SamsTeachYourselfSAP™in24Hours,Second
Edition
ByGeorgeAnderson,DanielleLarocca
...............................................
Publisher:Sams
PubDate:November07,2005
ISBN:0-672-32822-4
Pages:432
TableofContents|Index
SamsTeachYourselfSAPin24Hours,SecondEditionistheperfecttoolforlearningoneof
themostsophisticatedenterprisesolutionsavailabletoday.Designedtobeingwiththe
basics,youwillbecomeacquaintedwiththeentireSAPsystem,fromnavigationto
creatingyourownreports.You'llalsocover:
Implementationtoolsandmethodologies
NetWeaver
ECC5.0
DesigningScreensandmenus
Reporting
IntegrationwithMicrosoftOffice
Andmore
WrittenbyleadingSAPconsultantswithover20yearsofcombinedexperience,thiseasyto-understandtutorialisidealforgettingupandrunningwithSAPquicklyandefficiently.
SamsTeachYourselfSAP™in24Hours,Second
Edition
ByGeorgeAnderson,DanielleLarocca
...............................................
Publisher:Sams
PubDate:November07,2005
ISBN:0-672-32822-4
Pages:432
TableofContents|Index
Copyright
AbouttheAuthor
Acknowledgments
WeWanttoHearfromYou!
Introduction
What'sNewinThisEdition
WhoShouldReadThisBook
OrganizationofThisBook
ConventionsUsedinThisBook
PartI:SAPIntroduction
Hour1.IntroductiontoSAPNetWeaverandECC
OverviewofSAP
SAPSystemArchitectureandWebAS
ESAandmySAPERP
SAPECC
Summary
Workshop
Hour2.SAPBasics
SessionBasics
SAPGUIBasics
Summary
Workshop
Hour3.DatabaseBasics
DatabaseStructure
RelationalDatabaseManagementSystem(RDBMS)
DatabaseConcepts
Summary
Workshop
Hour4.CustomizingYourSAPDisplay
WhichSAPGUIIsRight?
TheCustomizingofLocalLayoutButton
NewVisualDesignSelection
ClipboardSelection
FontSelection
StatusField'sSystemInformationIcon
Summary
Workshop
Hour5.NavigationinSAP
PerformingTasksUsingMenuPaths
PerformingTasksUsingTransactionCodes
UsingtheClipboard
CreatingScreenPrintsfromSAP
PrintinginSAP
Summary
Workshop
Hour6.ScreenBasics
UnderstandingandUsingFields
ScreenObjects
Summary
Workshop
PartII:ImplementingSAP
Hour7.ImplementingSAP:ResourcesandTimelines
AssemblingtheProjectTeam
TrainingtheProjectTeam
Summary
Workshop
Hour8.ImplementationTools,Methodologies,andtheIMG
ASAPAcceleratedSAP
NewerSAPImplementationToolsandMethodologies
TheSAPImplementationGuide(IMG)
DifferentViewsoftheIMG
IMGBasics
Summary
Workshop
Hour9.ImplementationLessonsLearned
StrategicBusinessLessonsLearned
EndUserLessonsLearned
TechnologyLessonsLearned
ImplementationProcessLessonsLearned
Summary
Workshop
PartIII:SAPProductsandComponents
Hour10.SAPNetWeaver
SAPNetWeaverAWorkingDefinition
SAPNetWeaverPastandPresent
TheEvolutionofSAPNetWeaver
Summary
Workshop
Hour11.SAPECCandR/3
SAPR/3VersusECC
CoreSAPBusinessModules
mySAPERPFinancials
mySAPERPHumanCapitalManagement
mySAPERPOperations
mySAPERPCorporateServices
Summary
Workshop
Hour12.SAPBI,KW,andMDM
SAPBusinessIntelligence
SAPKnowledgeWarehouse
SAPMasterDataManagement
Summary
Workshop
Hour13.OtherEnablingTechnologies
SAPEnterprisePortal
SAPExchangeInfrastructure
SAPMobileInfrastructure
SAPxApps
Summary
Workshop
PartIV:SAPTechnicalGuide
Hour14.TechnologyOverview
ApplicationArchitecture
BasisTools
WorkProcesses
Summary
Workshop
Hour15.SystemAdministration
MonitoringtheSystem
SAPAuthorizationConcepts
Summary
Workshop
Hour16.SystemsandPerformanceManagement
WhatIsPerformanceManagement?
