How DI-Server Licence Allocation Works in SAP Business One

What is DI Server?

Data Interface Server (DI Server) is a Component Object Model (COM) service that runs on a server that allows multiple clients to access SAP Business One company database. It uses SOAP messages for server architecture to improve performance.

DI Server functionality

The DI Server uses the DI core to enable the same functionality provided by the DI API with the following advantages:

• Server architecture.
• Improved performance.
• Connection pooling mechanism.
• Generic interface.

The DI-Server converts the soap messages into data objects for SAP B1 database. You need DI-Server for Connecting SAP Business One on Microsoft SQL.

Benefits of using DI Server 

• DI Server helps to develop SOAP based solutions to Read, Add, Update, Cancel and Delete data using objects on database level.

• The DI Server provides a suitable infrastructure for server-oriented partner solutions.

• The main differences between the DI Server and the DI API: Performance and scalability by implementing a connection pooling mechanism to manage multiple clients simultaneously.

• It helps to execute heavy-duty operations, such as a large number of remote clients working at the same time

What is Indirect User Access and How was it Licensed for DI Server License Until Now?

 The indirect access is a type of license which allows using SAP Business One but without access to the user interfaces developed by SAP. The access is made through the SAP partners and customers’ Add-Ons and Extensions.

So far, the indirect access for SAP Business One has been licensed with these price list items:

• The “direct access” users: Professional, Limited, Mobile, Starter Package.

• Indirect Access User (per User)

• Integration Framework of SAP Business One (per Instance)

• DI-Server (per CPU core)

The Evolution of Indirect User Access Usage and the Consequences on Pricing

• When indirect access licenses were introduced many years ago, they were meant to address situations where SAP partners created small add-ons with limited overall value to customers, and where the customer did not want to license a professional or limited user due to cost.

• Over the last years, we have experienced that indirect access has often become a key element in solution proposals to customers. This has happened as the internet has allowed for more integration between systems, and as SAP partners started to develop more sophisticated add-ons with user interface outside SAP Business One.
• Indirect access leverages a lot of SAP Business One intellectual property and should be priced accordingly. Therefore, we have decided to significantly increase the price of the indirect access licenses.
• Now the separate DI-server license purchase is not needed. It is activated by default along with the purchase of indirect user licenses.

Key Changes on the Price-Lists

• Price Increase: the price differences between “indirect access” licenses and “direct access” licenses (e.g. Indirect access user vs Professional user) are currently too big. SAP reduced these differences by increasing the prices of the “indirect access” licenses by a factor of 2.
• Simplification: SAP doesn’t differentiate price list items by “indirect access technology type” anymore (DI-API, DI-server, Service Layer, Integration Framework). The use of rights for Indirect access licenses have been modified to allow connections by any technology type. Also, the number of price list items is reduced for “indirect access only” licenses from 3 to 2.