers
Lesson Objectives
After completing this lesson, the participant will be able to:
• Explain the use of change pointers in master data distribution and set them up in the system
Lesson: Data Filtering and Reducing the Scope of Data
Lesson Objectives
After completing this lesson, the participant will be able to:
• Describe different methods for filtering data in IDoc processing • Create a reduced message type and use it in the distribution process
BIT300 Course Outline
Unit 3
Distributing Transaction Data: Message
Control
Unit Overview
Transaction data (documents, postings) can also be distributed beyond system boundaries using ALE. Message control is one of the methods you can use to implement cross-system processes. However, you can also use it for electronic communication with business partners (suppliers, customers).
Lesson: Message Control and IDoc Generation
Lesson Objectives
After completing this lesson, the participant will be able to: • Differentiate ALE and EDI
• Describe the basic functions of message control • Explain how message control is used to generate IDocs
Lesson: Example: Purchase Order Processing
Lesson Objectives
After completing this lesson, the participant will be able to:
• Create a purchase order and check the events of your message determination • Describe the cross-system purchase order process
• Explain the most important Customizing settings for this process
BIT300 Course Outline
Unit 4
Distributing Transaction Data: BAPIs
Unit Overview
This unit explains how transaction data in a system landscape can be distributed in ALE using preconfigured interfaces to business object types, the Business Application Programming Interfaces (BAPIs).
Lesson: Business Object Types and BAPIs
Lesson Objectives
After completing this lesson, the participant will be able to: • Explain the terms "business object type" and "BAPI"
• Determine business object types and BAPIs using the BAPI Explorer, and also determine detailed information on BAPIs
Lesson: The Usage of BAPIs in ALE
Lesson Objectives
After completing this lesson, the participant will be able to: • Enter Customizing settings for synchronous BAPI calls
• Enter Customizing settings for asynchronous BAPI calls using the ALE interface
Lesson: Example: Travel Expenses
Lesson Objectives
After completing this lesson, the participant will be able to:
• To describe the configuration of the ALE scenario "Transferring the accounting results of the travel expenses to Accounting".
BIT300 Course Outline
Unit 5
Monitoring Data Distribution,
Error-Handling and Archiving
Unit Overview
This unit handles various different tasks that arise from the implementation of ALE and EDI scenarios. You will learn how to monitor the evolution of an IDoc, how to correct errors and then how to archive IDocs that are no longer needed.
Lesson: IDoc Status Management
Lesson Objectives
After completing this lesson, the participant will be able to: • Use the status monitor efficiently
• Set up and use the ALE audit
Lesson: Error Analysis and Handling
Lesson Objectives
After completing this lesson, the participant will be able to: • Perform error analysis using the ALE status monitor • Resolve errors in the IDoc processing
Lesson: SAP Workflow in ALE Environment
Lesson Objectives
After completing this lesson, the participant will be able to: • Check workflow settings for the error handling of IDocs • Understand the settings for process codes
• Describe the notification concept
• Monitor the IDoc processing using the SAP Workflow
BIT300 Course Outline
Lesson: Archiving IDocs
Lesson Objectives
After completing this lesson, the participant will be able to: • Describe the IDoc archiving procedure
BIT300 Course Outline
Unit 6
Appendix
Unit Overview
In this appendix, you will find information about renaming logical systems and about courses of action for identifying and resending lost IDocs after a database breakdown.
Lesson: Renaming Logical Systems
Lesson Objectives
After completing this lesson, the participant will be able to:
• Explain the correct procedure for changing logical system names
Lesson: IDoc Recovery Following Database Error
Lesson Objectives
After completing this lesson, the participant will be able to:
• Describe the IDoc recovery procedure and the settings required for this function