Problem solve

Problem solve

Get help with specific problems with your technologies, process and projects.

• Solving GAAP vs. IFRS, other accounting challenges with SAP

  SAP ERP products can help users with international accounting challenges like GAAP vs. IFRS. Learn how the software can potentially make the process easier. Continue Reading

• How HR can best use Qualtrics in the employee lifecycle

  To improve the employee experience, the problems must first be understood. Here's a look at how HR can delve into sentiment and the best moments to do so. Continue Reading

• How can customers stay on SAP ECC and continue to innovate?

  Many SAP customers are reluctant to move to S/4HANA just yet -- or maybe ever. Here are some ways companies can optimize the SAP ERP Central Component and find ways to innovate. Continue Reading

• 7 SAP S/4HANA implementation issues to address

  A move to S/4HANA is critical for SAP users, but getting it right is difficult. Here's a look at seven issues to address. Continue Reading

• S/4HANA migration needs strong project management

  Vinci Energies Group shows that an SAP S/4HANA migration is a difficult project that requires strong management, but the new functions have real business value. Continue Reading

• New Onapsis service helps uncover SAP security issues

  Security firm Onapsis released its Business Risk Illustration, which helps companies assess and deal with SAP security vulnerabilities, such as the 10KBLAZE exploit.Continue Reading

• Verizon works to integrate its supply chain management system

  Verizon chief procurement officer John Vazquez explains why the company is integrating several SAP systems to help manage more than $80 billion in annual spend.Continue Reading

• SAP security risks need more attention, but patching is a challenge

  SAP organizations are more vulnerable than ever, as hackers are increasingly targeting ERP systems. Experts warn SAP customers to implement security patches early and often.Continue Reading

• UX analysis is key to S/4HANA migration at AES

  User experience software from Knoa helped an energy company choose what transactions to migrate from SAP ECC 6 on an Oracle database to an SAP HANA database, and then to S/4HANA.Continue Reading

• How does a design thinking methodology ensure your SAP apps work well?

  Gavin Quinn of Mindset Consulting shares how SAP Fiori app developers can use design thinking and Agile methodologies to ensure applications are great for users.Continue Reading

• How do you turn app designs into great SAP Fiori apps?

  Gavin Quinn of Mindset Consulting shares how SAP Fiori app developers can use certain tools and strategies to turn an app design into a great SAP Fiori app.Continue Reading

• How do I avoid having too many Fiori tiles?

  The design rule of thumb is to keep the Launchpad tile count under 20. But what about power users who need to launch more applications? Here are several good options to try.Continue Reading

• To create a real-time data analytics system, 49ers huddle with SAP

  The San Francisco 49ers teamed with SAP to develop a real-time analytics platform on SAP Analytics Cloud and SAP HANA that enhances the fan experience at Levi's Stadium.Continue Reading

• How does design thinking with SAP help Fiori development?

  SAP Fiori is more than a new UI for SAP applications; it's a comprehensive UX development platform. Gavin Quinn tells why design thinking enables you to build great Fiori apps.Continue Reading

• What are the best strategies for managing demand variability?

  One of the main challenges for manufacturers, supply chain managers and materials planners is demand variability. Here are 10 strategies for gaining control.Continue Reading

• Data managers must hustle preparing for GDPR regulations

  Data privacy expert and SAP consultant Stephen Lofthouse outlines a six-step process that data managers can follow to be compliant with GDPR regulations.Continue Reading

• Software license management tools can help with SAP indirect usage

  Companies can use third-party license management tools to audit their SAP environment to address indirect access issues, but the tools need to be a part of an overall strategy.Continue Reading

• Avoiding SAP indirect access woes requires good faith

  Some customers are concerned that SAP will hit them for indirect access licensing fees, but they can avoid trouble if they act in good faith and better understand their contracts.Continue Reading

• SAP indirect access issue needs clarity for users, experts say

  The indirect licensing access issue is confusing to many SAP customers, and the company's efforts to explain it have not been fully successful, according to industry analysts.Continue Reading

• What KPIs can assess demand-driven MRP when using SAP ERP?

  Setting up demand-driven metrics and using analytics to monitor them can provide benefits such as helping to reduce working capital commitments and improving service levels.Continue Reading

• What's the best way to write an SAP support ticket?

  Try other avenues first, but then prepare an SAP support ticket that will clearly describe and recreate your incident, so SAP can assign it to the right experts.Continue Reading

• How can you reduce the bullwhip effect with demand-driven MRP?

  Reducing the bullwhip effect requires a fundamental and strategic shift from supply-focused materials planning to demand-focused materials replenishment.Continue Reading

• Quick copy/cut & paste tip using SAP Ctrl+Y

  With the SAP Ctrl+Y feature, you can quickly copy text in SAP by simply highlighting it with your mouse.Continue Reading

• What does S/4HANA Supply Chain offer production planning?

