B1 API Test Instance

[Former Member]

Hi all,

We are building a marketplace product and would like to be able to integrate with the SAP B1 systems of our users through the DI-API (using the Java Connector). We'd need to hook into inventory/ stock management as well as sales/ purchase orders and so on.

In an ideal world we would have our own stripped down test instance either in the cloud or installed on our own hardware which we'd use for development/ testing then we'd set up a sandboxed environment within each of our users' systems.

My question has several parts:

1. Is this how people normally approach this issue? Is it common to have a standalone test instance or to use a sandboxed environment in a production instance?

2. How plausible and costly would it be to set up our own basic instance of B1? Would we need to purchase a full-fat license or is there some sort of developer option?

3. How simple is it to set up sandboxed environments on existing systems?

Thanks in advance

[Johan_H · Accepted solution]

Hi Simon,

As Pedro covered question 1 and 3, I'll try to shed some light on question 2.

The licensing needed and associated costs depend, on your needs and wants. Theoretically you could just copy the DI API driver from somewhere and start developing, but you would be working blind.

So setting up your own basic instance of B1 is definitely plausible. How costly is another question all together.

The smallest possible B1 installation requires a single license. A standard professional license, unlocks all possible functionality of the B1 system, and costs 2500 €, but there are "starter" deals, and volume discounts kick in at relatively low amounts of licenses.

Then there are limited use licenses that will unlock only certain parts of the system.

There are also special licenses for non-client access that are relatively cheap (around 100 €, if memory serves).

Next thing you need to consider is if you want SAP to endorse your product or company (allow you to stick a SAP logo onto your web page and such). In that case the requirements and license costs are completely different. Chances are that you get a number of B1 licenses for free, but you might end up paying some sort of Partner fees. So in a nutshell, in that case, I would recommend contacting SAP [YourCornerOfTheWorldHere], and ask them what the possibilities are.

Regards,

Johan

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Hi Johan,

Without forgetting the 30 days demo license...

Regards,

Eric

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Great, cheers Johan, very useful!

I'm in contact with an SAP supplier now and will post back here with the results.

[pedro_magueija]

Hi Simon,

I can't speak for other people, but a common approach where I've worked is to have a test system, where you can restore a copy of the production DB and run your tests against that.

This usually means that licenses are required, but I can't offer great insight on the licensing that you'd need.

But as mentioned above "sandboxing" an existing system is as simple as restoring the schema of a production DB (under a different name) and then pointing your B1 client at it (during the login).

Off-topic: for a marketplace (I'm assuming web-based) I'd recommend you also take a look at the DI-Server and the B1if.

Good luck.

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Best regards,

Pedro Magueija

[Former Member]

Awesome, thanks for your help Pedro