Architecture of the R/3 System

Chapter 14
 Problems of Enterprise-Wide
Computing
Slow response time during peak traffic
loads
Different time zones, systems, upgrades
Heterogeneous database problem
Multiple platforms
 R/3 and Enterprise Computing
Development of middleware enables portability
across platforms
Technologies include:
Db replication, messaging, XML, remote procedures
R/3 supports:
TCP/IP
RFC
SQL & ODBC
OLE, MAPI, EDI
 R/3 Server Installations
3-tier C/S preferred
Homogeneous - same OS on one or more
platforms
Heterogeneous - a variety of platforms ex.
UNIX, NT, Windows on application server
UNIX with Oracle, Informix, DB2 on db server
R/3 solves the distributed multiple heterogeneous
platform problem with middleware
Benefits of Multiple Application
Servers
An alternate server can be automatically
selected if one is unavailable
Load balancing of clients to least busy
server
Can optimize queries and reduce load on db
server to improve response time
Because it is scalable, servers can be added as
more processing capability is needed
 C/S Scenarios
Centralized host computer performs all tasks
including db, applications, and presentation
2-tier C/S - db server is separate from thick
client which processes apps and presentation
3-tier C/S - separate systems for db, apps, and
presentation (preferred by R/3)
N-tier C/S extension using servers on Internet
 SAP R/3 Basis System
UNIX Systems Data
Hardware AT&T Sequent
Bull IBM General IBM
Bull/Zenith HP (Intel) SNI
Digital SNI AS/400
Compaq IBM (Intel) ...
HP SUN

Operating AIX SINIX

Systems Digital UNIX SOLARS Windows NT OS/400
HP-UX

ADABAS D
Databases DB2 for AIX ADABAS D
INFORMIX-OnLine 7 MS SQL Server 6.0 DB2/400
ORACLE 7 ORACLE 7

Windows 3.11,
3.11,
Dialog Windows 95,
SAP-GUI Windows 3.11, Windows 95, Windows NT, OSF/Motif,
OS/2-Warp, Macintosh Windows NT,
OS/2-Warp

Languages
ABAP/4, C, C+ +
 R/3 Middleware Transfer
Protocols
Front-end (presentation tier)
R/3 GUI uses resident OS resources to cut flow
of data to 1-2 KB
whole screens are not passed but only logical
control information and user inputs
DB interface (between app and db servers)
SAP SQL within ABAP/4 environment
then translates queries into native SQL
 More Middleware Functions
Interprogram communications
synchronous vs. asynchronous
Synchronous uses CPI-C, from IBM in the late 80s
RFC/RPC libraries and DLLs to call R/3
functions/modules
SAP is closely aligned with COM from MS
Transaction management
ALE -distributes db availability to several sites
routes data, maintains security
creates IDOC master which contains info about the data
SAP experimenting with XML for internal messaging
Application Linking & Enabling
(ALE)
Allows users to set up applications and
databases at distributed locations
Not only routes data, but knows what data
are needed in given situations; intelligent
middleware
ALE checks for consistency of data, updates
uses IDOCS to send message between loosely
coupled systems, with possibly dif. R/3 ver.
Asynchronous RFC means if system is down on
target it will retry again
 R/3 Distribution Scenarios
Initially, R/3 was designed with one
centralized db in mind (from late 80s)
ALE technology was developed to enable
different integration scenarios
Contained in Business Blueprint
Centralized, integrated DB and application server
Centralized by module on servers
Completely decentralized R/3 with central db
Next Generation architecture
 DEV QAS PRD
CUST

TEST SAND QTST TRNG QTST

System Landscape for SAP R/3 Implementation

 Next Generation ERP
Architecture
What is Internet ERP?
N-tier
EC, K Mgt, CRM, data mining, DSS, BI functionality
on top of back office
Integrated tools include
BW with OLAP
APO
Sales Force Automation
CRM
B2B
SCM
 Enterprise Application
Integration (EAI)
MS Office

Visual Basic Java

DW environments
EAI Server Legacy Applications

CRM, etc ERP Applications

 NetWeaver Adoption
SAP anticipates that NetWeaver will redefine the
company in a global manner
About 3000 of more than 24,000 potential companies
have put some portion of NetWeaver into play
Early stage of maturity
IBM and MicroSoft supporting NetWeaver
SAP committed heavily to grow this in 2004 and 2005
 NetWeaver Components
SAP NetWeaver 2004 Synchronized Release as a single
package
SAP WAS 6.4
SAP EP 6.0
SAP XI 3.0
SAP BW 3.5
SAP MI 2.5
(SAP MDM limited usage at this point)
All sold and shipped together and can be installed in one
procedure
Still possible to run individually
Ramp up was April 2004
 SAP MI
SAP NetWeaver
PEOPLE INTEGRATION
SAP BI SAP EP
Multi channel access

