SEEBURGER integration using PI: BIS, BIC, AS2 Adapter, FTP ?

Question

Hi All,
we are exploring on EDI project, where sap ecc is integrated with an seeburger edi partner via PI.
the integration involves: EDI ANSI X12 documents like 850, 855, and UN/EDIFACT documents like DESADV
for this while searching, i came across:
1. the wiki content created by Prateek Raj Srivastava, http://wiki.sdn.sap.com/wiki/display/XI/SeeburgerSuiteforSAPPI
2. a presentation by sam raju http://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/scn/go/portal/prtroot/docs/library/uuid/00f9cdf5-d812-2a10-03b4-aff3bbf792bf?QuickLink=events&overridelayout=true
I was trying to find out, what all we need in PI..
in PI, what type of communication channel can be used,
can we use FTP adapter, that is comes by default in PI.
or is it necessary to buy something (adapter or content) from SEEBURGER.
after searching little more on seeburger front, got to know that there are:
BIS (Business Integration Server)
BIC (Business integration Converter)
AS2 adapter.
is BIC is an adapter, that we can select as adapter type, while creating the communication channel.
the presentation by sam raju, describes "Configuring BIC as Module", if BIS is configured as a module, what is the type of communication channel in ID.
is AS2 adapter is part of BIS or BIC.
for integration using PI, out of  BIS, BIC, AS2, what all is minumum required?
what are the roles of BIS, BIC and AS2 in the context of integration using PI.
thanks in advance.
Madhu_1980

Answer 1

>>in PI, what type of communication channel can be used,
Any. Using Seeburger Adapter for EDI communication is not mandatory.
>>can we use FTP adapter, that is comes by default in PI.
Yes, you can use it to send even EDI files.
>>or is it necessary to buy something (adapter or content) from SEEBURGER
To convert EDI-xml file to EDI, you have to use Seeburger BIC module which has to be purchased.
>>is BIC is an adapter, that we can select as adapter type, while creating the communication channel.
No, it is an adapter module.
>> BIS is configured as a module, what is the type of communication channel in ID.
Don't get confused between BIC and BIS. BIC is a module and BIS is a separate middleware provided by Seeburger just like PI. You can use BIC module in any channel which supports use of adapter module.
>>is AS2 adapter is part of BIS or BIC.
AS2 can come with BIS middleware. It is type of adapter while BIC is module.
>>for integration using PI, out of BIS, BIC, AS2, what all is minumum required?
For EDI communication, BIC is required (if you don't want to create your own modules). AS2 is required only when some partner demands the use of AS2 protocol for communication.
>>what are the roles of BIS, BIC and AS2 in the context of integration using PI.
Already explained. Forget BIS when you already have PI.
Regards,
Prateek Raj Srivastava