Architecture of the R/3 System Chapter 14 C & L Chapter 8 M & W
Dec 27, 2015
Architecture of the R/3 System
Chapter 14 C & L
Chapter 8 M & W
Problems of Enterprise-Wide Computing
• Slow response time during peak traffic loads
• Different time zones, systems, upgrades
• Heterogeneous database problem
• Multiple platforms
R/3 and Enterprise Computing
• Development of “middleware” enables portability across platforms– Technologies include:
• Db replication, messaging, XML, remote procedures
• R/3 supports:– TCP/IP
– RFC
– SQL & ODBC
– OLE, MAPI, EDI
R/3 Server Installations
• 3-tier C/S preferred– Homogeneous - same OS on one or more
platforms– Heterogeneous - a variety of platforms ex.
UNIX, NT, Windows on application server• UNIX with Oracle, Informix, DB2 on db server
– R/3 solves the distributed multiple heterogeneous platform problem with “middleware”
Benefits of Multiple Application Servers
• An alternate server can be automatically selected if one is unavailable
• “Load balancing” of clients to least busy server
• Can optimize queries and reduce load on db server to improve response time
• Because it is scalable, servers can be added as more processing capability is needed
C/S Scenarios
• Centralized host computer performs all tasks including db, applications, and presentation
• 2-tier C/S - db server is separate from “thick client” which processes apps and presentation
• 3-tier C/S - separate systems for db, apps, and presentation (preferred by R/3)
• N-tier C/S – extension using servers on Internet
SAP R/3 Basis System
Windows XP, Windows NT, OSF/Motif, Windows XP, Windows NT, OSF/Motif, OS/2-Warp, Macintosh , LinuxOS/2-Warp, Macintosh , Linux
ABAP/4, C, C+ +ABAP/4, C, C+ +
DialogDialogSAP-GUISAP-GUI
LanguagesLanguages
Windows XPWindows XP Windows NT,Windows NT,
OS/2-WarpOS/2-Warp
ADABAS DADABAS DDB2 for AIXDB2 for AIX
INFORMIX-OnLineINFORMIX-OnLineORACLE 10ORACLE 10
ADABAS DADABAS DMS SQL Server 9MS SQL Server 9
ORACLE 10ORACLE 10DB2/400DB2/400
AIXAIXDigital UNIXDigital UNIX
HP-UXHP-UX
SINIXSINIXSOLARSSOLARS Windows NTWindows NT OS/400OS/400
HardwareHardware AT&TAT&TCompaqCompaq
SequentSequentSNISNI. . .. . .
Data Data GeneralGeneral
HP (Intel)HP (Intel)IBM (Intel)IBM (Intel)
BullBullDigitalDigital
HPHP
IBMIBMSNISNISUNSUN
UNIX SystemsUNIX SystemsIBMIBM
AS/400AS/400
OperatingOperatingSystemsSystems
DatabasesDatabases
R/3 Middleware Transfer Protocols
• Front-end (presentation tier)– R/3 GUI uses resident OS resources to cut flow
of data to 1-2 KB– whole screens are not passed but only logical
control information and user inputs
• DB interface (between app and db servers)– SAP SQL within ABAP/4 environment– then translates queries into “native” SQL
R/3 Distribution Scenarios• Initially, R/3 was designed with one
centralized db in mind (from late ’80s)
• ALE technology was developed to enable different integration scenarios– Contained in Business Blueprint
• Centralized, integrated DB and application server
• Centralized by module on servers
• Completely decentralized R/3 with central db
• “Next Generation” architecture
System Landscape for SAP R/3 Implementation
CUST
DEV QAS PRD
TEST SAND QTST TRNG QTST
Next Generation ERP Architecture
• What is Internet ERP?– N-tier– EC, K Mgt, CRM, data mining, DSS, BI functionality
on top of back office– Integrated tools include
• BW with OLAP• APO• Sales Force Automation• CRM• B2B• SCM
Enterprise Application Integration (EAI)
EAI ServerDW environments
Visual Basic
MS Office
Java
Legacy Applications
ERP ApplicationsCRM, etc
NetWeaver Adoption
• SAP anticipates that NetWeaver will redefine the company in a global manner– About 5000 of more than 24,000 potential companies
have put some portion of NetWeaver into play
– Early stage of maturity
– IBM and MicroSoft supporting NetWeaver
– SAP committed heavily to grow this in 2004 and 2005
E-commerce and ERP• E-commerce and ERP technologies are
complements– If the competition is using the Internet effectively, then
a company needs to develop an Internet strategy
– Without integrated information systems, companies cannot support e-commerce effectively
– In 1999, eToys.com announced a week before Christmas that it would not be able to fill all Web orders
• Toys were in the warehouse, but the systems were not in place to process orders
SAP’s Portal Play
• 3rd party services• More than 40 partners• Added value for business
professionals• Highly Personalizable
Application Service Providers• An Application Service Provider (ASP) provides
management of application programs over a network
• Companies using the ASP do not have to purchase the hardware or software or higher people to operate systems
• ASPs can also provide consulting services for software applications like ERP
• ASPs can provide access to expensive applications like ERP with much lower startup costs
Application Service Providers• ASP Advantages:
– Affordability: Many companies that previously couldn’t afford ERP systems can now afford to lease it through an ASP
– Shorter implementation times: Implementation time is shorter because the company does not have to purchase hardware and software and train technical staff
– Expertise: ASPs are more likely to be able to hire and retain competent technical personnel than a small company can
Application Service Providers• ASP Disadvantages:
– Security: Companies turn their critical information over to a 3rd party
• ASP must be able to insure data integrity
• ASP may have better security and controls than a small company
– Bandwidth/response time: Telecommunications channel between ASP and company must be able to handle volume of transactions
– Flexibility: The ASP must be flexible in working with users and satisfying requests for modifications
Application Service Providers
• ASP Disadvantages:– No frills: An ASP may not be willing to
support 3rd party software or develop custom applications (e.g. ABAP programs)
– Technical, not business: An ASP may know the technical aspects of the software but may not be capable of helping customers with business process and configuration decisions