Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts

• Generating a license key in SAP Solution Manager

  How to use SAP Solution Manager (SSM) to generate a license key without the installation number.  Continue Reading

• Implementing SAP CIC

  Expert Srini Katta discusses the action box configuration and the Business Partner Cockpit.  Continue Reading

• R3PRODHIER, R3PRODTYP, and R3PRODCLASS

  Expert Srini Katta explains the meaning of these three terms found in SAP's CRM.  Continue Reading

• Blocking a material type in Transaction MM01

  Adding an authorization group on a material type can prevent users from accessing that material type, says SAP security expert Corwin Slack.  Continue Reading

• How do I restrict transaction access based on user profile?

  Researching what users need to do in their job duties may be the best way to set appropriate security permissions, says expert Corwin Slack.  Continue Reading

• Learning SEM SAP module before BW

  Does it matter what order you learn SEM and BW? Expert Sam Gassem weighs in.  Continue Reading

• Making a career switch to SAP: Weighing the career prospects in SAP BW vs. test services

  Expert Josh Greenbaum weighs in on a jobseeker's career prospects in seeking a career in SAP BW or continuing as a testing engineer.  Continue Reading

• What is the difference between mySAP and SAP R/3?

  Expert Josh Greenbaum explains the difference between mySAP and SAP R/3.  Continue Reading

• Printing a dotted box on a check with SAPscript

  Expert Mark Smithson offers suggestions for how to create a dotted box on a check for inputting a dollar amount.  Continue Reading

• Printing addresses without a country line using SAPscript

  The address key is handy for printing addresses, but what if you don't want the country name printed? Expert Mark Smithson lets you know how to disable the country line.  Continue Reading

• Printing multiple line items in a box for a purchase order

  What could cause a box command to print line items only once instead of multiple times? Expert Mark Smithson surmises the answer.  Continue Reading

• Error in MOVE-CORRESPONDING functionality

  Expert Matt Billingham guesses why SAP ERP 2005 won't perform MOVE-CORRESPONDING operations correctly in this example.  Continue Reading

• V_GLFLEXT tables and DataStage

  Getting information into DataStage may have to come from your own BAPI handiwork. Check out why in this expert response from Matt Billingham.  Continue Reading

• Do we really need a certified migration consultant?

  What do you do when your vendors are booked and you want to migrate? Expert Bert Vanstechelman provides the answer in this expert response.  Continue Reading

• Overwriting old reports in the SAP QA system

  Bert Vanstechelman diagnoses a situation wherein ABAPers aren't able to overwrite older files in SAP QA systems.  Continue Reading

• Installing SAP R/3 4.7 and BW 3.0b on a single database

  Bert Vanstechelman discusses the proper way to combine SAP R/3 4.7 and BW 3.0b to accommodate your business needs.  Continue Reading

• How do I clone SAP systems?

  Bert Vanstechelman describes how to use SAP tools to clone SAP systems from one platform to another.  Continue Reading

• Repeated deadline monitoring

  Expert Alon Raskin teaches how to re-trigger deadline monitoring in SAP Workflow.  Continue Reading

• MDMP in ECC 6.0 and Unicode conversion

  Bert Vanstechelman advises on upgrading from a 4.6C MDMP system to ECC 6.0 with a Unicode conversion.  Continue Reading

• How do I transport a workflow?

  Alon Raskin explains how to transport workflows to different SAP systems.  Continue Reading

• Finding correct business objects

  Learn how to access SAP objects for application components in this expert response from Alon Raskin.  Continue Reading

• Changing the number range in change request numbers

  Bert Vanstechelman discusses how to use ABAP report RSWBO301to alter the number range for change request numbers in a SAP development system.  Continue Reading

• Loading data with the SAP data transfer process (DTP)

  Jay Narayanan explains a solution for problems associated with loading data using DTP.  Continue Reading

• Gap analysis and procurement cubes in SAP BW

  Jay Narayanan defines an SAP procurement cube and descibes the function of gap analysis within SAP BW.  Continue Reading

