How to connect SAP to the Ariba Network using Netweaver Process Integration/Orchestration
Introduction
What is Ariba Network (AN) and what is its basic Functionality?
The Ariba Network (AN) is a global network that provides connectivity and online services to organizations engaged in business-to-business e-commerce. Ariba Network enables buyers and suppliers to do business with each other worldwide over the Internet and to access multiple network-delivered services to enhance interaction and collaboration. It is a multi-protocol commerce hub that translates, validates, and routes business documents. It contains additional services such as directory services, reporting tools, supplier tools, payment, and sourcing.
Ariba Network provides you with a single point of integration to thousands of suppliers. Similarly, it provides each supplier with a single point of integration to multiple large buying organizations. You use Ariba Network to find suppliers to purchase products or services from and to invite suppliers to form trading relationships. After suppliers accept the invitations, you can send purchase orders to them through Ariba Network.
Suppliers receive the purchase orders and return invoices, etc. Each supplier has an Ariba Network account and can specify how it wants to receive orders and generate order confirmations, ship notices, and invoices, etc.
The following figure illustrates how Ariba Network routes purchase orders through multiple channels to suppliers.
How do Process Orchestration/Integration fits in the above B2B scenario?
If your business application does not generate and receive cXML documents natively, and you do not want to enhance it yourself, you can implement using a network adapter, a translator for communicating with Ariba Network on SAP NetWeaver Process Integration 7.10+, Process Orchestration 7.31+ and SAP R/3 4.7+, ECC5.0, 6.0 +.
The Ariba Network Adapter for SAP NetWeaver implements round-trip communication between your SAP ERP system and Ariba Network. Ariba provides an “Ariba Network Adapter for SAP Netweaver” for SAP Netweaver Process Orchestration/Integration, is an add-on module for SAP business applications that allows them to send and receive commerce eXtensible Markup Language (cXML) documents to and from Ariba Network. You can develop your own network adapter also instead of buying a commercial one based on Ariba Supplier Network cXML open standards.
· Secure connectivity between SAP NetWeaver Process Integration or (Process Orchestration) software and the Ariba Network through Adapter framework
· SAP-Supported best practices Data mappings, Templates and tools for purchase order and invoice automation to the cXML format required for the Ariba Network
Receiver Communication channel in Process Integration/Orchestration.
Sender Communication channel in Process Integration/Orchestration.
SAP Pre-Delivered Integration Content for Ariba Network in ESR of Process Integration/Orchestration.
Ariba provides PI standard delivery content of Data Mappings between Business application and Ariba Network for Purchase Order and Invoice business scenarios.
Download and Installation
Ariba Network Adapter for SAP NetWeaver PI can be downloaded from Ariba DSC or marketplace. http://connect.ariba.com
Login to Ariba Connect and, Navigate to Software Online > Download Software > Ariba Adapter for SAP Netweaver.
1. Extract the archive file called “AribaNetworkAdapterSAPNetweaver_<versionNumber>.zip”.
2. Import the “AribaNetworkAdapterSAPNetweaver.Design.tpz” into ESR, which has the design packages and data mappings for all the transactions.
3. Deploy the adapter file called “AribaNetworkAdapterSAPNetweaver.sca” on PI J2EE engine using JSPM or SUM tool.
4. Extract the cXML configuration files for Adapter called “AribaNetworkAdapterSAPNetweaver.FileStruct.zip* “ into folder <Root>/etc/catalog/.
Note: * The <Root> mentioned in this blog corresponds to the folder where you extracted the “AribaNetworkAdapterSAPNetweaver.FileStruct.zip” files on PI server.
In addition, the validation engine uses the following files to resolve and identify the location of the DTDs related to the exchanged cXML documents: so copy the following files into <Root>/etc/catalog/.
• CacheCatalog.xml
• CanonicalCatalog.xml
5. Import Ariba Network Product and software component Definitions called “AribaNetworkAdapterSAPNetweaver.SoftwareCatalog.zip” into SLD. So that, SAP NetWeaver will now be recognized by the Enterprise Services Repository and Integration Directory.
6. Setup Technical and Business system as third Party in SLD for Ariba Network, and obtain Buyer or supplier registration account details from Ariba Network for enabling communication between SAP ERP and Ariba Network.
In addition, For quick Integration and enablement of this B2B business scenario, SAP provides a rapid deployment solution. http://service.sap.com/rds-ariba?
Limitations apply for higher or latest releases of PO or PI. Check coming SAP Notes.
