Connectors → SAP ERP

About SAP ERP

SAP ERP is an enterprise resource planning system that is built for businesses of all sizes. SAP ERP has modules specific to industries, from manufacturing to retail. The software supports and integrates almost every functional area of a business process from procurement of goods and services, sale and distribution, finance, accounting, human resource, manufacturing, production planning to logistics and warehouse management.

SAP ERP Connector Updates

This section is to explore the updates in the newer versions of the SAP ERP connector available on the Incorta connectors marketplace.

In order to get the newer version of the connector, please update the connector using the marketplace.

About the SAP ERP Connector

The SAP ERP Connector loads data into Incorta from the SAP ERP Tables, Views, Advanced Business Application Programming (ABAP) Core Data Services (CDS) Views.

The Connector is built using the SAP Java Connector (JCo) library, and uses a Remote Function Call (RFC) enabled Function Module program to perform the following activities:

• Receive Requests
• Generate Schema Definition
• Extract Data from Tables
• Log Extraction and Processing Status

The SAP ERP connector uses configuration table ZINC_CONFIG_PROP to manage table access control. Table access control can be done using the User Profile Authorization Groups method ZINC_AUTH_GROUP or using a list of table names maintained in a Z Table method (ZINC_TAB_ACCESS).

SAP ERP Connector Compatibility

The SAP ERP connector has been developed and tested for the following SAP ERP Systems:

• SAP ECC 6.0 EHP 7 - 700, 702, 731, 740, 752
• SAP S/4 HANA - 1503, 1511, 1605, 1610, 1709, 1809, 1909

The SAP ERP connector supports the following Incorta-specific functionality:

Deployment of the SAP ERP Connector in SAP

This section provides step by step information for importing binary transports containing Incorta’s development objects into the SAP instance. It is intended for SAP BASIS administrators or Incorta schema administrators with proper SAP transactions and SAP transport management access rights.

Installation User Profile

The following authorization objects are required for the SAP User in order to complete the import steps:

Extract User Profile

The extract user, INC_DE_USER, will be created as a communications data user type. The following authorization objects are required for the SAP User in order to complete the data extraction from Incorta:

SAP Function Module Installation Steps

The steps to install the SAP function module are as follows, with details for each step in the sections below:

• Copy the transport (CO and DATA) files and add the request to the SAP application server
• Import the transport request
• Configure the Function Module
• Setup and configure the Data Extract User
• Verify the Function Module setup

Setup the SAP Function Module Transport Request

Download the Installation Files

Contact Incorta Support to obtain the SAP ERP Connector binary transport ZIP file. The ZIP file will contain two files:

• CO file: The filename is in the format KXXXXXX.YYY
• DATA file: The filename is in the format RXXXXXX.YYY

Upload the Transport Files

Upload the CO and DATA transport files to the target application server.

Upload the CO File

Execute the SAP Transaction Code CG3Z in the SAP GUI to upload the CO file to the default CO transport request directory: /usr/sap/trans/cofiles

The Upload File: Parameters dialog requires the following information:

• Source file on front end (e.g. /Incorta/Release1/Transport_Requests/K900012.ERP)
• Target file on the application server (e.g. /usr/sap/trans/cofiles/K900012.ERP)

Upload the DATA File

Execute the SAP Transaction Code CG3Z in the SAP GUI to upload the DATA file to the default DATA transport request directory: /usr/sap/trans/data

The Upload File: Parameters dialog requires the following information:

• Source file on front end (e.g. /Incorta/Release1/Transport_Requests/R900012.ERP)
• Target file on the application server (e.g. /usr/sap/trans/cofiles/R900012.ERP)

Import the Transport Request

Import the transport request with the following steps:

