Orange County Convention Center Orlando, Florida | May 15-18, 2011
Implementing ITSmobile at Johnsonville Sausage,
Radio Frequency in SAP
Paul Krier Johnsonville Sausage, LLC. Mirela Sotropa itelligence, Inc.
[ Agenda
Introduction The Team. The Project. Background of Radio Frequency (RF) Technology in SAP Implementing RF Applications using ITSmobile Learning Points Best Practices Appendix
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[ Johnsonville Sausage, LLC.
Established in 1945 by Ralph and Alice Stayer Johnsonville is the most popular brand of sausage in the United States and is available in Japan, Canada, China, France, Mexico & over 30 other countries Still privately held 1400+ Members
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[ Johnsonville Sausage, LLC. (Contd.)
On SAP since 2005 HCM, FI/CO,PPPI, MM, SD, QM, WM, PLM, DMS Portal, APO, BI, BOBJ, CRM ITSmobile is running on SAP ECC 6.0. EHP 4 MS SQL Server 2005, 1.4 TB Database Windows Server 2007 running on VMware
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[ itelligence, Inc. More than 20 years of SAP experience
We are one of the leading international full-service provider exclusively focused on SAP solutions History 1989 Founded as SVP, in Bielefeld, Germany 2000 Merger of Apcon AG and SVC AG to form itelligence AG 2007 Cooperation with NTT DATA / NTT Communications Scope of Services SAP Software Reseller to SME Market Space SAP Global Implementation Partner SAP Global Managed Hosting Partner SAP Global Support Staff More than 1,900 employees, worldwide Clients More than 3,000 clients in various industries
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[ itelligence Facts
SAP Business Partner & Alliance Partner Services One of the 12 worldwide Global Partner Services Channel Partner and Solution Partner Largest Global SME Software Reseller One of the 10 worldwide Global SAP Hosting Partners SAP Alliance Partner Support SAP Pinnacle Award Winner 2006 2008 2010SAP Overall Partner of the Year Most successful international and German medium-sized business partnership with SAP
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[ The Implementation Team
Chris Galica Paul Krier Mirela Sotropa Bob Meyers Mark Hembel Brian Cudworth Project Manager SAP Technical Lead/Architect SAP Platinum NetWeaver Consultant WM/MM User Advocate Sr. Systems Analyst Shipping Team Lead
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[ The Project
Migrate existing RF Applications from SAPConsole to ITSmobile Take advantage of the long-term supported ITS technology Access ABAP Dynpro based applications using a web browser Provide users with a more user-friendly interface No change to application business logic Old RF scanner replacement
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[ Initial Expectations
ITS would be slower than Telnet ITS would not handle movement between access points as well as sap console with Georgia Softworks We would not change ABAP as part of this project We would use Internet Explorer for the browser
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[ Background of RF Technology in SAP
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[ Mobility (RF) in SAP Is it Possible?
Why do I care? How can you do it? What are the magic ingredients? Learning points
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[ Mobility (RF) in SAP Why do I care?
SAP running on mobile devices
RF Guns scan goods Information is entered through SAP transaction screens on Guns Data is stored in SAP system
Increase efficiency of Warehouse Management processess
Goods Receipt and Goods Issue Inventory and Picking Load and Unload
Simple interface on minimal real estate Rugged, reliable
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[ SAP Mobility (RF) in SAP How can you do it?
Four Approaches:
SAPConsole Web-enabled SAP Console (SAP recommends to use ITSmobile as of Basis
release 4.6c and higher instead)
ITSmobile (Internet Transaction Server for Mobile Devices) Mobile Web Dynpro
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[ Implementing RF Applications in SAP - SAPConsole
SAPConsole - Allows character based devices to connect to SAP
just like a GUI based client
Telnet
SAPConsole Server SAP
All Data FLow
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[ Implementing RF Applications in SAP (ITSmobile)
ITSmobile - Internet Transaction Server for Mobile Devices
Refer to OSS note 325616 (Platform Availability Matrix: http://service.sap.com/pam)
Internet Explorer on Windows
Internet Explorer 6.0
MozillaFirefox1.X
Windows, Linux, Mac OS X
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[ SAPConsole vs. ITSmobile: Side-by-side comparison
CHARACTERISTICS SAP CONSOLE (1999) First SAP native RF solution Focused on industrial mobile devices ABAP-based Most installations, stable, well understood. Long history (~25 years) of using industrial RF devices ITSmobile (2007) Replacement for Web SAP Console Any web-based application ABAP and HTML
SOLUTION PROFILE
SOLUTION MATURITY
ITS technology in use for many years (~1998); became part of the SAP kernel (~2004) ITSmobile formally introduced in 2007 Ready for prime time
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[ SAPConsole vs. ITSmobile: Side-by-side comparison
CHARACTERISTICS SAP CONSOLE ITSmobile
(Contd.)
SOLUTION ARCHITECTURE
Requires a Windows based machine (Telnet and SAP Console) Telnet over TCP
Mobile devices running a client browser HTML over HTTP/HTTPS
DEVICE COMPATIBILITY
Supports any device that has the VT220 Supports any device with an HTML terminal emulation. browser.
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[ SAPConsole vs. ITSmobile: Side-by-side comparison
CHARACTERISTICS SAP CONSOLE ITSmobile USER INTERFACE & Text-based interface. EASE OF USE Simplistic interface. Screen navigation driven by function keys.
(Contd.)
Browser-based interface. Screen navigation, supports both function key and touch screen input, UI enhancements possible.
DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENT
Entirely done in ABAP Workbench. SAP Console solutions are developed in ABAP and rely on the RF screens (SAPGUI Dynpro screens).
Entirely done in ABAP Workbench (ABAP and HTML editors). ABAP and HTML-based. The HTML conversion is supported by the ABAP Workbench.
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[ SAPConsole vs. ITSmobile: Side-by-side comparison
CHARACTERISTICS SAP CONSOLE ITSmobile
(Contd.)
FUNCTIONAL COMPONENTS (WM, EWM, IM)
Can be used with any SAP functional area (WM, IM, EWM, etc.) Can utilize the RF transactions in WM as they are written in ABAP.
Can be used with any SAP functional area (WM, IM, EWM, etc.). Can utilize the RF transactions in WM as they are written in ABAP.
PERFORMANCE
Primarily dependent on the SAP backend system where the ABAP program is running. In general, better than browser-based solutions due to less overhead and less complex screens.
Primarily dependent on the ITS core engine and the SAP backend system where the ABAP/HTML program is running.
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[ RF Applications: Magic Ingredients
One transaction Different Display
Screen size 8X40: Function keys have a maximal length of 9 digits SAPConsole: - Does not display frame with additional information -Suppresses empty lines Screen size 16X20:
Screen size 8X40:
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[ RF Applications: Magic Ingredients (Contd.)
Menu Path: SPRO / Mobile Data Entry / Define Menu Management
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[ RF Menu Configuration
Menu Path: Logistics Entry > Mobile Data Entry > Define Menu
1. 2. 3. 4.
Warehouse number The warehouse number for which this menu will be valid Dynamic menu Name of the menu you will assign to the user(s) Sequence The order placement of the menu item within the dynamic menu Menu / Trns. 1 executes a menu, 2 executes a transaction
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[ Create an RF Queue
Menu Path: Logistics Entry > Mobile Data Entry > RF Queue Management
1. 2.
Queue - Relevant to the group of functions this queue will use Queue Name - Text that may appear on the handheld for users assigned to the queue
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[ Assign RF Queue and RF Menu to RF Users
Menu Path: Logistics Entry > Mobile Data Entry > RF Queue Management
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[ Assign RF Queue and RF Menu to RF Users (Contd.)
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Warehouse - Warehouse number User - RF User ID Status - Check if user is active Screen Format - Screen format Size of anticipated device Main Menu - Menu name defined in step 4 above
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[ ITSmobile Implementation: Customer Guide
Select an RF network and appropriate devices Decide if an Industrial Browser is needed Plan how bar-coded documents and labels will be printed Check OSS note 325616 (Platform Availability Matrix: http://service.sap.com/pam) Continue as for any other project
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[ ITSmobile Implementation: Customer Guide (Contd.)
Map the functional process to standard SAP transactions. . Finalized business processes are key; Review the list of RF transactions delivered by SAP Determine any RF transactions not delivered by SAP or not usable as delivered Determine the exact SAP transactions and associated input that will be executed during the custom processes. Do not use Enjoy style transactions such as MIGO. Use old transaction codes if necessary; Identify any processes that can not be managed by standard SAP functionality Execute the project as any other functional and technical project with technical design, functional configuration, development, testing, etc.