Important Note: This Ariba Network Adapter communicate with Ariba Network over the Internet using cXML (commerce eXtensible Markup Language) to enable the communication between Ariba Buyer system and Ariba supplier with regards to Ariba Buyer BUT not for Ariba Supplier.
In simple terms, Ariba Network uses the cXML Profile transaction to check the Adapter capabilities of Ariba Buyer Only. As of today, we do not have any Ariba Seller adapter capability apart from functionality of Buyer Integation adapters.
That’s All. Easy… 😛
Thanks for the nice overview Sridhar.
I've worked with this solution for several years now so I will add a few thoughts of my own.
The Ariba Adapter has been improving but still has a way to go. I've submitted a number of Ariba adapter enhancement requests to improve things. (e.g. error handling when the network rejects messages; com channel shows green / OK but really not processing messages; stopping and starting channel from RWB does nothing, really it must be restarted from NWAdmin Java tool)
In my experience there were many mappings which needed to be replaced from the supplied content. Ariba does a nice job of supplying 2 maps for each transaction type. One default for their use, and one custom for you to extend. In theory this is terrific, because in future upgrades they can replace default maps without hurting your customization. But in some cases (at their direction) we had to modify their default map. So future upgrades will mean being very careful about letting them overwrite any map. Also along these lines, the SAP supplied mappings are based on IDOCs, but if you use SAP SRM, you must still develop all of your own mappings.
Lastly, the point about having a single point of integration with thousands of suppliers...this is not always true if the suppliers choose to do their own automated cXML integration at their side. In those cases, we must still go through a mapping negotiation to work through issues with each supplier independently (with mediation by Ariba).
Especially with the SAP acquisition, I believe many of these PI nuances will be improved. Despite these few points mentioned, I think it really is a great solution once you get it working!
Ariba has released 12S2 Version in which ASN adapter can be controlled from RWB (Start/Stop). But communication channel monitoring yet not supported.
Also they have made some enhancement in standard content for Proxy communication to make it ready for PI 7.3.
Thanks,
Sunil Singh
Hi Sridhar,
Very well articulated and this gives a complete picture of how PI/PO can be part of the Ariba network of supplier collaboration... keep going on ..
Regards
Rajesh
Thanks Sridhar Raju Mahali for sharing this.
When I went through the document, I was impressed by the way SAP is bringing it forward. However, when I start going through the real hands-on experience shared by Aaron Myers, I am wondering how stable is this solution.
There are some very crucial points brought in by Aaron like communication with SRM system. As the mappings are only Idoc based, clients moving to all-Proxy based communication still have a gap in the solution. May be sharing a future direction will help here.
Mariana Mihaylova post acquisition, do you think that the improvement suggestions Aaron put will get any traction if put on Idea Place? Or do we need to wait for some more time?
Thanks,
Prateek Raj Srivastava
Idea Place may be a good option to start documenting and rolling these improvement suggestions.
Ariba Connect is a great channel for this. They have an Enhancement Request process built in. It tracks the status of the request all the way through implementation (or obsolescence).
https://connect.ariba.com/
It supports proxies also for some scenarios apart from IDOC's through SOAP communciation channel.
Hi Sridhar,
Nice blog. Will catch up with you sometime to discuss more on the subject.
Regards.
Praveen
Thanks Sridhar for sharing information on SAP PI and ARIBA integration. It is very useful.
Hi Sridhar, great blog.
Can you please confirm if the Ariba Network Adapter for SAP NetWeaver carries a cost, or is this free?
Regards
Per se, The AribaNetwork Buyer & Supplier's Account is a prerequisite and needs to arranged before implmenting this solution/scenario on SAP Netweaver PI. So, of course it carries a cost.
Hi Sridhar,
Does SAP PI Ariba Adapter has content for Upstream integration (for sourcing and contract management)? Any idea?
Regards,
Sami.
Hello everyone,
I have implemented several Ariba to SAP integrations using a custom adapter and an ESB. This approach has worked very well for us.
I am wondering how either the SAP or the Ariba provided adapter handles data translation (such as units of measure, removing/adding commas from/to dollar values, and date formatting). Also, do you have to manually break up long text values from Ariba into 70 character blocks on the IDoc, or does the adapter provide some magic for this?
With regard to the embedded attachments that may be located in the Ariba multipart message.. Do the adapters convert the encoded data into a file and store it somewhere?
Also, what happens if the Ariba Network rejects a message? Can the adapters send an email with a customized message?
Thanks!
Nathan
Hello Nathan - Ariba Adapter does not handle any data translation's. You have to make this twist within your PI mapping.
