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Author's profile photo Marcus Zahn

Monday Knowledge Snippet (MKS) – 29 Configuration of Geo-Map content

After being asked this now several times, todays MKS covers the question how the geo-map content for the SAP Visual Business 2.0 component used in SAP TM 9.0, EM 9.0, and EWM 9.0 can be configured correctly.

One of the most important goals for the geo-map component used in TM 9.0 was to enable the usage of different GIS products. TM 8.0 and TM 8.1 using SAP Visual Business 1.1 are limited here to only a few GIS vendors. While it was possible for services like geo-coding and distance determination to pick whatever product the customer preferred, the usage of maps restricted the selection.

Another important note: SAP TM does not come with any GIS product / license included. We have seen over the years that our customers use quite a wide range of different GIS products and want to stick to those, so we focused on openness of the technical solution. I often hear how great it would be to have something out of the box and I partly agree. That’s why central SAP groups are working on that.

Pre-requisites

What is required to use a specific geo-map content?

SAP Visual Business 2.0 needs a RESTfull WebService compliant to a so-called QUAD key interface. Basically you tell the map content server where on the world you want to see the image and which detail or zoom level the image shall have. This URL is provided by the GIS vendor and can also contain some license key information (token).

Also important for the service is that the GIS product support some kind of coordinate projection. SAP VB 2.0 works with a tile-based approach, where the geo-map you see is cut into several images that can be loaded seperately (I am sure you have noticed this using so of the common map application on the internet). I guess roundabout 90% of the GIS vendors support this. A single image approach has several disadvantages and must be avoided.

Well, finally your system must allow the browser frontend to call external services (firewall configuration).

Configuration

1. Go to the TM customizing Basic Functions -> Geographical Map -> Visual Business

MKS29_01_CustomizingPath.jpg

2. Create a new Map Product (details like Tile pixels are product specific).

MKS29_02_MapProduct.jpg

3. Add at least 1 GIS server: Here you enter the URL provided by the GIS vendor. It is possible to use multiple servers to speed up the map loading. The URL can be tested directly.

MKS29_03_MapProduct.jpg

MKS29_04_MapProductServer.jpg

4. Define a Map Stack

MKS29_05_MapLayer.jpg

5. Assign your new map product to that stack

MKS29_06_MapLayerProduct.jpg

6. Each available application has 1 or multiple map stacks assigned. For example you want to use your specific map content in the TM Transportation Network Cockpit, pick that. Of course a map stack can be used in multiple applications.

MKS29_07_Application.jpg

7. Assign the map stack to the application

MKS29_08_ApplicationStack.jpg

8. Switch the map stack in the application

MKS29_09_Selection.jpg

As an alternative to an own map stack, you can assign your product to the map stack DEFAULT, which is used in all TM applications.

In case you have an URL and the map content does not come up, the following application component is the right one to get it checked: CA-GTF-VBZ

Maps in China

I often get the question about maps and China. Well, from a technical point of view it works exactly the same. There are some law restrictions. I think the map server must be hosted within China, which can only be granted by some big GIS vendors or local providers.

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      Author's profile photo Marcus Zahn
      Marcus Zahn
      Blog Post Author
      Author's profile photo Former Member
      Former Member

      Hi,

      we are creating a demo system of TM 9.1.

      Can you tell me the SAP delivered settings that it can be used for demo purposes ?

      We have done all the steps indicated, of the configuration guided, but it's still not possible to display maps from Transportation cockpit.

      - SAP Visual Business Installed

      1) Businnes Function activeted

      2014_02_26_09_13_15_DTM_Switch_Framework_Change_Business_Function_Status.jpg

      2) Active geo-map

      2014_02_26_09_23_09_Change_View_Geomap_Settings_Details.png

      3) Install ACF Whitelist Certificate

      2014_02_26_09_25_37_Create_Security_List.png

      4)Maintain Application Definitions

      2014_02_26_09_28_38_Change_View_Map_Layer_Stack_Assignments_Overview.png

      We have tried with different Map layer stack BING, DEFAULT, but it's not working

      2014_02_26_09_32_38_Transportation_Cockpit_Standard_Layout_Internet_Explorer_Provided_By_HP_IT.png

      Author's profile photo Marcus Zahn
      Marcus Zahn
      Blog Post Author

      Hello,

      the screenshot you are showing from the Transportation Cockpit indicates that the frontend SAP Visual Business is either not installed correctly or you are running an unsupported browser.

      The default map layer stack should work in all cases and is not the problem here.

      Check the installation guide of VB available in the service market place. From TM 9.1 SP00 you require Visual Business 2.0.

      Regards,

      Marcus