• Execute the SAP Transaction Code STMS_IMPORT in the SAP GUI to import the transport request for the uploaded files.
• Select the Extras→Other Requests→Add menu option to add a new transport request to the import queue.
• In the Add Transport Request to Import Queue dialog:
  • Enter the transport request (e.g. ERPK900012) or select the lookup button to view the available transport request codes.
  • Select the green checkbox.
• In the Add Transport Request confirmation dialog, select Yes.
• Once the transport request is added, it is shown in the Import Queue. To import the transport request, select the transport request in the queue, and select Import Request (truck icon).
• In the Import Transport Request dialog
  • Enter the Target Client (e.g. 100).
  • Select Options, and select the checkbox for each Import Option.
  • Select the green checkbox.
• In the Start Import dialog, select Yes.
• Once the transport is imported, the Import Queue Short Text for the request will be populated (e.g. Incorta SAP ERP Extraction connector RFC - RELEASE 1). Select the request to view the Import Log File. All objects should have been created with a valid return code.

Configure the SAP Function Module

Connection Properties

Connection properties are used to define the default settings or appropriate values for the Function Module(s). Connection properties are stored in a key value pair format. The ZINC_CONFIG_PROP table is used to store the connection properties. The table has three columns: Function Module, Property Name and Property Value. Connection properties are stored for a specific Function Module. Execute the SAP Transaction Code SM30 to view or change the connection properties.

The following are the ZINC_CONFIG_PROP connection properties and the respective default values:

*These properties are available only for S4/Hana. The rest are available for all SAP versions.

Update the Schema Discovery Method

The following steps can be used to update the Schema Discovery Method:

• Execute the SAP Transaction Code SM30 in the SAP GUI.
• Enter the table name ZINC_CONFIG_PROP.
• Select Display.
• Select Edit (pen and glasses icon) to edit the table contents.
• Select Save (floppy disk icon).

Setup and Configure the SAP Data Extraction User

Create the Data Extraction User

Execute SAP Transaction Code SU01 to create the INC_DE_USER user, which is used to access the SAP system for the data extraction.

• In the User Maintenance: Initial Screen dialog, enter the user ID, INC_DE_USER, in User.

• Select create (paper icon).

• Enter the following Person properties for the Incorta Data Extract User:

  • Last name: INCORTA
  • First name: DATA EXTRACT USER

• Select Logon Data and select a User Type of Communications Data.

  Note

  If the same user will be used to perform table maintenance or log into the SAP GUI, then select a User Type of Dialog.

• Select the Defaults tab to change the defaults as necessary.

• Select save (floppy disk icon).

Create the User Role and Assignment

Configure the Authorization Objects, Fields and Values for the INC_DE_USER.

Verify the SAP Function Module Setup

To verify the SAP Function Module, perform the following steps:

• Execute the SAP Transaction Code SE37.
• In the Function Builder: Initial Screen dialog, enter the name of the main function module, ZINC_SAP_ERP_DATA_EXTRACTOR.
• Select the Test/Execute icon.

Get Schema Request

• In the Test Function Module: Initial Screen dialog, enter the following import parameter:
  • IN_REQUEST_TYPE: GET_SCHEMA_LIST
• Select the Execute icon.
• The output for GET_SCHEMA_LIST is captured in the OUT_SCHEMA_DEFINITION table. Select the OUT_SCHEMA_DEFINITION entries to see the contents of the table.

Get Data – Master or Lookup Table

• In the Test Function Module: Initial Screen dialog, enter the following import parameters:
  • IN_REQUEST_TYPE: GET_DATA
  • IN_EXTRACTION_SELECTION: TABLE
  • IN_SELECTED_TABLE_NAME: T024
• Select the Execute icon.
• The output for GET_DATA is captured in the output table specified in the OUT_DYNAMIC_TABLE_SELECTED output parameter. For the selected table, T024, the output table is OUT_DYNAMIC_TABLE_WIDTH_1024.
• Select the output table entries to see the contents of the extracted data.