Encoded data for embedded attachments logic should be implemented at storage level in their proprietary format.If you selected Embedded In cXML, after downloading it from any business scenario(e.g.invoice) with attachments (PDF copy of the invoice and other supplier provided attachments) from Ariba Network:The cXML Adapter encodes the attachment contents to a Base 64 string using org.apache.commons.codec.binary.Base64.
Note: You need to decode the Base 64 string using apache.commons.codec.binary.Base64.
If AN rejects a message for any technical reason, this will be captured by PI adapter framework. If any business scenario rejects your message, then you have to capture it in your own way apart from standard. For Eg: You sent a PO to AN supplier as a Buyer from ERP, If AN supplier don't like your PO and applied rejection. you will see this reflection in your Order confirmation or through email if set it up accordingly.
Regards
Sridhar
Nathan,
I am wondering how either the SAP or the Ariba provided adapter handles data translation (such as units of measure, removing/adding commas from/to dollar values, and date formatting). Also, do you have to manually break up long text values from Ariba into 70 character blocks on the IDoc, or does the adapter provide some magic for this?
As mentioned by Sridhar it is Handled through Mapping. Standard Content uses Graphical Mapping (and Some UDF in it) and we have to create Value Mapping as well.
With regard to the embedded attachments that may be located in the Ariba multipart message.. Do the adapters convert the encoded data into a file and store it somewhere?
Ariba Adapter provides two ways to Handle attachments:
- Store the attachment on File System (Configurable in Adapter)
- Pass the attachment as Base64 embedded in payload.
Regarding Handling Error:
If Ariba Adapter faces issue while Downloading the Document from queue it sends Notification to group configured in Adapter. For Other issues within PI we have to configure Alerts(Alert Category and then Alert Rule).
Thanks,
Sunil Singh
Baskar,
Both are not the same. The steps mentioned here are basic foundation for understanding technicality & high level architecture on how to integrate SAP ERP and Ariba network using PI. If customer wanted to do Integration and implement on their own, then they have to follow documentation and SAP Best practices guide and also it can take some significant amount of time, effort and cost.
RDS Solution offered on this matter by SAP is bit different, though using the steps described here in this blog as some part of RDS.
Rapid-Deployment Solutions are about planning, building and delivering packaged solutions combined with software and service content as an aligned cross-units effort supported by how SAP can deliver value at high speed to our customer with low cost in short period, minimum resources(PM, Developer), by providing packaged solutions based on SOW. This is contingent on complexity of the solution.
For Eg: You will get End-to-End solution(Integration content including customization as scoped, Master Data, Connectivity enablement and etc.) and processes/Phases(Start, Deploy and Run) until production within short period(3-4 weeks) If you implement a RDS solution from SAP. This RDS implementation can take around 3-4 weeks.
Hope I addressed your query.
Thanks
Sridhar
i got full info from ur blog regarding Ariba............
i am searching for ariba integration.....i got it
thanks for ur help
thanks & Regards
E.Ravi Chandra Reddy
First of all , a wonderul blog....
I am implementing this integration solution.
however, the requirement is to upload the attachments recieved from Ariba to Documentum using the DFC (API) and then get back the DocumentumID and then send it to IDOC mapping.
I have written a custom adapte module bean but after i have added it in the cXML channel, the channel has stopped picking up messages from Ariba queue.
1. Does it support Adapter module bean addition ?
2. As this is a sender scenario, I have added the custom module at the first place before the standard cxml adapter bean. Please correct me if i am wrong.
Hi Sridhar,
It is very nice blog and that is very helpful.
We are doing punchout with a vendor and they are asking us to submit Purchase Order as cXML to their site. Do we ( as buyer) need to register with Ariba and be part of Ariba network?
Thanks in advance!
Hi Hailan,
Yes buyers need registered accounts on the Ariba network. You will put your Buyer Ariba network ID into the cXML reciever channel if you decide to integrate using PI.
Buyer Information:
Credential Domain = "Network ID"
Credential = ANxxxxxxxxxxx whatever your account is.
Is any Ariba Adapter already made for Ariba Suppliers or only for buyers yet? Any suggestions and idea of time to develop custom adapters for suppliers?
Nice blog post! Thanks!
Hi,
There is an ERP Add on released for suppliers using which you can connect to the suppliers also...using light weight adpater..
Regarding the EDI Content there is already packaged content available from Boomi to connect to the suppliers.
HTH
Rajesh
Hi Leonardo,
the Ariba Network Integration Add-On for SAP Business Suite now does provide for some supplier-side integration to the network. Read about it here (scroll down to Administrator's Guide for Supplier Integration of SAP ERP). You may also find the Ariba Network Integration RDS v8 helpful: service.sap.com/public/rds-ariba.
