SAP R/3 Tips & Tricks          TOP

• Logging on without being authorized

Client 066 usually exists in a SAP system because of EarlyWatch services. Often this client does not have master users. If it is true, anyone can log into the system using the client 066, user SAP*, and password PASS. Enjoy yourself.
 
• Special copy and paste

Click on the area and press CTRL+Y. It allows you to copy many lines at once and paste them afterwards.
 
• Long messages on footer

Click on the message and hold the mouse button. After moving the mouse to the left side.
 
• Direct input logs

The transaction BMV0 (direct input logs) shows all direct input logs.
 
• Graphics on SAPscript

The program RSTXLDMC can be used to upload graphics (file extension .tif on PC files) into individual standard text.
 
• Adding icons

The include «ICON» can be easily used in your programs. All icons can be checked through the transaction ICON. Sequences of characters begin and finish with the symbol @. Even plain files under operating system can contain those strings.
 
• Adding symbols

The include «SYMBOL» can be easily used in your programs. It makes available a great number of symbols.
 
• Filling up an empty date field quickly

Strike the key F4 (or click on matchcode symbol) and press ESCAPE. The current date is automaticly set.
 
• Setting up module FI/CO without using IMG

Almost all parameters can be set using the transactions ORFA (Asset Accounting), ORFB (Financial Accounting), and ORKS (Cost Center Accounting).
 
• Deleting cost elements and cost centers

Since they have no postings you can use the transaction KA04 for deleting cost elements and KS04 for deleting cost centers.
 
• Displaying check object when not authorized

Soon after the lock try to access the transaction SU53. It reports the last objects verified and also the respective values.
 
• Table analyses between two systems

The contents of a table between two systems can be checked through the transaction OY19.
 
• Correction and transport system

The transaction SE10 provides the easiest way to manage any request/transport and corrections.
 
• General command field formats

/n	Skip to the next record if you are processing one batch input session
/bend	Cancel a batch input foreground process
/nend	Close all R/3 sessions and logoff
/nxxxx	Call the transaction xxxx in the same session
/o	Generate a session list
/oxxxx	Call the transaction xxxx in an additional session
/i	Delete the current session
/h	Turn the debug mode on
/$tab	Reset all buffers (for System Administrators)
/$sync	Synchronize instances buffers (for System Administrators)

• Report command field formats

%pri	Print the current report
%pc	Download the current report
%sc	Call the find function
p+	Go to the next page
p-	Go to the previous page
p++	Go to the last page
p--	Go to the first page

• Helpful reports

RSCLTCOP	Copy tables across clients
RSAVGL00	Table adjustment across clients
RSINCL00	Extended program list
RSBDCSUB	Release batch-input sessions automaticly
RSTXSCRP	Transport SAPscript files across systems
RSORAREL	Get the Oracle Release
RGUGBR00	Substitution/Validation utility
RSPARAM	Display all instance parameters
RSUSR003	Check the passwords of users SAP* and DDIC in all clients
RSUSR006	List users last login

• Meaning of info structures' first letter

A	Pricing
B	Output determination
C	Account determination
D	Material determination
E	Rebates
F	Index
G	Listing and Exclusion
H	Batch determination
I	Profile determination
S	Statistics
X	Statistics extra

• Unconditional mode when importing or exporting a request/transport

Run the command R3trans -u under user «SysID»adm.
 
• Reapplying hot packages

If you accidently applied hot packages out of sequence for instance. Use the transaction SM31 to modify table PAT03. You have to choose the desired patch and click on delete entry.
 
• Main return codes of tp program

0	Successfully done
4	Warnings occurred
8	Errors occurred
12	Fatal errors occurred
16	Internal errors occurred

• Scheduling of system maintenance jobs

RSBTCDEL	Clean the old background job records
RSDBCREO	Clean batch input session log
RSPO0041	Removing old spooling objects
RSSNAPDL	Clean the old ABAP error dumps

