• Integration broker - This capability enables XML/SOAP-based communication between application components from various sources and vendors. It also enables you to define software components, interfaces, mappings, and content-based routing rules. This capability is delivered through SAP Exchange Infrastructure.

SAP Exchange Infrastructure (SAP XI) is SAP's platform for process integration based on the exchange of XML messages.

SAP Exchange Infrastructure

• Provides a technical infrastructure for XML-based message exchange in order to connect SAP components with each other, as well as with non-SAP components

• Delivers business-process and integration knowledge to the customer, in the form of SAP’s predefined business scenarios

• Provides an integrated toolset for building new business scenarios by defining and maintaining all integration-relevant information ("shared collaboration knowledge")

XML Data Exchange — Flexible and Open Communication

One of the key principles of SAP Exchange Infrastructure is that data is exchanged between application systems in the form of XML messages. XML provides a whole new set of standards and technical building blocks that provide a huge step forward in terms of interoperability.

XML is not only used for Meta data, it is also the syntax for everything that is exchanged between heterogeneous systems. With XML, you have a flexible basic format for transporting and transforming information. Message formats can be based on open XML standards for business documents, or can be custom designed. Using XML-based mapping, it is possible to transform messages to and from a common XML format or directly from inbound into outbound format.

• Business process management - With business process management, you can model and drive processes in a dynamic IT environment. It allows you to combine underlying applications into adaptive, end-to-end processes spanning the entire value chain.

Business Benefit

Business process management (BPM) with SAP NetWeaver is a process-centric technology that

• Empowers SAP customers to automate the business processes within their SAP components

• Empowers SAP users to participate in the business processes in a proactive way

• Empowers SAP Business Managers to control and improve their business processes across system landscapes

• Empowers individuals to create their own ad hoc processes, in a simple and intuitive manner

• Provides process transparency and business information to the participants and to the stakeholders

SAP Technology

BPM has three focuses to cater for the complete range of environments where this is needed. In addition, a set of generic services are provided to give all three tools a shared pool of services, such as a common inbox.

The three focuses are:

• Ad Hoc Workflow, which is part of the Enterprise Portal Framework, to enable individuals to create light-weight ad hoc process to optimize their day-to-day tasks and add transparency to what they are doing in relation to their colleagues. This is what delivers the people empowerment.

• SAP Business workflow, embedded within the SAP Web Application Server, which is used to automate the business processes taking place within an SAP component and integrate the SAP users with the business processes. This is what delivers the workflow empowerment within the mySAP components.

• Cross-Component BPM, which is part of SAP Exchange Infrastructure, drives and controls complex business processes across business applications and enterprise boundaries This delivers the total Business Process Empowerment in a heterogeneous system landscape.