Excellent blog, thank you, Sridhar!
For those of you who read to the point where he mentioned RDS, or rapid-deployment solution for long, we now have a new version 8 out, which supports the IDOC to PI to AN connection, but also the Business Suite Add-On, for direct or mediated connectivity. Read all about it here: service.sap.com/public/rds-ariba and get back to me with any questions you might have about the RDS.
Hi Andreas Muno Sridhar Raju Mahali
Can we use this adapter for both upstream(Contracts,Sourcing & SIPM) and downstream (PO, GR, Invoice etc) integration needs?
Also do we have the standard content for both upstream and downstream?
Is there any document which talks about various connectivity options available (currently) for this integration?
Can you please confirm? Appreciate your time.
Regards,
Hareesh
Hareesh,
for now, the Add-On for the SAP Business Suite focusses on typical downstream processes such as PO & Invoice automation, or discount management. It does support some simple RFQ, the so-called "Spot Quotation" process, but that is very limited. You find all about it in the SAP Help files at help.sap.com/se4aribanet10sp07?current=erp-addons.
The RDS I mentioned above has the standard content for downstream and describes four connectivity options, 3 with this Add-On, 2 of which with middleware, and 1 with IDOC instead of Add-On, and PI as middleware for mapping and transforming to and from cXML. You find all the details in the RDS.
I hope that helps you. If not, you may want to write me an email: andreas.muno@sap.com.
Cheers.
Hi Sridhar,
Thanks for th enice Blog on Ariba Network.
Just want to understand, can we connect Ariba network with Solution Manager system and Will Solution Manager include Ariba Process Models
Thanks.
Sandeep
Hi Sandeep,
the rapid-deployment solutions for Ariba integration include content for the Solution Manager. These RDS also include Process Models.
Check out the RDS for Ariba Network Integration here.
Check out the RDS for Ariba P2P integration here.
Hi Andreas
Is the Ariba network adapter for SAP PI is free of cost?
Regards
Sandeep
Hi Sandeep,
integration adapters and add-ons are licensed or subscribed to with the underlying SAP or Ariba products, so there is no extra charge for these integration pieces.
The RDSes I talked about above are also free of charge for the content part which you can download to your laptop or PC.
Cheers,
Andreas
Hello my friend, I'm participating in an Ariba integration project with the ECC for the source package. I'm having some trouble to integrate a webservice. You have a document like this that made the Network package?
Aaron Myers how are you? Do you have any information about that?
Hi Maruicio!
Are you using the Ariba adapter in PI to integrate with the web service? If so, I think you should open a forum question with more details on your situation...you can always reference this article in that posting.
Process Integration (PI) & SOA Middleware
Hi Guys,
We installed Ariba PI adapter and trying to create a sender communication channel . We want Ariba to push the messages rather than PI pulls the messages. When we configure the sender communication channel using the adapter that we installed it always try to pull messages. Can somebody give some information to implement following scenario.
Scenario : Ariba push the message to PI and PI should send the response in cXML.
Thanks & Regards
Shantha
Hi Shantha,
When you have messages waiting on Ariba network, your Sender channel polls and collects/pulls them. So you are correct in your thinking.
When sending messages to Ariba, your Receiver channel can send them directly.
Why do you need Ariba to send/push to you when you have control in the Ariba Adapter over your GetPending polling interval? Setting this to a short interval achieves the same goal doesn't it?
Hi Aaron,
Thank you for the reply. This is how Ariba has configured the system. If the process is initiated from Ariba,Ariba pushes the messages to us. If the process is initiated from our end, we push the messages to Ariba.
Thanks & Regards
Shantha Bandara
Hi,
I am trying to configure a sender channel in PI with the ariba adapter. After starting the channel the status was green but nothing was retrieved from the Ariba Network. I put a xpi_inspector trace and I got the following error:
com.ariba.asc.connector.exception.GetPendingTransactionException: Error in getting the URL for downloadTranaction, the URL profile from ASN had not been download successfully
Can anyone help out what's wrong with this? Thanks.
Regards,
R. Liu
Hi Roy,
please ensure he Ariba adapter is deployed successfully, try restarting it and if the issue persists please post this question in the Discussions area and/or create an incident for component BNS-ARI-TRF.
Regards
Kenny Scott
XI/PI SCN Moderator
Hi Roy,
Were you able to find a solution for this issue? We are currently facing same issue and do not have documentation on forums to help. Any help/ direction would be highly appreciated.
