CIBA Vision
50
© 2009 Synactive, Inc. www.GuiXT.com Desktop ● Web UI ● Mobile ● Offline ● Developer GuiXT We will be starting the webinar at 10:00 AM (PST) . Presenters Matt Tesvich – Global ABAP Lead Aparna Desai – SE Manager
Transcript of CIBA Vision
Slide 1GuiXT
10:00 AM (PST).
Aparna Desai – SE Manager
Hello Everyone, welcome to the GuiXT Webinar. I am Aparna Desai, solution engineering manager at Synactive.
Today we will be talking about how you can use a super charger approach called GuiXT to add value to your skill set and your organization
Today with us we have Mr. Matt Tesvich from ciba vision who is going to talk about his GuiXT implementation
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
Complement your ABAP Skills…
Are you overwhelmed with management’s requests to add functionality and create new reports in SAP?
Do you have a lot of usability improvement projects on your plate?
Are your users resistant to SAP system because of the complexity of the screens?
Are efficiency and productivity affected?
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
GuiXT® Solution
A scripting technology—bundled with SAP ERP (SAP GUI) versions & certified by SAP for NetWeaver.
Minimize backend code changes
Do it faster with fewer resources
Less risk—NO modifications to SAP programs or dynpros, and easily upgradeable to new SAP releases.
Leverage—take full advantage of the SAP functionality
Maximize your SAP ERP! Automate all your transactions with one solution.
GuiXT is the solution!
GuiXT is a software developed by Synactive, bundled by SAP with SAP GUI 4.6 B and above. It is a scripting technology that allows you make SAP UI enhancements without having to change the configuration or underlying ABAP code at warp speed.
Since you are not modifying the backend the upgrades are easier. All your enhancements can be transported to the new release without any redevelopment
GuiXT works across all the modules of SAP and since it resides at the presentation layer all your security and authorizations are intact.
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
It’s Built Into the SAP ERP
Activate GuiXT
GuiXT Architecture
GuiXT resides with SAP GUI. There is no additional hardware or software required.
No changes on the application server.
Normally in SAP when a user types in a transaction code, a packet is sent to the application server, the server runs the ABAP code, packages the screen information and sends it to SAP GUI and then SAP GUI draws the screen.
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
SAPGUI
How GuiXT Works
Here is a very simple flow chart to demonstrate how GuiXT works.
When GuiXT is activated and you have a script for the screen and the user enters the transaction code, the information is sent to the server. The application server runs the ABAP code as it normally does, packages the information and sends it to SAP GUI. Now GuiXT intercepts this package, applies the UI changes from the scripts, repackages the information and sends it to SAP GUI and then SAP GUI draws the screen.
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
GuiXT Compatibility
Compatible across all SAP GUI versions from 3.1I, 7.10, etc.
Bundled with SAP GUI install of 4.6B
GuiXT scripts written for SAP GUI can be shared with Web GUI
Web GUI Compatibility (ITS 6.10 platform or higher)
Considerably speeds up Web GUI, because a customized screen has less controls for the Web GUI to render (i.e. convert into HTML)
Uses the same scripts as SAP GUI
SAP NetWeaver® Compatibility
General Compatibility
EP 6.0
GuiXT is compatible with all the R/3 and ERP versions and can be leveraged in all environments including SAP GUI, web GUI, NetWeaver Portals and NetWeaver business client.
GuiXT is bundled by SAP, certified by SAP and Licensed by SAP
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
Matt Tesvich
Over 12 years of IT Experience
Worked at CIBA VISION since 2000
Worked on CIBA's SAP implementation since the start of project in 2004
Global ABAP Lead for 2.5 years
MBA - Finance in May 2007 from Georgia State University
I would like introduce Matt to everybody. Matt has over 12 years of experience in IT. He has been working at Ciba Vision for about 9 years now and has worked on SAP implementation since inception of the project. I had the privilege to work with him on the GuiXT implementation. He is the Global ABAP Lead at Ciba vision and has had that role for more than 2 years now. He also holds a masters degree in business administration.
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
ABAP
Advancing technology on ABAP workbench
ABAP is constantly evolving; better object oriented coding in the ECC 6.0 version
Estimated 2.5M ABAP objects in new version of SAP
New version of Debugger
Newly built NetWeaver PI (process integration) functionality also uses ABAP technology
SAP is continuing to advance on the technology of the ABAP workbench
Some of the new NetWeaver PI (process integration) functionality was also written in ABAP and web dynpro for abap
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
Making a RFC Call
Adding Screen Elements in SAP
ABAP
The z_report has to be created from scratch
The parameters (p_chk1, p_chk2, P_date, p_matnr & p_werks) also have to be created from scratch
GuiXT
You do not have to write the codes yourself
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
About CIBA VISION
With worldwide headquarters in Atlanta, CIBA VISION develops and manufactures contact lenses and lens care products to meet people’s evolving lifestyles.