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[ Learning Points
Review custom development to ensure compatibility with mobile devices and browsers Additional customization needed to run existing RF Application on the new mobile devices (e.g. eliminating scroll bars, white space, and other navigational challenges) Perform extensive and ruthless testing of all RF transactions in the new environment
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[ Learning Points (Contd.)
Make sure deployment expectations are realistic.
It is easier to deploy a few functions or functional areas at a time rather than a big-bang approach. Seek the minimum if you are inexperienced in RF.
Select mobile devices, their configuration (including O/S) and determine if an industrial browser is needed as early as possible.
We decided to use an industrial browser for getting all the functionality of the mobile device used. Transactions needed to be re-tested on final configuration.
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[ Learning Points (Contd.)
Functional process design needs to be complete and completely understood Have full development environments including an available RF network, however small, and bar-code printers Do not overcomplicate the RF device configuration.
We started out with many packages being deployed to the device. We achieved better performance by narrowing it down to a couple of packages.
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[ What really happened
ITS Mobile performance was not an issue ITS Connection issues did not materialize
We had issues, but mostly due to new devices and new APs Resolved by finding sweet spot of device and AP configuration
We had to enhance existing ABAP screens
SAP Console-enabled transactions had to be tweaked for use with ITSmobile Enhanced RF screens for improving navigation on RF screens (remove white space, scroll bars)
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[ What really happened (Contd.)
We chose to use Wavelink industrial browser.
Quick Scan functionality Easy to lock down
Devices used: LXE MX7, LXE MX9, Intermec CV30
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[ Return on Investment
Simplification of environment through removal of SAPConsole server
Eliminating number of licenses for Georgia Softworks
Transaction title shown in the browser heading
Nice feature, was planned as future project to add through coding
ITS functionality exposed for other uses
SAPConsole no longer maintained New uses outside of warehouse envisioned
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[ References
Demo / Q&A
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[ Appendix
References Transaction Codes Tips & Tricks
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[ References
Online References
http://help.sap.com www.sdn.sap.com (Search key ITSmobile in SAP Developer Network)
General ITSmobile Notes
1070064 1037715 705013 737625 742048 885580 Comparison of Web SAP Console with SAP ITSmobile ITSmobile: Supported screen elements (SMP login required) Timeout for ICF services based on ITS Parameter recommendations for the ICM Integrated ITS, memory requirement in application server Integrated ITS: Configuration Parameters
Find further related SAP notes using search key "ITSmobile" in CSS.
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[ References
Printed References (SAP-Press.com)
Optimize your Mobile Applications in Warehouse and Shipping with SAP WM
Author(s): Dirk Eichholz, Jan-Martin Lichte, and Hans-Georg Nvemann
SAP Warehouse Management: Functionality and Technical Configuration
Author(s): Martin Murray
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[ References
Transaction Codes
SICF SIAC_REGENERATE_TEMP SIAC_PUBLISH_ALL_INT LRF1 LRF2 LRFMD SITSPMON SE80 HTTP Service Hierarchy Maintenance Regenerate IAC Templates Publish All ITS Services RF Monitor, Active RF Monitor, Passive Maintain RF user master data Monitor for Internal ITS ABAP Development Workbench
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[ References
Tips & Tricks Customize the LogOff Page in SICF (Maintain the Explicit Response Page Body in SICF)
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[ References
Tips & Tricks Customize the LogOff Page in SICF (Maintain the Explicit Response Page Body in SICF)
Real Experience. Real Advantage.
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[ References
Tips & Tricks Customize the LogOff Page in SICF (Maintain the Explicit Response Page Body in SICF)
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[ References
ICF parameters changed:
ms/http_timeout icm/max_threads Icm/keep_alive_timeout em/global_area_MB ms/http_timeout rdisp/plugin_auto_logout icm/min_timeout_mpi icm/max_timeout_wp from 20 to 120 from 50 to 200 from 60 to 600 from 512 to 1024 from 20 to 120 from 1800 to 2600 set to 30000 set to 2000
See notes: 705013, 737625, 742048, 885580.
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SESSION CODE: 3708
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