SAP PI or BizTalk ?

I am evaluating the internal and external integration scenarios for a large company to help them when they should use SAP PI and when to use BizTalk. In this sense, i have made some comparison and would like to share them with you. Any other comments/additions will be appreciated.
Especially SAP upgrade roadmap (especially NetWeaver) and the vendor product strategy is really important for me. What do you think about it?
Purpose: Create a common understanding of the capabilities of each integration platform
More resources with BizTalk skills
u2013More resources in total and more certified resources for BizTalk
u2013Low availability of resources for both platforms
Community
u2013More sources of information and resources for BizTalk
u2013In practice one source of training and certification for PI (sdn)
Technical platform permeates the development environment
u2013J2EE or Microsoft
Dependency on application in the case of PI
u2013PI used to integrate applications within SAP system
u2013PI used as service repository (from 7.0) for all applications
Integrated management solution for PI
BAM support in BizTalk

Hi Alper Celik,
I personaly prefer SAP PI than Biz talk, SAP PI integration approach is very easy and support all Biz talk capabilities.My current project where i am replacing biz talk scenarios with PI and infact my client was really happy with results what we have achieved.
People had a perception that SAP PI is for SAP integration but that is not true SAP PI works really well for non SAP System integration and current implemnettaion project we integrated non SAP system and handle high load.
If you use PI to integrate SAP systems then you can save lot of time compare to toher middlewares and you can save lot of investment compare to other middlewares(as per my experience).
Regards,
Raj

Similar Messages

Performance: SAP XI vs BizTalk

I need links to performance benchmarks of SAP XI and BizTalk. They should be compared by processing messages.
thanks in advance...

Hi ,
in my company we had more or less the same situation 2 years back, a existing BizTalk solution, and whether we should introduce XI or not.
We concluded with the following; BizTalk should be used as the main integration engine between the different system landscapes and ALL external communication, and XI should be used as the integration engine for all data to/from our SAP system landscape. Depending on the integration scenario, we may use both.
BizTalk will not see any SAP systems, only web services exposed by XI or using IBM MQ depending on an async/sync integration scenario.
We believe that XI is better with integration from/to SAP, and;
- In future SAP will deliver out of box integration for the XI system (XI content) for Enterprise Services Architecture
- Several components in the NetWeaver stack are using XI for communication
We have a SAP system landscape with several 46C systems (IS/OIL, HR ...) and newer NetWeaver solutions.
I can give you a brief resume of our experiences my background is ABAP developer since 98, I have implemented a few BizTalk solutions to SAP 46C, and Im a certified XI developer and developed several XI solutions between SAP 46C/640 and BizTalk.
BizTalk ******
Overall communication between SAP systems and BizTalk depending on the integration scenario and who is the initiator:
SAP 46C to BizTalk:
There are no good mechanisms available for sending data from 46C to BizTalk, we are using HTTP_POST with XML payload. Then you must use the iXML library on the SAP side, its ok, but you will spend, in my point of view, too many hours on XML programming that can be generated automatically.
BizTalk to SAP 46C - Which SAP adapter to use for BizTalk?
We started with SAP adapter from IWay, but that adapter gave us a lot of problems on the BizTalk server (pretty complex adapter with strange behaviour, and several integration scenarios stopped working for no reason at all (unstable)).
Due to several severe problems, we switched to SAP adapter from Microsoft 1 year back in time. If I dont remember wrong, back then, the SAP adapter from Microsoft did not support parameter of type string or table types so there are/were some limitations regarding the signature of the RFC function.
The SAP adapter from Microsoft is more stable than the previous, BUT we have some hick ups with that one as well when BizTalk does very frequent calls to SAP 46C.
SAP 640 to/from BizTalk:
I assume you can use the web service functionality on the SAP side in order to send/receive data, but I dont know whether 640 support asynchronous web service.
XI *****
The communication mechanism between different SAP systems and XI are much better than with BizTalk:
SAP 46C to XI:
Configure a sender communication channel with RFC adapter; basically the XI system will be RFC server so the only thing you have to do is to create a RFC port on the 46C system pointing to the XI system. In the Abap program, you can do normal function calls with destination (RFC port) AND the RFC call will automatically be translated to XML on the XI side.
Thus, you can forget all about the iXML library and XML rendering of the payload to HTTP.
Besides, you can choose to use sRFC, tRFC or even qRFC depending on the integration scenario and whether you want guaranteed delivery.
XI to SAP 46C:
More or less same as BizTalk using a SAP adapter, but string and table types are supported.
SAP 640 to/from XI:
This is a very nice situation, every 640 has a local integration engine, so the main integration engine (XI) can send/receive XML messages both async/sync. Another advantage is using the SPROXY transaction on the 640 system, generating automatically a proxy class being able to send/receive messages based on a message interface defined in XI (outside-in programming).
Finally *****
BizTalk and XI are at a conceptual level identical, two integration engines with the purpose of send/receive, route and do message transformation (mapping) using adapters to different technical systems.
Microsoft has a lot of resources available and for sure, BizTalk will be a very good choice for most companies.
SAP came late with XI, but they are not trying to make the best integration engine, but good enough. And for sure, I think SAP will come with very nice XI content in time (interface mappings between message interfaces business solutions) which is beyond BizTalk.
As an ABAP programmer I just love the transport system between development, quality and production systems. We are using the CMS transport systems between our development XI, quality XI and production XI it is so nice and fast. With BizTalk you have to create a MSI file (installation file which files to include) and somehow transport the file (mail or whatever) to the quality environment for installation really tedious work compared to XI.
So we are using BizTalk 2004 and XI 3.0 and are very happy with both.
Best regards
Torstein
message edited by
kish
reward if found useful

