Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts

• How to provide an SAP R/3 4.5B application server with a Web service interface

  How to provide an SAP R/3 4.5B application server with a Web service interface  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

• Migrating Business Content from SAP BW 3.5 to NetWeaver BI 7.0

  An administrator who has upgraded from SAP BW 3.5 to NetWeaver BI 7.0 wants to know if it is possible to migrate Business Content as well.  Continue Reading

• Consuming a Web service from an SAP 4.6c R/3 application server

  A reader wants to know how to consume a Web service from an SAP 4.6c R/3 application server.  Continue Reading

• How to move SAP NetWeaver Enterprise Portal between servers

  An SAP NetWeaver Enterprise Portal consultant is having problems moving Enterprise Portal from one server to another.  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

• Verifying data consistency in production SAP FI/CO system when restoring a backup

  After writing an ABAP tool to reconcile between production and reference systems, an administrator restoring a backup of a FICO system wants to verify that the backup is successful.  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

• How to create a snapshot from NAS and SAN of Oracle database

  An SAP administrator wants to create a snapshot of an Oracle database that is consistent from both a SAN and NAS.  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 start an SAP NetWeaver career

  Find out which SAP courses an SAP NetWeaver career seeker needs to take, why SAP programming skills matter and how to pursue an SAPTEC class.  Continue Reading

• Should a manufacturing expert pursue SAP PP or SAP SCM (APO)?

  Find out whether SAP PP and SAP SCM (APO) are solid SAP career choices for someone with experience in manufacturing, and whether SAP classes are necessary.  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

• How to get a list of all SAP CRM transactions

  Find a list of SAP CRM 2007 transactions including all standard out-of-box SAP-delivered transactions by using IMG and following these steps.  Continue Reading

• Should I get into SAP Financials after an MBA in Finance?

  Obtain expert advice on which SAP module an MBA in finance should learn.  Continue Reading

• Can we get SAP ECC 6.0 support with an Oracle database?

  Learn which versions of Oracle database allow for SAP ECC 6.0.support and get more information about SAP platform support in this tip.  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

• How can we integrate SAP industry solutions into SAP ERP?

  A beginning SAP Basis administrator wants to know how to integrate SAP industry solutions into SAP ERP, and this expert tip explains.  Continue Reading

• Which SAP IDoc type can solve the EDI X12 211 error message?

  Learn which SAP IDoc type can solve the EDI X12 211 error message and find out about DESADV in this SAP development tip.  Continue Reading

• With Java development experience, should I go into SAP XI?

  Are you a Java/J2EE developer interested in SAP? This expert tip lists the most relevant SAP modules and technologies for you.  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 change SAP IDoc file locations after changing servers

  SAP IDocs submit data in specific file locations; if you change the server, this tip explains how to change the file locations.  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

• Can we get ROI from an SAP upgrade to ECC 6.0?

  Does upgrading or enhancing SAP in an ECC6 environment mean lower costs? Read this expert tip to find out.  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

• Where can I find free SAP SCM material?

  Expert Jay Narayanan explains where to find SAP SCM materials and information in this supply chain management tip.  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

• Should an ABAP specialist learn SAP BI/BW to take the next step in his career?

  An ABAP specialist asks if learning SAP BI/BW will help him take the next step in his career. Read our expert's answer here.  Continue Reading

• Should a Business Objects analyst make a career transition to SAP BI?

  Should a Business Objects-certified analyst transition to SAP BI? Read an expert's take on the SAP BI job market for those certified in Business Objects.  Continue Reading

• SAP BI basics for someone getting started in a business intelligence job

  If you're looking for SAP BI basics, start with this tip, where an expert explains the best way to get started in a business intelligence job.  Continue Reading

• Can I make a career change to SAP FI/CO after 18 years?

  Should you attempt to work in SAP later in your career?  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

• How to find errors in ABAP coding

  How to find errors in ABAP coding  Continue Reading

• Moving to APO or SCM consulting from PP consulting

  Factors influencing an SAP career move from APO or SCM consulting to PP consulting  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

• Generating purchase orders in SAP SRM for R/3

  How to generating different kinds of purchase orders in SAP SRM for R/3  Continue Reading

• Web Dynpro or BSP for my SAP career?

  Whether to choose between Web Dynpro or BSP in pursuing your SAP career.  Continue Reading

• How to learn Web Dynpro

  How to learn Web Dynpro  Continue Reading

• Job prospects in SAP security

  Job prospects in SAP security  Continue Reading

• How to get into SAP Basis

  How to get into SAP Basis  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

• Sending advanced vendor details throgh ALE IDoc

  How to send advanced vendor details throgh ALE IDoc  Continue Reading

• Which area of SAP should a Java expert enter?

  Deciding which area of SAP should a Java expert should enter. ABAP is suggested.  Continue Reading

• Working with SD and MM data in tables

  Working with SD and MM data in tables  Continue Reading

• How to generate an IDoc for deleted purchase orders

  How to generate an IDoc for deleted purchase orders  Continue Reading

• SAP HR security assignments for authorized managers

  Expert Corwin Slack addresses an SAP HR Portal access security concern  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

• Moving to SAP SCM

  Expert Harish Narayanan explains how to break into SAP SCM  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

• SAP roles and buffer space

  SAP BASIS expert Bert Vanstechelman explains the connection between SAP roles and buffer space  Continue Reading

• Should I upgrade to ECC 6.0 from SAP ECC 4.7?

