Read/write OPC DA server with SAP EWM

[Former Member]

Dear Experts,

I would like to read and write "tags" (data)  from a OPC DA server via SAP EWM.

I have not work with this kind of connection before.

I am analyzing the options below but before I start I would like you to advise me:

1) SAP ODA with "SAP ODA connector"

2) PCo(Plant Connectivity)

3) PCo(Plant Connectivity) with "SAP ODA connector"

4) Others

Which would be the best option?

Thank you in advance

Sincerely, Iban Ariz

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Hello Iban,

SAP ODA connector is the "old" style connector and replaced by PCo

Please check ...

http://help.sap.com/saphelp_erp60_sp/helpdata/en/c8/982e3abe62ca0fe10000000a11402f/frameset.htm

In ERP world's SCM extensions (EA-SCM), there are nice transactions COOPC & COOPC1 for testing OPC. In a SCM based EWM installation (as far as I know) there's nothing compareable to these transactions.

Keep in mind that you need a OPC server somewhere to connect the PCo.

Please check ... http://www.opcfoundation.org/

Hope this gives you some anchors to continue your search in a "middleware" free world of connection to SAP ;-.)

Best regards,

Matthias

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Thanks Matthias,

we will probably use a MATRIKON OPC server.

We would like to control a PLC(Programmable Logic Controller) and its movements. So, the comunication would start without any initial message from PCo.

We want to send orders from EWM (if it is posible )via PCo to the OPCserver and receive the ACK (ACKNOWLEDGEMENT) when it execute the position.

The reason I ask about mixing SAP ODA with PCo is that it seems like you can only READ from the source system(in this case the PLC) using the PCo. And we would like to WRITE in it.

Is it possible to WRITE and READ from the OPC server just using the agent of the PCo?

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Hello Iban,

personally I did not have exactly this setting running at my desk so I cannot say yes or no.

But as far as I tested some things, it should be possible to write via PCo -> OPC -> PLC also.

Also "write" named here in slide 5 ...

http://websha.de/xstepcafe/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/SAP-Plant-Connectivity-2.2-Delta.pdf

but:

The CL_PCO_PAC class itself does not have a write tag method and report RPCO_BS_INT_TEST does not test "write".

Some other SCN threads regarding tag write exists. Maybe you ask these guys ...

Best regards,

Matthias

[uwe_dittes · Accepted solution]

Hi Iban,

yes, you can also write tag values from Business Suite/EWM systems (ABAP) via PCo DA/UA agents to OPC servers. Also notifications are supported (this feature you require if tag value changes and should trigger actions in the Business Suite/EWM on ABAP side. See also sample report RPCO_BS_INT_TEST of package S_PCO.

On SCN you find some documents in SAP Manufacturing space with additional information:

• http://scn.sap.com/docs/DOC-27545
• http://scn.sap.com/docs/DOC-27546
• http://scn.sap.com/docs/DOC-27547

greetings

Uwe