SAP ABAP and EDI/ALE/IDOC

Question

Hi gurus,
I am an ABAP consultant and I am trying to learn EDI/ALE and Idoc, but I am not sure where to start with and what all do I need to cover in it. So can you please tell me how to proceed and what all is reqd. to know about EDI/ALE and Idoc for an ABAP guy and it will be great if you can also send me some documentation .
Thanks,
Rajeev !!!

Answer 1

Please check this online document for ALE and IDoc.
http://help.sap.com/printdocu/core/Print46c/en/data/pdf/BCMIDALEIO/BCMIDALEIO.pdf
http://help.sap.com/printdocu/core/Print46c/en/data/pdf/BCMIDALEPRO/BCMIDALEPRO.pdf
http://help.sap.com/printdocu/core/Print46c/en/data/pdf/CABFAALEQS/CABFAALEQS.pdf
http://help.sap.com/printdocu/core/Print46c/en/data/pdf/BCSRVEDISC/CAEDISCAP_STC.pdf
http://help.sap.com/printdocu/core/Print46c/en/data/pdf/BCSRVEDI/CAEDI.pdf
EDI
Electronic Data Interchange
Cross-company exchange of electronic data (for example business documents) between domestic and international business partners who use a variety of hardware, software, and communication services. The data involved is formatted according to predefined standards. In addition to this, SAP ALE technology is available for data exchange within a company.
Refer
http://www.erpgenie.com/sapedi/index.htm
http://help.sap.com/saphelp_nw04/helpdata/en/72/c18ee5546a11d182cc0000e829fbfe/frameset.htm
https://www.2020software.com/products/Fourth_Shift_Edition_for_SAP_Business_One_Electronic_Data_Interchange.asp
http://downloads-zdnet.com.com/SoftwareandWebDevelopment/SoftwareDevelopmentTools/ElectronicData+Interchange/
http://www.erpgenie.com/sapedi/index.htm
http://www.kostal.com/english/downloads/EDI_AGB_eng.pdfd
EDI is nothing but Electronic data interchange. SAP will support EDI through Intermediate documents (IDOCS).
EDI (Electronic Document interchange) - EDI is the electronic exchange of business documents between the computer systems of business partners, using a standard format over a communication network. 
EDI is also called paperless exchange. 
Advantages: 
Reduced Data entry errors
Reduced processing time
Availabilty of data in electonic form
Reduced paperwork
Reduced Cost
Reduced inventories and better planning
Standard means of communications
Better business process
EDI has two process
1. Outbound process
2. Inbound process
OP:
1.Application document is created.
2.IDOC is generated
3.IDoc is transferred from SAP to Operating system layer
4.Idoc is converted into EDI standards
5.Edi document is transmitted to the business partner
6.The Edi Subsystem report status to SAP
IP:
1.EDI transmission received
2.EDI document is converted into an IDOC
3.IDOC is transferred to the SAP layer
4.The application document is created
5.The application document can be viewed.
EDI FLOW :
Here is some thing which helps you and here the purchase order is taken as example too..
Electronic Data Interchange, or EDI, is the electronic exchange of business data. Using a standard format, EDI provides a method of transmitting business data from one computer to another, without the need to re-key data. This electronic link can result in more effective business transactions. With EDI, paper documents such as invoices can be replaced with electronic transmissions, thus time is saved, and the potential for error is minimized. Data can be exchanged at any time. Related business expenses, such as postage, printing, phone calls, and handling, can also be significantly reduced. EDI can aid in the support of manufacturing efforts, such as Just-in-Time and Third Party Warehousing, and financial efforts, such as Electronic Payments.
What parts of the business cycle can be supported by EDI?
Any business documents that are currently exchanged using paper can be converted to an EDI. Standards. Standards include ANSI X12 and XML/EDI are primarily used in the United States, while EDIFACT is used in Europe and Asia.
How does EDI get started?
EDI gets started when one company contacts another expressing interest in trading business documents electronically using Electronic Data Interchange. The two companies must first determine each other's EDI capabilities. If you do not already know your EDI capabilities, we have prepared a questionnaire to help you determine them. If you are already EDI capable, we will coordinate with your technical staff to determine a testing plan. Upon completion of testing the EDI documents, the appropriate business personnel will set a production start date to begin the exchange of EDI business data. If you are not EDI capable, we recommend you first obtain a commitment from your upper management. Your company will need to allocate resources and capital for software, hardware, testing, possible programming, and training.
What is the flow of EDI?
The flow of EDI depends on the sophistication of your systems and your EDI software. If you have internal purchasing/order entry systems, you will need interface programs that can extract and insert data out of and into these systems. EDI programs that interface with your internal systems are preferred over software that requires re-keying of data. Embassy Software specializes in seemless interface between EDI and your back office systems. Using a purchase order as an example of a business document your customer would send that PO electronically (850) to you. It could be sent either through a VAN (Value Added Network) or through an FTP server. You would take that 850 and convert it either into and ODBC database, a flat file or XML document to be imported into your Order System with the use of EDI Software such as PassportXchange.. Using EDI communication software, which is part of the PassportXchange package you would pull down data at set intervals from the VAN or FTP. These documents are then processed through EDI translation software and output to our order entry system. Finally, an EDI document called a functional acknowledgment (997) is sent to your customer.