BPM, Workflow and Netweaver - Need Clarification

Hi Guru,
I am new to workflow, BPM and Netweaver. I have several questions about those concepts.
1. What is/are the different between workflow and webflow. Which scenario should take workflow into consideration? Which scenario webflow can be applied to?
2. What is/are the different between workflow and BPM. If I am going to implement workflow in a company, do I need to implement business workflow as well as BPM?
3. I need clarification on Netweaver platform and concept.
4. What is/are the different between workflow in R/3 and workflow under Netweaver?
5. If I am going to implement workflow integrated with R/3 and Outlook email, do I need to buy new wrokflow for Netweaver and Netweaver platform or alternatively, I can use business workflow module under R/3 system?
Sorry for many questions asked. I am new to those products. I am now working on software selection for workflow technology. My company is going to implement new workflow to client. Thank you very much.
Cheers,

Please ask only one (or closely related) questions per thread. This makes it a lot easier to get a good structure in the database of previously answered questions. While we are on the subject of previously answered questions, I think you should have a look at them....
My suggestion is therefore:
1. Close this thread
2. Read the Frequently Answered Questions. Before you ask (here are many workflow answers)
3. Search the forum.
4. Create new threads if you have questions afterwards.

Similar Messages

BPM workflows Vs MDM internal workflows.

need clarity on BPM workflows Vs MDM internal workflows.
My understanding:
BPM are kind of workflows created on portal.
and MDM workflows are internal within MDM system.
Questions:
1. Are BPM workflow and MDM Workflows are connected in anyway.
a. If YES,How? Pls give me an example.
b. If NO, when exactly are MDM workflows used and when are BPM workflows used.
2. How are validations done in BPM
3. What is the role of web services in BPM, when exactly we are using
web services.
.......... Pls explain with example if possible.
Thanks for your help.
Regards,
ve

Hi Veena.
As a definition SAP BPM is a component helps you to model, execute, and monitor your business processes based on a common process model. BPM is used to create composite applications and to streamline a process of execution. It can model the application with different areas using webservices etc.
SAP BPM provides modeling and implementation for a UI centric business process u2013 you can develop the business process based on BPM modeling tools.
1.
a. Are BPM workflow and MDM Workflows are connected in anyway.
As far as I know, it is Not.
b. If NO, when exactly are MDM workflows used and when are BPM workflows used
- MDM Workflow is extensively used in case of MDM Components for Cleansing, de-duplication, validation, approval etc. A MDM Workflow is tightly integrated with the MDM Clients to perform the operations.
- BPM workflow is of UI centric business process to integrate various functional usecases.
2.
Validations are created in BPM using the validation rules framework or BRM(Business Rules Mangement) based on the functionality. User can create their own validations from this layer.
3. As a definition, Web services are typically application programming interfaces (API) or web APIs that can be accessed over a network. So if Im designing an application which creates a purchase order in the back end, an webservice should be exposed where I pass the required inputs and get the desired output. The validations are exposed as webservices which can be used in BPM.
For more information read this Blog:
/people/steffen.ulmer/blog/2009/12/16/sap-mdm-bpm-validations
Regards
Bala

NetWeaver BPM and NetWeaver Business Workflow?

What is the difference between NetWeaver BPM and NetWeaver Business Workflow?

Hi
BPM
The new tools from SAP are aimed to provide the business process flexibility needed to enable customers to turn strategic business insight into real-world execution," stated SAP's announcement. "The addition of the planned capabilities will enable business process experts to design, model and immediately execute new or adapted business processes without having to develop code."
Business Workflow
SAP Business Workflow can be used to define business processes that are not yet mapped in the R/3 System. These may be simple release or approval procedures, or more complex business processes such as creating a material master and the associated coordination of the departments involved. SAP Business Workflow is particularly suitable for situations in which work processes have to be run through repeatedly, or situations in which the business process requires the involvement of a large number of agents in a specific sequence.
You can also use SAP Business Workflow to respond to errors and exceptions in other, existing business processes. You can start a workflow when predefined events occur, for example an event can be triggered if particular errors are found during an automatic check
Cheers
Srinivas

What do *you* need to know to be successful with Workflow and BPM?