Key products:
DAILIES® family of daily disposable lenses
FreshLook® color contact lenses
Highly effective lens care products for comfort, performance and convenience
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
Why we chose GuiXT?
Decided against a complete rewrite of MV45A
Avoids core mods and allows future SAP upgrades
CIBA team members had used GuiXT successfully in many prior projects
Saved large consulting fees, easy maintenance
Clean & Concise solution integrated into SAP
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
CIBA VISION using GuiXT in Dev in late 2004
Synactive did initial GuiXT training
1.5 CIBA Developers started effort
Also using Synactive’s Desktop Suite (InputAssistant)
Finished 1st version in early 2005 & went live
Used Synactive consultant for 2 weeks to help review scripts pre-Go Live
Currently have over 100 scripts
Very stable & efficient
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
Current SAP Version
Before & After Pictures
Before
After
Header Tabs
95% of fields in Order Entry are in Overview Screen and this “Header Add” tab
“Header Add” is built from the Header – Sales tab, but includes fields from 5 separate tabs
Payment Method field comes from Accounting Tab
Provides extremely efficient order tab
Will show before and after of Header Tabs
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
Before
After
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
Advanced Topics
GuiXT & SAP ABAP operate in separate memory spaces – therefore internal tables in ABAP are not available in GuiXT
Example on using function calls from GuiXT
Needed custom ABAP function for the SAP side, and then the call from an IA script
Ties into ABAP via function call to update customer master address
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
Advanced Topics
We built ABAP enhancements that are called via Order Entry
IA scripts are triggered via buttons which go to the Additional Data B screen exit (Hdr Data)
This gives us fastest performance, and access to copy control routines
Visual display of the Additional Data B (which is invisible to the users)
Switch tabs simply in the IA scripts as follows:
Screen SAPMV45A.4002
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
Common Usage of GuiXT
Simplify the SAP screens by hiding unwanted screen elements
Creating Launch-pad/Transactions
Restricting user input by setting defaults to input fields or radio buttons
Creating different UI for different group of users for the same transaction
Consolidation of data entry points/fields from multiple tabs
Combining multiple business related transactions into one seamless process
Now I am going to go over some common usage of GuiXT.
Using GuiXT solution you can enhance the SAP user interface very quickly and easily without compromising the integrity of the system.
You can create a launch pad for the users so that SAP becomes as easy to use as a ATM.
You can set default values based on user parameter IDs.
You can conditionalize the screens based on SAP roles or user profiles
You can combine multiple tabs and transactions onto 1 or 2 screens, hence creating very simple, clear cut SAP screens in matter of days.
This will allow you ample time to use your ABAP knowledge
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
Common Usage of ABAP
Create/Modify Reports
Create Work-Flows
User exits, Idocs, Forms
To add value to your SAP system by adding new functionality for the end users and creating new reports for the management
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
GuiXT Suite of Solutions
GuiXT Offline Suite
GuiXT Mobile Suite
GuiXT Developer Suite
Synactive offers 5 different suites based on the environment you plan to use GuiXT in.
Our Desktop suite is used to render the GuiXT enhancements to the SAP GUI environment. You can deploy the same screens to the portals or web environment without any redevelopment using our Web UI suite.
You can take any SAP process offline with our Offline suite.
You can render any SAP transaction to a handheld device without having to invest in third party applications.
Our developer suite allows you make the screen enhancements for all these environments. It’s one developer tool for all the environments.
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
GuiXT Functionality
Combining screen elements from multiple tabs/transactions onto one simplified screen
Flexibility in extending all SAP GUI screens to portal and mobile
Batch data processing from/to MS Excel or flat file
Enables you to integrate rtf and html files in SAP Gui screens
Centralized mechanism to deploy GuiXT to named users without updating client PC’s
Access SAP transactions anytime and anywhere
These suites allows you to make layout changes like hiding the fields, moving them around, adding defaults, making the fields read only and more.
It also includes the functionality to combine multiple tabs and transactions onto 1 or 2 screens. Change the transaction based flow to a process oriented flow. You can integrate HTML right into the SAP screens, upload data from an excel spreadsheet and mobilize any transaction you want independent of network connectivity.
All our suites work with standard and Z transactions.
