Integration of SAP R/3 with the fieldux Agent

1. The strategic importance of integrating SAP and fieldux

Essential data integration

In the dynamic world of service management, data plays a crucial role in success. Efficient management of customer data, service orders, and material orders is essential. Traditionally, this important data is maintained within an ERP system. But what happens when specialized Field Service Management software is added to the mix?

Challenges without integration

The true strength of our software unfolds when it is connected to an ERP system. The challenge is to ensure smooth data availability and currency in the ERP system even after implementing an FSM solution. Without seamless integration, companies often find themselves in a scenario where inefficient duplicate data entry, lack of process transparency, and unnecessary media breaks are the norm. The question that arises is: Does it have to be this way?

Advantages of seamless networking

The integration of ERP systems and Field Service Management software offers an elegant solution to this problem. By seamlessly synchronizing master data between both systems, the need for manual data entry is eliminated. Sources of error are minimized, processes are accelerated, and bidirectional data synchronization is realized.

Maximizing IT efficiency through integration

The true strength of our software unfolds when it is connected to your ERP system. By using standard interfaces, our solution integrates seamlessly into your IT infrastructure, enabling central and transparent master data management. All data is synchronized in real-time, saving time and resources and increasing efficiency.

The ERP system as the central business hub

ERP systems often remain the heart of a company's IT landscape as they serve as a central source of reliable information and control all business processes. By integrating our FSM solution into your ERP system, you can take advantage of both worlds: comprehensive data management and process control of the ERP system and the specialized functions of our FSM software for optimized service management.

2. Necessary data and modules for integrating fieldux and SAP

Data quality and necessary modules for integration

Efficient use of our service solution requires an optimal data basis in the SAP ERP system. Master data plays a key role as it is essential for supporting various business processes. Incomplete or faulty master data maintenance leads to process deficits, lack of transparency, and errors in critical operations. To query and transfer data relevant to fieldux, we use the SAP modules "Sales & Distribution" (SD), "Customer Service" (CS), and "Plant Maintenance" (PM). By connecting to these SAP modules, fieldux can retrieve precise information critical for planning and executing service and installation tasks. This integration enables the creation of a comprehensive and error-free data foundation that not only increases efficiency but also allows for a clean history of customers and equipment.

Quality of master data

The quality of this data is crucial for the success of the integrated solution. The principle of "Garbage In, Garbage Out" emphasizes that only high-quality master data can lead to efficient and error-free service processes and analyses.

Scenarios and use cases

The integration based on our standard interface covers four scenarios and use cases for optimal operational planning. Each of these use cases shows how the integration goes deeper into the operational and administrative processes to increase efficiency, transparency and reliability in the planning and execution of service assignments.

3. The technical concept of the interface: Integration via fieldux Agent

Integration via BAPI function modules

In close cooperation with our customers, we develop customized interfaces to ensure smooth communication between fieldux and SAP. The data exchange, which includes both the import and export of data, is based on RFC-capable BAPI function modules as well as customer-specific Z function modules.

The role of the fieldux middleware

For the integration of our FSM solution with your on-premise SAP system, we use the fieldux Agent, a special middleware operated in a Java runtime environment. The fieldux Agent is installed on a virtual machine in the customer network. This enables it to access SAP data directly via the SAP Java Connector. Through this connector, the agent calls standard BAPIs of the SAP modules "Sales & Distribution," "Customer Service," and "Plant Maintenance" to query data relevant to fieldux, such as customers with contacts, assets, and operations. This data is then periodically sent to the fieldux cloud and is visible in the fieldux Planner. For the setup and operation of the fieldux Agent, administrative SSH access from certain IP networks and outgoing HTTPS connections for communication with the fieldux API are required. Customer credentials must be stored in the agent's operational environment to ensure secure and efficient data transfer. The frequency of data transfer is configured individually according to customer needs. It is also important to be able to customize the structural details of the data transfer to the customer’s specifications. This includes setting up filters that determine which data is transferred, such as assigning specific number ranges to equipment or assigning customers and orders to specific sales organizations. Additionally, it can be configured which specific data fields should be extracted from SAP, such as the transfer of the priority of service notifications, if maintained in SAP.

Advantages of integration

The implementation of this technology has been carried out in close cooperation with our customers and has led to an effective and powerful integration. This not only enables optimized business processes and smooth data exchange but also ensures that all data is updated and synchronized in real-time, ensuring data consistency and integrity across both systems.

Flexible integration options through customer-specific middleware

In addition to the standard use of the fieldux Agent for integration, our solution also offers the flexibility for customers to use their own middleware. This allows companies to create a customized connection to their specific IT infrastructures and business processes. By accessing the public fieldux API, which offers comprehensive and detailed documentation on the Swagger UI platform (fieldux.de), customers can configure and control the communication between their systems and the fieldux solution independently. The use of the public API enables deep integration and personalization of data exchange, so specific requirements and preferences in data handling can be taken into account. This option expands the flexibility and control of customers over their service management processes and opens up the possibility of developing and implementing innovative, tailored functions to meet their needs.

4. Integration process steps