All,
The Workflow and BPM Survey, sponsored by ASUG - but not limited to ASUG members - will close on October 24.
This information will be shared (with identifying characteristics removed) with ASUG, DSAG, VNSG, and SDN-ers to help target areas in which the various user groups and SAP can target upcoming webcasts and presentations.
You do not need to be an ASUG member to fill out this survey! All responders are welcome, and as is usually the case with a survey, the written-in responses are very valuable.
Although this survey asks for name and company affiliation, all identities will be kept confidential.
Please help us (SAP, SDN, ASUG, other user groups) help you, by telling us about what you need to see for educational content.
http://ws.asug.com/ss/wsb.dll/5/ASUGSAPworkflowBRMsurvey.htm
Please feel free to share this link with other WF/BPM Professionals. The survey will close on October 24, 2008.
Thanks for your input!
Sue

It's a XYZ stage. I have a COM dll to use it. I did an instrument from this dll and everything was working fine untill I uninstalled LabWindows. IVI shared components seems to be having problems as I coundn't uninstall it when I tried to do a clean reinstallation. Maybe the issue comes from there..
I am using the error variables and the error pop up does pop up but no other "system" error as IVIdll is missing or something like this..

BPM in SAP NetWeaver: do you really like and use it?

Dear friends,
BPM (Business Process Management) is the metodology for reorganization and
optimization of business processes.
And BPMS (Business Process Management System) is software for BPM.
BPMS must support full life cycle of business process: design, modelling,
execution and monitoring.
As I understand ccBPM is intended only for automated processes.
Do you really use integration processes ccBPM?
How often do you apply ccBPM for business processes?
Please describe real examples of ccBPM applying.
Do you apply the standard content - integration processes in IR and patterns or do you implement your own integration processes?
How do you implement the business processes required human task and automated
system task, that is combination of workflow and ccBPM?
Thanks for your response in advance,
Natalia.

> Do you really use integration processes ccBPM?
Depends on the requirment..but most of the time we have to avoind to use BPM in interface as much as possible because of performence issue.
> How often do you apply ccBPM for business processes?
Completely based on the requirement..like Multimapping, throwing alerts based on receiver response etc.
> Please describe real examples of ccBPM applying.
Systems A send the messge to Systems B and A get the response. Now if the response is ok then I will send the same message to System C else I will tell admin Error occured. This is just the only one case..ther can be many.
> Do you apply the standard content - integration
> processes in IR and patterns or do you implement your
> own integration processes?
You can look on the patters in the IR SAP BASIS software component
> How do you implement the business processes required
> human task and automated
> system task, that is combination of workflow and
> ccBPM?
Refer these link for more clarification and examples
http://help.sap.com/saphelp_nw04/helpdata/en/3c/831620a4f1044dba38b370f77835cc/frameset.htm
http://www.sap.com/platform/netweaver/pdf/BWP_NetWeaver_BPM.pdf
Thanks
Farooq.

*Rewards Points if you find it useful*

Need clarification for these names, R/3, WAS, NetWeaver

Hi All
I posted the question on WAS preview installation, then I realized I should have put it here. Here is the link to that post:
Need clarification for these names, R/3, WAS, NetWeaver
Thanks again for any input
Xueqing
Added the link to the first post
Message was edited by: xueqing Han

