ERP Software Solutions

𝐈𝐧 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲’𝐬 𝐡𝐲𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐝 𝐒𝐀𝐏 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐬, 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐚 𝐥𝐮𝐱𝐮𝐫𝐲—𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐚 𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲. 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐏 + 𝐒𝐀𝐏 𝐂𝐏𝐈 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬! 1️⃣ 𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐏 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐝, 𝐂𝐏𝐈 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐆𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐲 ABAP (in S/4HANA or ECC) holds the core business logic and data. CPI acts as the cloud-based middleware that connects ABAP to the outside world—be it Salesforce, SuccessFactors, Ariba, or 3rd-party APIs. 2️⃣𝐎𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐚/𝐈𝐃𝐨𝐜 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐯𝐢𝐚 𝐂𝐏𝐈 Expose your ABAP functionality using OData services or classic IDocs. CPI consumes these services to enrich, transform, or route the data to target systems. Example: An OData service in ABAP exposing sales order info, fetched by CPI and sent to a CRM system. 3️⃣𝐑𝐞𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐏 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 You can wrap existing ABAP logic in RFCs or function modules, expose them as web services, and invoke them via CPI using SOAP or HTTP adapters. 4️⃣ 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 CPI can connect to ABAP systems using Basic Auth, OAuth, or Principal Propagation, keeping enterprise-grade security intact. 5️⃣𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭-𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐀𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 Newer versions of S/4HANA support event notifications (like business events on object changes) which CPI can subscribe to, making the integration near-real-time. 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬? It allows low-code/no-code integration with existing ABAP logic. It reduces the need to replicate business rules in multiple systems. It empowers hybrid system landscapes to run in sync. 💭 In essence, ABAP + CPI = Real-time, Reliable, and Reusable Integration for the intelligent enterprise. Are you working with this combo in your projects?

Time is ticking for SAP ECC users—are you ready for what's next? Here's what you need to know about the approaching support deadlines: SAP ECC Support End Dates → Up to EHP5:  Support concludes in 2025, which is just around the corner. Preparing now is essential to ensure a seamless transition and continued operational efficiency. → EHP6 to EHP8:  These versions will receive support until December 2027, giving your business a bit more time but not a moment to waste. What this Means for Your Business The ending of support for these SAP ECC versions marks a critical point. Continuing on unsupported versions can expose your business to several risks:   • Security Vulnerabilities: Without regular updates, your system could become susceptible to new security threats.   • Compliance Issues: Staying compliant with industry regulations might become more challenging without ongoing support.   • Operational Inefficiencies: You may miss out on newer, more efficient functionalities that can drive business growth and streamline operations. Planning Your Migration 1. Evaluate Your Current Setup: Assess which version of SAP ECC you are currently using and understand the specific impacts of the support ending. 2. Consider Your Options: Look into upgrading to a newer version of ECC (Short-term solution), transitioning to SAP S/4HANA for a more flexible, scalable and innovative future-proof solution, or explore alternative ERPs that might better align with your business needs and goals. 3. Develop a Roadmap: Plan the transition carefully to minimise disruption to your operations. Consider a phased approach to gradually introduce new functionalities. 4. Seek Expert Guidance: Partner with us who can provide specialist SAP consultants who can offer expertise and resources to ensure a smooth transformation. The timelines are set, and the urgency to act is real. The clock is ticking—outdated technology can hold your business back. Let’s connect and explore how we can ensure a seamless transformation that keeps you ahead of the curve. #SAP #SAPECC #S4HANA #DigitalTransformation #TechSupport #ERP #BusinessContinuity