  The line of business Enterprise Management product S/4HANA Supply Chain offers a production-planning component that features materials planning tools and intuitive dashboards.Continue Reading

• How does Batch Information Cockpit support batch traceability?

  An expert explains how SAP ERP Batch Information Cockpit traces material batches to help planners more efficiently manage defective materials and products.Continue Reading

• What's the difference between SAP ABAP and SAP Basis?

  Confused by the difference between SAP ABAP and SAP Basis? Developer Ethan Jewett explains how to tell them apart.Continue Reading

• What's the difference between different SAP production types?

  In this tip, expert Jawad Akhtar outlines how to differentiate between discrete, process and repetitive production types and how SAP ERP supports them.Continue Reading

• Attach documents to an SAP object without having to use SAP DMS

  With SAP Services for Object, users can attach information to an SAP object without using the SAP Document Management System, writes Jawad Akhtar.Continue Reading

• Quick fixes for the most common post go-live SAP error messages

  There are a number of SAP error messages that can occur post ERP go-live, writes Jawad Akhtar. Here's how to knock them out.Continue Reading

• Use SAP Backflush functionality to automate production processes

  Companies save themselves headaches by automating production processes using SAP Backflush and Automatic Goods Receipt functions, writes Jawad Akhtar.Continue Reading

• Cut inspection costs with the SAP QM module's DMR functionality

  Save time and money inspecting the quality of procured or produced materials with the SAP Dynamic Modification Rule (DMR), writes expert Jawad Akhtar.Continue Reading

• Join the SCN SapphireNow community

  Learn more about the the SCN SapphireNow community.Continue Reading

• Java administration in SAP: Three tips for Basis administrators

  Sooner or later, Basis administrators will have to get used to Java administration in SAP. Read tips for finding information on a Java instance and monitoring memory utilization.Continue Reading

• Solving SAP print problems

  Many of you have written to say that printing from SAP is a lot like root canal. The process is slow and painful, but necessary. Our experts drill down to solve print issues here.Continue Reading

• How to fix a slip print-out error in an SAP Smart Form

  An SAP user is looking to fix an error with a packing slip print-out in an SAP Smart Form.Continue Reading

• Performing RFC connection checks in NetWeaver BW with SAP TREX

  SAP administrators can use SAP TREX to diagnose and repair broken RFC connections between SAP NetWeaver BW and the blades of the BW Accelerator.Continue Reading

• Assigning personnel numbers in SAP HR

  An SAP HR users wants to know how to assign a person to two different personnel numbers in SAP HR while generating a single invoice.Continue Reading

• Using separate trading partner fields in SAP function FB01

  An SAP R/3 4.7 user wants looking to post a document entry using different trading partner fields for credit and debit for function FB01.Continue Reading

• Creating an SAP IDoc for sales orders

  A SearchSAP.com reader wants to know how to create an SAP IDoc along with sales order details when sales orders are created, changed or cancelled.Continue Reading

• Using SAP standard reports to track changes in SAP HR

  A SearchSAP.com reader is looking for a standard report that can track changes made to the hierarchy of SAP HR with SAP transaction code PPOME.Continue Reading

• Using SAP change documents to make change logs visible

  A SearchSAP.com reader who is writing a program to update SAP tables wants to know how to make updates visible in a change log by using an SAP change document.Continue Reading

• Understanding and using SAP BEx reporting tools

  In this section, explore the various tools featured in SAP Business Explorer (BEx), and how they allow users to create, locate, manage and precalculate reports. Get BEx tips including how to launch queries and workbooks and categorize them into ...Continue Reading

• Using audit report to track changes to employee data in SAP HR

  Find out how to track changes to employee data using an audit report in SAP HR, and learn how to configure the audit report to pick up changes to the data retroactively.Continue Reading

• Configuring SAP EDI for sales orders

  Learn how to configure SAP EDI for sales orders.Continue Reading

• How to correct an SAP ABAP dump with an oversize condition

  Find out how to correct an SAP ABAP dump with an oversize condition to avoid an SAP ABAP dump giving an DBIF_RSQL_ INVALID_RSQL error at the SQL statement.Continue Reading

• Locating user email addresses in SAP SU01 transaction code

  A SearchSAP.com reader who stores user email addresses within the SAP SU01 transaction code and wants to know where to locate the data.Continue Reading

• Creating a function group for an SAP ABAP table maintenance generator

  Learn how to create a function group and authorization group using an SAP ABAP table maintenance generator on a Z table.Continue Reading

• How can I get an ABAP program displaying Excel data to wrap text?