• List of most used SAP extensions and their components

CUST1	MENUS000+C01	Customer option in the Office menu
CUST2	MENUS000+C02	Customer option in the Logistics menu
CUST3	MENUS000+C03	Customer option in the Accounting menu
CUST4	MENUS000+C04	Customer option in the Human Resources menu
CUST5	MENUS000+C05	Customer option in the Information Systems menu
CUST6	MENUS000+C06	Customer option in the Tools menu
CUST7	MENUS000+C07	Customer option in the System menu
ZXUSRU01	Exit_saplsusf_001	At login time
SAPMF02D	Exit_sapmf02d_001	When saving customer master data
SAPMF02K	Exit_sapmf02k_001	When saving vendor master data
M61X0001	Exit_saplm61c_001	When processing MRP planning
M61X0001	Exit_sapmm61x_001	When processing MRP planning
FYTX0001	Exit_saplv61a_001	Modifications in pricing procedures
MBCF0002	Exit_sapmm07m_001	Checks for materials documents
SDVFX002	Exit_saplv60b_002	Link between SD and FI documents
M06B0003	Exit_sapmm06b_001	When saving MM documents

• Before going live

It is highly advisable to increase the next extend´s size of some tables and their indexes even before initial loadings

FI	BKPF, BSEG, BSIS, BSAD, BSAK, BSID and BSIK
CO	COEJ, COEP, COKS, COSS and T811*
AM	ANL*
MM	MKPF, MSEG and BSIM
SD	VBAP, VBAK, VBEP, VBPA, LIKP, LIPS, VBRK, VBRP, VBKD, VBUK, VBUP and VBSS
PP	RESB and MDTB
Accross module	ATAB, TST03, TSP01, MCSI, KNVP, ACCTIT, COEP, APQD, RFBLG, CDCLS, SDBAD and from S000 to S999

• Locking the whole system

Using the command tp locksys «SysID» only the user SAP* will be allowed to login. The command tp unlocksys «SysID» cancels the lock.
 
• Connection between SAP R/3 and operating system

The command sapevt can be used to trigger an event from the operation system. Thus, a job previously defined within R/3 will be released.
 
• SQL code help

Run the command oerr ora «error number» under user ora«SysID».
 
• Oracle import and export explanations

Run the command imp help=yes under user ora«SysID». This format can also be used with exp, impst, and expst.

SAP R/3 Hints         TOP

Of course it does not guarantee a successful implementation. It is a great deal of summed up aid, though.

• Team integration has to be enhanced
• Set high standards of performance for implementation team
• IT teams and users have to work closely during the implementation
• New ways of thinking and acting must not be discarded
• Do not underestimate the user training needs
• Project management should be on the critical list
• The nearest SAP branch should be your partner
• Consultants are not always the key to succeed
• Consultants are a good source of knowledge. On the other hand, letting them make configuration changes the transfer of knowledge will be harmed
• Foreign consultants usually do not know country-specific details
• Deepening your basis knowledge is always useful
• Avoid changing standard R/3 objects as much as possible
• Always follow the SAP rules to give names to your own objects
• Establish SAP connection as soon as possible
• Exchange information with other companies
• Focus on interfaces with non-R/3 applications
• Plan the whole environment carefully (servers, network, protocols, etc.)
• Development and production environment should be totally independent

• Field exit

After entering a value in a field, it can be checked through a field exit. The system makes the field value available to be checked and changed in an ABAP/4 function.
• User exit

Points previously set in the system that let you evaluate data. The fields available are also previously defined by SAP. All fields value available can be checked in an ABAP/4 program.
• Validation

It allows solid data entry regarding special rules. According to previous rules, the system can evaluate an entry and a message can appear on the user's terminal if a check statement is not met. A validation step contains prerequisite statement and check statement. Both of them are defined using Boolean Logic or calling an ABAP/4 form.
• Substitution

Fields contents can be changed using substitution. When data are being entered, the data can be substituted by another value regarding rules previously defined. A substitution step contains prerequisite statement, substitution value and substitution exit. All of them are defined using Boolean Logic or calling an ABAP/4 form.
• Set

Values or ranges of values are specified under a set name. Sets are easier to create and maintain instead of using tables. They give you more flexibility when maintaining your system.
• Key words

It allows changes on field description according to data element. The short key word used on most screen to identify the corresponding field contents can be changed too.
• Requirements & formulas

ABAP/4 forms that can be used to handle pricing procedures, rounding rules, copy and data transport Sales activities.

