Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts

• What's the difference between SAP ABAP and SAP Basis?

  Confused by the difference between SAP ABAP and SAP Basis? Developer Ethan Jewett explains how to tell them apart.  Continue Reading

• How do Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP), Flexible Planning differ?

  SAP Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) is easy to implement, but SAP Flexible Planning can handle more complex processes, writes Jawad Akhtar.  Continue Reading

• What's the difference between different SAP production types?

  In this tip, expert Jawad Akhtar outlines how to differentiate between discrete, process and repetitive production types and how SAP ERP supports them.  Continue Reading

• How does SAP BI compare with other suites, 'best of breed' tools?

  In this Ask the Expert column, Ethan Jewett explains the biggest difference between SAP BI and 'best of breed' tools, as well as other suites.  Continue Reading

• SAP data warehousing: What are the options?

  There's no one way to go about data warehousing, explains data expert Ethan Jewett. Here's what you need to know about deciding which route to take.  Continue Reading

• Quick fixes for the most common post go-live SAP error messages

  There are a number of SAP error messages that can occur post ERP go-live, writes Jawad Akhtar. Here's how to knock them out.  Continue Reading

• Tackle SAP master data templates in phases for better SAP ERP success

  Focusing on SAP master data templates twice before go-live can improve a project's chance of success, writes Jawad Akhtar.  Continue Reading

• How can Failure Mode and Effects Analysis reduce risk?

  The Failure Mode and Effects Analysis tool can be used to prevent process and production failures within SAP ERP systems, writes Jawad Akhtar.  Continue Reading

• How do I handle co-products, by-products in SAP ERP?

  Learn the difference between co-products and by-products in the manufacturing process, and how to handle each within a company's SAP ERP system.  Continue Reading

• Where can I find SAP FI/CO certification questions to prepare for the exam?

  Learn the best sources for finding SAP FI/CO certification questions to help you prepare for this important exam.  Continue Reading

• Changing time zones in SAP ECC 6.0

  An SAP user wants to know the risks of changing time zones in ECC 6.0.  Continue Reading

• Fixing error during SAP iDoc PORDCR1 integration

  An SAP user is receiving an error message while integrating SAP iDoc PORDCR1 for a purchase order.  Continue Reading

• Getting data to show in an SAP ALV Grid

  An SAP user is trying to run a report in an SAP ALV Grid online and wants to know how to get the data in the report to appear along with the header.  Continue Reading

• Transferring data to new sales orders in SAP VA01

  An SAP user needs to transfer customer purchase order spreadsheet data to SAP VA01 to create a new sales order.  Continue Reading

• Migrating from an SAPscript to an SAP Smart Form

  An SAP user is working with an SAPscript form to create the form development for an Invoice List, and wants to know if it's possible to migrate the SAPscript to an SAP Smart Form.  Continue Reading

• How to fix a slip print-out error in an SAP Smart Form

  An SAP user is looking to fix an error with a packing slip print-out in an SAP Smart Form.  Continue Reading

• Aligning bar codes on an SAP Smart Form

  An SAP user is trying to align a barcode in the center of a defined window on an SAP Smart Form.  Continue Reading

• Using SAP IDocs to update "further dates" information in an SAP transaction

  SAP expert Axel Angeli explains how to update the "further dates" tab information in am SAP transaction through an SAP IDoc.  Continue Reading

• Assigning personnel numbers in SAP HR

  An SAP HR users wants to know how to assign a person to two different personnel numbers in SAP HR while generating a single invoice.  Continue Reading

• How to generate Time Quotas in SAP HR

  SAP HR expert Sheryl Middleton explains how to view data in quota overview tables after running Time Evaluation in SAP HR.  Continue Reading

• Using separate trading partner fields in SAP function FB01

  An SAP R/3 4.7 user wants looking to post a document entry using different trading partner fields for credit and debit for function FB01.  Continue Reading

• Calculating salary grades in SAP HR

  An SAP HR user wants to know if there a way to automatically calculate an allowance in SAP HR that is based on the basic salary of the next higher grade of one's salary.  Continue Reading

• Creating an SAP IDoc for sales orders

  A SearchSAP.com reader wants to know how to create an SAP IDoc along with sales order details when sales orders are created, changed or cancelled.  Continue Reading

• Sizing hardware for SAP BW applications

  An SAP user is looking to assess the hardware requirements for an SAP BW application and wants to know what the parameters are of sizing hardware for SAP BW.  Continue Reading

