|
The SAP R/3 4.7 version is the functional and technical
advancement over classical Enterprise Resource Planning solution that provides
customers flexibility, stability, new functions and new technology. It achieves
these functions by facilitating connection to marketplaces, portals and other
collaborative applications as well as enabling an easy evolution to mySAP.com.
This new model of SAP R/3 is also more flexible to future upgrades.
The basic model of SAP R/3 Enterprise Release 4.7 consists of
three parts:
- Web Application Server
- Enterprise Core
- Enterprise Extensions
Figure: Architectural Model of SAP R/3 4.7 (Enterprise Core)
Web
Application Server (WAS):
The WAS 6.2C of SAP Enterprise
integrates all the features of already existing SAP Basis and Web application
server. In addition, it provides users with additional enhancements in the form
of package concept, global parameterization with business configuration sets,
Unicode compliance, and accessibility.
Enterprise Core:
Enterprise Core (SAP Release 4.7) includes all R/3 4.6
functionality with limited functional enhancements and developments. On a
go-forward basis, all legal changes and support packs, including stabilization
and performance enhancements, will be applied at the Enterprise Core level.
According to SAP, this Enterprise Core will remain stable until at least 2007.
Therefore, no planned upgrades are necessary, just support packages.
Enterprise Extensions:
Extensions use a technology
called �package builder.� The concept is similar to user exits. Extensions may
be activated selectively and independently of each other or remain inactive. A
new set of extensions will be released annually as the Enterprise Core remains
stable. For example, Extension Set 1.10, available with R/3 Enterprise, will
consist of extensions in FIN (FI/CO), HR, PLM, TRVL, and SCM (WM, PP, MM). If
you take advantage of any Extension, the Extension would need to be activated in
a similar manner and with the level of effort required to customize new
functionality. This Extension philosophy decouples all development from the R/3
technical platform, allowing the SAP community more flexibility in taking
advantage of enhanced functionality The Enterprise Extensions are the center of
functional developments. These functionalities are selectively deployable and
each functionality has its own release cycle.
|
