XI for new data conversion?

[Former Member]

Hello experts,

You recommendations please on data conversion with XI versus using the LSMW tool?

We are working on a new implementation, planning to use XI for the interfaces anyway. Now the idea is to use XI for all dataconversion from the legacy systems.

Good idea, not suitable, better to use LSMW?

Your thoughts please!

Many thanks,

Albert

[valter_oliveira]

Hello.

I'm a truely SAP XI fan for exchanging XML files (and other types too) with customers, vendors, other systems, etc etc ...

However, since you want to import data from legacy system to SAP system, I don't see much advantages on using XI and you will probably take much more time. But you can do it with XI.

I personaly use XI to interfaces that I will use permanently for the future, not for just one execution.

Regards.

Valter Oliveira.

[Former Member]

Hi Valter,

So it seems XI is not the best choice for initial data conversion. After discussing this internally, we decided to use LSMW.

But now the second question emerges: in future, we will create large amounts of new materials, BOM's and routings regularly. The idea was to use the same LSMW tool for this, on the other hand XI could be the better choice for this since it is used regularly.

So, same question (XI or LSMW), but now specifically for creating materials, BOM's and routings on a regular basis.

Please comment!

Thanks & best regards,

Albert

[valter_oliveira]

Hi again.

The response to this question cannot be a general answer, because it depends on several aspects. I'll try to order by importance.

1 - What kind of files do you have for material and BOM creation? XML files?

XI is a powerfull tool for transfer that kind of files. With an ABAP proxy, you can easily decompose a XML file into a strucuture in ABAP, so it's easy to import files. To send, is also easy. You fill a structure and XI will convert it to a XML file and sent to the respective receiver, using it's communication channel. So, if it's XML, I would say YES, use XI. If not, XI only can copy those flat files and that way it's not easy to get it's data in a proxy. You can copy those file to a directory and import files with a program, but, if so, why using XI for your purpose? Or you can do some mappings to convert flat file into XML file ... the mapping can be easy or very difficult.

2 - Experience in XI or LSMW? And Urgence?

This question is important. If you have experience in one of those tools, you should use it. As far as I can catch from your post, XI is a new tool for you, right? To master XI is a process that will take you some time ... not too much ... but consider this part too in your decision. However, since you will start using XI for interfaces, this could be a good start!

3 - Many other reasons can be found in the link that Murthy provided, but this two should be the most important (in my opinion).

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Valter Oliveira.

[Former Member]

Hi,

Every tool has advantages aswell as disadvantages.

Please go through the following link.

Hope this provide a clear idea .

Thanks and regards.