Get Data – Transaction Table Stand Alone

• In the Test Function Module: Initial Screen dialog, enter the following import parameters:
  • IN_REQUEST_TYPE: GET_DATA
  • IN_EXTRACTION_SELECTION: TABLE
  • IN_SELECTED_TABLE_NAME: BKPF
  • IN_SELECTED_TAB_FULLINC_FILTER: BKPF~CPUDT >= '20150101' AND BKPF~CPUDT <= '20150131'
• Select the Execute icon.
• The output for GET_DATA is captured in the output table specified in the OUT_DYNAMIC_TABLE_SELECTED output parameter. For the selected table, BKPF, the output table is OUT_DYNAMIC_TABLE_WIDTH_2048.
• Select the output table entries to see the contents of the extracted data.

Get Data – Transaction Table with Parent Table

• In the Test Function Module: Initial Screen dialog, enter the following import parameters:
  • IN_REQUEST_TYPE: GET_DATA
  • IN_EXTRACTION_SELECTION: TABLE
  • IN_SELECTED_TABLE_NAME: BSEG
  • IN_PARENT_TABLE_NAME: BKPF
  • IN_PARENT_TABLE_JOIN_CONDT: BKPF~BUKRS = BSEG~BUKRS AND BKPF~BELNR = BSEG~BELNR AND BKPF~GJAHR = BSEG~GJAHR
  • IN_SELECTED_TAB_FULLINC_FILTER: BKPF~CPUDT >= '20150101' AND BKPF~CPUDT <= '20150131'
• Select the Execute icon.
• The output for GET_DATA is captured in the output table specified in the OUT_DYNAMIC_TABLE_SELECTED output parameter. For the selected table BSEG, the output table is OUT_DYNAMIC_TABLE_WIDTH_5000.
• Select the output table entries to see the contents of the extracted data.

Additional configurations to support Callback

Update the role of existing extraction user

Add access to additional function module by adding the following function module to the S_RFC authorization object.

Create RFC Destination and Whitelist Incorta

To configure the callback extraction mode, create an RFC destination in your SAP system.

Create a new destination:

• Select transaction code SM59.
• Select the create icon.
• In the create window enter the following:
  • RFC destination name
  • Description
• In Technical settings tab:
  • Activation type: “Registered Server Program”
  • Program ID for registered server program
  • Gateway host – application server name
  • Gateway service
• In the Unicode tab:
  • Select the Unicode tab.
  • Select the communication type as Unicode.
  • Select Save.

Create a background server group

Target only one specific application server instance to use in Incorta, if you have multiple, to run the background jobs.

Create a background job as follows in the transaction code SM61:

• Select “Job Server Groups”.
• Select the create Group button.
• Enter the group name and select Continue.

Add the application server instance to the job server group:

• Select the job server group you created.
• Select Add Assignment.
• Select the application server name from the list of instances available.
• Select Continue.

Configure the job server group created in the Incorta Configuration table:

• Select the transaction code SM30.
• In the table name, enter the table name as ZINC\_CONFIG\_PROP, and then select Maintain.
• Find the property ZINC\_CP\_JOB\_SERVER\_GRP, assign the job server group name you created.
• Select Save.

Validate profile parameters

For the RFC callback connection to function properly, you must ensure that the following parameters are set in the transaction code RZ11, knowing that the parameters value should be 1 or above.

• gw/acl_mode
• rfc/callback_security_method
• gw/reg_no_conn_info

Whitelist RFC callback

You must whitelist Incorta IP address on your SAP system to be able to call the Incorta server and send the data back.

You must maintain this information in the Security and Registration info files. To verify:

• Go to transaction code RZ11.
• To view the Registration info file, enter profile name as gw/reg_info, then select Display.
• To view the Security info file, enter profile name as gw/sec_info, then select Display.

If the SAP Kernel version is 753 or above, you can do the whitelisting from the SAP Server itself.