Here are some list of common SAP CPI errors you may get in real-time integrations: 🔴 1. HTTP/HTTPS Errors (Sender/Receiver Adapters) 🛑 401 Unauthorized Cause: Invalid/missing credentials (Basic Auth/OAuth/API Key). Solution: Verify username/password in sender/receiver channels. Check OAuth token expiry (grant_type, client_secret). Whitelist IPs in CPI Security → Allowed Senders. 🛑 403 Forbidden Cause: CSRF protection enabled, missing headers, or insufficient permissions. Solution: Disable CSRF Protection in HTTP adapter (if applicable). Add required headers (X-CSRF-Token: Fetch). 🛑 404 Not Found Cause: Incorrect endpoint URL or iFlow not deployed. Solution: Verify the HTTP endpoint URL in the adapter. Ensure the iFlow is activated. 🛑 500/502 Internal Server Error Cause: CPI runtime error (Groovy script failure, invalid payload). Solution: Check CPI logs (Monitor → Message Processing Logs). Debug scripts using Postman and mock data. 🔴 2. Connectivity Errors 🛑 Connection Timeout Cause: Network issues, firewall blocking, or slow external systems. Solution: Increase timeout settings in the adapter (e.g., Timeout=30000ms). Verify firewall rules for CPI IP ranges (SAP Help Portal). 🛑 SSL Handshake Failure Cause: Invalid/missing certificates. Solution: Upload the correct root/intermediate certificates in Keystore. Enable SSL Verify = "None" (only for testing). 🔴 3. Data/Processing Errors 🛑 XML/JSON Parsing Error Cause: Malformed payload or schema mismatch. Solution: Use Content Modifier to log raw payload. Validate with XSD/JSON Schema in the Message Mapping. 🛑 java.lang.NullPointerException (Groovy Script) Cause: Missing headers/properties in script. Solution: Add null checks: groovy if (message.getHeaders().get("key") == null) { ... } 🔴 4. SAP-Specific Errors 🛑 SOAP Fault (S4HANA/OData) Cause: Incorrect SOAP envelope or binding. Solution: Use SOAP UI to test the payload. Enable SOAP Fault Detailed in receiver channel. 🛑 AIF Exception (IDoc Processing) Cause: IDoc metadata (TYPE/EXTENSION) mismatch. Solution: Verify IDoc configuration in SAP S/4HANA. Check Partner Profiles (WE20). 🔴 5. Throttling/Limits 🛑 429 Too Many Requests Cause: CPI tenant throttling (API call limits). Solution: Reduce call frequency or batch requests. Use Retry Mechanism in exception subprocess. 🛑 Out of Memory Cause: Large payloads or infinite loops. Solution: Optimize message splitting (e.g., process 1000 records at a time). Increase CPI runtime heap size (contact SAP Support). ✅ Tips for Debugging: Log Everything: Use Content Modifiers to log headers/properties. Testing: Test with Postman before connecting to real endpoints. Monitor: Check CPI Dashboard errors. Feel free to share your thoughts on this topic and please correct me if anything wrong. 😀

Ever had an iFlow run successfully in SAP CPI ... but the client team says “the data never arrived”? ✅ Status = Completed ❌ Result = Nothing at the destination That’s when I learned something powerful: CPI doesn’t just need to run — it needs to deliver. And here’s the kicker: Sometimes the iFlow logic is perfect. But the integration breaks because of missing checkpoints: - No response validation - No message logging after the target system - No alerting on empty payloads I faced this during a Salesforce outbound integration. Everything looked green, but due to a tiny config issue, the payload never made it past the target system's firewall. It cost us hours of “It’s not my issue” back-and-forth. After that, I started doing 3 things on every iFlow: 1️⃣ Add a response check from the final endpoint 2️⃣ Use messageLogFactory at exit points 3️⃣ Trigger email alerts for empty responses or 4XX errors 🚫 Don’t rely on “Deployed successfully” ✅ Rely on “Delivered successfully” Because at the end of the day, CPI isn’t about integration. It’s about guaranteed delivery. — Curious to hear from other integration devs: What’s your hardest CPI bug that didn’t show up in the logs? #SAPCPI #SAPIntegration #Middleware #Debugging #iFlow #BuildInPublic #EnterpriseIntegration #LinkedInDev #DeliveryNotDeployment #TechLeadership

From my recent S/4HANA Experience, a key topic discussed was SAP ECC to S/4HANA Migration – Choosing the Right Path. Moving from ECC to S/4HANA is more than an upgrade. It is a strategic transformation. The migration should be guided by business priorities first, with technology as the enabler. Efficiency, agility and cost control must shape the path before system configurations come into play. Greenfield (New Implementation): A complete rebuild on S/4HANA, migrating only essential master data while leaving behind old transactions and customizations. Best suited for organizations seeking simplification and modernization. Example: Re-designing material planning processes with fresh MRP logic and analytics, free from years of complexity. Brownfield (System Conversion) Direct conversion of ECC to S/4HANA, retaining history, custom developments and configurations. Ideal for continuity with minimal disruption. Example: Preserving long-term plant maintenance history while enabling faster analytics. Hybrid (Selective Data Transition) A mix of both, where some modules are re-implemented and others converted as is. Practical for phased modernization in large-scale environments. Example: Finance and procurement rebuilt with automation, while warehouse operations transition gradually.