Hi Xueqing,
First of all, sorry for any confusion that we have caused you. I hope I can give you an answer that will clear up the confusion. Sorry, but it is a long explanation of the development of two application solution but history tends to be very long winded!
It is not true SAP R/3 Enterprise equals SAP Web AS, and I'll hopefully explain why:
In the beginning (at least in the client server world) SAP only ship SAP R/3. The technology layer under SAP R/3 was called SAP Basis. There was only SAP Basis under SAP R/3.
SAP then started to deliver other software solutions that were not included in or built on the SAP R/3 software. These included SAP Business Information Warehouse, SAP APO, SAP SEM, SAP CRM, and the list goes on.
These solutions needed to run on technology layer (like SAP R/3 did). SAP Basis was the obvious choice for this because of the common technology layer providing DB/OS abstraction and a coding environment.
~2001:
Later there came the need to have SAP Basis support the web and its web standards and other programming languages. This radically changed what SAP Basis was and we decided to rename the new technology layer to SAP Web Application Server (SAP Web AS). So the SAP Basis name was retired and SAP Basis 4.6D was the last release called SAP Basis.
The new release and the "technology change" means that all the applications mentioned above now ran on SAP Web AS. The first release of SAP Web AS was 6.10.
~2002:
SAP Web AS was first used in SAP R/3 Enterprise release .
The important fact is that SAP R/3 Enterprise runs on SAP Web AS. SAP R/3 Enterprise = SAP R/3 business applications + new business functions + SAP Web AS.
~2003:
I hope the above explanation is clear, because technology takes another major change. It was realized that SAP now had a collection of business solutions/applications (SAP R/3, mySAP CRM, mySAP SCM, etc) and a collection of technology solutions (SAP Web AS, SAP BW, SAP EP, etc). The technology requirements for the business solutions did not end at SAP Web AS, they needed portal, data warehouse, knowledge management capabilities, etc to develop business solutions on.
To address this SAP made the decision to combine all the technology solutions and tools into one single platform. This made complete sense for developers (SAP, Partners and customers). This single platform is called SAP NetWeaver. It includes all the old individual components of SAP Web AS, SAP BW, SAP KM, SAP EP, etc).
~2004:
I think you can guess what the next step is. Yes, the new release of SAP R/3. Since the release of SAP R/3 Enterprise and the release of SAP NetWeaver, SAP R/3's name changes. It is now called mySAP ERP as it includes a lot of applications that were previously sold separately (like SAP SEM, MSS, ESS, etc).
So now mySAP ERP runs on SAP NetWeaver (yes everything that was in SAP Basis and then in SAP Web AS is still there but SAP NetWeaver has so much more now).
Also with the release of SAP NetWeaver, SAP starts to stop using the old technology component names - you will not hear us talk about SAP Web AS, SAP BW, etc anymore, just SAP NetWeaver releases.
In addition all the other SAP business applications also run on SAP NetWeaver, so the latest version of mySAP CRM, mySAP SRM, and mySAP SCM all run on SAP NetWeaver.
So to simplify the explanation, it would be :
Evolution of SAP R/3:
SAP R/3 (up to release 4.6c) -> SAP R/3 Enterprise (releases 1.00 through 2.00 -> mySAP ERP (2004 onward)
Evolution of Basis:
SAP Basis (up to release 4.6d) -> SAP Web AS (up to release 6.40 which was included in SAP NetWeaver '04) -> SAP NetWeaver (2004 onward)
SAP NetWeaver and mySAP ERP have their own release cycles. mySAP ERP always has an underlying technology release that it is built on (this is a SAP NetWeaver release)
I hope this helps,
Mike.

Difference between ccBPM and Netweaver CE BPM?

Hi All,
Can someone please detail on the difference between ccBPM and netweaver CE BPM.
Also, on what basis one decide's which one to use and when?
Regards,
XIer

Hi,
BPM in PI is ccBPM i.e cross component BPM which is system centric... between cross systems ..if need will go for this..
where as BPM in netweaver CE is User centric.if needed will be exposed to user ..and will be based on the user decision steps..
and i dont think it can used between cross systems...
HTH
Rajesh

BPM Workflow Help Needed Urgently please

Hi All,
We are working on a BPM workflow
User A submits the request which goes to User B for review if rejected by user B the process stops but if approved then the amount is calculated using a decision table and based on the amount it will be routed to the respective users.
I did it till BPM part and created rules in the BRM part as well but dont know how to call this BRM in BPM.
Please help me its very very urgent.
Thanks in advance

Refer step 25 of this document to see how to create a web-service for your BRM ruleset.
Once the web service is ready, it can be imported anywhere for use.
1. In your BPM, right-click on the 'WSDL' folder and select 'Import WSDL'. You can import your BRM web-service here.
2. Then place an automated activity in your BPM process design and set the BRM service as the Service Reference property of the Automated activity.
3. Once this is done, you will see the Condition and Action values of your BRM decision table in the Input and Output mapping of the Automated Activity.
4. Map the values of BPM process context to the BRM condition values in the 'Input Mapping' and get the corresponding output in Output mapping (Action Values of decision table).
Refer step 12 in this document to see how to import a WSDL in your BPM Process.
Hope this helps.