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
Leveraging GuiXT with ABAP
Here we have couple of case studies where our customers have leveraged GuiXT with ABAP.
This is a create material transaction MM01 combined with Info records ME11. Our customer has created a GuiXT screen with required fields from 15 different tabs in MM01 and 4 screens in ME11. Using GuiXT the users were able to create the material, info records and extend the material to 3 different distribution channels with one click of a pushbutton. Also on the screen are the discount codes that reside in a Z table in SAP. These discount codes are retrieved and updated directly using an ABAP function module.
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
Leveraging GuiXT with ABAP
This is another good example where GuiXT and ABAP works hand in hand.
The users were going through 11 different tabs to enter the header data. Here on this screen our customer have combined all the header level fields for the sales order transaction. On this screen they have displayed complete address for the partners, this information is retrieved directly from the SAP table using a function module.
Another challenge that they had was giving pricing information to the customer on the phone. The customer wants to know what shipping handling is, what the taxes are and the user had to dig through the tabs to get that information. Now using GuiXT they created fields for pricing condition on the very first screen and using the ABAP function module they populate the pricing conditions. The user enters the sales order number in the change transaction and GuiXT calls an ABAP function module that takes the sales order number as the input parameter and returns the pricing conditions as output.
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
GuiXT Developer Suite
A fast, easy, and flexible way to make changes to the
SAP interface instead of modifying the SAP back-end
by:
utilizing a WYSIWYG editor tool for GuiXT that
makes changes via the computer mouse instead of
manually writing the GuiXT scripts
Helping to organize GuiXT scripts that are
generated throughout a project in case you have
large amounts of GuiXT code. It can also scan your
GuiXT scripts to detect any errors in your code
All these screens were designed using the developer suite.
The GuiXT developer suite includes a WYSIWYG tool that allows you make UI changes without writing any code. You can create a sap user interface by drag and drop automation and the designer will create the scripts for you.
Developer suite also includes the capability to organize the scripts in a project format giving you an intuitive script visualization. It also has a color coded editor and a syntax checker.
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
GuiXT Developer Suite
Here is a screen shot of what the developer suite includes.
As you see here there are 2 parts for the project. The GuiXT scripts which holds the layout information and the input scripts which has the automation data.
The GuiXT scripts are generated by Designer, which we will be seeing shortly and the input scripts are generated using the record functionality of GuiXT which we will go into details in the next webinar.
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
Benefits of Developer Suite
Automatically generates GuiXT scripts by using WYSIWYG tool; spend less time in development phase
By using radio buttons you can restrict the user selection
Clarify the SAP screens by hiding unwanted screen elements
Linking an external application to an image helps user to open it from the same user interface (e.g; help document)
Scans GuiXT scripts to detect errors that typically go unnoticed
Creates an organized project structure that is visually easier to work with; improve script quality
With the WYSIWYG tool in the developer suite you can very easily hide the unwanted fields, organize the screen layout, restrict user input and increase data accuracy by creating radio buttons, aid in identification by adding images and reduce training by linking help documents on the screen.
You can increase the script quality by utilizing the Studio functionality of the developer suite which provides easy access to the scripts and detects errors that typically go unnoticed.
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
UI Simplification Demo
Using developer suite
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
Selective Deployment:
Create Specific User Interface
Dynamically display screens based on a user’s SAP Role or SAP profile
Display different screens based on work profile
Examples:
Planner and Plant Engineers get different screens than an Electrician working on a plant floor
Plant in Arlington uses a different business process than Plant in Richmond
Restrict data view for certain users
If Q[Role=XYZ] …….endif
You can display different interface of the same transaction for different group of users by conditionalizing the GuiXT interface based on SAP roles or user profiles. You can go as granular as user ID.
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
Click on “Profile” in GuiXT window, to configure GuiXT
Typically license key is based on 3 character system id
DEV, QAS, PRD, TST
GuiXT Configuration
We are going to offer a 2 hour free training on GuiXT first week of May that will cover these topics in further detail
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
Scripts Deployment
(Integrated with SAP; uses SAP transport mechanism)
Network Server/File Share
Local Software Deployment: SAP GUI
GuiXT installation is required on all user’s desktop. (GuiXT.exe, GuiXT.dll, and Pinnacle.dll)
No centralized GuiXT installation
GuiXT activation is required on all user’s desktop
GuiXT Configuration file needs to be deployed to all user’s desktop (GuiXT.ini)
User connects to R/3 directly
IA
Viewer
GuiXT®
Central Software Deployment:
Centralized GuiXT installation and configuration
No GuiXT activation, GuiXT Server activates GuiXT automatically
User connects to R/3 via GuiXT Server
GuiXT Server
Configuration (Sample ini)
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
About Synactive
Founded by Dr. Gerhard Rodé and Thomas Ewe in 1998.