Real Enhancements I Faced as an SAP PM Consultant (Part 1) 🎯 Target :Get yourself interview Ready…. ⸻ Business tells you — “This should be automatic.” You say — “Sure. Give me 2 hours and a user-exit.” 😎 These are not textbook examples. These are straight from real SAP projects I’ve worked on — where function meets frustration, and we had to solve business pain through enhancements. Here’s Part 1 of the common but crucial real-time SAP PM Enhancements I’ve delivered 👇 ⸻ 🔹 1. Automatic Equipment Text Inheritance (IW32) Problem: Client wanted the equipment’s short text to auto-fill in the order header during IW31/IW32. Solution: 📍 User-Exit: IWO10009 🧠 Logic: If order type = PM01, and equipment is filled → fetch short text from EQUI and auto-populate header. Why? So maintenance planners stop copy-pasting 100 times a day. ⸻ 🔹 2. Work Order Release – Budget Check Integration Problem: Business wanted budget validation before releasing work orders. Solution: 📍 BADI: WORKORDER_UPDATE → BEFORE_UPDATE 🧠 Logic: On REL, check Z-table for budget or call FM to FI. Insufficient? Raise error. Real control = Real savings 💰 ⸻ 🔹 3. Auto Partner Assignment in Notification Problem: Maintenance team forgot to assign planners in Notifications. Solution: 📍 Enhancement Spot: QQMA0014 🧠 Logic: Based on FL/Equipment, derive partner from Z-table and assign to “VW.” No more missed accountability! ⸻ 🔹 4. Serial Number Validation on Equipment Creation Problem: Serial number rules were being ignored for machines. Solution: 📍 BADI: EQUI_UPDATE → AT_SAVE 🧠 Logic: Enforce serial format like PLANT-YYYY-XXX. Blank or wrong? Throw error. Quality starts at creation 📋 ⸻ 🔹 5. Preventive Maintenance Compliance Tracker Problem: Client had no visibility on PM plan execution. Solution: 📍 Custom Z-Report: ZPM_COMPLIANCE_TRACKER 🧠 Logic: Pull data from MHIS, PMCO, AUFK → Compare planned vs TECO → Show delays, % compliance in ALV/Fiori. Visibility drives action! ⸻ ✅ This is the real game of SAP consulting. Where function, data, and code come together to make business smoother. And yes — developers love it when functional guys talk logic too 😄 ⸻ 🤝 Want to go from “config consultant” to “solution architect”? 🚀 I’m mentoring consultants on these exact real-time strategies. 💬 Comment “PM Mentor” or DM me to explore the training. Comment “Live session” if you want a open Webnair to be conducted - ⸻ 👀 Stay tuned for Part 2 — more BADIs, exits, and crazy business demands coming up! Follow for more real SAP stories.

Met with a CFO this week from a retail chain with over 700 stores. After several meetings with her team and IT operations, here’s what I learned: They’re still on SAP ECC6 (IS-Retail), supported by PI/PO and a custom-built middleware, delivered years ago as a full-package by a single vendor. That middleware now runs the core of their retail operations: Promotions. Membership. Loyalty tiers. Promo eligibility. Points calculation. Campaign personalization. POS integration. The system? Stable. Still standing. Only 10 major WRICEF objects (excluding reports and forms), because much of the logic lives inside the middleware. But here’s the thing: 2027 is coming. Mainstream ECC support is ending. Margins have been shrinking since COVID, and sales still haven’t fully bounced back. The full cost of S/4HANA? Still a hard pill to swallow. We explored the usual alternatives. Third-party support was on the table, until we broke down the real risks: - It won’t resolve OS or database upgrade constraints that could force SAP kernel changes. - Kernel patches? Off-limits. If something breaks, you’re stuck. - No access to SAP Notes or certified integrations with future SAP cloud services. And the middleware vendor? Their stance: “As long as SAP works, our system will work.” But that’s exactly the issue, if SAP breaks, they’re out. Add to that the risk of indirect access audits and legal ambiguity around support scope, and the decision became clear. In the end, the client agreed, staying with SAP is the right call. So now, the real question is: To RISE or not to RISE? We’re working through the options: - What modernization looks like without breaking what still works. - Whether RISE aligns with their control and cost expectations. - How to avoid rebuilding yet another brittle middleware stack. - And whether the current 3rd-party middleware, and all the features it provides, can be replaced by a more modern, AI-ready alternative. This isn’t about cloud hype. It’s about timing, tradeoffs, and staying in control of the next move. The conversation is still evolving. This isn’t a closed case. It’s an unfolding one, like many others I’m seeing. Real questions. Real risk. Real decisions. I’ll share more as this progresses. #SAPRetail #RISEwithSAP #MiddlewareMadness #S4HANA2027 #SAPECC62027