Anybody experience with SAP Reliable Messaging (SAP-RM) from BizTalk?

Experience with SAP Reliable Messaging (SAP-RM) from BizTalk?
Has anyone experience with using SAP Reliable Messaging (SAP-RM) between BizTalk and SAP’s Enterprise Services?
SAP’s Enterprise Services can be synchronous request/reply, what SAP calls A2X. But many of SAP’s Enterprise Services are one-way, asynchronous. When not using SAP’s own integration solution (SAP Process Integration), SAP refers
to the use of either WS-ReliableMessaging (WS-RM) or SAP ReliableMessaging (SAP-RM). With BizTalk not supporting WS-ReliableMessaging (and not its persistent version), SAP-RM is the way to go.
More info about “SAP-RM” @ http://wiki.scn.sap.com/wiki/display/ABAPConn/Plain+SOAP
Koen

I have searched, but didn't find any resources related with SAP Reliable Messaging (SAP-RM) from BizTalk, only found the resources about Web Services Reliable Messaging. I hope it will help you.
http://help.sap.com/saphelp_nw04s/helpdata/en/46/9743916d1115ece10000000a114a6b/content.htm
http://integr8consulting.blogspot.in/2013/11/ws-reliablemessaging-ws-rm-between-ibm.html
http://scn.sap.com/thread/798701

SAP SNC Supplier Network Collaboration integration with SAP ERP via BizTalk - experiences?

Hello,
had anybody experience in integration of SAP SNC Supplier Network Collaboration with SAP ERP via BizTalk Server?
Versions: SAP ECC 6.0 Ehp5 SPS11, SAP SNC current version (7.0?)
We will have to integrate following processes:
Master Data integration, PO Purchase Order, Forecast, SMI Supplier Managed Inventory
Usually SAP takes an SAP PI middleware for this, where the full implementation can be downloaded from the SAP marketplace, but we want to avoid having an additional Integration Platform with maintenance etc.
Are there experiences, success stories, pitfalls, issues to be known, recommendations, known efforts in this forum?
Thanks in advance.
Jens

HI Jens,
In our forum, we discussed topic about BizTalk & SAP Integration before, hope it helps you.BizTalk
& SAP Integration
Best regards,
Angie
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Advantage of using SAP XI over webservices to interact with Biztalk

HI everyone,
We have biztalk as integration tool. I would like to know is it feasible to implement Biztalk with SAP XI to communicate with our SAP ECC server. I heard it will be over weight to use both Biztalk and SAP XI coz each will have its own message box and leads to more process time. So we are planning to use Biztalk with SAP webservices. So please let me know which is better as cost wise and work wise biztalk with SAP XI or Biztalk with SAP Web services.
SAP Guys please take some time to provide some useful information. it will be much appreciated.
cheers
ram