What is the difference between action and workflow? How do I decide that I need an action in a transaction and not a workflow and vice versa?

Dear Experts,
I have few doubts and request your expert inputs to clarify my doubts.
What is the difference between action and workflow? How do I decide that I need an action in a transaction and not a workflow and vice versa?
Your earliest response is highly appreciated.
Thanks,
SMTP

Hi SMTP,
First of all, as I mentioned action is nothing but an executable work item which is designed in the workflow itself. In other words, Workflow is like your OOPS class. At run time, workflow instances are created just like objects of classes. Now, the steps designed in the workflow are called TASKS and the instances of tasks are called WORKITEMS. Now, the work items where any user action is required are called executable work items. ANd the work items where no user action is required (for example, sending an email in background) are called non-executable work items.
Whether to go with development of workflow or not depends upon your business scenario. If your requirement is only to send an email and you find any BAdi or exit where in you can write your logic then there is no need of creating a workflow. If there is a defined business process with defined users and time lines, then you can go with the development of workflows.
Rest, the below link will help you in understanding basic concepts of workflow :
Why use SAP Workflow? | Insight Consulting Partners
Regards,
Richa

REG: 4 different folders from the source side and we need to have the BPM t

Hi All,
We are using a BPM for file-idoc scenario. Previously we use to have one source folder which sends file and the bpm worked fine. Now we have a requirement where the files come from 4 different folders from the source side and we need to have the BPM to run independently for each folder.
What are the changes to be made in IR and id for this..
Thanks & Regards,
Kiran.

File adapter has a option advance selection of source file setting which can be used for picking files from different folder.

New ASUG Workflow and BPM Chairperson

Allow me to introduce myself as the new ASUG Workflow and Business Process Management Chairperson. I am happy to be able to give some time back to ASUG to help promote SAP workflow and process automation as it has been a significant part of my career. I have been working with SAP or
using one of its many products since 1995. I started off as a workflow developer and then moved into IT management. During my career I have
implemented or used many SAP applications and have always been involved in process re-engineering. If you would like to learn a bit more about SAP workflow please check out our upcoming webcast on August 4 – Workflow Classics II. This is a follow up webcast that highlights out of the box SAP workflow automation capabilities and how easy it is to implement them. You must be an ASUG member to attend this event. The link to register is https://www.asug.com/events/detail/Workflow-Classics-II. If you are interested in learning more about workflow or even presenting on what you have accomplished using workflow feel free to reach out to me.

Please ask only one (or closely related) questions per thread. This makes it a lot easier to get a good structure in the database of previously answered questions. While we are on the subject of previously answered questions, I think you should have a look at them....
My suggestion is therefore:
1. Close this thread
2. Read the Frequently Answered Questions. Before you ask (here are many workflow answers)
3. Search the forum.
4. Create new threads if you have questions afterwards.

Difference between WAS and Netweaver

Hi Experts,
In Web Application Server (WAS) we have ABAP+JAVA combindly. But in Netweaver Why JAVA and ABAP stacks are separated. What is the difference between WAS and Netweaver?
Thanks in advance,
Manoj

Hi Manoj,
Netweaver is the technology plattform of SAP.
WAS is a component included in Netweaver plattform.
Further information:
Difference between WAS/NetWeaver/Enterprise
Re: Need clarification for these names, R/3, WAS, NetWeaver
Hope that is helpfull.
Carlos

Workflow and branching

Hi Experts!
I am creating a workflow for Material creation scenario.I am not using LDAP and all user and roles are defined in SAP MDM.
I have 10 plants and have 2 level approver for 6 material types.
That means there are 6 material types with differen approvers and each in turn are different for 10 plants.
So I want to know which is a better way,
1.Maintaining 10 workflow for each plan and then branching for various types.
2.Creating 1 workflow which determines which plant and call from that Workflow other worflows.
If you have any other ideas pls share.
Thanks in advance!
Regards,
Ravz

