SAP IDoc EDI Challenges?

DCS Has the Solutions!

Data Communication Solutions’ (DCS) EDI Specialists have in-depth experience working with SAP’s Interchange Documents (IDocs™) and WebWeaver Process Integration (PI™). We can help you integrate SAP with your existing EDI system or help you select one to integrate with SAP ERP™ or SAP All-in-One™.

Our seasoned DCS Specialists are experienced working with a variety of EDI translators such as:

Since IDoc mapping is not trivial, we recommend DCS’ ERP conversion service to maximize your success. Our EDI consultant specialists are experts on SAP IDocs and WebWeaver Process Integration using methodologies and tools that will span all the phases of integration. Your mapping will be thorough, quick, and economical. Having DCS develop the first few Trading Partners and communication parameters lowers the cost of implementation and hastens payback.

We can also help you determine if you can integrate your existing EDI system to SAP at a reasonable cost. Get your no-cost assessment today, there is no obligation.

Integrating with SAP

Integration with SAP is a significant task. SAP IDoc’s structure can be complex and difficult to tackle. For example user exits or scripts are frequently used when mapping to/from an IDoc structure.

This complexity derives from different formats of business documents exchanged. Consider the inbound customer Purchase Order (Sales Order) formats for Target Stores:

  • Ship-to Distribution Center
  • Ship-to D.C. and “cross-dock” for stores
  • Ship-to Store
  • Ship-to Home

Each type of P.O. must be properly configured or many issues can be encountered.

We work with the three components of reliable and economical EDI:

  • The IDoc interface gateway
  • Your exciting EDI System
  • Secure Internet data transmission (AS2 or FTPS)

Too often EDI is an afterthought during the SAP implementation, or comes up suddenly as an “on demand” project requested by a key customer that needs to be completed yesterday. In both scenarios you are forced to piece together a workable solution. This is something that you must do well and ensure that best business practices are followed, since future development is built on this foundation.

Want to increase productivity but unsure how to do it? Check out  our easy-to-use SAP Modules Documents and IDocs that shows you each SAP module and its corresponding transaction set that can readily be automated as standard and accepted by your trading partner.

 

SAP in the Cloud for EDI in the Cloud

DCS EDI Consultants Can Show You How to Set the First, then You Set the Rest

The acquisition of Crossgate and Ariba highlight SAP’s desire to offer both a traditional and in-the-cloud business-to-business connections (B2B).  And, it causes many to ask why have others considered it?

Adding incremental documents to exchange in a time of tight budgets is problematic.  Or, the low transaction count or complexity may mean the high powered EDI pipe is not needed.  For example, consider the number of Sales Orders (850) received from a customer when compared to the number of price changes sent.  The ratio approaches 100:1.  Lastly, users want to eliminate tedious data entry, but the number of those users is low.

The addition of Ariba’s leading cloud-based procurement solution is a unique offering; a step beyond the IBM (Sterling Commerce) offering.

Cloud based EDI remains an ETL process, using IDocs or one-off processes to create an intermediate file.  The technical difference is that the file reformatting to X12 or XML occurs.  Crossgate and Ariba will reformat your intermediate file to an unique XML format for a customer, vendor, or transporter; but you will be charged for that customization over the years.  And, you must still create the unique business rules, processes, error message management, and controls.

 

Using DCS EDI Consultants for Your SAP ERP System and EDI Integration

DCS EDI consultants have helped many companies implement, maintain, or oversee daily EDI processing with their SAP system. Using a seasoned expert who knows EDI and IDoc’s will save you time and headaches. With experienced professionals, you can avoid common pitfalls when implementing EDI with your SAP application. DCS is ready to work with your SAP provider or consultant too. Our expertise is with the EDI/E-C Gateway: we do not seek non-EDI work. Your first step is easy; just e-mail DCS for your no-cost assessment.

HANA users click here to learn how you can obtain better data!

Human Resource managers click here to find out how you can boost your productivity!

Moving to Business One™ or Business ByDesign™? We can help you add EDI and B2B capability.