Ram,
This is a contentious issue.
In principle a middleware to middleware integration is against the basic ideas of EAI. We need to integrate applications and not middlewares, but in reality this is in most cases an inevitable situation.
This blog discusses a similar middleware- middleware integartion ( XI and WebMethods) . Use the tips and tricks in this blogs to understand the issue you need to address , etc,
/people/abhy.thomas/blog/2007/04/19/sap-xi--webmethods-integration-150-challenges-and-migration-strategies
Regards
Bhavesh

Which is better option SAP XI vs webservices to interact with Biztalk

HI everyone,
We have biztalk as integration tool. I would like to know is it feasible to implement Biztalk with SAP XI to communicate with our SAP ECC server. I heard it will be over weight to use both Biztalk and SAP XI coz each will have its own message box and leads to more process time. So we are planning to use Biztalk with SAP webservices. So please let me know which is better as cost wise and work wise biztalk with SAP XI or Biztalk with SAP Web services.
SAP Guys please take some time to provide some useful information. it will be much appreciated.
cheers
ram

SAP XI and BizTalk both offer a tight integration of Web Services into the engine and development tools. Using the SAP XI SOAP Adapter enables the consumption and publication of Web Services based on the SOAP 1.1 protocol according to the WS-Basic Profile 1.0.
The BizTalk SOAP Adapter also offers Web Services support based on SOAP 1.1
support and Basic Profile 1.0 capabilities.
Anyway XI and Biztalk can interoperate, you should evaluate the scenario you are going to implement.
Based on transactionality, trhroughtput, communication etc, the following scenarios are in focus:
Synchronous and non-transactional communication
Synchronous and transactional communication
Asynchronous and non-transactional communication
Asynchronous and transactional communication
This leads to eight scenarios overall, as both hubs may act as the initiating starting point of the communication. The choice of communication types for a certain integration process depends on business needs, technical needs and performance considerations.
if it may be useful rewards point are appreciated

Biztalk with SAP XI Vs SAP Webservice

HI everyone,
We have biztalk as integration tool. I would like to know is it feasible to implement Biztalk with SAP XI to communicate with our SAP ECC server. I heard it will be over weight to use both Biztalk and SAP XI coz each will have its own message box and leads to more process time. So we are planning to use Biztalk with SAP webservices. So please let me know which is better as cost wise and work wise biztalk with SAP XI or Biztalk with SAP Web services.
SAP Guys please take some time to provide some useful information. it will be much appreciated.
cheers
ram

Hi Ram,
how are you doing today ?
From a business perspective, if u're using 2 rival products to do the same integration function, it is a defeat in architecture and in resurces consumed to do the requirement [tha two end systems]
lisence issues of how much is paid to the vendor will also then be higher than if u used either one and not both
technically speaking,
it is making the system overly complex without any real benefit or requirement
maintenance will increase and it will make troubleshooting more omplex when it does not need to be
i'd recommend the use of either based on the resources available
SAP web services are available since web AS 620, and just need to be enabled for the Function Module, RFC , BAPI
check out transactions WSCONFIG, WSADMIN
using them will make things simpler all around
but again it depeneds on the type of application, it's demands on Quality of Service and the nature of the Data as well
with respect,
amit

RFC Send could not be resolved against SAP system because its metadata could not be obtained...EXCEPTION FU_NOT_FOUND RAISED