Hello Ravz,
Your scenario is best suited for modeling outside MDM (possibly in BPM).
Modeling this in MDM will be more complicated from implementation as well as maintenance point of view.
Probably you will end up with lots of customizations, if you decide to model it in MDM.
Because you cannot dynamically assign approver's in MDM workflow.
Also you cannot access modifier (i.e. user) and its role details, anywhere in MDM (assignments, validations, and workflows);
hence you need to keep this plant to its approver mapping somewhere else.
Also consider the point that you cannot use checkin/checkout operations on Tuple or Qualified level.
This will lead to dirty read, because you have to save modifications on original record before approval,
that too you cannot revert modifications in case of rejection.
Tuple or Qualified level change Syndication is another headache.
Designing this scenario in MDM will become measure maintenance night-mer after go-live.
One option of design may solve most of the above problems.
That is: Create a dedicated main table for plants.
Means you will have two main tables one will be analogous to MARA and another will represent MARC.
But, this design is against the packaged Material repository provided by SAP.
Also decision of creating multiple main table should be taken carefully, because it may be a performance hit.
Regards,
Shaailesh.

MDM Workflows and UWL in CE 7.11

Hello,
I am working with MDM Workflows and UWL in CE 7.11.
For configuring the UWL, we need to set some property of MDM Result Set iView to
connect and display MDM workflows for an MDM repository in EP 7.0.
But in CE 7.11 the concept of Result Set iView is replaced by ResultSet component which we use as a used component in the custom wrapper (DC).
How to use ResultSet component to configure UWL in CE 7.11 ?
Thanks in Advance..
Regards,
Yogita.

Hi Yogita,
Here is a document for you.l It shows how to configure MDM & BPM. From within this there is information in regards to the Universal Worklist:
http://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/scn/go/portal/prtroot/docs/library/uuid/50d7ad1f-6b27-2d10-448e-9c115ce7f5b3?
You may also want to raise a post for this in MDM forum.
Beth Maben
EP - Senior Support Consultant
AGS Primary Support, Business Suite & Technology
Please see the UWL Wiki @
https://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/scn/wiki?path=/display/bpx/uwl+faq ***

Adobe livecycle workflow and SAP workflow

dear all,
 i am working in a new development project which is yet to be started.according to my client's description,the project deals with adobe forms with SAP as backend.
 i have studied and worked for one month on adobe livecycle forms and i have some knowledge about its products.but i didnt work on any SAP system.my doubt is that
 "WE HAVE ADOBE LIVECYCLE WORKFLOW IN THE WHOLE SUITE OF LIVECYCLE SOFTWARE PRODUCTS,WHICH CAN BE USEFUL TO BUILD WORKFLOWS AND IMPROVE BUSINESS PROCESSES WITH THE HELP OF BAM.BUT WHEN ADOBE FORMS AND ADOBE FORMS MANAGER ARE INTEGRATED IN SAP..WILL THE ADOBE WORKFLOW BE PRESENT AGAIN?OR IS IT GOING TO BE THE SAP WORKFLOW WHICH DEFINES THE BUSINESS PROCESSES AND INITIATES THE PROCESSES?? ALSO IF IT IS SAP WORKFLOW THEN WHAT IS THE NEED OF INTEGRATING ADOBE WITH SAP WITHOUT ADOBE LIVECYLE WORKFLOW.??
 i am looking forward for any answers from ppl.plzz help me out from this doubt.
 regards..
 raghava kumar v.s.s.

Hi Raghava,
correct, there are currently no plans to integrate Forms Manager into SAP although we have no alternative solution within SAP, i.e. you'd have to build something like Forms Manager for your purposes.
To get a general overview on the SAP integration, start here: <a href="http://sdn.sap.comhttp://www.sdn.sap.comhttp://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/sdn/interactiveforms">http://sdn.sap.comhttp://www.sdn.sap.comhttp://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/sdn/interactiveforms</a>
You need NetWeaver, because the Adobe functions are part of it. Web Dynpro is one of the environments that have Adobe forms functions integrated, it is the most suitable one for interactive scenarios.
We may have a different idea of what SAP is. To me, SAP comprises the business data in the ERP/CRM/etc. system and the technology components such as NetWeaver etc. Perhaps that's the misunderstanding.
Best,
Markus

BPM, Workflow and Netweaver - Need Clarification

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