• Secondary indices in BW master data

  Find out if it is possible to create secondary indices in SAP BW master data from expert Jay Narayanan.  Continue Reading

• Master data look-up tables

  Learn about SAP master data look-up tables in this response from Jay Narayanan.  Continue Reading

• Improving change run performance in BW

  Learn methods for improving your change runs in SAP BW.  Continue Reading

• Performance tuning in SAP BW

  Find out the specifics about SAP BW perfomance tuning in this response from BI/BW expert Jay Narayanan.  Continue Reading

• SAP logistics information system (LIS) out, hello LO

  Find out about the status of your LIS sytem and its replacement, LO.  Continue Reading

• Open hub destinations

  Jay Narayanan defines the open hub destination.  Continue Reading

• What is a return table in SAP BI update rules?

  Jay Narayanan defines return tables for SAP BI update rules.  Continue Reading

• Which has better prospects -- ABAP or SAP BI?

  SAP BI/BW expert Jay Narayanan weighs in on the prospects of ABAP jobs and BI jobs.  Continue Reading

• WAD templates

  Learn how to properly set Web item properties in this expert response from Jay Narayanan.  Continue Reading

• Using ABAP to extract data from a BW cube

  Jay Narayanan discusses how to extract data from SAP BW using an ABAP-developed program.  Continue Reading

• Checking aggregates in SAP BW and starting a change run

  In this expert response, Jay Narayanan explains different methods for how to check aggregate usage. He also describes how to start a change run.  Continue Reading

• Model-driven development (MDD) tools in NetWeaver

  Expert Andre Truong discusses challenges and opportunities for SAP MDD tools within NetWeaver and for composite development.  Continue Reading

• TREX servers for clients

  Expert Sam Gassem explains how to tell when more than one TREX server is needed for multiple clients.  Continue Reading

• Hardware sizing for BW

  In this expert response, Sam Gassem describes a new solution that SAP offers for hardware sizing called the Quick Sizer.  Continue Reading

• Smooth BEx queries

  If you are running into mandatory fields that alter your original queries with SAP BEx, read this expert response by Sam Gassem.  Continue Reading

• User exits for changing fields

  Although greyed out items usually can't be changed in sales orders, it is possible to manipulate user exits that can enable you to change certain fields.  Continue Reading

• Strategic Enterprise Management (SEM): One experts opinion

  SEM isn't as popular as it should be, according to expert Jon Reed. Find out how to be involved with SEM while maintaining other SAP job skills to be prepared for the day SEM is hot.  Continue Reading

• Getting back into SAP

  Expert Jon Reed describes the tribulation associated with former SAP professionals who now want back into the SAP environment. It is tough, but possible. Find out how here.  Continue Reading

• Begin an SAP career with end-user support

  Expert Jon Reed acknowledges then explains why end-user support is an excellent avenue into SAP.  Continue Reading

• Plant Management (PM) rising

  According to expert Jon Reed, the SAP PM module is gaining traction. Learn why PM took so long to be recognized and the reasons for the new demand for PM consultants.  Continue Reading

• Warning - Don't follow the SAP money

  SAP salaries are one of the things that makes the career field so attractive, but, as Jon Reed advices, money isn't everything. Be great at your SAP skill, and the money will follow.  Continue Reading

• Getting into SAP without much confiquration experience

  Jon Reed suggests alternatives for how to get into SAP when configuration skills are lacking.  Continue Reading

• What are the steps to take before a workflow can begin?

  In this expert response by Alon Raskin, learn what configuration prerequisites are necessary prior to beginning Workflow.  Continue Reading

• Workflow substitutes in ECC 6

  Alon Raskin shows how to delegate SAP Workflow escalations to substitutes in this expert response.  Continue Reading

• Workflows vs. SAP reporting

  According to expert Alon Raskin, a point comes when regular SAP reporting should be considered instead of Workflows, especially for high volume data. Raskin discusses this and what SAP is doing about it in this expert response.  Continue Reading

• The issues of the SAP Basis professional life

  Jon Reed explains the roles and issues of a Basis professional.  Continue Reading