SourcesofPerformanceData
SpecificCCMSTransactionsforManagingPerformance
AnalyzingPerformanceData
Summary
Workshop
Hour17.ABAPDictionaryandRepository
DatabaseTables
StructuresandIncludesintheABAPDictionary
ExploringtheABAPDictionary
ClientDependenceandIndependence
WhatTableandFieldIsThisStoredIn?
SAPRepositoryInformationSystem
TheRepositoryInformationSystemWindow
Summary
Workshop
Hour18.DesigningScreensandMenus
SAPScreenPainter
SAPMenuPainter
MenuPainterObjectComponents
Summary
Workshop
PartV:UsingSAP
Hour19.ReportingBasics
ReportingTools
GeneralReportSelection
Summary
Workshop
Hour20.ReportingToolsinSAP(SAPQuery,InfoSetQuery,AdHocQuery,
andQuickViewer)
TheStructureoftheQueryReportingTools
QueryGroups
InfoSets
AdministrativeDecisions
SAPQueries
UnderstandingtheInfoSet(AdHoc)Query
UnderstandingtheQuickViewer
Summary
Workshop
Hour21.SAPSCM,CRM,PLM,andSRM
SAPSupplyChainManagement
SAPCustomerRelationshipManagement
SAPProductLifecycleManagement
SAPSupplierRelationshipManagement
Summary
Workshop
Hour22.IntegrationwithMicrosoftOffice
SAPandMSOfficeIntegrationArchitecture
QuickReferences
MendocinoReview
Summary
Workshop
PartVI:SAPSupport
Hour23.SupportOverview
SAPSolutionManager
SAPServiceMarketplace
AccessingExtendedHelp
TheSAPSupportTeam
Summary
Workshop
Hour24.AdditionalSAPResources
ProfessionalResources
InternetResources
SAPConferences
EmploymentandCareerOpportunities
Summary
Workshop
PartVII:Appendixes
AppendixA.QuizAnswers
AnswerstoQuizforHour1
AnswerstoQuizforHour2
AnswerstoQuizforHour3
AnswerstoQuizforHour4
AnswerstoQuizforHour5
AnswerstoQuizforHour6
AnswerstoQuizforHour7
AnswerstoQuizforHour8
AnswerstoQuizforHour9
AnswerstoQuizforHour10
AnswerstoQuizforHour11
AnswerstoQuizforHour12
AnswerstoQuizforHour13
AnswerstoQuizforHour14
AnswerstoQuizforHour15
AnswerstoQuizforHour16
AnswerstoQuizforHour17
AnswerstoQuizforHour18
AnswerstoQuizforHour19
AnswerstoQuizforHour20
AnswerstoQuizforHour21
AnswerstoQuizforHour22
AnswerstoQuizforHour23
AnswerstoQuizforHour24
Index
Copyright
SamsTeachYourselfSAPin24Hours,SecondEdition
Copyright©2006bySamsPublishing
Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthisbookshallbereproduced,
storedinaretrievalsystem,ortransmittedbyanymeans,
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thepreparationofthisbook,thepublisherandauthorassume
noresponsibilityforerrorsoromissions.Norisanyliability
assumedfordamagesresultingfromtheuseoftheinformation
containedherein.
InternationalStandardBookNumber:0-672-32822-4
LibraryofCongressCatalogCardNumber:2005930224
PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica
FirstPrinting:November2005
080706054321
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Dedication
George:Tomychurchfamilyandfriends,Idedicatethisbook
toyouperhapsnowyou'llfinallyunderstandsomeofwhatI
actuallydoforaliving!
Danielle:Tomybestfriend,Jimmy(andtoourbestfriend,
Casey).