  Learn how to display details from a Microsoft Excel database table using the Wrap Text function when developing an SAP ABAP program.Continue Reading

• How to install an add-on using a SAINT transaction in SAP Basis

  A SearchSAP.com reader is using a SAINT transaction in SAP Basis and wants to install an add-on.Continue Reading

• How to minimize upgrade downtime during SAP ERP 6.0 upgrade projects

  Learn why downtime management means controlling the time the system is unavailable as well as how to reduce downtime-related costs, and find out how the total amount of downtime can affect other decisions of an upgrade project.Continue Reading

• Viewing SAP transaction codes and profiles

  An administrator is looking for a way to see what profiles belong to a particular T-Code.Continue Reading

• Retrieving content from an SAP workflow attachment

  An SAP user wants to know how to retrieve the content of an SAP workflow attatchment.Continue Reading

• Changing reserved status of a workflow item

  An administrator is looking to change the status of a work item so that one user can access it while another is absent.Continue Reading

• How to select an SAP managed hosting provider

  Bill Martorelli of Forrester Research discusses trends in the SAP managed hosting arena. In this podcast he provides advice on finding an SAP managed hosting provider, as well as how to determine a provider's level of SAP know-how.Continue Reading

• How to manually add files to an SAP transport queue

  An administrator wants to learn the procedure for manually adding files to a transport queue.Continue Reading

• Changing SAP spool servers for all the printers in your QA system

  Employing menu settings in Tcode (SPAD) can change SAP spool servers for your QA system. Learn how in this expert tip.Continue Reading

• What is the difference between SPFILE and PFILE in Oracle?

  One reader asks about the difference between SPFILE and PFILE and advice for setting Oracle 10G parameters for SAP ECC6. Read an expert's take here.Continue Reading

• Make function module calls in SAP from an external system

  How to make function module calls in SAP from an external systemContinue Reading

• Error when clicking the SAP GUI logon button

  An SAP user receives a curious error message when he clicks the logon button in the SAP GUI.Continue Reading

• What's the difference between an SAP system and a non-SAP system?

  What is the difference between an SAP system and a non-SAP system?Continue Reading

• Clicking on the SAPGUI logon button brings error message

  I'm getting the following error message when I click on the logon button in the SAPGUI. I have already started the service in the management console. The lights turn from gray to yellow to green.Continue Reading

• Increase column width in a transaction screen

  This tips tells you a quick and easy way to increase the column width in a transaction screen.Continue Reading

• Changing a customer message priority level after it's sent

  I mistakenly sent a customer message with the wrong priority level. How can I change the priority level of the message sent?Continue Reading

• Fixing inconsistencies in TemSe and Spool systems

  I have found some inconsistencies in TemSe and in the Spool system. Please let me know the causes of these inconsistencies. How can I analyze and rectify these inconsistencies?Continue Reading

• What does the Parameter tab mean in SU01

  In SU01, what does the tab Parameter mean?Continue Reading

• Adding custom fields for retail product comparisons in SAP BW

  Need to analyze and compare product sales, product cost and suggested retail price etc? This tip shows you how to customize the R/3 BW datasource/extractor to get elementary fields such as AFS color and size into BW.Continue Reading

• Easily debug error messages in SAP processes

  Sometimes, an SAP process will stop working with an error message, or an abend. Unlike with a dump, it can be difficult to find exactly where the problem occured.Continue Reading

• Deleting entries from a dynamic table

  I have dynamic internal table . How do I delete entries from this table on the basis of some condition.Continue Reading

• Display the subtype text for an infotype

  I am making an HR report in ABAP wherein I need to display the subtype texts for infotype 0045. How do I find the table where I can get this text field?Continue Reading

• Setting soft breakpoints in ABAP that reside in Smart Forms

  I've always set hard-coded breakpoints in ABAP code that reside in a Smart Form. Is it possible to set soft breakpoints instead?Continue Reading

• Viewing a list of SAP interfaces

  Is there a way to view a list of SAP interfaces such as RFC, BAPI and ALE?Continue Reading

• SAPgui disconnection problem

  We are having a problem with clients disconnecting from the SAPgui. They are attempting to connect to a Solaris/Unix server through a firewall. We have found that the connection to the Wintel server is fine, but not the UNIX server. Clients on the ...Continue Reading

• Adding a navigational attribute to an existing InfoObject

  We have a scenario where we would like to add one additional navigational attribute to an existing InfoObject (currently there are already two navigation attributes). My question is what needs to be done to the Planning Object Structure in APO DP ...Continue Reading

• What's the difference between ODS and DSO in SAP BI?

