Transcript Architecture of the R/3 System

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:
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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
Hardware
UNIX Systems
Bull
IBM
Digital
SNI
HP
SUN
Operating
AIX
Systems Digital UNIX
SINIX
SOLARS
AT&T
Compaq
Data
General
HP (Intel)
IBM (Intel)
Sequent
SNI
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Windows NT
IBM
AS/400
OS/400
HP-UX
Databases
Dialog
SAP-GUI
ADABAS D
DB2 for AIX
INFORMIX-OnLine
ORACLE 10
ADABAS D
MS SQL Server 9
ORACLE 10
Windows XP, Windows NT, OSF/Motif,
OS/2-Warp, Macintosh , Linux
Languages
ABAP/4, C, C+ +
DB2/400
Windows XP
Windows NT,
OS/2-Warp
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
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Centralized, integrated DB and application server
Centralized by module on servers
Completely decentralized R/3 with central db
“Next Generation” architecture
DEV
QAS
PRD
CUST
TEST
SAND
QTST TRNG
QTST
System Landscape for SAP R/3 Implementation
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
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BW with OLAP
APO
Sales Force Automation
CRM
B2B
SCM
Enterprise Application
Integration (EAI)
MS Office
Visual Basic
DW environments
Java
EAI Server
CRM, etc
Legacy Applications
ERP Applications
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