Core runtime bundled with SAP AG since 1998 SAP (4.6B) initiative
Certified by SAP in SAP GUI & NetWeaver Portals
Supported in the SAP Support Portal
Full complement of Professional Services
Enterprise functionality in use by >250,000
end-users
GuiXT is the software developed by Synactive
Synactive was founded more than a decade ago by 2 ex-SAP employees. Dr. gerhard rode and Mr. thomas ewe.
Dr rode was the 50th employee of sap. he wrote the ABAP language and is also known as father of ABAP.
Thomas Ewe worked at SAP Labs in Palo Alto and he is the one who initiated Java gui.
Synactive was selected as a complimentary software provider by SAP in 1998 and we have been bundled ever since.
SAP provides the first level of support for GuiXT.
So far we have 600+ customers, worldwide.
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
Who has implemented GuiXT?
Here is a partial list of our customers, as you can see we have customers all over the world and in a variety of industries, like manufacturing, retail, pharma, oil and gas, utilities, government, healthcare, auto and I would also like to point out SAP who is one of our biggest customer.
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
7 Points to Take-Away
Speed - development and deployment
The Power of SAP ERP with the ease of using GuiXT scripting language
Proven and bundled with SAP ERP
Requires minimal maintenance and avoids/minimizes problems with future SAP upgrades
A Super-Charger approach to make changes to the SAP interface since it only consist of 55 - 60 commands.
Voice-of-customer research shows that ABAPer’s with GuiXT skills are invaluable assets to their employers!
NO hardcode changes; so no losing support from SAP
As we saw in this demo, the enhancements to the SAP UI is very fast through the developer suite and it utilizes simple scripting technology which consists of 55-60 commands. You can deliver on your projects much faster with GuiXT under your belt than with ABAP alone.
There are no backend changes and hence the upgrades are much easier and the support from SAP is intact.
You can leverage the GuiXT solution, which is bundled by SAP, across all the modules and increase efficiency and productivity of your internal customers.
Synactive also offers GuiXT Accelerator packs for different modules what will give you a head start on the GuiXT project. it consists of number of script templates that you can use to get up to 30 % in to the development cycle.
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
FAQ
Does GuiXT cause any performance problems?
Will GuiXT interact properly with our user exits, validations and security?
What are the upgrade issues? How do we fix GuiXT scripts and what is the impact on users/processes?
How big is the footprint for GuiXT?
Is there a Certification process for the developers?
No there are no performance issues. GuiXT does add an overhead of 10 – 50 mili seconds but this is very well compensated by reduction in SAP GUI drawing time when you combine the multiple screens.
Yes GuiXT does interact properly with SAP security, authorizations and validations. All GuiXT enhancements are on the presentation layer. No changes to the backend and hence we do not overwrite any SAP security or authorizations that you have in place.
The upgrade process with GuiXT is very straight forward. There is no redevelopment of enhancements required when you upgrade to new version of SAP. Of course you have to test the GuiXT scripts like in anything else during an upgrade and there might be a few tweaks that you have to make to the scripts. In our experience we have seen 90-95% of the scripts move as is to the new version. As far as the impact on the users go there is no interface change for them. The upgrade is practically invisible to the user and you will not have to re-train them on the new SAP screen.
Depending on how you deploy GuiXT there can be zero to a 2 MB of footprint.
Yes Synactive offers GuiXT certification to the developers. They are required to go through a 4 day training course before they can take the certification test.
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
Next Steps
Partnering opportunities
Download GuiXT & Designer
Username: abap
Password: guixt
You can download a free trial version of Designer from our website. This free download will be available for next 10 business days only. You will need this username and password for download.
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
GuiXT Training
Thursday, May 7th
Basics of GuiXT - Utilizing free functionality
Enroll by answering the survey questions at the end of the webinar
Send email to [email protected] with subject line “2 hr training”
Finally before we open this to questions, I would like to let you know, we are hosting a free 2 hour GuiXT training session On May 7th. You can enroll for this by either replying to the survey questions at the end of the webinar or by sending an email to [email protected] with subject line 2 hour training
We will be sending out the link for registration couple of days before the event to the individuals who have enrolled for this training
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
Partnering Opportunities
Synactive, Inc.
For More Information:
In the next webinar we are going to concentrate on combining tabs and transactions and how you can leverage GuiXT and ABAP to mobilize SAP screens for handheld devices and PDAs.