  Expert Bert Vanstechelman describes the proper upgrade path from SAP ECC 4.7  Continue Reading

• 'Best Practice' add-on problems when upgrading to ECC 6.0

  We are currently running SAP R/3 4.7 extension set 1.0 and will upgrade to ECC 6.0. How will the upgrade handle the existing "Best Practice" add-on that we have installed? Is there something special we need to do?  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

• How many modules and test scripts are in SAP CRM?

  One reader wants to know how many modules and test scripts are there in SAP CRM?  Continue Reading

• Job prospects after SAP BI training

  I am currently working for a business process outsourcing company, and currently interested in SAP BI. If I take a course in SAP BI 7.0, what would my job prospects be like?  Continue Reading

• Becoming an SAP administrator: The self-study route

  I am new to SAP, but I wish to learn more about SAP administration. My experience includes a bit of network administration. What do I have to do to become an SAP administrator? Keep in mind I will be going the self-study route.  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

• Preparing for an SAP BI interview

  Soon I will have an SAP BI interview. How should I prepare for it?  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

• SAP R/3 to ERP 6.0: Upgrade the network infrastructure?

  What is the value of upgrading the network infrastructure with an SAP migration from R/3 to ERP 6.0? Moving from a client-server architecture to enterprise SOA and browser-based clients, you would think it could put more pressure on the data center...  Continue Reading

• How to be a self-taught NetWeaver and ABAP expert

  I have been a Java developer for last 9 years, so I am familiar with SOA using JEE technologies. I want to teach myself SAP NetWeaver. Can you suggest a way to do this?  Continue Reading

• Is a good job possible with SAP certification but no project experience?

  I was placed in a reputable company through a college program. It's been seven months into the job. I have been given in-house SAP training, but still have not worked on a project (so my implementation experience is null). If I do SAP certification ...  Continue Reading

• Choosing adapters for an SAP SOA landscape

  When should we choose SOAP, RFC and HTTP adapters? What are the advantages of these three adapters in inbound and outbound?  Continue Reading

• Key figures and web templates in SAP BI

  Can you use a key figure as a navigational attribute in SAP BI/BW? What about precalculated web templates in BI/BW reporting?  Continue Reading

• SAP administration information for a Basis interview

  Where can I find information about SAP administration? I have a Basis interview soon.  Continue Reading

• What are the benefits of EAI?

  A reader wants to know the benefits of EAI.  Continue Reading

• Is ABAP expertise necessary for SAP BI?

  I have an MBA in marketing. If I wanted to venture into the world of SAP BI, would ABAP knowledge be necessary?  Continue Reading

• Restricting sales document assignments by sales area

  In PFCG I have created a single role to manage the services order by plant. In the transaction IW32 I would like to restrict the sales document assignment by sales area. Which authorization object can do that? Can I define my single role without a ...  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

• Error logging in using a reference ID

  I am creating an ID in SU01. In the "logondata" tab I marked the user type as "Reference," but when I try to log into SAP it prompts me to log on with a dialog user. How can I enter without this prompt?  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

• Basis administration info in preparation for an interview

  Where can I find information about Basis administration from A to Z? I am heading for a Basis interview.  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

• Switching from an extended classic to a classic scenario

  Is it possible to switch a production SRM 5.0/ECC system from an "extended classic" scenario to a "classic" scenario? If so, what are the issues? The client believes this will eliminate the rework caused by PO replication errors and that SAP's "...  Continue Reading

• Displaying text messages on SRM opening page

  Is there a way to display text messages on the opening page within SRM? For example, if you wanted to alert SRM users to outages or system changes.  Continue Reading

• I have to join RosettaNet to send a PO via RosettaNet?

  One of our key suppliers has indicated that he would like to receive our electronic PO (IDoc output from SAP R/3 MM) which we are currently sending out to our suppliers in cXML format. What would we need to do to change our iDOC or XI-cXML output ...  Continue Reading

• The weaknesses of SAP CRM Pricing

  How do you manage the weaknesses of SAP CRM Pricing? For example: in the utility industry (electricity and gas supply), for B2B customers, it's impossible to work with the IPC without a specific pricing tool. How does SAP justify this lack of ...  Continue Reading

• The difference between IC and PCUI

  What is the difference between IC and PCUI? Do these two techniques largely overlap?  Continue Reading

• Calling a custom workflow

  How do I call my custom workflow (in pa40) at hiring time?  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

• Using change documents to update a Z table

  I need to update a Z table when there is a change in contract conditions (ME32K) or when a condition is created (ME31K). Can this be done through change documents: Change document object "cond_a" by linking the change object with the event of ...  Continue Reading

• Interfacing CRM interaction center and HP Mercury Quality Center

  We are looking for a connector or interface between the SAP/CRM interaction center (IC) service tickets and HP Mercury Quality Center. We want to escalate and track defects in software products found in the field. We also want to keep visibility, ...  Continue Reading

• Integrating a call center to SAP CRM 4.0: What are my connection choices?

  When implementing a multi channel customer service center (phone, email, fax, chat etc) and integrating it to SAP CRM 4.0 WinClient, what are my connection choices? Do I only have the SAP Multi Channel Interface Server option or can I use the ...  Continue Reading

• Approving workflows from Outlook

  I am implementing a workflow for requisition approval and would like the user to be able to approve/reject it from within Outlook (using ECC 6.0). I am approving the requisition at the header level but would like for the user to be able to see ...  Continue Reading

• The tables/views used to populate extractors

  I am trying to ascertain what tables/views are used to populate an extractor. I need to get the size of the underlying tables on R/3.  Continue Reading

• Useful transaction codes in SAP BI

  What are the useful transaction codes in SAP BW?  Continue Reading