Hello,
I am getting the following error in sending IDOC to SAP via WCF-SAP adapter in BizTalk Server 2009. I have the SOAP header in the adapter mentioned below. Also, wondering what is the convension for Action URL? Is it always "http://Microsoft.LobServices.Sap/2007/03/Rfc/"
+ Operation name mentioned in the Orchestration? I would appreciate if anyone could help me resolve this error.
The adapter failed to transmit message going to send port "SendReceive_PO_IDOC_TO_SAP" with URL "sap://CLIENT=111;LANG=EN;@a/123.456.789.101/00?GWHOST=123.456.789.101&GWSERV=sapgw00&ListenerProgramId=ABCDEF111&RfcSdkTrace=False&AbapDebug=False".
It will be retransmitted after the retry interval specified for this Send Port. Details:"Microsoft.ServiceModel.Channels.Common.MetadataException: RFC Send could not be resolved against SAP system because its metadata could not be obtained. ---> Microsoft.Adapters.SAP.RFCException:
Details: ErrorCode=RFC_EXCEPTION. ErrorGroup=RFC_ERROR_APPLICATION_EXCEPTION. SapErrorMessage=EXCEPTION FU_NOT_FOUND RAISED. AdapterErrorMessage=An error occurred while determining the function interface of the RFC Send.
at Microsoft.Adapters.SAP.RFCException.HelperThrow(Int32 retCode, String additionalErrorMessage)
at Microsoft.Adapters.SAP.RfcClientConnection.GetRfcFunctionInterface(String rfcName)
at Microsoft.Adapters.SAP.InternalRfcMetadata..ctor(String originalRfcName, SAPConnection sapConnection)
at Microsoft.Adapters.SAP.SAPMetadataContract.ResolveOperationMetadata(String operationId, TimeSpan timeout, TypeMetadataCollection& extraTypeMetadataResolved)
at Microsoft.ServiceModel.Channels.Common.Design.MetadataCache.GetOperationMetadata(String uniqueId, Guid clientId, TimeSpan timeout)
at Microsoft.ServiceModel.Channels.Common.MetadataLookup.GetOperationDefinition(String operationId, TimeSpan timeout)
at Microsoft.Adapters.SAP.SapFunctionMetadata.ResolveOperationMetadataUsingSdk(String absoluteName, String displayName, String funcName, String operationNamespace, SAPConnection sapConnection, Boolean isTrfc, MetadataLookup metadataLookup, TimeoutHelper
timeoutHelper)
--- End of inner exception stack trace ---
Server stack trace:
at System.ServiceModel.AsyncResult.End[TAsyncResult](IAsyncResult result)
at System.ServiceModel.Channels.ServiceChannel.SendAsyncResult.End(SendAsyncResult result)
at System.ServiceModel.Channels.ServiceChannel.EndCall(String action, Object[] outs, IAsyncResult result)
at System.ServiceModel.Channels.ServiceChannel.EndRequest(IAsyncResult result)
Exception rethrown at [0]:
at System.Runtime.Remoting.Proxies.RealProxy.HandleReturnMessage(IMessage reqMsg, IMessage retMsg)
at System.Runtime.Remoting.Proxies.RealProxy.PrivateInvoke(MessageData& msgData, Int32 type)
at System.ServiceModel.Channels.IRequestChannel.EndRequest(IAsyncResult result)
at Microsoft.BizTalk.Adapter.Wcf.Runtime.WcfClient`2.RequestCallback(IAsyncResult result)".
For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
SOAP Header:
<BtsActionMapping xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema">
<Operation Name="Send" Action="http://Microsoft.LobServices.Sap/2007/03/Rfc/Send" />
</BtsActionMapping>
Thanks,
Tarun

Hello Morten,
The Send is actually just the name of the operation in Orchestration and it does not exist in SAP. Hence, do I really need to have the SOAP header in WCF-SAP adapter or can I send the IDOC without any SOAP header info? When I try to send without
SOAP header I get the following error. Can you help me resolve this?
The adapter failed to transmit message going to send port "SendReceive_PO_IDOC_TO_SAP" with URL "sap://CLIENT=111;LANG=EN;@a/123.456.789.101/00?GWHOST=123.456.789.101&GWSERV=sapgw00&ListenerProgramId=ABCDEF111&RfcSdkTrace=False&AbapDebug=False". It
will be retransmitted after the retry interval specified for this Send Port. Details:"System.ArgumentNullException: Value cannot be null.
Parameter name: key
at System.ThrowHelper.ThrowArgumentNullException(ExceptionArgument argument)
at System.Collections.Generic.Dictionary`2.Insert(TKey key, TValue value, Boolean add)
at Microsoft.BizTalk.Adapter.Wcf.Runtime.WcfClient`2.CreateChannelFactory[TChannel](IBaseMessage bizTalkMessage)
at Microsoft.BizTalk.Adapter.Wcf.Runtime.WcfClient`2.InitializeValues(IBaseMessage message)
at Microsoft.BizTalk.Adapter.Wcf.Runtime.WcfClient`2..ctor(IBaseMessage message, WcfTransmitter`2 transmitter)
at Microsoft.BizTalk.Adapter.Wcf.Runtime.WcfTransmitter`2.GetClientFromCache(String spid, IBaseMessage message)
at Microsoft.BizTalk.Adapter.Wcf.Runtime.WcfAsyncBatch`2.BatchWorker(List`1 messages)".
For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
Thanks,
Tarun