• Raising a workflow event with RFC

  In this expert response, Alon Raskin teaches how to raise an event with RFC in a workflow.  Continue Reading

• ABAP and NetWeaver, together forever

  ABAPers no longer have to worry about losing their jobs to NetWeaver. As explained in this response by Jon Reed, NetWeaver has been adapted to suit ABAPers and ABAP is no longer is considered too proprietary.  Continue Reading

• The history and future of the PP module

  Jon Reed discusses the balancing act SAP plays with PP and what is in store for the future.  Continue Reading

• Using ODS objects for reporting purposes in BW

  ODS objects support detailed information for reporting needs but can cause query performance issues. Peter Scott considers the options for BW reporting.  Continue Reading

• Career advice for ABAPers

  Andre Truong discusses how ABAPers can transition to NetWeaver and a list of skills for the current ABAP professional to be familiar with in order to progress with the next generation of SAP.  Continue Reading

• Composite Application Framework (CAF) exposed

  Learn everything you need to know about SAP CAF and how it supports NetWeaver in this expert response.  Continue Reading

• List of NetWeaver composition tools

  A list by layer of composition tools available for NetWeaver is presented in this expert response by Andre Truong.  Continue Reading

• ALE versus SAP XI

  Find out what benefits SAP XI has over ALE and vice versa in this expert response by Andre Truong.  Continue Reading

• Performing time quota generation in HR

  In this expert response, Roger Cerini discusses methods available for setting the quota type selection rule in my SAP HR.  Continue Reading

• Creating custom infotypes in mySAP HR

  Creating custom infotypes is very possible in mySAP HR. Expert Roger Cerini lends his advice and discusses how right here.  Continue Reading

• ECC 6.0 system copy attach/detach method

  If you think logfiles and target datafiles have anything to do with a system copy method then you better read this advice from expert Farooq Ali and learn the facts.  Continue Reading

• How to set parameter values in SAP

  The locations where SAP-related parameters can be set -- the start profile, instance profile and the default profile -- and a description of how they work.  Continue Reading

• What are ABAP dumps and SAP dialog instances?

  Expert Farooq Ali explains what an ABAP dump is and what SAP dialog instances are.  Continue Reading

• Dialog instance installation

  Read this expert response to be sure you have all the proper components prior to installing your SAP dialog instance.  Continue Reading

• Blocking standard transactions in SAP

  Expert Farooq Ali provides directions for blocking standard SAP transactions and the repercussions associated with this task.  Continue Reading

• Options for downloading Smart Forms on ECC 5.0 without the Best Practices Add-on

  SAP ECC 5.0 won't load preconfigured Smart Forms without SAP Best Practices Add-on. Learn why and some workarounds for this from expert Mark Smithson.  Continue Reading

• Multiple calendars for one country in mySAP HR

  Expert Roger Cerini discusses how multiple calendars can be created for one country in this expert response.  Continue Reading

• Creating a "wrap text" format in Excel VBA

  How to create columns, also known as wrap text, in Excel VBA.  Continue Reading

• Filling a field in a Z table

  In this expert response, Matt Billingham suggests how to complete created fields within an SAP Z table.  Continue Reading

• Problems in collective run of Picking (VL06O)

  In this expert response by Mark Smithson, discover the function module which generates a Smart Form.  Continue Reading

• SAPscript original language

  Did you know that SAPscripts inherently use German? In this expert response, learn how to change the original language to English to execute successful English SAPscripts.  Continue Reading

• How to transfer table data from the development server to the production server

  Transfering table data can be complex. Expert Matt Billingham details how to create a transport to do just that.  Continue Reading

• Implementing HR structural authorizations

  Expert Corwin Slack reinforces the importance of structural authorizations within SAP HR.  Continue Reading

• Authorizations for S_TCODE

  In this expert response, Corwin Slack discusses how SAP may require many authorizations for conducting different SAP transactions and the importantance of SAP security professionals to be familiar with authorization concepts.  Continue Reading

• How do I set up CRM structural authorizations?

  Corwin Slack discusses creating structural authorizations in CRM.  Continue Reading

• How do I fix user role problems in SAP security?