The survey will pop up when you exit the meeting, please take the survey to help us improve our future webinars.
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
GuiXT: SAP Your Way…
10:00 AM (PST).
Aparna Desai – SE Manager
Hello Everyone, welcome to the GuiXT Webinar. I am Aparna Desai, solution engineering manager at Synactive.
Today we will be talking about how you can use a super charger approach called GuiXT to add value to your skill set and your organization
Today with us we have Mr. Matt Tesvich from ciba vision who is going to talk about his GuiXT implementation
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
Complement your ABAP Skills…
Are you overwhelmed with management’s requests to add functionality and create new reports in SAP?
Do you have a lot of usability improvement projects on your plate?
Are your users resistant to SAP system because of the complexity of the screens?
Are efficiency and productivity affected?
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
GuiXT® Solution
A scripting technology—bundled with SAP ERP (SAP GUI) versions & certified by SAP for NetWeaver.
Minimize backend code changes
Do it faster with fewer resources
Less risk—NO modifications to SAP programs or dynpros, and easily upgradeable to new SAP releases.
Leverage—take full advantage of the SAP functionality
Maximize your SAP ERP! Automate all your transactions with one solution.
GuiXT is the solution!
GuiXT is a software developed by Synactive, bundled by SAP with SAP GUI 4.6 B and above. It is a scripting technology that allows you make SAP UI enhancements without having to change the configuration or underlying ABAP code at warp speed.
Since you are not modifying the backend the upgrades are easier. All your enhancements can be transported to the new release without any redevelopment
GuiXT works across all the modules of SAP and since it resides at the presentation layer all your security and authorizations are intact.
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
It’s Built Into the SAP ERP
Activate GuiXT
GuiXT Architecture
GuiXT resides with SAP GUI. There is no additional hardware or software required.
No changes on the application server.
Normally in SAP when a user types in a transaction code, a packet is sent to the application server, the server runs the ABAP code, packages the screen information and sends it to SAP GUI and then SAP GUI draws the screen.
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
SAPGUI
How GuiXT Works
Here is a very simple flow chart to demonstrate how GuiXT works.
When GuiXT is activated and you have a script for the screen and the user enters the transaction code, the information is sent to the server. The application server runs the ABAP code as it normally does, packages the information and sends it to SAP GUI. Now GuiXT intercepts this package, applies the UI changes from the scripts, repackages the information and sends it to SAP GUI and then SAP GUI draws the screen.
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
GuiXT Compatibility
Compatible across all SAP GUI versions from 3.1I, 7.10, etc.
Bundled with SAP GUI install of 4.6B
GuiXT scripts written for SAP GUI can be shared with Web GUI
Web GUI Compatibility (ITS 6.10 platform or higher)
Considerably speeds up Web GUI, because a customized screen has less controls for the Web GUI to render (i.e. convert into HTML)
Uses the same scripts as SAP GUI
SAP NetWeaver® Compatibility
General Compatibility
EP 6.0
GuiXT is compatible with all the R/3 and ERP versions and can be leveraged in all environments including SAP GUI, web GUI, NetWeaver Portals and NetWeaver business client.
GuiXT is bundled by SAP, certified by SAP and Licensed by SAP
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
Matt Tesvich
Over 12 years of IT Experience
Worked at CIBA VISION since 2000
Worked on CIBA's SAP implementation since the start of project in 2004
Global ABAP Lead for 2.5 years
MBA - Finance in May 2007 from Georgia State University
I would like introduce Matt to everybody. Matt has over 12 years of experience in IT. He has been working at Ciba Vision for about 9 years now and has worked on SAP implementation since inception of the project. I had the privilege to work with him on the GuiXT implementation. He is the Global ABAP Lead at Ciba vision and has had that role for more than 2 years now. He also holds a masters degree in business administration.
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
ABAP
Advancing technology on ABAP workbench
ABAP is constantly evolving; better object oriented coding in the ECC 6.0 version
Estimated 2.5M ABAP objects in new version of SAP
New version of Debugger
Newly built NetWeaver PI (process integration) functionality also uses ABAP technology
SAP is continuing to advance on the technology of the ABAP workbench
Some of the new NetWeaver PI (process integration) functionality was also written in ABAP and web dynpro for abap
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
Making a RFC Call
Adding Screen Elements in SAP
ABAP
The z_report has to be created from scratch
The parameters (p_chk1, p_chk2, P_date, p_matnr & p_werks) also have to be created from scratch
GuiXT
You do not have to write the codes yourself
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
About CIBA VISION
With worldwide headquarters in Atlanta, CIBA VISION develops and manufactures contact lenses and lens care products to meet people’s evolving lifestyles.
