POV: SAP Integration with Hybris – PI and Datahub
SAP Integration with Hybris primarily involves – asynchronous master data replication from SAP to Hybris, asynchronous order replication* from Hybris into SAP and the downstream flow of various order statuses from SAP to Hybris.
While Datahub can directly communicate with SAP ECC over HTTP/IDOC-XML for master data replication into Hybris, it is more important to see how the existing integration architecture is established via an ESB like PI and how Datahub with its data integration capabilities fits into the overall integration landscape. It so happens that master data replication from ECC into downstream applications, in majority of cases, is already happening via PI. Instead of creating multiple master data distribution models for various receivers, master data is sent out to PI from which it is routed to multiple downstream applications taking care of target transformations and target technical protocol conversions. In this case, Hybris or E commerce Platform can be added as one new receiver in existing master data IFLOWs with relevant routing conditions.
The same approach holds good for various order statuses from SAP to Hybris. Similar to master data, order confirmations, invoices etc. are happening via PI and Hybris or E commerce Platform can be added as one new receiver in existing IFLOWs with relevant routing conditions.
The reverse flow is applicable for asynchronous order replication from Hybris into ECC:
The apparent advantage with this is that we are not building point to point interfaces with Hybris but routed through enterprise-wide ESB and the new Hybris-SAP Integration fits right into existing integration or enterprise architecture and as per the established interface design patterns.
* (in case of Asynchronous Order Management – AOM Scenario)
Hi Jaya,
Thanks you very much for your point of view.
Mi experience with Hybris Out-Of-The-Box is that place SAP PI in the middle between the SAP ECC and the Hybris DataHub is a disadvantage because is as duplicate the problem: the actual SAP recommended scenario es without SAP PI/PO/PRO because the Datahub is the specific tool for the standard flows of master data and orders.
Usually the election of Hybris Ecommerce platform (instead others alternatives) has a good value of the "standard" SAP-to-Hybris native integration (without the needed of any other product as SAP PI and none integration effort)
The established interface design patterns could be covered using in the SAP ECC side with the IDOCs Conversion Rules (customizing) and in the Hybris side , with a develop of Extensions in DataHub.
Best regards,
Antonio
Hi Jaya, We have SAP PO in our landscape and we would like to utilize it in the same way as you have described in your blog. Is there any documentation or guide that explains the technical steps required to integrate SAP PO and Data Hub? Looking forward to your feedback. Thanks, Mark
We are using SAP Hybris to integrate directly to SAP ECC but there are lots of challenges on data hub customization. This is mainly due to the limitation of current data hub release as it does not support lots of functionality (Order changes/Line level item changes). We are also using Idoc extensions and this makes data hub mapping/development to be more complex. Hope these issues will be resolved as we move forward with newer versions of data hub
Hi Kannan,
In the latest data hub platform the issues taken care of ? interested to know.
Hi Jaya,
is it possible to integrate directly Hybris to ECC without any kind of middleware ? And is there any "standard scenario" or packaged already existing that we just need to implement ?
Hi Jean-Philippe,
Let me try to answer that.
Yes, there is a standard solution for hybris-SAP integration integration using Data Hub starting from version 5.3.
Here's one scenario B2B Commerce - Asynchronous Order Management with Synchronous Pricing (HY8)
Regards,
Mark
Hi Mark,
Thanks for your answer.
Problem with Datahub is that you need to pay for it. Today we have already 3 different ESB in our company and we are using one of them to communicate directly towards Hybris. And I don't want to have another one, even if it is specific to Hybris.
From my point of view, our setup is quite custom - even if it is working fine - but I would like to know if there are any ways to go back closer to SAP standard (i.e. maybe standard scenario in PO/PI ?) without investing in another "hub" with the new Hybris version...
Regards,
Jean-Philippe
Jean
The standard integration approach is to use datahub but it has limitations (Order change not supported) as well as the Order status update back from SAP to hybris. Also data hub customization is needed to support IDOC extensions and the development team needs a good technical SAP consultant to help them on IDOC structures.
Hi Ram,
Thanks for your answer. Nevertheless, I don't see any reason to use this datahub when you have already an ESB in your IT environment (i.e. SAP PRO). But I could be wrong.
Regards.
Jean-Philippe
Hi Jean-Philippe,
Tha main reason for use the Hybris Datahub for SAP is that is the standard and recommended solution from the vendor SAP/Hybris: contains all the flows interfaces (data masters,prices, orders, stock, etc) and will be supported in future releases (of SAP and of Hybris)
If you discard the Hybris Datahub and you choice a "custom" interface development in SAP PI/PO/PRO, the cost (in developers) and risk is big because actually should be made ad-hoc.
But i'm agree that if the SAP installation is "Z SAP" with a big amount of enhancements and specific changes, the effort of the mapping in the Hybris Datahub is a important factor.
Best regards,
Antonio
Just a thought, we have not implemented this, but can we use PI/PO to transform the content into impex and make them available in the hot folders of Hybris platform for async scenarios. For Sync, anyway it would be REST based. this also alleviates the concerns regarding IDOC extensions as PI can handle complex transformations from IDOC extensions to impex and vice versa. This does not use Data hub. May not be an option where Network separations are there.
I can see that the solution or best alternative approach for Datahub is to use WebMethods. But I am still trying to figure out how Datahub is more efficient then WebMethods while it comes for working with Hybris and SAP ECC ERP. The advantage of WebMethod is also that I can easily use the webMethods adapters for different ERP but with Datahub being specific to SAP ERP/Hybris scares me.
One of our clients was integrating Hybris to SAP ERP, MS Dynamics, MYOB and S/4 (different businesses, common customer portal).
After looking at sFTP/CSV and Hybris Data Hub we found huge efficiencies in putting everything direct into SAP PI/PO. Not only could we use the "optimal" integration approach for each application, but the operational support team only need to learn one, fully functional tool.
When it comes to integration the developers need to defer to the enterprise architects, because the biggest impacts come after it is implemented - how easily can the support team handle exceptions and if you kept your options open for the future.
Requirement in my present project is to integrate SAP C4C system with Hybris commerce. Is it possible to integrate both systems by HCI (Hana Cloud integration) ? Or what would be the solution ?