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SAP EAI: Challenges and Key Considerations
What Is SAP EAI?
EAI stands for enterprise application integration. SAP defines EAI as the process of connecting independently designed software applications so they work together.
SAP Process Integration (formerly known as SAP NetWeaver Process Integration) is SAP’s EAI software. SAP EAI is a component of SAP Process Integration and is used to facilitate the exchange of information between a company’s internal software systems and software systems of external parties.
Evolution of SAP EAI
EAI has evolved over the years, beginning in 1980 when companies began using technology to connect on-premise business applications.
In the 1990s, with the inception of cloud-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications, EAI technologies evolved to handle the communication and harmonization of a hybrid landscape.
Today, components like application programming interfaces (API), event-driven actions, and data mapping help link applications together.
SAP EAI Challenges
In August 2021, SAPinsider published a benchmark report, “SAP Integration Landscape.” A majority of respondents (90%) identified integrating third-party applications with SAP systems as their top integration challenge. While customers said they are leveraging existing SAP integration tools as well as technologies like electronic data interchange (EDI) to meet their integration requirements, less than 10% reported that their current integration strategy is completely meeting the organization’s needs.
In his report, Robert Holland writes: “The accelerated move to cloud-based applications over the last 18 months, combined with the increasing adoption of best-of-breed solutions, regardless of vendor, has significantly increased the complexity of these integration challenges.”
SAP EAI: Challenges and Key Considerations
What Is SAP EAI?
EAI stands for enterprise application integration. SAP defines EAI as the process of connecting independently designed software applications so they work together.
SAP Process Integration (formerly known as SAP NetWeaver Process Integration) is SAP’s EAI software. SAP EAI is a component of SAP Process Integration and is used to facilitate the exchange of information between a company’s internal software systems and software systems of external parties.
Evolution of SAP EAI
EAI has evolved over the years, beginning in 1980 when companies began using technology to connect on-premise business applications.
In the 1990s, with the inception of cloud-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications, EAI technologies evolved to handle the communication and harmonization of a hybrid landscape.
Today, components like application programming interfaces (API), event-driven actions, and data mapping help link applications together.
SAP EAI Challenges
In August 2021, SAPinsider published a benchmark report, “SAP Integration Landscape.” A majority of respondents (90%) identified integrating third-party applications with SAP systems as their top integration challenge. While customers said they are leveraging existing SAP integration tools as well as technologies like electronic data interchange (EDI) to meet their integration requirements, less than 10% reported that their current integration strategy is completely meeting the organization’s needs.
In his report, Robert Holland writes: “The accelerated move to cloud-based applications over the last 18 months, combined with the increasing adoption of best-of-breed solutions, regardless of vendor, has significantly increased the complexity of these integration challenges.”
Key Consideration for SAP EAI
Don’t consider SAP EAI in a silo. To achieve agility, business value, and innovation, SAP customers need to take advantage of technology that not only addresses application integration, but also application development, data value creation, and extensibility of SAP and third-party application and data assets. In his article, Jagdish Sahasrabudhe, CTO of SAP’s Global Partner Organization, writes: “In the current environment of rapid change, enterprises need to develop an integrated view across all apps, data, and other assets to gain insights and make real-time decisions.”
Consider the increase in Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications in your SAP EAI strategy. Sahasrabudhe cites a 50% increase in companies’ spend on SaaS applications in 2020 compared to 2018. This has led to management, cost, integration, and security implications. When developing an EAI strategy, factor in these complexities and understand the technologies that are available today to help, like SAP Business Technology Platform, SAP Integration Suite, and SAP Extension Suite.
Understand SAP EAI’s role in business transformation. According to SAP, this role is fundamental. EAI can help you with everything from creating meaningful customer insights to complying with e-government and regulatory requirements and powering e-commerce. And, EAI can enable benefits such as information sharing, business process optimization, and agility and efficiency.
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Driving Innovation With IntegrationJun 1, 2017 — Panelists: Dave Suffecool, Ed Pearce, and Bill Metallo Date: June 28 Time: 12:30 PM EDT/9:30 AM EDT Duration: 60 minutes How will you meet the integration challenges of digital transformation? When embracing new processes and technology, it’s imperative to understand the impact on your current, business-critical solutions. Is your integration infrastructure ready for adoption of […]
2 minute read
Use a Custom Adapter Module to Integrate SAP PI with the JSON FormatAug 26, 2014 — At the moment, SAP Process Integration (SAP PI) does not support direct integration with the JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) format. Aaron Long shows how to develop a custom adapter module processor in Java to convert data between JSON and the XML format. Key Concept JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) is a lightweight data-interchange format. It is […]
19 minute read
Making Sense of ABAP-Based Interface Technologies in the Modern IT LandscapeJun 5, 2012 — Survey modern ABAP-based interface technologies supported by SAP NetWeaver Application Server ABAP (AS ABAP). Look at the pros and cons of each technology and identify typical usage scenarios. Develop a decision table that can be used to determine when and where to apply specific interface technologies. Key Concept In the past several years, the SAP […]
15 minute read
A Checklist for Developing Your Global TemplateMar 23, 2009 — Discover the components of a global template and the advantages of implementing it across an enterprise. Key Concept A global template is a common approach and solution across geographies and markets. A global template formulates the strategy for business processes, system architecture, implementation methodology, change management, hardware, and value realization. The global template typically consists […]
14 minute read
Event Management Offers a Real-Time Window on Your Supply ChainJan 1, 2004 — SAP recently introduced its Event Management application, which allows users to monitor the supply chain and react to problems when they arise. This overview of Event Management explains the features of the functionality and provides ideas for how you might use it at your site. SAP’s newly launched event management system is designed to allow […]
7 minute read