Key products:
DAILIES® family of daily disposable lenses
FreshLook® color contact lenses
Highly effective lens care products for comfort, performance and convenience
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
Why we chose GuiXT?
Decided against a complete rewrite of MV45A
Avoids core mods and allows future SAP upgrades
CIBA team members had used GuiXT successfully in many prior projects
Saved large consulting fees, easy maintenance
Clean & Concise solution integrated into SAP
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
CIBA VISION using GuiXT in Dev in late 2004
Synactive did initial GuiXT training
1.5 CIBA Developers started effort
Also using Synactive’s Desktop Suite (InputAssistant)
Finished 1st version in early 2005 & went live
Used Synactive consultant for 2 weeks to help review scripts pre-Go Live
Currently have over 100 scripts
Very stable & efficient
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
Current SAP Version
Before & After Pictures
Before
After
Header Tabs
95% of fields in Order Entry are in Overview Screen and this “Header Add” tab
“Header Add” is built from the Header – Sales tab, but includes fields from 5 separate tabs
Payment Method field comes from Accounting Tab
Provides extremely efficient order tab
Will show before and after of Header Tabs
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
Before
After
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
Advanced Topics
GuiXT & SAP ABAP operate in separate memory spaces – therefore internal tables in ABAP are not available in GuiXT
Example on using function calls from GuiXT
Needed custom ABAP function for the SAP side, and then the call from an IA script
Ties into ABAP via function call to update customer master address
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
Advanced Topics
We built ABAP enhancements that are called via Order Entry
IA scripts are triggered via buttons which go to the Additional Data B screen exit (Hdr Data)
This gives us fastest performance, and access to copy control routines
Visual display of the Additional Data B (which is invisible to the users)
Switch tabs simply in the IA scripts as follows:
Screen SAPMV45A.4002
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
Common Usage of GuiXT
Simplify the SAP screens by hiding unwanted screen elements
Creating Launch-pad/Transactions
Restricting user input by setting defaults to input fields or radio buttons
Creating different UI for different group of users for the same transaction
Consolidation of data entry points/fields from multiple tabs
Combining multiple business related transactions into one seamless process
Now I am going to go over some common usage of GuiXT.
Using GuiXT solution you can enhance the SAP user interface very quickly and easily without compromising the integrity of the system.
You can create a launch pad for the users so that SAP becomes as easy to use as a ATM.
You can set default values based on user parameter IDs.
You can conditionalize the screens based on SAP roles or user profiles
You can combine multiple tabs and transactions onto 1 or 2 screens, hence creating very simple, clear cut SAP screens in matter of days.
This will allow you ample time to use your ABAP knowledge
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
Common Usage of ABAP
Create/Modify Reports
Create Work-Flows
User exits, Idocs, Forms
To add value to your SAP system by adding new functionality for the end users and creating new reports for the management
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
GuiXT Suite of Solutions
GuiXT Offline Suite
GuiXT Mobile Suite
GuiXT Developer Suite
Synactive offers 5 different suites based on the environment you plan to use GuiXT in.
Our Desktop suite is used to render the GuiXT enhancements to the SAP GUI environment. You can deploy the same screens to the portals or web environment without any redevelopment using our Web UI suite.
You can take any SAP process offline with our Offline suite.
You can render any SAP transaction to a handheld device without having to invest in third party applications.
Our developer suite allows you make the screen enhancements for all these environments. It’s one developer tool for all the environments.
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
GuiXT Functionality
Combining screen elements from multiple tabs/transactions onto one simplified screen
Flexibility in extending all SAP GUI screens to portal and mobile
Batch data processing from/to MS Excel or flat file
Enables you to integrate rtf and html files in SAP Gui screens
Centralized mechanism to deploy GuiXT to named users without updating client PC’s
Access SAP transactions anytime and anywhere
These suites allows you to make layout changes like hiding the fields, moving them around, adding defaults, making the fields read only and more.
It also includes the functionality to combine multiple tabs and transactions onto 1 or 2 screens. Change the transaction based flow to a process oriented flow. You can integrate HTML right into the SAP screens, upload data from an excel spreadsheet and mobilize any transaction you want independent of network connectivity.
All our suites work with standard and Z transactions.
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
Leveraging GuiXT with ABAP
Here we have couple of case studies where our customers have leveraged GuiXT with ABAP.