AbouttheAuthor
GeorgeW.AndersoncurrentlyresidesinHouston,Texas,and
isaseniorSAPConsultantandProjectManagerspecializingin
deploying,implementing,andoptimizingSAPsolutions.An
eight-yearveteranofnumeroussuccessfulimplementations,
upgrades,technologyrefreshes,andotherSAPengagements,
heisacertifiedSAPTechnicalConsultantandPMIProject
ManagementProfessional.GeorgeistheauthorofSAP
Planning:BestPracticesinImplementationandmySAPToolbag
forPerformanceTuningandStressTesting,alongwithahostof
articlesandotherpublications.AformerU.S.Marine,husband
tothemostwonderfulwomanonEarth,andfatherofthree
awesomekids,George'soverridingpassionrevolvesaroundhis
relationshipwithourFatherinHeavenandourSaviorJesus
Christ.Youcanreachhimat
DanielleLaroccacurrentlyresidesinWeddington,North
Carolina.Daniellehasearnedabachelorofsciencedegreein
psychologyandholdscertificatesandcertificationsformany
areasofSAP,includingHumanResources,ABAPprogramming,
andBasisTechnologies.SheisanABAPprogrammeraswellas
anexpertonSAPquery-basedreportingandtheHumanCapital
Managementmodule.Daniellehasdocumentedandinstructed
multiplecomputerlanguagesandapplications,includingABAP,
VisualBasic,ElectronicDataInterchange(EDI),aswellas
Oracle,PeopleSoft,andSAP.Danielleisafeaturedspeakerat
manySAPconferencesthroughouttheU.S.Additionally,
Danielleisanavidtechnicalreader,perpetualstudent,andan
executiveindependentSAPconsultant.Sheiscurrentlyworking
forthesixthlargestemployerintheworld,CompassGroup,as
theVicePresidentofHRInformationSystems.
Acknowledgments
FromGeorge:I'dsimplyliketorecognizetheloveofourLord
andSaviorwhommakeseverythingpossible,withoutwhomwe
arenothingormeannothingthankyouforgivingmelife,giving
thatlifepurpose,andblessingmebeyondwhatanyman
deserves.Tomyfamilyathome,thankyouforyourlove
withoutterms.Tomycolleaguesandmanagementteamat
work,andmyclientsacrossNorthAmerica,thankyouforthe
opportunitytosharetimetogether,learnfromoneanother,and
playapartineachothers'lives.Tothemanymenandwomen
atSAP,thankyouforyourdedicationtowarddevelopingnot
onlypracticalbuttrulyworthwhilesolutions.Andfinally,to
DanielleLaroccaandAJWhalen,thankyouforthetimeyou
investedinthissecondeditionyoubothwentaboveandbeyond,
andIrecognizethatfactandappreciateyou.Becauseofyour
extraordinaryefforts,thisbookwillcontinuetoserveitsreaders
wellformanyyears.
FromDanielle:Specialthankstothemanwhosavesmylife,
everyday,JamesSignorile.Thanksforthesupportofmyfamily
Daniel,Carol,Patricia,andCathyLarocca,AlbeeHill,andNicole
Kaupp.ThanksforthesupportofmyextendedfamilyMaryand
JaneenSignorileandtheTricarico,Workman,Mifsud,andBeato
familiesandthelatestaddition,AbbeyFrancesWillis.Warm
thanksandappreciationtoawonderfulboss,RobertKovacs,
andawonderfullistofcolleaguesandfriendsincludingRaj
Pragasam,KellyBrunsman,MichaelLariosa,BradPearce,Sarah
VanAken,ChrisAshcroft,DavidLynn,AJWhalen,Joyce
Urguhart,StevieD,TomRobb,PhilWells,KellyEdington,Kevin
Thorpe,JoeRogers,BonniePenzias.Thanksalsotothegangat
UCG,RobWatkins,JonHarris,theCompassGroup,HRISand
BusinessSystemsdepartments,andtherestofthegangthatI
havethepleasureofworkingwitheverydayatCompassGroup,
TheAmericas.
WeWanttoHearfromYou!
