Diff. between LSMW & BDC?

[Former Member]

Hi

I want to know what is the diff. between LSMW and BDC?

Thank You

Regards,

Gagan

[Former Member]

hi,

LSMW and BDC are vastly different.

BDC (Batch Data Communication) is a technology used for data transfer. it is meant for transferring data thru SAP transactions itself. when u use BDC for data transfer, the sequence of steps is the same as when u use standard sap transaction screens for data upload. the only difference is that u can use different options for foreground/background processing.

LSMW on the other hand is a tool that helps migrate data from a legacy system (non-sap system ) to SAP system. it offers u various options to use either batch input, direct input, BAPIs or idocs. it involves a series of some 17-18 steps to migrate data.

[Former Member]

Hi,

As the name Legacy System Migration WORKBENCH says, LSMW is a tool used to manage data migration projects. It allows for central management of the processes required to carry out data uploads. BDC is one of the techniques used to carry out the actual data transfer. The other techniques include Direct Input, BAPI, IDocs, etc.

Regards

[Former Member]

Hi,

Both BDC and LSMW are used for Data transfer. Usually LSMW is used initially when the project kicks off. The data from the legacy system is transferred to SAP using various methods like Direct input, IDOCs etc... This is usually a onetime process. Unlike LSMW, BDC can be used on regular basis for Data transfer.

Regards,

Vara

[Former Member]

LSMW can import data from legacy systems (e.g. in the form of Excel sheets or CSV files). I guess LSMW converts your data into batch input files automatically. If you use BDC; you need to write your batch input file yourself, line per line.

With LSMW, you get a "wizard" (so to say) that writes the batch input for you. It's the difference between writing a program yourself and letting a wizard write it for you.

But a wizard can only handle some specific situations (Excel file, sequential data in CSV files, for instance) but not ALL situations of data import. For those situations that LSMW cannot handle, you will need BDC.

Regards,

Ramki.

[Former Member]

You can check this wiki.

http://wiki.sdn.sap.com/wiki/display/ABAP/DebuggingLSMWandDifferencebetweenLSMWand+BDC

Regards

[Former Member]

Hi,

I'm fresher to SAP, as i'v understood the difference is;

The LSM Workbench is an R/3-based tool that supports You when transferring data from

non-SAP systems ("Legacy Systems") to R/3 once or periodically.

Batch Data Communication (BDC) is the process of transferring data from one SAP System to another

SAP system or from a non-SAP system to SAP System.

LSMW(Legacy System Migration Workbench) is a more user-friendly tool, through which one can do the

same work as the BDC. One just has to follow the 14 steps. LSMW offers four ways to import data into

SAP, and they are: BDC, Direct Input, BAPI(BO) and IDOC.

BDC(Batch Data Communication) is basically a program which is either generated by SAP after a recording

or programmed by a abaper. Itu2019s like running the transaction manually but all the data is populated in the

screens automatically.

In LSMW, mapping is taken care of with the help of SAP, where as in BDC one has to provide explicit

mapping directions.

[madhu_vadlamani]

Dear Gagan,

This is a Very simple question . You will get number of threads in Google.

BDC for upload data on daily base or say Transaction data.

LSMW upload master at once.This wont change regularyl

Regards,

Madhu.

[Former Member]

Let's check the date on this before answering such a basic question.

Rob

[jayaprakashhj]

NOTE: This answer is just for those who are new to SAP who browsed for answer and landed here.

I know this is a basic question asked nearly 8 years ago.

The differences by category are below-

METHODS INVOLVED:

BDC invariably passes the data through transactions to upload the table so it involves recording of the transactions.

LSMW loads the data by Recording, ALE/IDoc, BAPI techniques, Direct input functions/methods.

STEPS INVOLVED:

BDC is a program which gets data from a flat file and stores it in a internal table and passes to bdctab and then calls

transaction to upload the data or creates a session.

LSMW is a step by step, well documented method (as we specify Project name, sub-project name, object name), where each

step is encapsulated to perform its own task.

FILES GENERATED:

BDC does not generate any intermediate files.

LSMW loads the data from flat file (legacy file), as it is, to a file by name "PROJECT.SUBPROJECT.OBJECT.lsmw.read". Then it applies the

conversion rules to generate another file by name "PROJECT.SUBPROJECT.OBJECT.lsmw.conv".

WHEN USED/PREFERRED:

LSMW is used right after SAP is implemented when DB tables are ready to store the data and for this reason the data is huge.

(after this is done the BDC can be used when we need to migrate small amt of data as explained below)

BDC is used on regular time ( like once in a day or week) basis and for this reason the data is less

(if for some reason the legacy system (older, non-SAP software like MS Dynamics, Oracle Applications, Finacle etc.) is still in use and is storing

small amt of data every day through its transactions).

ERROR HANDLING:

BDC has no automatic error handling.

LSMW has auto error handling.

CODING INVOLVED:

BDC involves extensive coding.

LSMW does not involve much coding (of course, we can write some sub routines if needed).

COMMON USERS:

BDC is used/handled by technical consultants.

LSMW can be used by Functional consultants.