This is a create material transaction MM01 combined with Info records ME11. Our customer has created a GuiXT screen with required fields from 15 different tabs in MM01 and 4 screens in ME11. Using GuiXT the users were able to create the material, info records and extend the material to 3 different distribution channels with one click of a pushbutton. Also on the screen are the discount codes that reside in a Z table in SAP. These discount codes are retrieved and updated directly using an ABAP function module.
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
Leveraging GuiXT with ABAP
This is another good example where GuiXT and ABAP works hand in hand.
The users were going through 11 different tabs to enter the header data. Here on this screen our customer have combined all the header level fields for the sales order transaction. On this screen they have displayed complete address for the partners, this information is retrieved directly from the SAP table using a function module.
Another challenge that they had was giving pricing information to the customer on the phone. The customer wants to know what shipping handling is, what the taxes are and the user had to dig through the tabs to get that information. Now using GuiXT they created fields for pricing condition on the very first screen and using the ABAP function module they populate the pricing conditions. The user enters the sales order number in the change transaction and GuiXT calls an ABAP function module that takes the sales order number as the input parameter and returns the pricing conditions as output.
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
GuiXT Developer Suite
A fast, easy, and flexible way to make changes to the
SAP interface instead of modifying the SAP back-end
by:
utilizing a WYSIWYG editor tool for GuiXT that
makes changes via the computer mouse instead of
manually writing the GuiXT scripts
Helping to organize GuiXT scripts that are
generated throughout a project in case you have
large amounts of GuiXT code. It can also scan your
GuiXT scripts to detect any errors in your code
All these screens were designed using the developer suite.
The GuiXT developer suite includes a WYSIWYG tool that allows you make UI changes without writing any code. You can create a sap user interface by drag and drop automation and the designer will create the scripts for you.
Developer suite also includes the capability to organize the scripts in a project format giving you an intuitive script visualization. It also has a color coded editor and a syntax checker.
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
GuiXT Developer Suite
Here is a screen shot of what the developer suite includes.
As you see here there are 2 parts for the project. The GuiXT scripts which holds the layout information and the input scripts which has the automation data.
The GuiXT scripts are generated by Designer, which we will be seeing shortly and the input scripts are generated using the record functionality of GuiXT which we will go into details in the next webinar.
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
Benefits of Developer Suite
Automatically generates GuiXT scripts by using WYSIWYG tool; spend less time in development phase
By using radio buttons you can restrict the user selection
Clarify the SAP screens by hiding unwanted screen elements
Linking an external application to an image helps user to open it from the same user interface (e.g; help document)
Scans GuiXT scripts to detect errors that typically go unnoticed
Creates an organized project structure that is visually easier to work with; improve script quality
With the WYSIWYG tool in the developer suite you can very easily hide the unwanted fields, organize the screen layout, restrict user input and increase data accuracy by creating radio buttons, aid in identification by adding images and reduce training by linking help documents on the screen.
You can increase the script quality by utilizing the Studio functionality of the developer suite which provides easy access to the scripts and detects errors that typically go unnoticed.
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
UI Simplification Demo
Using developer suite
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
Selective Deployment:
Create Specific User Interface
Dynamically display screens based on a user’s SAP Role or SAP profile
Display different screens based on work profile
Examples:
Planner and Plant Engineers get different screens than an Electrician working on a plant floor
Plant in Arlington uses a different business process than Plant in Richmond
Restrict data view for certain users
If Q[Role=XYZ] …….endif
You can display different interface of the same transaction for different group of users by conditionalizing the GuiXT interface based on SAP roles or user profiles. You can go as granular as user ID.
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
Click on “Profile” in GuiXT window, to configure GuiXT
Typically license key is based on 3 character system id
DEV, QAS, PRD, TST
GuiXT Configuration
We are going to offer a 2 hour free training on GuiXT first week of May that will cover these topics in further detail
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
Scripts Deployment
(Integrated with SAP; uses SAP transport mechanism)
Network Server/File Share
Local Software Deployment: SAP GUI
GuiXT installation is required on all user’s desktop. (GuiXT.exe, GuiXT.dll, and Pinnacle.dll)
No centralized GuiXT installation
GuiXT activation is required on all user’s desktop
GuiXT Configuration file needs to be deployed to all user’s desktop (GuiXT.ini)
User connects to R/3 directly
IA
Viewer
GuiXT®
Central Software Deployment:
Centralized GuiXT installation and configuration
No GuiXT activation, GuiXT Server activates GuiXT automatically
User connects to R/3 via GuiXT Server
GuiXT Server
Configuration (Sample ini)
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
About Synactive
Founded by Dr. Gerhard Rodé and Thomas Ewe in 1998.