IDOCS are not seen in BIZTALK

Hi,
I have whole configuration set for sending the IDOCS from SAP to BIZTALK like the RFC Destination, port definition, partner profile.
Even the BIZTALK is configured to receive the messages...But when I create the material master IDOCS thru the change poitners it's are in the status 03 in SAP but not able to see the data in BIZTALK. Can any one guide on it.
Thankyou,
Nalinikalyan.

Actually there was no problem from SAP ... the problem was from the SAP adapter for BIZTALK provided by microsoft as there are no user permissions on the procedures which ar eresponsible for getting the data in BIZTALK when IDOC is sent from SAP.
Thankyou,
Nalinikalyan.

Send idocs or RFC from R/3 to biztalk

hi All,
We have an requirement of transferring master data from R/3 to biztalk whenever any cahnge to the master data is made.
We are contemplating using IDocs or RFC to do this transfer. If it were a R/3 to R/3 transfer then I have come across many docs where it is stated that idocs is by far a better option than RFC but I am just wondering if same applies when we do it to biztalk.
The reason I had the above doubt was because I dont know if we can use ALE as means of transporting the idocs ( i vaguely remember creating partner profiles. since biztalk is not a SAP system how can I create a partner profile for it ).
I was wondering if someone has come across a similar situation and probably point me in the right direction.
thanks,
Gautam

Hi Gautam,
Yes, IDoc can be trigerred by configuring change pointer from SAP R/3 on change in master data. There are many ways to integrate SAP with Biztalk. Have a look at these links for more details -
1. http://www.microsoft.com/isv/sap/technology/interop/biztalk.aspx
2. http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/7/f/57f1490e-8a8d-497b-bbae-ec2a44b3799f/BizTalkSAPXIInterop.pdf
3. http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Search/en-US?query=idoc%20from%20sap&ac=8
Regards,
Sunil Chandra

Question: Migration from Tibco BW to SAP XI

I have been actively involved in TIBCO BW projects as project co-ordinator for the past year. Now i am thinking of shifting into SAP XI. I am assuming that SAP XI has the same underlying concept as TIBCO BW. Is my assumption correct? If yes then how hard would it be for me to transfer from Tibco to SAP XI. Please provide appopriate justifications for your answers.
Thanks

Hi,
Its very tough to generlize like i remember my present case wherein we upgraded Webmethods landscape and we decided to reuse the existing mapping sheets, that was one Point.
Now it depends on the EAI tool existing in your case for reuseability.
Then,reusing the 3rd party files in intregation,
Re: XI ABAP Proxy problem
One similar thread i remember was,
SAP XI versus BizTalk
a discussion on xi and other middleware.
Plus intregation with webservices, RFID etc.(If needed in your case).
I know this is not a specific answer that i have given you, but sharing my thoughts.
Anirban.

Migration from Other middleware to SAP XI

Hi XI Gurus
Have anybody worked on a scenorio in which they removed the existing middleware and used SAP XI.
If yes, what care we need to take to implement this scenorio
Regards
Madhan Doraikannan

Hi,
Its very tough to generlize like i remember my present case wherein we upgraded Webmethods landscape and we decided to reuse the existing mapping sheets, that was one Point.
Now it depends on the EAI tool existing in your case for reuseability.
Then,reusing the 3rd party files in intregation,
Re: XI ABAP Proxy problem
One similar thread i remember was,
SAP XI versus BizTalk
a discussion on xi and other middleware.
Plus intregation with webservices, RFID etc.(If needed in your case).
I know this is not a specific answer that i have given you, but sharing my thoughts.
Anirban.