  In SAP BI, what is the difference between ODS and DSO?Continue Reading

• Where to find your SAP installation number

  Where can I find my installation number in the SAP system?Continue Reading

• Changing the hostname in a server migration

  I am trying to do server migration from an existing server to a new server (though it is same OS). We will need to change the hostname for this. What is the best method or process for this task? Is there anywhere else it stores hostname info apart ...Continue Reading

• Retroactive accounting period differences

  What is the difference between "earliest Retroactive accounting period" and "Retroactive accounting date"?Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting the ALE process

  This tip by Raja Thangamani on troubleshooting ALE processes will show you how to determine what code an IDoc is executing and take you step by step through high level error resolution for outbound and inbound IDocs.Continue Reading

• Web Dynpro ABAP Quick Tip: Table column sorting in four steps

  This tip is for those of you who are very new to Web Dynpro ABAP and need help sorting table columns.Continue Reading

• How to create SAP ABAP database tables

  With the new build of the SAP NetWeaver 2004s ABAP trial version (SP11), you may need to update your ABAP developer skills (beginners and experienced) to understand the new version. By the end of this tip series, you should have a good understanding...Continue Reading

• ABAP for newbies: How to dynamically create test data for our database table

  With the new build of the SAP NetWeaver 2004s ABAP trial version (SP11), you may need to update your ABAP developer skills (beginners and experienced) to understand the new version. By the end of this tip series, you should have a good understanding...Continue Reading

• Problems with the output device 'LOCL'

  I am setting up shop papers (PM) in Smart Forms using Helvetica font. The shop papers were designed with output device LOCL. The output changes (spaces between words) based on the output device. How do I fix this?Continue Reading

• SAP NetWeaver Application Server ABAP basics

  With the new build of the SAP NetWeaver 2004s ABAP trial version (SP11), you may need to update your ABAP developer skills (beginners and experienced) to understand the new version. By the end of this tip series, you should have a good understanding...Continue Reading

• How to start and stop SAP ABAP application server

  With the new build of the SAP NetWeaver 2004s ABAP trial version (SP11), you may need to update your ABAP developer skills (beginners and experienced) to understand the new version. By the end of this tip series, you should have a good understanding...Continue Reading

• Download and install the trial version of SAP NetWeaver 2004s ABAP

  With the new build of the SAP NetWeaver 2004s ABAP trial version (SP11), we bring you a series of tips that will update your ABAP developer skills (beginners and experienced) to this new version. By the end of this series, you will have a good ...Continue Reading

• What do the .att and .pat files from a support package extraction contain?

  When we extract the .car file from our support pack we get .att and .pat files. What data do these files contain?Continue Reading

• Repair bad SAP data and subsequent data targets with delta update

  Initialization / delta updates are what we do everyday, and the update method for most data targets. The delta mechanism ensures the consistency of transactional data. So if some data is wrong in the early stage of data flow, we have to not only ...Continue Reading

• How do I create a link in an email message that executes a workflow item in R/3?

  A reader asks how to make it so that a user will receive an email in Outlook with a link that takes them to the appropriate transaction (in change mode) of the exact document that needs to be processed.Continue Reading

• How do I fix errors in an automatic workflow customization?

  When performing an automatic workflow customization, "RFC User could not be created" appears.Continue Reading

• Using subroutine pools for dynamic programming

  The code to generate a temporary subroutine pool for dynamic programming in ABAP provided by a senior developer analyst at General Mills.Continue Reading

• Reverting transport request changes

  Can it hurt anything to go back to the original version of SAP without the new objects generated by transport requests? Bert Vanstechelman sheds some light on the matter.Continue Reading

• What are the best practices for pricing configuration?

  A reader states, "our pricing and contract management is a mess" in SA. Expert Srini Katta offers some general suggestions for determining a pricing configuration.Continue Reading

• What are technical and functional specs?

  Expert Jay Narayanan explains the difference between these two terms.Continue Reading

• Listing TCODE transactions used to view what users are logged in to SAP

  Does an authorization code exist to collect a list of all TCODEs and users logged in to SAP during a time period?Continue Reading

• How to transport table entries

  Ever wanted to save entries after a transaction and then transport them to different servers? This tip from the SAP Developer Network shows you how.Continue Reading

• Printing addresses without a country line using SAPscript

  The address key is handy for printing addresses, but what if you don't want the country name printed? Expert Mark Smithson lets you know how to disable the country line.Continue Reading

• Printing multiple line items in a box for a purchase order

  What could cause a box command to print line items only once instead of multiple times? Expert Mark Smithson surmises the answer.Continue Reading

• Converting IDocs to XML format

  In this tip, learn how to convert IDocs into XML format for use in the SAP Exchange Infrastructure (XI) and additional applications.Continue Reading

• Web Services 101 for DBAs and data architects

  Web services promise simplified interfaces for application-to-application interaction. This chapter describes the key technologies that enable them (such as XML, WSDL, SOAP and UDDI) and then peeks at the bigger picture of service-oriented ...Continue Reading

• Getting around RFC_READ_TABLE limitations

  This tip provides code to help developers get around RFC_READ_TABLE limitations.Continue Reading