SAP ECC / S/4HANA Deadline Update 🚀 Big news for SAP ECC users! SAP has introduced new options to help businesses manage their transitions to S/4HANA more effectively. 🧐👇 💡 SAP introduces "SAP ERP Private Edition, Transition Option": According to report in the German Newspaper Handelsblatt, SAP now offers ECC customers the ability to extend their system support until the end of 2033: if they commit to the RISE with SAP program. This option ties the extension to SAP's cloud-first strategy. Note: SAP is yet to officially announce a "SAP ERP Private Edition, Transition Option" themselves, though they “confirmed the plans in response to a request from Handelsblatt.” 💡 Mainstream maintenance still ends in 2027, with extended maintenance to 2030: SAP clarified that maintenance timelines remain unchanged for on-premise customers. The new option only benefits those who adopt RISE with SAP. 💡 Extra time comes with conditions: This is a trade-off: customers gain an extended timeline but must commit to a long-term RISE contract, ensuring they eventually transition to SAP S/4HANA Cloud. 💡 Rise with SAP offers a step-by-step migration path: The program provides a gradual approach to moving from ECC to S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition, simplifying transitions and offering flexibility to customers. 💡 SAP confirms development of custom code translation tool: An AI-powered translator for custom code is also in the works. It promises to modernize legacy code automatically, easing one of the most challenging aspects of migration. 💡 Focus on clear goals for migration success: SAP emphasizes that companies should define clear objectives for their transition. A solid foundation ensures smoother planning and execution while minimizing risks. 💡 Selective Data Transition introduced: For customers with complex landscapes, SAP offers a method to consolidate and migrate only essential configurations and data to S/4HANA Cloud. This approach balances flexibility with practicality. 💡 Guidance for IT executives released: SAP launched a migration guide for IT leaders, detailing critical strategies for an easier move to S/4HANA Cloud. It focuses on technology, transformation paths, and project planning. 💡 The ultimate goal: Cloud-first ERP adoptions: This announcement aligns with SAP’s broader strategy of encouraging cloud adoption while addressing the challenges of delayed migrations. SAP is taking bold steps to ensure customers have the tools and flexibility needed to make their ERP transitions as smooth as possible. Share your thoughts on these developments in the comments below! ⬇️ #IgniteSAP #SAPMigration #S4HANA

There is always an alternative! 🚨 After attending the DSAG annual conference and discussing with various experts and clients, I've noticed a recurring sentiment among SAP customers: many feel they have no alternative but to 𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗽𝘁 𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗘 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗔𝗣 if they wish to remain within the SAP ecosystem. The assumption seems to be, "If we stay with SAP, RISE is the only path forward." 🤔 SAP has done an effective job of promoting this narrative, but is it really the full picture? Personally, I’m not a fan of the TINA (𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗜𝘀 𝗡𝗼 𝗔𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲) approach. When a situation appears to funnel you into a single path, that’s often the moment to pause, rethink, and explore what options might actually exist. 💡 So, what alternatives are available? For one, existing SAP customers can 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗘𝗖𝗖 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟯𝟬 under extended maintenance. Beyond 2030, customer-specific support from SAP remains an option, as does hiring a third-party provider like Rimini Street for ongoing support. 🔄 Another option is to 𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗦/𝟰𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗔 𝗼𝗻-𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗲 while retaining perpetual licenses. SAP may prefer customers to transition to RISE, often offering significant discounts on RISE compared to perpetual licensing, but S/4HANA on-premise is still a viable choice. 🏢 It’s also crucial for clients to consider the implications of a RISE contract conversion. Moving from an owned infrastructure to a rental model has fundamental implications: 1. 𝗩𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗸-𝗜𝗻: Exiting the RISE model isn’t straightforward. Once in, you’re essentially committed. 🔒 2. 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗦𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘁𝘆: You relinquish a degree of control over your data, which, for some, can have far-reaching consequences. 📊 I believe that understanding all available options—and the trade-offs involved—is critical for making informed decisions. SAP customers deserve a clearer picture that goes beyond the "one-size-fits-all" RISE narrative. 🌐 What has been your experience with RISE or alternative strategies? (* picture from Alternative Economique )