Home > Ask the SOA Experts > Questions & Answers > Can I call SAP functions from a BPEL process?
Ask The SOA Expert: Questions & Answers
EMAIL THIS

Can I call SAP functions from a BPEL process?

Doron Sherman EXPERT RESPONSE FROM: Doron Sherman

Pose a Question
Other SOA Categories
Meet all SOA Experts
Become an Expert for this site


Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us   


>
QUESTION POSED ON: 30 January 2004
Can I call SAP functions from a BPEL process?

>
A BPEL process defines orchestration among services exposed through a WSDL. SAP functions, at the present moment, are not readily exposed as Web services. A prudent way for BPEL to communicate with SAP is to use a BPEL server in conjunction with JCA adapters, such as those provided by Librados or iWay software.

For example, Librados EICA Framework includes a JCA adapter for SAP which provides an XML Schema describing the data types that flow in and out of the JCA adapter. In other words, the native SAP (RFC) types, are projected into an XML Schema document. This makes it easy for the BPEL server to generate a WSDL as a wrapper with a specific binding element.

When a BPEL process executes an <invoke> activity, the BPEL server uses a WSIF framework to call the specified partnerLink and consequently dispatch the JCA WSIF Provider (which wraps the JCA adapter). The XML message from the BPEL process is then translated by the JCA adapter into the native data types and a JCA call is made to SAP. The response from SAP is then translated back from native data types to an XML message by the adapter and returned to the BPEL process.


Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us   



RELATED CONTENT
BPEL
BPMN with BPEL a debated topic among experts
Oracle SOA Suite Developer's Guide by Matt Wright
BPEL tutorial
Co-evolution of BPMN and BPEL drives BPM in SOA settings
UML modeler includes BPMN support
BPM Special Report: What you model is what you monitor
Verizon uses BPEL app to cut down on code, check for fraud, and go green
Visual orchestration tool addresses event processing and SOA
SOA, BPEL working on the railroad
UML and SOA the Microsoft way
BPEL Research

RELATED GLOSSARY TERMS
Terms from Whatis.com − the technology online dictionary
BPEL  (SearchSOA.com)

RELATED RESOURCES
2020software.com, trial software downloads for accounting software, ERP software, CRM software and business software systems
Search Bitpipe.com for the latest white papers and business webcasts
Whatis.com, the online computer dictionary



Search and Browse the Expert Answer Center
Search and browse more than 25,000 question and answer pairs from more than 250 TechTarget industry experts.
Browse our Expert Advice



SOA Governance White Papers - BPM, EDA, IT Governance
About Us  |  Contact Us  |  For Advertisers  |  For Business Partners  |  Site Index  |  RSS
SEARCH 
TechTarget provides technology professionals with the information they need to perform their jobs - from developing strategy, to making cost-effective purchase decisions and managing their organizations' technology projects - with its network of technology-specific websites, events and online magazines.

TechTarget Corporate Web Site  |  Media Kits  |  Site Map




All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2001 - 2009, TechTarget | Read our Privacy Policy 		  TechTarget - The IT Media ROI Experts