Hi,
Where can we find the Key password that has to be updated in the channel.
Thanks in advance.
Hi ,
While downloading Network Adapter from Ariba site there are two zip files. one is Full release XXX_FR.Zip and other is Product update XXX_UP.ZIP. Which should we consider and import in ESR ? If both then which one should first import in ESR ?
Apart from Design.tpz , one SapAddon.tpz also there in FR Zip file ? What is the use of that ? this also necessary to import in ESR ?
Hi All,
We are trying to send invoices and SES from ARIBA to SAP ECC via PI 7.4 with attachments. The attachments (mostly pdf) are required to be stored on an external repository (Gimmal Share Point) connected to ECC via content repository definition in ECC. The invoice documents are reaching ECC, but the pdf attcahments are coming into share point as 0 byte files. What is the configuration necessary to be done in PI/ECC for the attachments to reach properly to the Share Point repository? Please let me know if you have info on this.
Regards,
Dipyaman
Hi everyone,
when i test de po integration i get this error:
Exception:[com.ariba.asc.sap.netweaver.xiadapter.mappings.MappingException: Error when calling the RFC function _-ARBA_-PO_ACCOUNTING_INFO: Error when calling an adapter by using the communication channel CCT_PurchaseOrder_cXML_Receiver (Party: , Service: BS_ASN, Object ID: 85af8602e64d3bf4b86046c2a5290fa0) XI AF API call failed. Module exception: 'No configuration / default adapter specified for AribaNetworkAdapterSAPNetweaver'. Cause Exception: (No information available).] in class com.sap.xi.tf._MM_ORDERS_ORDERS05_2_CDF_cXML_XSD_ method callRfc[[Ljava.lang.String;@5fe1c6a, [Ljava.lang.String;@6f16c4d6, [Ljava.lang.String;@77d97a13, [Ljava.lang.String;@51e98397, [Ljava.lang.String;@2481c88c, com.sap.aii.mappingtool.tf7.rt.ResultListImpl@7de898be, com.sap.aii.mappingtool.tf7.rt.Context@415d6cf2]
could anyone help me please
Hi,
Where can we get the file AribaNetworkAdapterSAPNetweaver.Design.tpz?
Went to this link https://connectsupport.ariba.com/sites#download-display&/downloadview but I cannot find it there.
Can somebody share a copy of this file. I just want to import to our ESR.
Thanks,
Francis
Hi Everyone,
I have one requirement,
i.e
Sender Ariba cxml payload the attachment (“cid:1735239107.1592222922946@cxml.org”)
document is coming in above format need to extract this content and send to base64 with third party… could you please suggest me with your inputs, that how we can extract the content.
It’s very helpful.
Thank you.
Hi Sridhar,
Thanks for the insightful blog.
I have a requirement to integrate Maximo with Ariba (on demand) through PI. However,client doesn't want direct (real time) integration between the two systems. Upstream transaction Data (RFQ, PO, Goods Receipt etc.) from Maximo (XML format) will be dropped at SFTP server. PI should pull the data from SFTP, do necessary field mapping, convert to cXML and deliver to Ariba. Similarly for downstream flow, cXML transaction data (RFQ Response, PO confirmation etc.) from Ariba should be pulled by PI, converted to XML, necessary field mapping should be done and XML files should be dropped at SFTP server. Client's PI instance contains Ariba Network Adapter. But I am not sure if the network adapter allows these kind of interfacing (cXML to SFTP or vice versa), because there is no standard mapping available in the pre-delivered package for these kind of integration.
Would really appreciate your insight on this !
Thanks & Regards,
Shegufta.
Hi,
We migrated the ContractRequest & ContractStatusUpdate interfaces from SAP PI 7.31 dual stack to SAP PO 7.5 JAVA stack and we have same SAP ECC connect to SAP PO 7.5 without any changes in it. we found below issues can anyone please help on this in urgent.
Error for ContractRequest : Sender AribaNetworkAdapterSAPNetweaver is up and running and channel is OK but unable to pick or poll the files from Ariba network. the messages are ready in Ariba connect queue to pick up by the SAP PO sender channel. but no logs found in the PO channel where as it is working with SAP PI 7.31 with same parameters and shared secret password.
Error for ContractStatusUpdate : The messages are failing with below reason.
An error occured when sending the document to Ariba Network ERROR : [code ECC103] description : Ariba SN not available [Message] cannot connect to Ariba SN causes a XIAdapterFramework and can be retried.
Please help to resolve this issue.