RF SAP Console

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Category: RF

Published on Wednesday, 18 July 2007 22:24

Written by Asriel Saporta

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Most corporations who implement an ERP system are confronted with the issue of how to simplify and streamline the logistics process utilizing radio frequency (RF) technology. For SAP™ R/3® users in particular, this issue has always been addressed by selecting and implementing a 3rd party RF “Middleware” system. Since SAP did not offer any type of RF solution, this became the only choice. In the latter part of 1999, SAP quietly introduced a product named SAPConsole to finally address the issue of supporting character-based RF devices from SAP R/3. The question that now needs to be answered is, “What is SAPConsole and will it work for my application”.
This guide will clear up the mystery about SAPConsole and describe the benefits and limitations when evaluating an “SAPConsole Approach” to RF Data Collection.

For RF SAPConsole to work companies will need, along with the SAPConsole implementation, to also implement a WLAN network using the appropriate technology, frequency, compatibility and so on. The SAPConsole consultant should be able to provide advice on this.

History of SAP Console

Several years ago SAP partnered and subsequently purchased OFEK-tech, an Israeli company specializing in Warehouse Management and Control. As “SAP OFEK-tech”, one of the main objectives of this new partnership was to develop native support for radio frequency (RF) devices for the SAP R/3 Warehouse Management Module.

Parallel to the OFEK-tech effort, SAP initiated a new more comprehensive Warehouse Management systems strategy starting with R/3 version 4.5 known collectively as the Logistics Execution System (LES). LES integrates the applications of Warehouse Management, Shipping and Transportation, and can operate in an integrated mode similar to all the other modules (MM, PP, etc.) or as a stand-alone system (Decentralized WM).

These two initiatives finally came together starting with LES in version 4.6B. The new RF solution for LES offers several new “Mobile Data Entry” transactions specifically designed for RF users and the supporting operations. This whole suite of functionality including business transactions, configuration, and RF device support is sometimes mistakenly referred to as SAPConsole, since it was first released with version 4.6B. Technically, it is more correct to call this RF solution the “SAPConsole Approach”. 

(Contributed by Asriel Saporta of Evolutionary Consulting, Inc. - We are one of the very few true experts with the longest experience on SAPConsole implementations on the SAP Market today.)

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