comparision - BRM and BRFPlus

[Former Member]

Hello folks,

I have a basic understanding of BRM (Java) and BRFPlus (ABAP) rule management engines.

We want to define rules primarily (to start with) to use within ECC business workflows for Agent determination and I know BRFPlus is a way to go because integrating Business workflow and BRFPlus will be easier as they are on the same stack (ABAP).

However due to some peculiar governance requirement of us, we are leaning towards using BRM(Java) for building rules. So here is what I am looking for...

1) What are the disadvantages for using BRM(Java) when the primary purpose is to build rules for use in business workflow? I am looking for some sort of comparision between BRFPLus and BRM.

2) Build rules using BRM, generate a Web service and call the webservices from a business workflow BG task, IS that a way to go if we decide to use BRM and not BRFplus? It would be great if someone who may have done this can share their experience/recommendations...

Thanks,

Saurabh

[carsten_ziegler]

Suite EHP4 is on NW EHP1.

If possible I recommend to go for Suite EHP5 which runs on NW EHP2.

With NW EHP2 there is a bunch of improvements in BRFplus that will make your life much easier.

[Former Member]

Carsten,

Again, thanks for sharing your views. We shall try both the options and see what works best.

Can you help me understand what you meant by "Pls note that NW EHPs Suite EHPs. I think Suite EHP4 is on NW EHP1".

You asked question if we are already on EHP2 - we are on EHP4 FOR SAP ERP 6.0 / NW7.01(BASIS RELEASE = 701 / Support package = SAPKB70103). How does that affect us?

Thanks,

Saurabh

[carsten_ziegler]

Difficult to say. Either was is possible. I would consider trying out both and then take the better option.

Pls note that NW EHPs <> Suite EHPs. I think Suite EHP4 is on NW EHP1.

[Former Member]

Hi Carstern,

We are looking at developing late this year with go-live mid next year.

We are already on EhP4.

The current (first) business scneario - Define rules for Agent determination in Workflow

Here is why we are looking at BRM in addition to BRFPlus for use in ECC Business workflow..

We design a template solution for use by mutiple organizations...So the rules that we design/build using BRFPlus will be controlled by us and not by those organizations...

One of the organizations is already planning to set up BRM and they want complete control over any changes that may need to be made later to the rules. So we are exploring the possibility of that organization maintaining their rules in BRM and if we can invoke those rules either directly from the ECC workflow for Agent determination or going through BRFPlus using connector.

What would be the best way to do it?

1) Publish BRM rules as web services and consume it for ECC business workflow agent determination directly from workflow OR

2) Make ECC business workflow always use BRFPlus and let BRFPlus talk to BRM through connector

I appreciate your help,

Saurabh

[carsten_ziegler]

Hi Saurabh,

When you have a Java Environment you usually use NW BRM. In case of an ABAP environment you usually use BRFplus.

The reasons are:

- TCO

- native API

- performance (no unnecessary communication)

- native transportation/deployment options

Business Workflow is ABAP. BRFplus will provide a workflow connector with NW 700 EHP2.

This may help you. When do you want to go live with the solution? Do you have NW 700 HEP2 available by then?

BR,

Carsten

[Former Member]

Resending this hoping someone notices this..