Comparison between webdynpro and adobe forms

[Former Member]

Hi All,

I want to compare Adobe v/s webdynpro.Can anybody tell me some pros and cons of webdynpro over Adobe?

Thanks.

[Former Member]

Hi Jocelyn,

Thanks a lot for your detailed description.It helped me a lot.

But I want comparison between Webdynpro application programming environment and Adobe forms.Can you please elaborate on this?

Thanks in advance.

[Jocelyn_Dart]

Hi Shweta,

This is a little bit "chalk and cheese".

WebDypro is an application programming environment with huge functionality which you can use to create any online application.

Adobe forms are a forms based UI which can talk to an application programming environment such as WebDynpro, or a business process environment such as Guided Procedures if it is available, but can also work independently on a PC or laptop without a network connection.

But I assume here you are talking just a WebDynpro "form" i.e. a UI, versus an Adobe form?

Think of it this way:

• Adobe forms are a forms specific technology - WebDynpro forms aren't - they are part an application technology

• Adobe forms can be used <b>offline</b> and <b>printed</b> with no additional effort - WebDynpro applications are only used online, and print functionality needs to be specifically added (other than printing straight from the Web Browser which really isn't the same thing at all)

• Adobe includes a number of features to support offline processing and later upload - such as barcode generation - (you can fully or partially enter data in a form which generates the barcode, then print it and swipe the barcode with a reader), digital signatures, intelligent protection of fields, and offline button features (e.g. to return a form via email) - WebDynpro doesn't do anything offline... of course.

And of course there are different skillsets required to create the forms.

But really the main criteria to decide one vs. the other is:

• Do you need <b>offline</b> capability? If you do then its clear the choice is Adobe.

Personally I prefer Adobe also if you are likely to be printing the form.

If everything is happening online then really its just an application and other factors will dictate the forms choice, such as available skillsets and the level of integration required with backend systems.

This is also consistent with SAP's current and future direction - SAP is delivering forms as Adobe forms - so they can be used online and offline. Applications SAP delivers using WebDynpro.

Regards,

Jocelyn