  Having too many roles in SAP security can indicate that something is wrong with your security infrastructure.  Continue Reading

• Performance monitoring with SAP EP

  In this response, a user has changed the EP hostname and the EP system has been acting up since then. Expert Sam Gassem provides help.  Continue Reading

• Logical systems, port types and IDocs

  Looking for a brief description on 'logical systems', port types and IDocs? Look no further, Sam Gassem defines these SAP terms in this expert response.  Continue Reading

• Denormalization in BW

  View the differences between normalization and denormalization in BW tables in this expert response by Sam Gassem.  Continue Reading

• SAP Enterprise Portal defined

  In this expert response, expert Sam Gassem defines SAP's Enterprise Portal (EP) and it's functionality within SAP systems.  Continue Reading

• List of all adapters compatible with XI 3.0

  Expert Sam Gassem has provided a list of all adapters that are available for SAP XI 3.0.  Continue Reading

• Generating transport requests in BW

  In this expert response, Jay Narayanan describes how to generate transport requests in BW for InfoCubes, ODS, InfoSources and more using RSA1 and the transport connection.  Continue Reading

• LO Cockpit instead of LIS

  As Jay Narayanan explains, LIS is no longer supported by SAP and the LO Cockpit is now the recommended technology.  Continue Reading

• What are the prerequisites for an SAP BI career?

  Expert Jay Narayanan suggests important skills needed before beginning a successful career in SAP BI.  Continue Reading

• Reporting SD, FI and MM in BW

  Expert Jay Narayanan explains how other modules like Sales, Finance and Purchasing can be reported through SAP BW.  Continue Reading

• Master data flag and text attribute flag

  In this expert response, Jay Narayanan defines the master data flag and the text flag within an Info Object and their functions.  Continue Reading

• Defining Serialized V3 and Unserialized V3 update methods

  In this expert response, Jay Narayanan tells where to find the definitions for Serialized and Unserialized update methods.  Continue Reading

• Checking errors during data loads into BW

  Expert Jay Narayanan lists transaction codes that will help identify errors during BW uploading.  Continue Reading

• How to change the default SAPGUI client number

  How to change the instance profile parameter to adjust the default SAPGUI client number.  Continue Reading

• Finding the latest SAP patches

  Looking for the latest in SAP patches and protection? Look no further. Expert M. Farooq Ali provides a resource for all SAP patch information.  Continue Reading

• Unreachable file and link errors in SAP

  View a typical link and file error from SAP and learn how to diagnose and fix it.  Continue Reading

• Installing SAP 4.6 on an external USB hard drive

  How to install SAP 4.6C on an external USB.  Continue Reading

• Restricting the Organizational Structure

  Expert Sachin Sethi explains which transactions can be used to restrict access to Web administrators based on particular authorizations and how to use them. Also, check out Sachin's new book!  Continue Reading

• Finding SAP tables in older releases during an upgrade

  Tables in older SAP releases during upgrades have been notoriously disappearing. Expert Bert Vanstechelman discusses why this is happening, to which systems and how to resolve it.  Continue Reading

• Finding database tables in SRM

  Need to know the list of tables in SRM? Matt Billingham directs where to find the table list and specific transaction data using table DD02T.  Continue Reading

• Exporting and re-importing version data during a refresh of the development system

  Although not SAP recommended, expert Bert Vanstechelman steps through how to refresh a development client while maintaining the version management and transport history.  Continue Reading

• Error running SAP IDES 4.7 on Windows 2000 server

  Bert Vanstechelman addresses an error that a user has regarding her SAP IDES 4.7 program.  Continue Reading

• Setting a default value for a screen field

  Learn how to set a default value based on the value on the previous field in this expert response from Matt Billingham.  Continue Reading

• Uploading CSV files into SAP

  In this expert response, Matt Billingham teaches how to upload a CSV (comma-separated values) file into an SAP database.  Continue Reading

• QA system refresh

  Expert Bert Vanstechelman defines SAP system refresh and shows you where to find the detailed procedure from the SAP Service Marketplace.  Continue Reading