 

Note:	In spite of flexibility, you should think at least twice before applying any enhancement.
	Generally speaking, validation and substitution are available on Asset Management, Controlling, Financial Accounting, and General ledger.

• System gets stuck

It happens mostly when archive area is overloaded. Run the program brarchive with deletion option to release disk space.
• Short dump

Not always the problem is technical. Try to create all SAPoffice users through transaction SO32 (create all SAPoffice users) and review your application data carefully.
• Field exits are completely ignored

Make sure your SAP profile parameter contains the option abap/fieldexit = yes.
• Transaction SE16 (table contents) does not work properly

Make usage of the menu option to regenerate the display program. You can also try changing key words according to field names. Choose Option -> Parameters users.
• Rollback segments are too small

Before increasing up the rollback segment size you should verify your programs. Very often the problem belongs to them.
• Files for rollback segments are already enormous

Check the rollback segments configuration. It has to match the allocated area on tablespaces. Changes have to be done using Oracle tools.
• Extended help under windows does not link correctly

Check the file sapdoccd.ini under your presentation server. It must be present in the main windows directory and should assign to help files directory.
• Release procedure with classification does not work

As a matter of fact you are not the only one to notice it. It hardly works. Before using release strategy you should apply all notes on OSS. Pray might be useful too.
• Transport area is overloaded

The command tp clearold «SysID» cleans up the transport area according to parameters previously set on the plain file TPPARAM.
• Instance does not establish communication

Shutdown the whole system and check the Interprocess Communication Facilities. Any references should be found. Either the command IPCS (UNIX) or showipc «INSTANCE NUMBER» (SAP) show all message queue, semaphore set and shared memory identifier. Before trying again you have to remove them using the command IPCRM (UNIX) or cleanipc «INSTANCE NUMBER» (SAP).

SAP R/3 Security           TOP

Simple changes can rise your system security. Usage of SAProuter is a good choice when correctly implemented. Login through SAP LogonPad (from version 3.0f onwards) improve the access control. SAP profile parameters shall also contain:

• Rdisp/gui_auto_logout = 1800

The user connection is closed after 30 minutes without usage.
• Login/fails_to_session_end = 3

After 3 wrong password the connection is automaticly closed.
• Login/fails_to_users_lock = 5

After 5 wrong password the user is locked.
• Login/min_password_lng = 6

Password length at least 6 characters.
• Login/password_expiration_time = 90

Password expires after 3 months.

SAP R/3 Programming           TOP

Indeed these powerful ABAP/4 functions are very interesting and can bring some advantages. Improve your home development easily. They belong to standard objects and should never be changed.

• Bp_event_raise

Trigger an event from ABAP/4 program.
 
• Bp_joblog_read

Fetch job log executions filling the structure TBTC5.
 
• G_set_get_all_values

Fetch values from a set filling the structure RGSB4.
 
• Popup_to_confirm_loss_of_data

Create a dialog box in which you make a question whether the user wishes to perform a processing step with loss of data.
 
• Popup_to_confirm_step

Create a dialog box in which you make a question whether the user wishes to perform the step.
 
• Popup_to_confirm_with_message

Create a dialog box in which you inform the user about a specific decision point during an action.
 
• Popup_to_confirm_with_value

Create a dialog box in which you make a question whether the user wishes to perform a processing step with a particular object.
 
• Popup_to_decide

Create a dialog box in which you require the user between the two processing alternatives, or to cancel the action.
 
• Popup_to_decide_with_message

Create a dialog box in which you inform the user about a specific decision point via a diagnosis text.
 
• Popup_to_display_text

Create a dialog box in which you display a two-line message.
 
• Rfc_system_info

Fetch information from the current instance filling the structure FRCSI.
 
• Rs_send_mail_for_spoollist

Send messages from ABAP/4 programs to SAPoffice. The structure SOLI may contain the message.
 
• Rzl_sleep

Hang the current application from 1 to 5 seconds.
 
• Rzl_submit

Submit a remote report.
 
• Sapgui_progress_indicator

Set progress indicator on the left lower corner of the current window.
 
• Sd_print_terms_of_payment

Format terms of payment according to base line date and payment terms.
 
