ABAP requirements in CRM

[Former Member]

Friends,

I am an ABAP programmer and have started learning SAP CRM. Can someone tell me how ABAP integrates with CRM.

Thanks.

-cbk

[stephenjohannes]

CRM 4.0 is based on the WAS ABAP Server 620 and WAS J2EE 640.

Most of the application is written in OO ABAP. There are pieces of the application that are either written in Java(IPC, Internet Sales, parts of IC Webclient), or as a windows desktop application. CRM's database structure is based on the ABAP data dictionary, however has a unique schema specific for CRM.

To learn CRM fully from the technical side, you need a strong working knowledge of ABAP, if you want to fully understand the system. ABAP is key technology used by the CRM application.

If you have more specific detailed questions about this area please feel free to post them. Unfortuantely without writing a large whitepaper, can I answer every single area covered by your question before. However if there are details you need answered please let me know.

Thank you,

Stephen

[Former Member]

Thanks Stephen for your quick reply.

While I am strong in ABAP, I have little experience with CRM. Can you let me know how to become a technical expert in CRM?

More specifically, I need info on what topics I need to focus on.

thanks

CBK

[stephenjohannes]

CBK,

Okay the answer is what business process do you want to support?

-- Sales Force Automation/Mobile Sales

-- Pricing/IPC

-- E-Commerce/Internet Sales

-- Call Center Management/Interaction Center

-- Marketing

-- Plus many more...

Based on the business process you want to support, it will require different technical skills. In general I recommend learning the following:

Classroom

- Take the SAP CRM Technical Overview Class, CR555. It won't cover all the details but will help.

- Take a CRM customizing class in the business area you will be supporting.

Self Study

-- http://service.sap.com/crm - Read and download every piece of material on CRM you can find there

-- There is an Online Knowledge Product for CRM 40 that SAP produces that is worth the cost. You get code and configuration tutorials for this.

-- http://help.sap.com - Read this

-- There is a book on CRM published by SAP Press

Practical

-- Start learning on a CRM 40 system. CRM is no different than any SAP solution. Until you get your hands dirty using the software, you will never learn how it works.

Someday somebody will write a decent ABAP development guide for CRM. However until that somebody gets time to write that book, some weblogs will be published in the in between period. I personally want to write a few more CRM weblogs, however I been on a CRM mini-project for the last month.

If anyone has suggestions of CRM ABAP development topics you would like to see as a weblog please post it here. I will pick one topic suggested that I am able to elborate on further as a weblog.

Take care,

Stephen