SAP Workflow and external applications

[Former Member]

Hello,

I'm looking into SAP workflow capabilities, and there is one specific requirement I can't find enough information on.

I need to be able to call an application running on a non-SAP web portal. Can SAP workflow do this?

Thanks

[morten_nielsen · Accepted solution]

Hi

Yes it's possible to call an external application from SAP Workflow.

Depending on your requirement there different solutions for this.

The simplest is to build a method based on the Function Module "Call Browser". This FM takes the URL as an input parameter. This will however only be a call from SAP to your external application, no response is returned to SAP, unless you somehow are able to code this in the Web application or in the method.

A nicer way is to use Webservices, the SAP Course BIT603 deals these web scenarios. You should be able to find documentation on this here: http://help.sap.com/saphelp_nw2004s/helpdata/en/cf/128a42f802a01ae10000000a155106/frameset.htm

And a whitepaper here

http://www.sap.com/canada/solutions/pdf/50052038.pdf

Regards

Morten Nielsen

[Former Member]

Hi João,

if you're using SAP Enterprise/Netweaver Portal as the work item delivery channel, have a look at the UWL task launch configuration using action handlers option (http://help.sap.com/saphelp_nw04s/helpdata/en/59/d516690e854c7090ae15bf492a869f/frameset.htm).

With the handlers, you can easily configure your user dialog task to launch SAP web applications or external URL:s without any coding. If you need to call the external functionality in background and return values to your workflow, then a web service or external RFC call described by Morten above would probably fit your requirement.

Then there's also Web Dynpro for Java and Visual Composer if you just need to visualize the external functionality to the user as part of other SAP functionality...But without knowing exactly what you are doing, it's rather difficult to give any more specific solution.

Best regards,

Mikko

[Former Member]

I was wondering what exactly I could do with the "web activity" in SAP Workflow.

Can I call a web page, and receive feedback? (assuming of course the page is changed to take in account the workflow).