SAP Integration Suite has the ability to process a wide range of document types, including structured and unstructured data, EDI data, flat files, and database records. To make the message mapping from source to target file easier, SAP Integration Suite provides a robust environment for integrating various systems and services. One of the core components that make the integrations seamless is the library of type systems. In this blog, I’ll dive into the key type systems available and how they can be leveraged to create efficient and scalable integration solutions.
I’ve created a few MIGs (Message Implementation Guidelines) and MAGs (Mapping Guidelines) using the extensive library of type systems, and it is a lot easier than trying to find or create a schema manually. The library of type systems is a collection of predefined message structures, codelists, etc., provided by agencies that maintain the B2B, A2A, and B2G standards, and is utilized in the creation of message mappings. Each type system is developed and maintained by the agency that owns it, which also makes the creation of the mappings more accurate and reliable.
The types of message templates that you can currently find in SAP Integration Suite:
ANSI ASC X12
ODETTE
An organization that develops standards, tools, and services to support the digitalization of the European automotive supply chain by providing guidelines for logistics management and supply chain communications.
JAIF
An organization that promotes the peaceful use of nuclear energy and supports the nuclear industry in Japan, JAIF provides a platform for information exchange, industry collaboration, and policy advocacy related to nuclear energy.
VDA
The Association of the German Automotive Industry develops standards and guidelines to support the automotive industry, focusing on quality management, production processes, and technical specifications.
UN/EDIFACT
An international standard for electronic data interchange (EDI) developed by the United Nations, it provides a set of syntax rules, guidelines, and standard messages to facilitate the electronic exchange of structured data between independent computerized information systems across various industries.
cXML / xCBL
cXML uses XML to provide formal schemas for the exchange of business documents between procurement applications, e-commerce hubs, and suppliers.
xCBL is a collection of XML specifications for electronic business document exchange. It supports various business processes and industries, facilitating interoperability and automation.
GS1
A global organization that develops and maintains standards for supply chain efficiency and visibility. These standards help uniquely identify, accurately capture, and automatically share vital information about products, locations, assets, and more.
ISO
An independent, non-governmental international organization that develops and publishes standards to ensure the quality, safety, efficiency, and interoperability of products, services, and systems.
SAP SE
Provides SOAP protocols used for exchanging structured information in the implementation of web services, an open standard for creating and consuming RESTful APIs, and standardized documents used for data exchange between SAP systems and external systems, among others.
Custom Type System
If you are looking for a specific type system that is not found in the library of type systems, you also have the option to upload custom messages based on your own message structures.
SAP's extensive library of type systems is highly beneficial for creating source and target MIGs – used in the creation of MAGs – for several key reasons:
1. Standardization: The use of standardized type systems ensures consistency across different integration scenarios.
2. Interoperability: With a wide range of pre-defined types, SAP's library allows different systems and applications to communicate seamlessly.
3. Reusability: The type systems in SAP's library can be reused across multiple projects and scenarios, reducing the need for custom development.
4. Flexibility and Extensibility: SAP's type systems are designed to be flexible and extensible, meaning they can be easily adapted to meet specific business requirements.
5. Robust Documentation: SAP provides comprehensive documentation for its type systems, which serves as a valuable resource for creating detailed and accurate message implementation guides.
6. Support for Multiple Formats: SAP's type systems support various data formats, making it easier to create message implementation guides and message mappings that cater to different integration needs.
7. Compliance with Industry Standards: Many of SAP's type systems are aligned with industry standards.
Conclusion
SAP Integration Suite's integrated library of type systems offers a wide range of options to cater to diverse integration needs. The availability of type systems, messages, and code lists and the ability to create MIGs without the need to research or create a given schema for a message type makes the creation of the MAGs much easier and more efficient. I personally find the selection of type systems impressive and look forward to the creation of more messages.