• So_wind_spool_list

Browse printer spool numbers according to user informed.
 
• So_spool_read

Fetch printer spool according to the spool number informed.
 
• So_user_list_read

List of all users filling the structure SOUD3.
 
• Spell_amount

Return the amount in words filling the structure SPELL.
 
• Th_saprel

Gather information from the current system including upgrade activities. It completes fields from the structure KKS03.
 
• Th_server_list

Gather information of all instances filling the structure MSXXLIST.
 
• Th_user_list

List of logged users filling the structure UINFO.
 
• Th_user_info

Information about the current user. It completes fields from the structure KKS03.
 
• Th_wpinfo

List of work processes filling the structure WPINFO.
 
• Ws_upload

Transfer files from the frontend to the application server.
 
• Ws_download

Transfer files from the application server to the frontend.
 
• Ws_excel

Download files at the frontend in excel format.
 
• Ws_execute

Execute an external program on the presentation server.
 
• Ws_file_delete

Delete file at the frontend.
 
• Ws_volume_get

Get the label from a frontend device.
 
• Ws_msg

Create a dialog box in which you display an one-line message.

SAP R/3 Glossary           TOP

Information Technology has many key words and SAP R/3 has introduced many others. In order to understand even better this field you should keep in mind those terms.

• ALE (Application Link Enabling)

It provides integration for separate R/3 systems, keeping full interaction. This makes possible distributed enterprise applications.
• Application server

The application server is used to run the business application programs in the R/3 client/server concept. The application modules are loaded from the data base server to the application server as required. Thus the application server requires only storage capacity to accommodate UNIX, Swapping and the SAP runtime environment.
• Batch Input

A technique to input data safely. It ensures application data integrity for background interfaces. It pretends to be someone typing. See also direct input.
• CATT (Computer Aided Test Tool)

It allows you to combine and automate sequences of repeatable transactions in test procedures. CATT reduces the number of manual tests, and forces you to test systematically, defining input values and expected test results.
• CCMS (Computer Center Management System)

It allows you to monitor, control and configure your R/3 system. This toolset lets you analyze and distribute client workloads and report on resource consumption for system components.
• Central System

In an R/3 central system, both application and data base software are run on one computer.
• Client

In commercial, organizational and technical terms, a self-contained unit in an R/3 system with separate master records and its owns set of tables.
• Client/Server System

Client/server systems are structured modularly, with components working in a sender/receiver relationship. Software components can also be used in a client/server relationship.
• Communication Server

It provides the connection between local area and wide area networks and may be either a router, a bridge or a gateway. In R/3 installations, the communication server must support the TCP/IP protocol over wide area networks.
• Company code

The smallest organizational unit for which a complete self-contained set of accounts can be drawn up for purposes of external reporting. This involves recording all relevant transactions and generating all supporting documents for legally-required financial statements, such as balance sheets and profit and loss statements.
• Computer type

The R/3 system supports various computer types of SAP's platform partners, such as Bull, DEC, IBM and HP. The suitability of a particular computer type depends on sufficient CPU performance.
• CPI-C (Common Programming Interface-Communications)

Common Programming Interface of Communication has been introduced by IBM as a high-level interface to SNA/LU6-2. CPI-C has become the subject of the X/Open stardarlization and is used by SAP to facilitate program-to-program communication between R/3 and external system. SAP offers CPI-C libraries based on TCP/IP.
• Correction

It contains all the objects that a developer has changed or created. It also controls customizing that has been maintained.
• CSP

A system to help SAP employees to give comprehensive support to their clients.
• Data base server

The data base server stores the SAP application programs and data in the R/3 client/server concept. It also handles the SAP update program and batch jobs.
• Direct Input

A recent technique to input data safely. It ensures application data integrity for background interfaces. See also batch input.
• Dispatcher

The system R/3 agent that identifies the type of task (on-line, update, batch, etc.) and sends the job to an idle work process.
• EarlyWatch

It is a service that entails having your R/3 installation regularly inspected by SAP employees, in other to ensure high system availability and high data throughput at all time.
• Ethernet

It is a LAN architecture using bus topology. The transmission speed is 10 MBit/s.
• FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interchange)