Asthereaderofthisbook,youareourmostimportantcritic
andcommentator.Wevalueyouropinionandwanttoknow
whatwe'redoingright,whatwecoulddobetter,whatareas
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Introduction
WelcometothenewlyupdatedSamsTeachYourselfSAPin24
Hours,yourteach-yourselfguidetolearningoneofthemost
sophisticatedandfar-reachingsetofenterprisesolutions
availableonthemarkettoday.Andcongratulationsyou'vebeen
payingattention.Overthelastfewyears,wehaveseen
softwarepackagesbecomepopularovernight,fadingbackinto
obscurityjustasquickly.Througheverystormthatthedot-com
bubble,tragedyofSeptember11,periodofglobalrecession,
andunparalleledgrowthoftheInterneteramustered,though,
it'sbeenimpossiblenottonoticehowonecompanyandits
productsconsistentlystayedthecourse.ThatcompanyisSAP,
anditsmostpopularproductsandtechnologiesaremainstays
throughoutmuchofcorporateAmericaandindeedthe
worldR/3,NetWeaver,mySAPERP,BusinessWarehouse,
AdvancedPlannerandOptimizer,CustomerRelationship
Management,EnterprisePortal,andmuchmore.Infact,
upwardsof30productsortechnicalcomponentsmakeupSAP's
stableofsoftwaresolutionstoday.Itishardtobelievethat
merelyafewshortyearsago,therewereonlytwo.
SAPisnothingifnotrevolutionary.Since2001,wehave
witnessedsomethingremarkable,almostunbelievable.The
marketleaderinitsindustrylookedinwardandevaluatedits
corecompetencies,lookedoutwardatitscompetitorsandpaid
attention,andthenmadethenecessaryadjustmentsto
maintainitsmarketleadership.Itdidn'tshrinkbackand
"rightsize"aroundoneortwothingsitdidwell,orwaffleback
andforthbetweenleadershipvisionariesandtheirpredictionsof
thefuture.Instead,fasterthanashipitssizehasanybusiness
doing,SAPmodifiedcourseheadingswithouteverstrayingtoo
faroffcourse.SAPnavigatedthewholebest-of-breeddebacle,
chartedawidepatharoundthe"sellservices,notproducts"
trend,embracedJavainsteadofcircumventingitinfavorofits
ownlegacydevelopmentlanguage,andallthewhilespedfull
steamaheadtowardavisionofalways-on,always-accessible,
andeminentlyadaptableenterprisecomputing.
Yet,onanumberoffronts,SAPremainsamodelofevolutionas
wellasrevolution,explainingatoncewhythiscompanyclaims
leadershipinnearlyeverymarketinwhichitcompetes.SAPis
notcontenttoleavewellenoughalone.It'snotcontenttohang
itshatonmarketshareandproductawardlaurelsthat,
immediatelyfollowingproductannouncement,onlybegintoage
atInternetspeed.SAP'sproductdesignphilosophy,itsattention
tounderlyingarchitecturemodels,andmostofallitscustomer
focus,hascreatedthethirdlargestsoftwarecompanyinthe
world.SAPisnotafraidtoembracenewtechnologiesand
computingmodels,ortoembracenewwaysofgettingwork
done.NetWeaverprovesthis:SAPhastakenthespecialization
andintegrationithasdonesowell,andaddedadaptabilityand
agilitytothemix.Boldlyclaimingthatthefuturebelongsto
WebServicesandtherapidadaptationofbusinessprocesses
thatsuchtechnologyenables,SAPhasgiventheworlda
platformthatisnotonlyimmediatelyuseful,butreadyforthe
longhaul.AnditsboldnesswillserveSAPwell,especiallyin
lightofthefactthatSAPisequallyconcernedwithmaintaining
supportforlegacytechnologies.
Today,SAPAGisthemarketleaderinenterpriseapplication
softwarebasedonclient/serverandmorerecentlyService
OrientedArchitecture(SOA)ormorepreciselyEnterprise
ServicesArchitecture(ESA)technologythelatterofwhichis
SAP'stakeonSOA.Asthenumberonevendorofstandard
business-applicationsoftwareintheworld,SAPAG'sproducts
areusedbythousandsofcompaniesacrossmorethana
hundredcountries,frommulti-nationalglobalentitiesto
small/mediumbusinessconcernsdeterminedtosucceedina
globalmarketplace.Andwithsolutionsspanningindustry
verticals,SAPisalsotheundisputedleaderinproviding
comprehensivesolutionsforcompaniesofallsizesandwithinall
industrysectors.
Pickingupthisbookrepresentsaconfidentstepintheright
direction.Youaregoingwiththemarketleader,themodelof
endurance,thepreeminenttechnologyfrontrunnerand
enterprisesolutionenabler.Asaresult,afterabout24hoursof
reading,youwillpossessasolidfoundationuponwhichtobuild
greatercapabilitiesorevenacareerinSAP.Yourknowledge
foundationwillbebroad,certainly,andinneedofmuch
bolsteringinonedirectionortheother.Butthebeautyofthe
wholethingisthatyou'llbeawareofthesedirectionscareer
optionsandchoicesthatwillenableyoutogrowandmanage
yourowncareerinadirectionofyourchoosing.You'llknow
whereyouwanttogo.Thataloneisenoughtogetyouonthe
roadtowardmakingsomethinghappen.
Andinthemeantime,your24-hourinvestmentwilllikelyserve
youwellinyourcurrentemploymentposition,too.Armedwith
insight,skills,understanding,andabroadsenseofthe"big
picture"facingnearlyeverycompanyinbusinesstoday,you'll
nolongerlookatcomputingsolutionsandthepeoplewhouse
andmanagetheminthesamewayagain.Thatwillmakeyoua
valuableassettoyouremployer,andperhapstheenvyofyour
co-workers.
What'sNewinThisEdition
SamsTeachYourselfSAPin24Hoursisdividedinto24
chaptersthatcaneachbecompletedinaboutanhour.This
bookcoverseverythingyouneedtobecomewellacquainted
withthecoreSAPproductsandcomponentsthatareoften
collectivelyreferredtosimplyasSAP.Thebookisorganizedto
providevisibilityintokeyfacetsofSAPterminology,usage,
configuration,deployment,administration,andmore.Assuch,
itisnecessarilygeneralattimesratherthanexceedingly
detailed,althoughacertainamountofdepthinmuchofthe
subjectmatterispurposelyprovidedwheredeemedcriticalto
furtheryourunderstanding.Inthisstructuremaybefoundthe
book'struevaluethecontenthereinisbroadenoughtopainta
picturemostanyonecanunderstand,yetdeepenoughto
providemorethananintroductiontothesubjectmatter.
Certainly,moredetailedbooksabound;usethisbookasa
steppingstonetothosevariousothertextsdedicatedtoSAP
architecture,implementation,programming,configuration,
administration,performancetuning,andsoon.
WhoShouldReadThisBook
SamsTeachYourselfSAPin24Hoursbeginswiththebasics
andterminologysurroundingSAP,SAPNetWeaver,andESA,
andfromtherebeginstheprocessofcarefullybuildingupon
yournewknowledgetopiecetogetherthecomplexworldof
SAP.Thepaceofthebookisdesignedtoprovideasolid
foundationsuchthatyouunderstandthemoreadvancedtopics
coveredlaterinthebook.Inthisway,thenovicemayquickly
realizewhatitmeanstoplanfor,deploy,anduseSAP,inthe
processunleashingthepowerthatcomeswithunderstanding
howallthepiecesofthepuzzlecometogethertosolvebusiness
problems.Withthisunderstandingalsocomesanappreciation
oftherolethatcolleaguesandpartnersplaywiththeirregardto
SAPperspectivesofSAPendusers,systemadministrators,
businessplanners,willultimatelymakemoresenseasyouwork
yourwaythroughthebook.
OrganizationofThisBook
Thus,fromthebasicssurroundingSAP,toimplementation
planningandsystemnavigation,tocreatingyourownSAP
reportsandusingthemanydifferentSAPcomponentsthat
makeupNetWeaverandmySAPbusinesssuitetoday,thisbook
isidealforpeopleatalllevelsofeducation,experience,and
familiaritywithSAP.Combinedwithitsreal-worldexamples,
alongwithfigures,tables,graphics,andactualSAPuserinterfacescreenshots,SamsTeachYourselfSAPin24Hours
servesasanexcellentlaunchpadforusingandmanagingSAP
intherealworldofbusinessandIT.
Totestandreinforceyourknowledge,eachhourconcludeswith
aQ&A,andQuizsection.Thesesectionsprovideyouan
opportunitytoputyournewfoundknowledgeandunderstanding
bothtothetestandintopractice.Andwiththeanswerstothe
quizquestionsfoundatthebackofthebook,itisaneasy
mattertoverifyyourknowledgeandhoneinonparticularly
troublesometopics.
Finally,mosthoursincludeanExercisessectionaswell.
Specifically,forthosehoursthatareuser-focusedorthatlend
themselvestoreal-worldapplication,asetofopen-ended
exercisesaredesignedtogetyoufamiliarorcomfortablewitha
particulararea.There'snowronganswerwhenitcomesto
theseexercises(indeed,therearenoanswersprovided);
instead,theknowledgeyougainasyouworkthroughthe
exerciseshelpsyoubuilduponthefoundationprovidedthat
hour.
IhopeyouenjoytheupdatedSamsTeachYourselfSAPin24
Hours,andlearningthenewworldofSAP.Goodluckand
regards!
ConventionsUsedinThisBook
Textthatyoutypeappearsasboldmonospaceandtextthat
appearsonyourscreenispresentedinmonospacetype.
Itwilllooklikethistomimicthewaytextlooksonyourscre
Inadditiontothis,thefollowingiconsareusedtointroduce
otherpertinentinformationusedinthisbook.
BytheWay
ABytheWaypresentsinterestingpiecesofinformationrelated
tothesurroundingdiscussion.
DidyouKnow?
ADidyouKnow?offersadviceorteachesaneasierwaytodo
something.
WatchOut!
AWatchOut!advisesyouaboutpotentialproblemsandhelps
yousteerclearofdisaster.
PartI:SAPIntroduction
Hour1IntroductiontoSAPNetWeaverandECC
Hour2SAPBasics
Hour3DatabaseBasics
Hour4CustomizingYourSAPDisplay
Hour5NavigationinSAP
Hour6ScreenBasics
Hour1.IntroductiontoSAPNetWeaver
andECC
ThisfirsthourprovidesyouanoverviewofSAP,fromitshumble
beginningsuptoourpresentstateofaffairs.SAP'sstructure
andphilosophyfromanarchitectureperspective,combinedwith
necessarybackgroundinformationonSAP,setthestagefor
furtherhours.Welcomeaboard!
Highlightsofthishourinclude
AnoverviewofSAP
AnintroductiontoSAP'sarchitecture
Investigatingprogramminganddevelopment
Discussingthelogicalunitofwork(LUW)concept
ReviewingbasicinnerworkingsofSAP
OverviewofSAP
SAPAG(pronouncedess-aye-peaaye-gee)isbasedinWalldorf,
Germanyandistheworld'slargestenterprisesoftware
company.SAP'sfoundationisbuiltupontheconceptsof
specializationandintegration.Thatis,eachcomponentor
productwithintheSAPfamilyofproductsandservicesmeetsa
particularneed,likeprovidingweb-basedaccesstootherSAP
systems,addressingproductlifecycleplanningrequirements
(SAPPLM),supportinginternalcompanyprocurement(SAP
EnterpriseBuyer),interconnectingdifferentsystemstoease
integrationheadaches(SAPExchangeInfrastructure),andso
on.Manyofthesecomponentsareexplainedinsubsequent
hours;sufficeittosayherethattherearemanycomponents,
manyproducts,andthereforemanypotentialSAPsolutions.
Eachproductcantypicallybebrokendownfurtherinto
modulesportionsoffunctionalitythataremorediscretein
nature,gearedtowardaddressingaparticularpieceofthe
overallcomponentpie.Forinstance,SAPR/3anditssuccessor,
SAPERPCentralComponent(ECC),arecomprisedofmodules
likeFinancials,Sales&Distribution,MaterialsManagement,
WarehouseManagement,andsoon.Individually,eachofthese
moduleseffectivelyservestomanageabusinessareaor
functionalareaforwhichaparticularcompanydepartment
oftenisresponsible.
Lookingatitfromanotherperspective,individualSAPmodules
combinetoformanSAPcomponent,application,orproduct.
Withinaparticularmoduleorcomponent,acompany'sbusiness
processesareconfigured.SAPiswellknownforreflecting
industry'sbestpracticesforthedifferentbusinessprocesses
thatitsupports.Byadoptingprovenbestpractices,companies
growmoreefficientservingtheircustomers,constituents,and
otherstakeholders.WithinECC,forexample,youcanconfigure
somethingascomplexasan"ordertocash"businessprocess,