Portal Collaboration
Composite Application Framework

INFORMATION INTEGRATION

Bus. Intelligence Knowledge Mgmt

Life Cycle Mgmt

SAP XI
Master Data Management

PROCESS INTEGRATION

SAP WAS Integration Business Process

Broker Management
SAP MDM
APPLICATION PLATFORM

J2EE ABAP

DB and OS Abstraction
 Evolution of SAP App development

ABAP & SAP Basis WAS and Java

Open SQL Open SQL for ABAP & Java

RFCs/BAPIs Web Services/WSDL

ALE & IDocs XI, MDM, and XML

Report Writer/Query SAP BI

Dynpro, SAP GUI Web Dynpro, EP, MI

ABAP Workbench NetWeaver Developer Studio

 mySAP.com
Application Hosting Alternative
Application Service Providers (ASPs) integrate
and combine
Evaluation
Implementation
Operation
Service & Support

Service offering for all kinds of outsourcing

levels such as
Business Operation Services
Application Management Services
Platform Services
 mySAP.com
Application
Applications Management
Hosting
Enterprise ASP Spending
30.0

25.0 2500

$2 BILLION
2000
$ Billion

20.0

$ Million
15.0 1500

10.0 1000

5.0 500
$150 MILLION

0.0 0
1996 2001 1999 2003
Source: G2 Source: IDC, 1999

Analysts expect explosive growth in both sectors over next four

years
Primary Lead Market: US
Secondary Lead Market: Europe
 mySAP.com
Application Hosting
Evaluation
Evaluation Implementation
Implementation Continuous Improvement
Cont. Improvement

Test Drive Your We Host Your

Solution Online Solution Online
Financial Application
Compose Your Services
Solution Online HR Application Services
We Build And Host Your
We Implement Your Business Community /
Solution Online Marketplace Online
Industry Marketplaces
Enterprise-specific
Marketplaces
SAP Partners + SAP AH SAP & Partners
SAPs Portal Play

3rd party services

More than 40 partners
Added value for business
professionals
Highly Personalizable
 Growing Importance of CRM
Based on a recent GartnerGroup survey (Aug 2000) on customer service e-tailing sites, there are many potential areas for improvements. Some are simple; others require significant investments in people, processes and technology. Here are the top-10 pitfalls:
1. Requiring a password to access customer service
2. Lack of a customer service tab
3. Lack of search engines for general customer service
4. Lack of a site map
5. Lack of internationalization
6. Lack of agent support for new channels
7. Lack of working channels
8. Lack of good customer service on the phone
9. Lack of coordination between click and brick
10. Requiring software download for access
 CRM Has Many Components
One to One Marketing Database Marketing

Sales Force Automation Customer Care

Direct Mail Telemarketing

Relationship Marketing Marketing Automation

Customer Data Warehousing Enterprise Relationship

Customer Segmentation & Analytics Customer Intimacy

Front Office Technology Enabled Relationship
 Migrating to a New Model
Prior View Future View

Transaction Driven Customer Driven

1-800 Access Multi-Media Access
Limited Availability Anytime Availability
Stand Alone Units Fully Integrated
Technology Technology Enabled
Constrained Enterprise
Limited Capabilities Capabilities
Cost Centers Profit Centers
Call Centers CRM Centers
 eCRM Technology Architecture
Integrated Touchpoints

Customer/ MAIL FACE-TO-FACE SELF SERVICE TELEPHONY

Prospect/
Employee Paper Electronic Fax Handhelds Tablets Web Kiosks ACD VRU
Touchpoints

FRONT OFFICE BACK OFFICE

Marketing Workbench Sales Workbench Service Workbench

Business Database Marketing Opportunity Case Management Order Distribution

Manufacturing
Management Management & Logistics
Applications Data Mining
Proposal Generation
Help Desk
Campaign Dispatch
Management Marketing
Encyclopedia Management Analytics
Content Management Configuration &
Pricing Routing Finance,
Interactive Marketing
Procurement Accounting, Billing
Tele Sales Scheduling
Management Analytics HR
Management Analytics Spare Parts Inventory

FRONT OFFICE BACK OFFICE

Data Stores DATA WAREHOUSE & OPERATIONAL DATA STORES

Leads Opportunities Customers Interactions

 eCRMLive
Specialist
Located in PricewaterhouseCoopers CRM Solution
Customer tio
ns
a la
Centers, Rosemont, IL, and Philadelphia, PA,
Call Routing

VRU Available CSR

Ca
ll E sc

eCRMLive demonstrates the successful deployment

E-mail
Supervisory Functions

of best-in-class multi-media customer contact

solutions.
Telephone Call Switch/ACD
Queue and
Capacity
Monitoring
Workforce
Management
CTI
Case Management
Middleware

Web Internet
Self-service &
Collaboration
Relationship
Marketing

Content
Management Legacy Customer
Database Database
SFA
 eCRM Vendors
Vendor Demonstrated Functionality
BroadVision Web Personalization
CenterCore Call Center Furniture
CNT Legacy Middleware Integration
Compaq NT servers and Desktop PCs
Genesys Computer Telephony Integration, E-Mail
Grahl Ergonomic Call Center Seating
Avaya Switch/ACD, Internet Telephony Gateway,Internet Call Center,
Call Management Server, Telephones & Headsets
Microsoft Microsoft ASP
Nuance Communications Speech Recognition
Siebel Systems Customer Service and Support Application, Sales
ForceAutomation
Sun Microsystems Unix Servers
Symon Communications Reader Board Messaging
Vignette Web Content Management
Cisco Web Collaboration/Integration
Xchange Campaign Management
Aspect Communications Workforce Management