ALE is SAP proprietary technology that enables data communications between two or more SAP R/3 systems and/or R/3 and external systems. When a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution such as R/3 is implemented, companies have to interface the ERP system with legacy systems or other ERP systems. ALE provides intelligent mechanisms whereby clients can achieve integration as well as distribution of applications and data. ALE technology facilitates rapid application prototyping and application interface development, thus reducing implementation time. The ALE components are inherently integrated with SAP applications and are robust, leading to a highly reliable system. ALE comes with application distribution/integration scenarios as well as a set of tools, programs, data definitions, and methodologies that you can easily configure to get an interface up and running.
The message-based architecture of ALE comprises three layers:
Application layer. This layer provides ALE with an interface to R/3 to originate or receive messages containing data to or from external (or other R/3) systems.
Distribution layer. The distribution layer filters and converts messages containing data based on predefined or custom-defined rule sets. These conversions may occur to ensure compatibility between different releases of R/3 and R/2.
Communications layer. ALE communications are carried out both synchronously and asynchronously. Synchronous message transmissions are typically used for the direct reading of control data, while asynchronous message transmissions are used for transmitting or receiving application data. It is also possible to achieve a pseudo-real-time exchange of application data using transactional Remote Function Calls (tRFC), which I’ll detail later in this article series.
ALE scenarios fall into three categories: master data, transactional data, and control data distribution. Although the underlying principles are the same for the different categories, there are differences in their functions and configurations. SAP delivers over 200 ALE scenarios; and by extension there are approximately 200 application areas that can leverage ALE technology for data distribution or communication. A subset of these scenarios is supported by R/3 for Electronic Data Interchange (EDI).
There are several advantages to using ALE technology:
• SAP ensures release independence.
• Robust mechanisms capture changes to master data or transactional data.
• ALE offers better inbound interface performance compared to traditional techniques such as Batch Data Communications (BDC) or Call Transactions. ALE does not use screen-based batch input.
• ALE provides black-box technology, so the user is at a higher level.
• Most ALE interfaces can be prototyped in a couple of days, resulting in smaller implementation timelines.
• There is little or no ABAP program development. In most cases, the SAP-delivered ALE functionality meets the requirements.
• ALE offers a systematic and organized approach to custom enhancements and extensions.
• An ALE interface is easy to maintain due to the structured approach and minimal number of development objects.
• ALE is the strategic architecture for R/3 “loose coupling” with legacy and third-party applications and is a Business Framework key element. It provides a message-based architecture for asynchronous integration of Business Framework components, including Business Components, Business Objects, and BAPIs.
The message-based architecture of ALE comprises three layers:
Application layer. This layer provides ALE with an interface to R/3 to originate or receive messages containing data to or from external (or other R/3) systems.
Distribution layer. The distribution layer filters and converts messages containing data based on predefined or custom-defined rule sets. These conversions may occur to ensure compatibility between different releases of R/3 and R/2.
Communications layer. ALE communications are carried out both synchronously and asynchronously. Synchronous message transmissions are typically used for the direct reading of control data, while asynchronous message transmissions are used for transmitting or receiving application data. It is also possible to achieve a pseudo-real-time exchange of application data using transactional Remote Function Calls (tRFC), which I’ll detail later in this article series.
ALE scenarios fall into three categories: master data, transactional data, and control data distribution. Although the underlying principles are the same for the different categories, there are differences in their functions and configurations. SAP delivers over 200 ALE scenarios; and by extension there are approximately 200 application areas that can leverage ALE technology for data distribution or communication. A subset of these scenarios is supported by R/3 for Electronic Data Interchange (EDI).
There are several advantages to using ALE technology:
• SAP ensures release independence.
• Robust mechanisms capture changes to master data or transactional data.
• ALE offers better inbound interface performance compared to traditional techniques such as Batch Data Communications (BDC) or Call Transactions. ALE does not use screen-based batch input.
• ALE provides black-box technology, so the user is at a higher level.
• Most ALE interfaces can be prototyped in a couple of days, resulting in smaller implementation timelines.
• There is little or no ABAP program development. In most cases, the SAP-delivered ALE functionality meets the requirements.
• ALE offers a systematic and organized approach to custom enhancements and extensions.
• An ALE interface is easy to maintain due to the structured approach and minimal number of development objects.
• ALE is the strategic architecture for R/3 “loose coupling” with legacy and third-party applications and is a Business Framework key element. It provides a message-based architecture for asynchronous integration of Business Framework components, including Business Components, Business Objects, and BAPIs.
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