• How to configure SAP workflow clients

  Find out how to configure clients so that the same version of an SAP workflow item is used when the workflow is triggered in separate clients.  Continue Reading

• How to change the characteristics of an SAP InfoCube

  An SAP user is looking to change the values of a characteristic in an SAP InfoCube and wants to know if it's possible to use virtual InfoCubes to manipulate the data.  Continue Reading

• How to send attachments in an SAP workflow item

  An SAP user has created a user decision step in an SAP workflow item and wants to know how an end user can send an attachment to other users.  Continue Reading

• Granting user access to cost centers through SAP authorization objects

  A SearchSAP.com reader wants to know how to grant a user access to cost centers, as well as access to one cost element across all cost centers.  Continue Reading

• Using SAP standard reports to track changes in SAP HR

  A SearchSAP.com reader is looking for a standard report that can track changes made to the hierarchy of SAP HR with SAP transaction code PPOME.  Continue Reading

• Accessing SAP IDES 4.7 though SAP GUI

  An SAP user wants to know how to access an SAP IDES 4.7 system via the Internet through SAP GUI.  Continue Reading

• Tips on SAP file formats for electronic funds transfers

  A SearchSAP.com reader in charge of running an Internet banking platform on SAP wants to know what SAP file formats SAP supports and what the file structures are for file imports and exports.  Continue Reading

• How to write an SAP ABAP program to read source code and create a new SAP ABAP function module

  A SearchSAP.com reader wants to know if it's possible to write an SAP ABAP program that will read source code and then create an SAP ABAP function module containing the source code.  Continue Reading

• Using SAP change documents to make change logs visible

  A SearchSAP.com reader who is writing a program to update SAP tables wants to know how to make updates visible in a change log by using an SAP change document.  Continue Reading

• How to configure an SAP HR system using the SAP PA40 code

  An SAP HR user is looking to hire an employee and wants to know how to configure the SAP HR system. Learn about SAP the PA40 transaction code, and how it executes the hiring action.  Continue Reading

• How to implement SAP BADIs

  Application deveopment expert Matthew Billingham explains how to implement sales order processing SAP Business Add-Ins (BADIs).  Continue Reading

• Modifying standard SAP Smart Forms for purchase orders

  The SAP-provided Smart Form purchase order template is hard to locate and install, and may require the assistance of the Basis team, but it's worth downloading, compared to building a purchase order form from scratch.  Continue Reading

• How to establish communication between SAP Unicode and non-Unicode systems

  Find out how to establish a connection between SAP R/3 4.7 and SAP ECC 6.0 non-Unicode systems, and learn how to maintain a connection when changing the SAP ECC 6.0 system to Unicode.  Continue Reading

• How to solve output alignment problems with SAPscript printing

  A SearchSAP.com reader wants to know how to set a SAPscript to align an HP4300 printer and LOCL logical SAP output.  Continue Reading

• Unable to run simulation of SAP HR payroll because of employee absence issues

  An SAP administrator is having problems running a simulation of the payroll function in SAP HR. Get information on /841-paid vacation, which deals with employee absences and get help with SAP .HR and payroll problems.  Continue Reading

• How to reset the SAP transport buffer after abnormal patch termination

  Find out how resetting a transport buffer can help fix an error that occured during the installation of an SAPGUI patch. Learn how to avoid an operating system shutdown when receiving a path error during a SAPGUI patch install.  Continue Reading

• Tips for setting up a default SAP BI client after implementation

  Find out how to set a default SAP BI client within an SAP Business Intelligence (BI) system. Learn how to run an SAP Basis TCode in a default SAP BI client.  Continue Reading

• How to limit quota deduction amounts in SAP HR

  Find out how to set deduction amounts on a quota record in SAP HR, and why there may be opportunity to add a limit at data entry when using Employee Self-Service (ESS).  Continue Reading

• Configuring SAP HR Payroll settings for retroactive accounting

  Find out where to locate retroactive accounting settings in SAP HR Payroll.  Continue Reading

• Using audit report to track changes to employee data in SAP HR

  Find out how to track changes to employee data using an audit report in SAP HR, and learn how to configure the audit report to pick up changes to the data retroactively.  Continue Reading

• Configuring SAP EDI for sales orders

  Learn how to configure SAP EDI for sales orders.  Continue Reading

• How to stop SAP users from displaying SAP HR tables content

  Learn how to stop SAP users from displaying HR table contents in an SAP table without restricting access to an SE16N transaction.  Continue Reading

