The SAP GUI for the HTML environment makes SAP functionality accessible over the web without the need to install an SAP component on a client machine. At this time, not all transactions run in this GUI. There is a transaction classification that defines which GUI should be used for which transaction. In the long run, more and more transactions will be supported by the SAP GUI for the HTML environment -- possibly some specialized functions, like editors (for example, the ABAP Workbench) will not run in the SAP GUI for HTML.

The SAP GUI for HTML is the right choice if you are looking for low maintenance cost or if the focus is web access from anywhere where a web browser is installed.

The SAP GUI for the Java environment is a new option which is completely platform independent. Installation effort is very limited. This GUI runs as a browser PlugIn in the right hand side of the Workplace™ window.

The architecture of the mySAP.com Workplace is split into three areas:

• Frontend

The Internet Explorer 4.0 or 5.0 is installed as the Web browser in the frontend. Drag&Relate and favorites maintenance in the LaunchPad are only supported by Internet Explorer 5.0.
In addition to the Internet Explorer, some SAP applications also require a special SAP GUI installation. If you use such applications, you must install either SAP GUI for Java, SAP GUI for Windows, or a Windows Terminal Client with a connection to a frontend server.

• Workplace Middleware

The Workplace middleware is responsible for preparing the HTML pages that are then displayed in the Web browser in the frontend. It consists of the Workplace Engine and an Internet Transaction Server (ITS) for every R/3 System.

The HTML pages are compiled using the Workplace Engine. In the area on the left side of the page, the LaunchPad, the various applications that the user can execute are listed. In addition, the various MiniApps that belong to the role are also placed on the page. The Workplace Engine also provides the Drag&Relate function for the frontend.

The contents that are to be displayed on the HTML page are displayed via the ITS of the R/3 component systems. The ITS is also responsible for starting the Internet applications.

• Backend (Workplace Server and connected component systems)

The Workplace Server is an R/3 Basis System running the special Workplace functions. These include:

• Central user administration: Via Single Sign-On, the user logs on to the Workplace Server where the user and his or her roles are identified.
• Role administration: The mySAP.com Workplace Server manages all role definitions and access methods (in the form of URLs) for the functions, information, and services that can be accessed in the Workplace architecture.
• RFC administration: The mySAP.com Workplace Server supports an RFC connection to all mySAP.com components or applications that can be accessed depending on the user’s role.

The Workplace Server is an R/3 Basis component with a special add-on for the Workplace. The Workplace Server is connected to the R/3 component systems and/or non-SAP systems via RFC connections. The applications from the R/3 component systems are generally displayed as an HTML page via the Internet Transaction Server(ITS). Applications that can only be run in the SAP GUI for Java or in the SAP GUI for Windows are displayed directly using the corresponding frontend components.

Illustration of the Workplace architecture: