What is ADS?
Adobe Document Services allow SAP applications (either Java or ABAP) to take advantage of the full range of capabilities in Adobe Acrobat® Professional, Adobe Acrobat Standard
and Adobe Reader®.
For example, enhance the document handling capabilities of SAP NetWeaver Application Server. These capabilities enable SAP customers to:
- Create and deploy interactive forms that look exactly like their paper counterparts
- Work with forms in online and offline scenarios
- Annotate PDF documents and collaborate on PDF document reviews
- Capture data using forms and import that data directly into the SAP system
- Allow users to digitally sign PDF documents
- Embed other file formats inside PDF documents as attachments
Adobe Document Services (ADS) enable form-based processing of business data triggered by both ABAP- and Java-based applications.
As ADS are running on an AS Java, the basic configuration differs dependent of the development environment, that needs to communicate with ADS.
Elements:
XDC – XDC file is a printer description in XML format. Adobe Document Services (ADS)require this file to create print files. PDF-based forms can only be printed, if the SAP device type of the printer has an XDC file in the system.
When Adobe document services are deployed to the SAP NetWeaver AS, the XDC files are located in this directory: /<DIR_GLOBAL>/AdobeDocumentServices/lib.
Some example:
- adobepdf.xdc - Supports data for rendering output in PDF 1.6 and 1.7
- hppcl5c.xdc - For use with PCL printers that support the HP PCL 5c printer language
- zpl300.xdc - For use with 300 dpi (12 dots/mm) Zebra label printers
XDP – The Adobe XML architecture combines the powerful data and business logic capabilities of XML with the rich presentation capabilities of Adobe® Portable Document Format (PDF).
The Adobe XML architecture offers support for arbitrary XML, allowing you to leverage existing and industry-standard schemas. Depending on the process requirements, forms can be deployed as PDF or an XML Data Package (XDP) and processed as XML.
An XDP packages a PDF file, along with XML form and template data. These XDP templates created by Adobe LiveCycle Designer and used as a dynamic form for label, barcode
or other document printing where crucial to dynamically upload the document with the real-time data during manufacturing.
Job profiles – Job profiles contain job-specific configuration settings in XML format.
When your application calls Adobe document services, you can optionally specify a job profile.
If you do, the profile is found and used to modify the way Adobe document services process
that job
When Adobe document services are deployed to the SAP NetWeaver AS, the job profiles are located in this directory: /<DIR_GLOBAL>/AdobeDocumentServices/JobProfiles/Adobe/Print
The following job profiles are shipped with Adobe document services:
- MediaA4ToA4Letterhead.xml - Maps the A4 medium to A4 letterhead.
- DuplexLongEdge.xml - Prints the document double-sided on the long edge
- DuplexShortEdge.xml - Prints the document double-sided on the short edge
- ZPLSettings.xml - Specifies label flipping, print mode, print speed, and media darkness
(head temperature)
Note: Using job profile element is not supported with SAP Manufacturing Execution and
Manufacturing Intelligence and Integration currently.