Biztalk+SapConnector -- XI

Hi,
we are comparing XI and Biztalk+SapConnector.
Is there anyone out there who has also done this?
Any remarks are welcome!!
[email protected]

Hi...
I am doing a study of how to integration Biztalk and PI 7.1 and my requirement will be like the folliowings:
SAP PI 7.1 will be used to integration SAP system
SAP Pi 7.1 will be the main gateway to be integrated with MS Biztalk
Biztalk will be used to integrate different NON SAP applicationS and systemS in our company.
all integrations between those non sap systems and sap systems will be handled between Biztalk and PI 7.1
NON SAP Systems < - -> Biztalk <> SAP PI 7.1 <--
> SAP ERP
so what is the typical setup and configuration needs to be done on the SAP PI side ? what kind of system we need to create in SLD for biztalk ? what communiation channel should be used in send from SAP PI to Biztalk and vise versa ? is there any special adapter to be used for this ?
considering the web service to be used between biztalk and PI what needs to be done typically on both sides ?
do you have any real scenario that i can examine and share ?
Thanks alot
Tarek
Edited by: Tarek Atassi on Feb 28, 2011 1:59 PM
Edited by: Tarek Atassi on Feb 28, 2011 1:59 PM
Edited by: Tarek Atassi on Feb 28, 2011 2:02 PM
Edited by: Tarek Atassi on Feb 28, 2011 2:04 PM

Unreleashed segment issue with SAP schema

Hi All,
We are trying to generate SAP schema in BizTalk 2010 and facing unreleased segment issue and discussed with SAP team whom suggested below ways. We were interacted with MSFT and no hotfix yet. Please guide me.
The provider/external should call IDOCTYPE_READ_COMPLETE in the following way:
- PI_RELEASE = ' ' => last existing segment version is returned
- PI_RELEASE not available in the interface => last released version
Which means: BizTalk needs to ensure the PI_RELEASE is not present in the call of the interface. This will allow pulling the last release version of the IDoc including not released segments.
Thanks, Raja MCTS BizTalk Server 2010, MCC If this answers your question please mark it accordingly

BizTalk does not support unreleased segments for Receive Operations.
As far as I know SAP 'locks' the segment types that have not been released and the LOB adapter of BizTalk cannot properly read those segments.
The SAP team should set a release on the IDOC types and segments you need.
Glenn Colpaert - MCTS BizTalk Server - Blog : http://blog.codit.eu

Importing SAP BAPI as Generated Item - String Object

Am new to BizTalk, working on BT 2013 using Visual Studio 2012. Am adding a "generated item" for Z_BAPI_SALESORDER_CHANGE (using the "Consume Adapter Service" dialog) and am receiving the message below. Our ABAP programmer tells me it's
type STRING which is causing the issue, but STRING is supposed to be an acceptable type (here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd787893%28v=bts.80%29.aspx). What am I missing?
Appreciate the help!
Microsoft.ServiceModel.Channels.Common.MetadataException: Retrieval of Type Metadata has failed while building WSDL at 'SAPTABLE/ZSSM_SO_HEADER_IN_CHANGE'
---> Microsoft.ServiceModel.Channels.Common.MetadataException: The SAP system returned error: Details: ErrorCode=RFC_EXCEPTION. ErrorGroup=RFC_ERROR_APPLICATION_EXCEPTION. SapErrorMessage=UNSUPPORTED_TYPE. AdapterErrorMessage=The RfcGetStructureInfoAsTable
API returned the error code 2 when obtaining metadata for the type ZSSM_SO_HEADER_IN_CHANGE. Check the RFC SDK trace files for details.. when trying to retrieve metadata for table: ZSSM_SO_HEADER_IN_CHANGE.

Is it possible that your table is an ITAB II type table?
Because that is not supported by the SAP Adapter in BizTalk, see the limitations list
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/dd787849(BTS.10).aspx
Glenn Colpaert - MCTS BizTalk Server - Blog : http://blog.codit.eu

SAP PI or BizTalk ?

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