• How to hide a button in an SAP Business Workplace toolbar

  A SearchSAP.com reader wants to know how to hide the forward button in an SAP Business Workplace toolbar.  Continue Reading

• How to correct an SAP ABAP dump with an oversize condition

  Find out how to correct an SAP ABAP dump with an oversize condition to avoid an SAP ABAP dump giving an DBIF_RSQL_ INVALID_RSQL error at the SQL statement.  Continue Reading

• Locating user email addresses in SAP SU01 transaction code

  A SearchSAP.com reader who stores user email addresses within the SAP SU01 transaction code and wants to know where to locate the data.  Continue Reading

• Creating a function group for an SAP ABAP table maintenance generator

  Learn how to create a function group and authorization group using an SAP ABAP table maintenance generator on a Z table.  Continue Reading

• How can I get an ABAP program displaying Excel data to wrap text?

  Learn how to display details from a Microsoft Excel database table using the Wrap Text function when developing an SAP ABAP program.  Continue Reading

• Using SAP Smart Forms to change layout of Plant Maintenance

  A SearchSAP.com reader is looking to change the layout of Plant Maintenance (PM) shop papers to account for goods issues using SAP Smart Forms, rather than SAPscript,  Continue Reading

• How to install an add-on using a SAINT transaction in SAP Basis

  A SearchSAP.com reader is using a SAINT transaction in SAP Basis and wants to install an add-on.  Continue Reading

• How to replace a cancelled SAP workflow item

  Find out how to automatically replace an SAP workflow item when a user hits "cancel" so that the workflow item re-appears to all possible agents.  Continue Reading

• How to map multiple SAP roles and profiles

  Discover tips for mapping SAP roles and profiles, including how to map multiple SAP profiles to a single derived role, and why a second profile is generated when a large role has too many authorizations for one profile.  Continue Reading

• Viewing SAP transaction codes and profiles

  An administrator is looking for a way to see what profiles belong to a particular T-Code.  Continue Reading

• Retrieving content from an SAP workflow attachment

  An SAP user wants to know how to retrieve the content of an SAP workflow attatchment.  Continue Reading

• Updating URLs in SAP SRM

  An SAP SRM user is looking to update an SRM URL process when implementing or changing a catalog in a live environment in SAP SRM.  Continue Reading

• Changing reserved status of a workflow item

  An administrator is looking to change the status of a work item so that one user can access it while another is absent.  Continue Reading

• How to change default settings in SAP SRM

  An SAP SRM user wants to know how to set Confirmation and Invoice as the default options in a limit-order shopping cart.  Continue Reading

• Managing SAP user access and password expirations

  An administrator user wants to know where to set SAP user login passwords and set time limits on sessions and password expiration dates.  Continue Reading

• Using SAP apps in an Oracle read-only database

  An SAP user wants to know if it's possible to open an SAP application in an Oracle read-only database.  Continue Reading

• How to fix Smart Forms printing double purchase orders

  An SAP user wants to know why Smart Forms is printing two copies of a purchase order simultaneously.  Continue Reading

• How does SAP R/3 data differ from BW (NetWeaver BI) data?

  What is the difference between data on SAP R/3 and data on SAP BW?  Continue Reading

• Alternatives to downloading a trial version of SAP IDES ERP software

  A user learning SAP FI is looking for a trial version of SAP IDES ERP ECC 6.0 software.  Continue Reading

• How to clone an SAP ECC 6.0 instance

  An administrator is looking to clone an SAP ECC 6.0 instance.  Continue Reading

• Checking HTTP ports in an SAP system

  An administrator wants to know how to check the HTTP and HTTPS ports in an SAP system and how to restart a Portal system.  Continue Reading

• How to manually add files to an SAP transport queue

  An administrator wants to learn the procedure for manually adding files to a transport queue.  Continue Reading

• Resolving app server connectivity problems for remote users

  Remote users on the VPN are having problems connecting to SAP application servers.  Continue Reading

• How to choose between SAP Basis and SAP security courses

  Discover whether SAP security is more advanced than SAP Basis and how an SAP consultant should choose between SAP Basis and SAP security courses.  Continue Reading

• What's the difference between an SAP system copy and an SAP system clone

  Understand the difference between a system clone and a system copy, and see examples of each function, by reading this tip.  Continue Reading

• Which SAP administration modules suit sys admins and DBA?