Security info file

• Navigate to the transaction code SMGW.
• In the menu bar, select Goto > Expert Functions > External Security > Maintain ACL Files.
• In the Secinfo File tab, select Create > Standard.
• Enter the following details:
  • P/D - P to provide permission
  • TP - the JCO Program name entered in the RFC destination
  • User - the Incorta data extraction username
  • Host – Incorta Analytics hostname or IP address
  • User-Host - Enter * to provide full access
• Select done, then Save.

Registration info file

• In the Reginfo File tab, select Create > Standard.
• Enter the following details:
  • P/D - P to provide permission
  • TP - the JCO Program name entered in the RFC destination
  • Host – Incorta Analytics hostname or IP address
  • Access - *
  • Cancel - *
• Select done, then Save.

Steps to connect SAP ERP and Incorta

To connect SAP ERP and Incorta, here are the high level steps, tools, and procedures:

• Create an external data source
• Create a schema with the Schema Wizard
• or, Create a schema with the Schema Designer
• Load the schema
• Explore the schema

Create an external data source

Here are the steps to create a external data source with the SAP ERP connector:

• Sign in to the Incorta Direct Data Platform.
• In the Navigation bar, select Data.
• In the Action bar, select + New → Add Data Source.
• In the Choose a Data Source dialog, in Other, select SAP ERP.
• In the New Data Source dialog, specify the applicable connector properties.
• To test, select Test Connection.
• Select Ok to save your changes.

SAP ERP connector properties

Here are the properties for the SAP ERP connector:

Asynchronous properties

Synchronous properties

Callback properties

Create a schema with the Schema Wizard

Here are the steps to create an SAP ERP schema with the Schema Wizard:

• Sign in to the Incorta Direct Data Platform.
• In the Navigation bar, select Schema.
• In the Action bar, select + New → Schema Wizard.
• In (1) Choose a Source, specify the following:
  • For Enter a name, enter the schema name.
  • For Select a Datasource, select the SAP ERP external data source.
  • Optionally create a description.
• In the Schema Wizard footer, select Next.
• In (2) Manage Tables, in the Data Panel, first select the name of the Data Source, and then check the Select All checkbox.
• In the Schema Wizard footer, select Next.
• In (3) Finalize, in the Schema Wizard footer, select Create Schema.

Create a schema with the Schema Designer

Here are the steps to create an SAP ERP schema using the Schema Designer:

• Sign in to the Incorta Direct Data Platform.
• In the Navigation bar, select Schema.
• In the Action bar, select + New → Create Schema.
• In Name, specify the schema name, and select Save.
• In Start adding tables to your schema, select SAP.
• In the Data Source dialog, specify the SAP ERP table data source properties.
• Select Add.
• In the Table Editor, in the Table Summary section, enter the table name.
• To save your changes, select Done in the Action bar.

SAP ERP table data source properties

For a schema table in Incorta, you can define the following SAP ERP specific data source properties as follows:

View the schema diagram with the Schema Diagram Viewer

Here are the steps to view the schema diagram using the Schema Diagram Viewer:

• Sign in to the Incorta Direct Data Platform.
• In the Navigation bar, select Schema.
• In the list of schemas, select the SAP ERP schema.
• In the Schema Designer, in the Action bar, select Diagram.

Load the schema

Here are the steps to perform a Full Load of the SAP ERP schema using the Schema Designer:

• Sign in to the Incorta Direct Data Platform.
• In the Navigation bar, select Schema.
• In the list of schemas, select the SAP ERP schema.
• In the Schema Designer, in the Action bar, select Load → Full Load.
• To review the load status, in Last Load Status, select the date.

Explore the schema

With the full load of the SAP ERP schema complete, you can use the Analyzer to explore the schema, create your first insight, and save the insight to a new dashboard.

To open the Analyzer from the schema, follow these steps:

• In the Navigation bar, select Schema.
• In the Schema Manager, in the List view, select the SAP ERP schema.
• In the Schema Designer, in the Action bar, select Explore Data.