Core runtime bundled with SAP AG since 1998 SAP (4.6B) initiative
Certified by SAP in SAP GUI & NetWeaver Portals
Supported in the SAP Support Portal
Full complement of Professional Services
Enterprise functionality in use by >250,000
end-users
GuiXT is the software developed by Synactive
Synactive was founded more than a decade ago by 2 ex-SAP employees. Dr. gerhard rode and Mr. thomas ewe.
Dr rode was the 50th employee of sap. he wrote the ABAP language and is also known as father of ABAP.
Thomas Ewe worked at SAP Labs in Palo Alto and he is the one who initiated Java gui.
Synactive was selected as a complimentary software provider by SAP in 1998 and we have been bundled ever since.
SAP provides the first level of support for GuiXT.
So far we have 600+ customers, worldwide.
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
Who has implemented GuiXT?
Here is a partial list of our customers, as you can see we have customers all over the world and in a variety of industries, like manufacturing, retail, pharma, oil and gas, utilities, government, healthcare, auto and I would also like to point out SAP who is one of our biggest customer.
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
7 Points to Take-Away
Speed - development and deployment
The Power of SAP ERP with the ease of using GuiXT scripting language
Proven and bundled with SAP ERP
Requires minimal maintenance and avoids/minimizes problems with future SAP upgrades
A Super-Charger approach to make changes to the SAP interface since it only consist of 55 - 60 commands.
Voice-of-customer research shows that ABAPer’s with GuiXT skills are invaluable assets to their employers!
NO hardcode changes; so no losing support from SAP
As we saw in this demo, the enhancements to the SAP UI is very fast through the developer suite and it utilizes simple scripting technology which consists of 55-60 commands. You can deliver on your projects much faster with GuiXT under your belt than with ABAP alone.
There are no backend changes and hence the upgrades are much easier and the support from SAP is intact.
You can leverage the GuiXT solution, which is bundled by SAP, across all the modules and increase efficiency and productivity of your internal customers.
Synactive also offers GuiXT Accelerator packs for different modules what will give you a head start on the GuiXT project. it consists of number of script templates that you can use to get up to 30 % in to the development cycle.
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
FAQ
Does GuiXT cause any performance problems?
Will GuiXT interact properly with our user exits, validations and security?
What are the upgrade issues? How do we fix GuiXT scripts and what is the impact on users/processes?
How big is the footprint for GuiXT?
Is there a Certification process for the developers?
No there are no performance issues. GuiXT does add an overhead of 10 – 50 mili seconds but this is very well compensated by reduction in SAP GUI drawing time when you combine the multiple screens.
Yes GuiXT does interact properly with SAP security, authorizations and validations. All GuiXT enhancements are on the presentation layer. No changes to the backend and hence we do not overwrite any SAP security or authorizations that you have in place.
The upgrade process with GuiXT is very straight forward. There is no redevelopment of enhancements required when you upgrade to new version of SAP. Of course you have to test the GuiXT scripts like in anything else during an upgrade and there might be a few tweaks that you have to make to the scripts. In our experience we have seen 90-95% of the scripts move as is to the new version. As far as the impact on the users go there is no interface change for them. The upgrade is practically invisible to the user and you will not have to re-train them on the new SAP screen.
Depending on how you deploy GuiXT there can be zero to a 2 MB of footprint.
Yes Synactive offers GuiXT certification to the developers. They are required to go through a 4 day training course before they can take the certification test.
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
Next Steps
Partnering opportunities
Download GuiXT & Designer
Username: abap
Password: guixt
You can download a free trial version of Designer from our website. This free download will be available for next 10 business days only. You will need this username and password for download.
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
GuiXT Training
Thursday, May 7th
Basics of GuiXT - Utilizing free functionality
Enroll by answering the survey questions at the end of the webinar
Send email to [email protected] with subject line “2 hr training”
Finally before we open this to questions, I would like to let you know, we are hosting a free 2 hour GuiXT training session On May 7th. You can enroll for this by either replying to the survey questions at the end of the webinar or by sending an email to [email protected] with subject line 2 hour training
We will be sending out the link for registration couple of days before the event to the individuals who have enrolled for this training
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
Partnering Opportunities
Synactive, Inc.
For More Information:
In the next webinar we are going to concentrate on combining tabs and transactions and how you can leverage GuiXT and ABAP to mobilize SAP screens for handheld devices and PDAs.
The survey will pop up when you exit the meeting, please take the survey to help us improve our future webinars.
© 2009 Synactive, Inc.
GuiXT: SAP Your Way…
