Database Reference
In-Depth Information
customization. In some cases, even if a work-around exists, it might not be beneficial because it
might be time consuming and/or might result in human errors that an organization cannot afford
to make. If the decision is made to add new functionality into the standard SAP solution, then the
solution is designed and a detailed design document for this new functionality is developed. This
detail design will also include functional specifications of the new functionality to be developed:
1.
SAP Configuration:
: SAP configuration is a two-step process. The first step is to develop the
baseline configuration, which involves configuring SAP ECC based on the information pro-
vided during the Business Blueprint phase. The second step is to fine-tune the configuration
further based on the outcome of each unit and integration test scenario. As noted earlier, this
is achieved through SAP Implementation Guide (IMG).
2.
SAP Customization
: The term customization refers to developing programs not available
within the SAP standard functionality to cater to an organization's business requirements.
Such customized programs could be used to create the following:
a. Enhancements to the standard SAP programs for additional business requirements
b. Reports required to run the business and not available within the SAP solution
c. Interfaces between SAP and non-SAP systems
d. Conversion programs to transfer data from the legacy to the SAP solution
7.3.4.1 Advanced Business Application Programming (ABAP)
SAP solutions have primarily been developed using ABAP, which dates back to the 1980s. ABAP
programs communicate with the database management system of the central relational data-
base and with the presentation layer, which could be a SAP-specific GUI (such as the fat client
SAPGUI) or, in the case of web-based SAP applications, a web browser.
The ABAP programming tools can be accessed via the ABAP Development Workbench.
The ABAP Development Workbench provides the following primary functions:
◾
Package Builder
◾
Object Navigator
◾
Web Application Builder for ITS (Internet Transaction Server) Services
◾
Web Application Builder for BSPs (Business Server Pages)
◾
Web Dynpro
◾
Web Services
◾
ABAP Dictionary
◾
ABAP Editor
◾
Class Builder and Function Builder
◾
Screen Painter and Menu Painter
◾
Testing tools such as ABAP Debugger for runtime analysis and performance trace
◾
Transport Organizer
7.3.4.2 Legacy System Migration Workbench
LSMW is a tool that supports data migration from legacy systems, such as non-SAP systems, to
SAP systems. Instead of using individual tables or field contents, this tool migrates user-defined
datasets or objects, combined according to business criteria. The following primary features and
functions are available:
