Process Integration Options



SAP Process Integration (SAP PI) is a part of the SAP NetWeaver platform. It is called SAP NetWeaver Exchange Infrastructure XI in NetWeaver 7.0 ehp2 and older versions. SAP NetWeaver Process Integration is a part of the NetWeaver software component and is used for exchange of information in the organization’s internal system or with external parties.

SAP PI/XI enables you to set up a cross-system communication and integration, and allows you to connect SAP and non-SAP systems based on different programming languages, like Java and SAP ABAP. It provides an open source environment that is necessary in complex system landscape for the integration of systems and for communication.

SAP Process Integration is a middleware to allow seamless integration between SAP and non-SAP application in an organization or with systems outside the organization.

Why Do We Need SAP PI?

In an organization, SAP ERP doesn’t contain a single system but consists of a number of integrated systems, like SAP CRM, FICO, EWM, etc. SAP PI provides a platform as a single point of integration for all systems without touching the complex legacy system for all data and information exchange.

SAP SD

Following are the key capabilities provided by SAP Process Integration −

Connectivity

Using SAP PI, you can connect different applications and systems that have different technical ways of communication. SAP PI provides you with a variety of adapters that allow you to connect applications based on different protocols like HTTPS or Remote Function Call (RFC).

Routing

Routing defines the rules for flow of messages between the different systems at runtime.

Mapping

SAP PI is used to connect different applications or systems in a distributed environment that can be set up between different organization. Hence, there is a possibility that the structure of data exchange between two components differs from each other.

Mapping

SAP NetWeaver PI Installation Options

When you run a scenario in SAP PI, the communication and processing capabilities depend on runtime engines that are installed with the installation of SAP PI. You can install one or more runtime engines on a host system. SAP PI provides the following two installation options −

Type 1 - Dual Usage Type

This installation is based on ABAP and Java and provides tools for designing and configuring integration content as well as the following runtime engines −

  • Integration Engine
  • Business Process Engine
  • Advanced Adapter Engine

Type 2 - Advanced Adapter Engine Extended (AEX)

This installation is based on Java and provides tools for designing and configuring integration content and contains AEX as runtime engine.

SAP NetWeaver PI Architecture

SAP PI architecture consists of multiple components which are used at design time, configuration time, and runtime. In SAP PI, the sender system is known as the source and the receiver is called the target system. The architecture is known as Hub and Spoke structure. The Spoke is used to connect with external systems, while the Hub is used to exchange messages.

A SAP PI system is divided into the following components −

  • Integration Server
  • Integration Builder
  • System Landscape Directory (SLD)
  • Configuration and Monitoring
NetWeaver PI
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