Sure BDCs
What is Sure BDCs?
BDC stands for Batch Data Communication and is also known as Batch Input. It is a technique for mass input of data
into SAP by simulating user inputs in screens of existing transactions. Think of it as a Macro for Processing Transactions
in SAP
With the advent of BAPIs, BDC is regarded as an “older” technology for performing updates in SAP, however it is still
used extensively within LSWM, CATT Scripts and 3rd party tools. In addition to this, if a BAPI is not available for a
certain transaction, then BDC Programming is still used as a last resort
Even though 3rd party tools are very useful, they can be restrictive because:
• Companies need to purchase the tools or pay license fees in order to use them
• Users need to understand the tools themselves in order to use them
• The underlying Code within these tools is not editable making them restrictive
The key thing that distinguishes Sure BDCs from other data take on tools, is that it dynamically generates a stand
alone ABAP program. This advantages of this is the Program is not linked to an add-on and can be modified and
executed via SE38 as any other normal ABAP Program
Sure BDCs
What are the Benefits of using Sure BDCs?
• Reduced Development Time: A Code Generator is used to develop an ABAP Program that will perform updates via
BDC Programming in a matter of seconds
• Uniform Look and Feel: All Sure BDC Programs will have the same look and feel and offer the same Functionality.
This means once a User is familiar with one Program, they will be familiar with all of them
• Customisation: Once the Program is generated, changes can be made, such as adding in your own logic to derive
values for fields, eg mapping a field from a file to a mapping table, conditional logic, etc
• BDC Session Management: Sure BDCs makes use of BDC Session Management (SM35) to group sets of updates.
Users can manage sessions directly in SM35 or make use of the Sure BDCs Session Management Tool
Sure BDCs
Code Generator: Selection Screen
New Program Details: Enter in a Program Name and Description
Transaction Logic Source: Either enter a Recording (Created via
Transaction SHDB) or a Transaction Code. This will show the
Generator what Screens and Fields need to be catered for
Source File Details: Enter in a Structure name that will define the
Source File Layout
Mapping Options: Allows you to Customise the Mapping Options
Source Code Options: Determines how the new Program will be
created, ie whether it will use the Sure BDCs Code Pool
(recommended), or whether the required code will be stored locally
in the program itself, so that the program will be a standalone
program with no dependencies on Sure BDCs
Sure BDCs
Code Generator: Mapping Screen
Once the Input Parameters have been entered, a simple
Mapping Exercise needs to be performed before
Generating the new Program. For each field, select one
of the following:
• Constant: This field will be populated by a Constant
Value
• File: This field will be populated by one of the
columns from the Source File
• Parameter: A Parameter will be created in the new
program that will allow users to specify a new value
with each execution
• Ignore: This field does not need to be updated so it
will be ignored, ie SAP Standard logic will populate
this field
Sure BDCs
Generated Program: Example of Generated Code
The Comments at the top of the program are fairly
detailed and the “Template” of these comments can
be adjusted to conform with a client’s specific
Commenting / Documentation Standards
Sure BDCs
Generated Program: Form Z_TRANSACTION_PREPARE
This is the most important Form in the Generated
Program and the logic in this Form was built up by
analysing the Transaction / BDC session that was
selected and the Mapping that was done
The Code Generator tries to make the code as easy
to read as possible by:
• Inserting a Comment before each Screen
which contains the Sequential Screen Number
and Screen Description
• Having a clear line break between each screen
Sure BDCs
Generated Program: Form Z_VALIDATE_RECORD
After generating the new Program with the Sure
BDCs Generator, the only Custom Coding that will
be required will be to add code in the
Z_VALIDATE_RECORD. NOTE: This is optional
The purpose of this Form is to perform Custom
Validations on the input file, before the Data is
actually processed
For example, you might want to ensure that a
specific field is always populated before even
attempting to call the SAP Transactions
If a Custom Validation fails, then the Validation
Messages will be displayed to the User and the
Program will not attempt to call the SAP
Transaction
Sure BDCs
Generated Program: Selection Screen
The Selection Screen of all Sure BDC Programs will look the
same
The subsequent Slides will explain the Options on the Selection
Screen in more Detail
Sure BDCs
Generated Program: Selection Screen – File Structure
This section contains information about the Source File Structure, specifically it:
• Shows the Name and Description of the Structure for the Source File
• The “File Structure” Button will navigate to Transaction SE11 so that the User can view the layout of the
Structure
Sure BDCs
Generated Program: Selection Screen – File Location
• Allows the user to specify the Location of the Source File
• The “File Contents” Button will display the File Contents so that the user can check that the Data is correct
before executing the Program
• The “Data Integrity” Button will execute the Data Integrity check and return back a summary of the Validations
Sure BDCs
Generated Program: Selection Screen – Transaction Details
• Shows details of the Transaction Code that the Program will use to perform the Updates
• The “Test Transaction” button process the Transaction in Foreground using the data in the 1 st record of the file
without actually saving anything. This will then show the User how the Transaction will be processed
Sure BDCs
Generated Program: Selection Screen – Processing Options
• “Execute Data Validity Check”: Allows the User to decide whether the Data Validity Checks should be
executed
• “Automatically Execute Session”: Allows the User to decide whether or not the BDC Session should be
executed automatically
• “Session Logs” Button: Will show the user an Interactive Report that summarises all the BDC Sessions for
this Program (see next slide)
Sure BDCs
Sure Outputs BDC Session Management Report
This Report will Summarise all the BDC Sessions for
a Program generated by Sure BDCs and allow used to
Maintain BDC Sessions by displaying, deleting or
processing the them
Colours are used to show the Status of the Session:
White: Session has not been Processed yet
Red: Session has been Processed but there were errors
Green: Sessions has been Processed Successfully with
no errors
NOTE: These BDC Sessions can also be managed
directly via Transaction SM35
Sure BDCs
Installation
One of our other products, Sure Landscapes, will be used to for the installation process.
Sure Landscapes will automatically create the following objects on your system in a matter of seconds:
• Development Class: A New Development will be created for Sure BDCs and it will contain all objects required
by Sure BDCs
• Transport: A new Transport will be created which will contain all components of Sure BDCs
• Domains, Domain Values
• Data Elements
• Structures
• Database Tables
• Programs, Program Texts, Program Screens
Sure BDCs
Cost and Support
Support Contract
Service Contract
Initial Cost: TBC
Initial Cost: TBC
Monthly Cost: TBC
Monthly Cost: TBC
8 hours of Support per month
40 hours of Support per month
Free Support during a SAP upgrade
Free Support during a SAP upgrade
Free Sure BDCs Updates
Free Sure BDCs Updates
5 Sure Output Programs per month