SWF_WORKPLACE - can we use it? And what are the restrictions?

[ChrisPaine]

Hello,

I'm in the middle of specifying a new ESS/MSS role out and one of the points that has come up is the need to use the UWL, and specifically substituting approvals/task during absences. There is a desire that we should be able to allow/disallow certain users for being used for substitution. (This is something that I do not believe exists as standard functionality)

With the portal based UWL being in Java we are reluctant to enhance it, however, I can see that a WDA app SWF_WORKPLACE exists which seems to do the same thing. And WDA is much easier to enhance (and support that enhancement after a support pack update).

It seems that this functionality is only released for NWBC [Note 1149144 - SWF_WORKPLACE:Composite SAP Note Business Workflow Workplace|https://service.sap.com/sap/support/notes/1149144]

>You can call the Business Workflow Workplace in SAP NetWeaver Business Client (with PFCG connection). The integration in the Enterprise Portal is currently not supported.

>In addition, you cannot use the Business Workflow Workplace directly in the backend system since certain functions * require SAP NetWeaver Business Client.

• - my emphasis

Does anyone know what these certain functions are? (possibly OBN?) And what bit of portal integration is not supported?

As far as I can see, although it only allows tasks to be launched using object based navigation and reads table swfvgt with a key of NWBC cl_swf_powl_launch_services=>c_wlc_nwbc , it still uses the standard portal integration interface to launch the OBN. I can't see what functions wouldn't be supported in the portal.

Thomas Jung mentioned this app in this thread - although I think he confused what looks like a WDA view of the absence approval application for the substitution logic - which is built into the SWF_WORKPLACE application.

Other than that - no-one seems to have discussed/used this app anywhere - could you tell me why?

Thanks!

Chris

[Former Member]

Hello Chris,

You can validate business rules as well as limit the substitution profiles available for a user to select using the BADI WF_SUBSTITUTE. There are methods like maintain_substitute to validate the Substitute and Substituted user. You can show error messages or information messages based on the requirement. Alternatively you can use method RESTRICT_PROFILES to delete substitution profiles from the internal table 'PROFILES' which are non relevant.

Answering your other question WDA app SWF_WORKPLACE. It has been there for some time now but I have not used it nor I have seen anyone using it.

Regards,

Harshit Gupta

[ChrisPaine]

Thanks Harshit,

the BAdI, although allows us some control, doesn't really meet the requirement (although it might just have to do), for example I'd like to be able to allow different users for different profiles - so leave (profile1) has one logic and financial approvals (profile2) another - although this can be done, it seems to be after the user has made the choice rather than restricting the search results in the first place.

I had a search for new notes regarding SWF_WORKPLACE and couldn't find any, so I doubt it is even enhanced in 7.02. As it stands the lack of functionality that it presents - plus the SAP disclaimer about using it with anything other than NWBC makes me think were probably just going to have to go with the Java based app and the BAdI.

Thanks for your help - and good to see you on SCN!

Cheers,

Chris

[ChrisPaine]

Anyone have any further ideas/thoughts?

If not I'll close this one off with the assumption that SWD_WORKPLACE isn't really intended for serious use as a replacement to the Java based UWL.

[Former Member]

I opened a message to SAP because the wd can be used....but "execute" button is not working with decisional task.