It is a local high-speed network with ring topology based on light wave conductors. The transmission speed is 100 MBit/s.
• Field status

Indicator that specifies whether a field can take an entry in the entry screen or if it must be filled.
• Firewall

It is a means of controlling access through a public network to a private network.
• FTP (File Transfer Protocol)

It is the most commonly used file transmission protocol of the TCP/IP protocol family.
• GUI (Graphic User Interface)

A graphical interface used by SAP environment as part of the three tiers. It is normally called user frontend.
• IDES (International Demonstration and Education System)

It is a model of an international firm. It is a separate demonstration and education system for speeding up the pilot process.
• IMG (Implementation Management Guide)

It is a hierarchical structure that reflects the R/3 component hierarchy and contains every configuration activity. Released from version 3.0 onwards.
• Instance

It means application server and each one has its own set of work processes.
• IDoc (Intermediate Document)

An IDoc is a data container for data exchange between SAP systems or between an SAP system and an external system.
• ITS (Internet Transaction Server)

It links the R/3 application server with one or more Web servers, thus enabling the R/3 to communicate with the Internet.
• Kernel

It means a standard core previously configured. A set of default parameters delivered with the system.
• LAN (Local Area Network)

It is a network foa a tightly limited area with high level data transmission performance. Common LANs include Ethernet, Token Ring and FDDI. These LANs support different transport protocols, such as TCP/IP and IPX.
• Matchcode

A tool for finding specific record. It is made up of search terms. It is used to find possible entries for an input field.
• Number range

A range of numbers that are laid down per file for the assignment of document numbers. It can be internal (carried out automatically by the system) or external (carried out manually by the user).
• OLE

It is a technique introduced by Microsoft to incorporate objects of one application into another.
• OSS (Online Service System)

SAP's Online Service System offers fast and effective help for R/3 System problems. It is also the basic element of communications between customers, partners, and SAP.
• Repair

It contains all the objects that a developer has changed but the originals of the objects are located in another system.
• RFC

A way to implement communication between application programs via Abap/4 function call.
• Semaphores

When a work process locks a resource, it sets a semaphore. Another work process that also wants to access it must then wait.
• SysID

A set of three letters or number that identify a system. Some sets are not allowed because they are used by SAP. They are informed when the system is installed.
• TCP/IP

It is the most widely used transport protocol for open systems. R/3 clients and servers communicate using TCP/IP.
• Telnet

It provides terminal access to hosts using TCP/IP protocol. It is a well-known command among Systems Administrators.
• Token Ring

It is a LAN architecture with ring topology. The transmission speed is 4 MBit/s or 16 MBit/s. This involves a 'free token' which circles the loop picking up transmissions. The receiver station places a confirmation bit into the busy token. As soon as the busy token reaches the sender station again, it is converted back to a free token and sent on to the next station.
• Transport

It is a request to transport objects from the software development environment, identified as the source system, to the specified target system.
• WAN (Wide Area Networks)

They are normally operated either by the telephone company or by private companies that offer leased lines, switched lines or packet lines.
• Work process

Work processes perform the bulk of the processing carried out by SAP systems. They perform dialog steps in user transactions and carry out updates, lock management, printing services, and so on.
• Workbench

The ABAP/4 Workbench, a graphical programming environment, is used to create application programs. The programming tools are accessed using buttons, dialogs and windows.
• Workflow

It consists of time and logical sequence of work items, which are precessed by human agents or mechanical processing units.
• X.25

It is a standardized network access protocol for the packet switching network. The maximum transmission speed is 64 KBit/s.
 

Many people say it cannot be considered only as a software but a way of doing business. Actually it forces the company to review its business processes. As a result business processes can be changed or not. If so, it means new designs based on built-in best pratices.

Graphical models help users understand the application software, showing how data flow through business areas and how they interact with each other. A good example of how SAP R/3 is usually implemented can be found at the simple flow chart presented below.

SAP R/3 Application Areas

Each business process has a segment previously set. It is known as business application areas and make you understand better the whole system. They also provide you the level of SAP R/3 covering.

Even if you do not look forward to implementing a module, sometimes you have to set it partially. It happens commonly due to the integrated nature of the system. Functionalities have been put together establishing modules. The official division has the following configuration.