SAP Overview

SAP stands for Systems, Applications, and Products in Data Processing

The SAP system is a fullyintegrated system where activities in one area generate activities in another area

The system provides online, real-time information and one place for input of data
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History of SAP
Systems Applications and Products in Data Processing German : Systeme, Anwendungen, Produkte in der Datenverarbeitung Founded in 1972 by Wellenreuther, Hopp, Hector, Plattner and Tschira Re named in 1977 Before 1977 : Systems Analysis and Program Development (German : Systemanalyse und Programmentwicklung) SAP is both the name of the Company as well as their ERP Product SAP system comprises of a number of fully integrated modules, which covers virtually every aspect of the business Three systems developed : R/1, R/2, R/3
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3 Tier Client / Server Architecture

The SAP R/3 architecture is based on a 3-tier

client/server principle
Presentation Server

Application Server
Database Server Dedicated Servers are linked by Communication Networks

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SAP R/3 System Architecture

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Terms
Application computer program Client unit in SAP system where data is input, changed, and managed Data pieces of information; numbers or text ERP Enterprise Resource Planning; designed to integrate and run all aspects of an organization Information data that has been collected Integrated transactions that are completed in one module or process trigger transactions in other modules Menu Path sequence of menu selections that should be followed to get to a function or screen

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Terms

(contd)

Module portion of SAP system that carries out a specific business function Real-time describes how data that has been entered into the system is available immediately after the transaction has been saved. Everyone has access to the same data. Session instance of SAP; allows multi-tasking within system Transaction screen or series of screens to create, display, or change data Transaction code (t-code) - unique identifier for each transaction that allows you to get to a transaction without going through the menu User role assigned to each employee; set of activities used by the employee Variants a saved set of personal selection criteria which can be used for lists and reports

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Data
SAP contains two types of information
Master Data
A collection of information about an object or person It is referenced whenever that object or person is used in an entry field This data does not normally change Examples are address and payment information for a supplier or customer

Transactional Data

Information associated with a specific business activity Users enter this information in SAP Changes from day to day Examples are:
Personal time entries Invoice information Purchase requisition information

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Processing of a SAP Transaction

Presentation . . . Internet
SAPGUI

TCP/I P
Application

1 Start Transaction

5
Return data for next step

Communication

IPC

Assign User request to Workprocess

Dispatcher

Local Buffer

Work3 process for R/3 Data,

Workprocess

Workprocess

DW-Objects, ABAP-Objects

Fetch data from buffer/database

Remote SQL
Database

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Clients in R/3
The Logon Client 3 digit number ( 000 to 999) Helps maintain independent sets of data within the same R/3 system

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Clients in R/3

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Log on/off SAP

To log on, click SAP Logon Icon on your desktop Select the SAP client to access PRD = Production TRN = Training (Sandbox) Double click on selected client or click Logon button Ensure the Client Id field is correct or change if needed Enter user Id and password

User Id and initial password assigned by TC IT Dept. Tab from User Id to Password field Just type your password in the field to overwrite the symbols that are there This is the same user Id and password that you currently use in either ESS or SAP SAP Lecture1 12

Password Management
The first time you log on the SAP system, you will be prompted to change password

Put your cursor at the beginning of each field and enter the same new password in both fields, overwriting the symbols in the fields. Click

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Log off
To log off, click on Exit icon on standard toolbar A pop-up window will be displayed asking whether you really want to log off
Click to continue log off process

Click X in upper right corner of SAP logon pad on desktop

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Easy Access Screen

SAP Pulldown Menu SAP Standard Toolbar Minimize, Maximize, Close buttons

Enter Icon

Menu Path
Command Field Application Toolbar

Status Bar

Divider can be adjusted from left to right by putting your cursor on the line and dragging

This is the standard screen displayed when you log on to SAP

Session and System Number

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Standard Toolbar Icons Functionality

- Confirm information entered - Enter transaction codes - Scroll up to first page

- Scroll up to previous page

- Save entered information - Move to previous screen

- Scroll down to next page

- Scroll down to last page - Exit current area or SAP - Open a new session - Cancel or stop current transaction - Print - Find an entry in a screen or table - Find next instance of same data - Create a desktop shortcut to SAP report, transaction, or task - Provide SAP help - Customize local layout

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Common Application Icons & Functionality

- Add a transaction to the Favorites folder - Execute an application, program, or report - Create new entries or records - Change an existing entry or record - Display/view an existing entry or record - View previous record in a transaction

- Get pick list of possible values for selected field - Copy an existing entry or record - Delete an existing entry or record - Indicates a field is a required field - View line item information

- View header information

Application Icons change as the screen changes

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Screen Components
Radio Buttons click in circle to select option

Check boxes click in box to select option

Buttons click on button to select option

Entry fields type data directly in field

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Screen Components
Pick list possible entries for a field. If a pick list is available, you will see the matchcode symbol. Access the pick list by clicking on matchcode symbol in a field

(contd)

Pop-up window - windows that appear for data entry or explanation

Tabs appear on some transactions for selection of various screens

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Screen Components

(contd)

The status bar is at the bottom of every screen in SAP

Left Half displays system messages. Three types of messages are displayed:
Information messages displayed in green. (Read and then click the button within the message to clear)
Example

Warning messages displayed in yellow. (Read and then click the button within the message to clear)
Example

Error messages displayed in red. (Correct the error or click the button to cancel)
Example

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Screen Components

(contd)

The status bar is at the bottom of every screen in SAP

Right half displays system and logon information

DV1 SAP client (2) - number of the session currently in play USSAND - application server INS mode for data entry INS = insert OVR = overwrite See Lesson 4 for more information on data entry modes

Click on the on the system

button to view additional information

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