  Learn which SAP module is best for someone with system administrator experience and what an SAP administrator should learn prior to an SAP implementation.  Continue Reading

• Choosing between BSP and Web Dynpro

  Do you need to learn BSP, Web Dynpro or both in order to succeed in SAP? This expert tip explains.  Continue Reading

• How to fix two common SAP ABAP problems

  ABAP problems can stop or dump in two common scenarios. This expert tip points out how to circumvent these problems.  Continue Reading

• How to choose between a career in SAP Basis vs. SAP BI

  Wondering how to choose between a career in SAP Basis and a career in SAP BI? Learn how to evaluate jobs based on your skills.  Continue Reading

• What's the future of SAP BW and SAP BI careers?

  Should you break into SAP BW or SAP BI today? Read this expert tip to find out about the future of SAP BW and how to define a career path for SAP BI/BW.  Continue Reading

• What is the difference between SPFILE and PFILE in Oracle?

  One reader asks about the difference between SPFILE and PFILE and advice for setting Oracle 10G parameters for SAP ECC6. Read an expert's take here.  Continue Reading

• Changing SAP spool servers for all the printers in your QA system

  Employing menu settings in Tcode (SPAD) can change SAP spool servers for your QA system. Learn how in this expert tip.  Continue Reading

• What is the recommended size of Oracle data files for SAP?

  This expert tip provides tips on how to restrict Oracle data file sizes for maximum SAP performance.  Continue Reading

• Fixing IDoc status 53 error message

  How to fix IDoc status 53 error message  Continue Reading

• How to create Include programs in the ABAP editor

  How to create Include programs in the ABAP editor  Continue Reading

• Configuring WF for SAP SRM

  Configuring WF for SAP SRM in the extended classic scenario  Continue Reading

• Answering basic BAPI questions

  Explaining the difference between BAPIs and RFCs, how to find BAPIs in SAP and how to determine errors made from BAPI/RFC calls  Continue Reading

• Getting BAPIs to commit work

  How to get BAPIs to commit work with a wrapper function or service copying  Continue Reading

• A list of defined IDocs

  Where to find a list of IDocs and define handlers  Continue Reading

• IDoc validation; populating in error tables from IDoc

  A guide to basic IDoc data validation and to populating in error tables from IDoc  Continue Reading

• Email and user exits in IDoc input orders

  How to manage email and user exits in IDoc input orders  Continue Reading

• How to generate an IDoc for deleted purchase orders

  How to generate an IDoc for deleted purchase orders  Continue Reading

• Make function module calls in SAP from an external system

  How to make function module calls in SAP from an external system  Continue Reading

• Fixing a common OPEN_FORM and START_FORM error in SAPscript

  Expert Mark Smithson explains how to fix a common error in SAPscript.  Continue Reading

• Error when clicking the SAP GUI logon button

  An SAP user receives a curious error message when he clicks the logon button in the SAP GUI.  Continue Reading

• Is it better to enter sales in SAP CRM or SAP ECC?

  Our company is deploying SAP CRM and SAP ECC. Which is a better application for entering sales orders? Is SAP CRM robust enough for EDI sales orders? Can sales orders be modified in CRM if created in ECC and vice versa?  Continue Reading

• What's the difference between an SAP system and a non-SAP system?

  What is the difference between an SAP system and a non-SAP system?  Continue Reading

• Is C, C++ and Java knowledge required when learning SAP?

  Is knowledge of programming languages like C, C++ and Java required when learning SAP?  Continue Reading

• Clicking on the SAPGUI logon button brings error message

  I'm getting the following error message when I click on the logon button in the SAPGUI. I have already started the service in the management console. The lights turn from gray to yellow to green.  Continue Reading

• Authorization objects with a value of single/double quote marks

  I have some authorization objects that literally have single or double quotation marks as their values. I see these values associated with objects such as S_BTCH_NAM. What do these values allow or permit as part of this authorization object?  Continue Reading

• Changing a customer message priority level after it's sent

  I mistakenly sent a customer message with the wrong priority level. How can I change the priority level of the message sent?  Continue Reading

• Fixing inconsistencies in TemSe and Spool systems

  I have found some inconsistencies in TemSe and in the Spool system. Please let me know the causes of these inconsistencies. How can I analyze and rectify these inconsistencies?  Continue Reading

• What does the Parameter tab mean in SU01

  In SU01, what does the tab Parameter mean?  Continue Reading

• Prerequisites for SAP BI training

  What are the prerequisites for SAP BI training? I have a J2EE background and I want to move to BI. I have heard SAP BI is the latest and greatest in business warehousing. I have also heard people say it's techno-functional, whatever tha means). Will...  Continue Reading