It’s in SAP ABAP: Bridging Web Technologies and Traditional SAP Systems

Introduction

In the world of SAP, the Internet Transaction Server (ITS) plays a crucial role in enabling smooth interaction between traditional SAP systems and the web. ITS acts as a middleware layer, allowing you to build web-based interfaces seamlessly integrating with your existing ABAP transactions. In this blog post, we’ll dive into what it is, its underlying concepts, benefits, and how to get started.

What is ITS?

• The Internet Transaction Server (ITS) is integral to the SAP NetWeaver Application Server (AS) ABAP stack.
• It transforms classic SAP transactions (Dynpros) into web applications accessed through a standard web browser.
• ITS handles the conversion between HTML, HTTP, and the SAP GUI protocol, allowing SAP transactions to run natively within the web context.

Key Concepts of ITS

• Services: ITS services are the entry points for web requests. A service is defined within the SAP system and maps to a particular SAP transaction.
• Templates: Templates contain the HTML structure, layout, and placeholders for dynamically generated SAP GUI elements. ITS templates are unique because they incorporate SAP scripting elements directly within the HTML.
• Internet Communication Framework (ICF): The ICF is the underlying framework within SAP NetWeaver AS that handles web communication, including ITS. It manages HTTP requests and responses.

Benefits of Using ITS

1. Web Enablement: You can easily modernize your existing SAP transactions by giving them a web-based interface without needing to rewrite the underlying ABAP code.
2. Accessibility: Make your SAP applications accessible from anywhere with a web browser. This is especially valuable for field workers, remote employees, customers, and partners.
3. User Experience: Enhance the user experience with web-based interfaces leveraging modern technologies like HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript for better styling and interactivity.
4. Integration: Facilitate integration with other web-based systems and services by exposing SAP processes to a broader ecosystem.

Getting Started with ITS

1. Activation:

• • Integrated ITS: This version is automatically installed and activated as part of the SAP NetWeaver AS. You can access it through the transaction code SICF.
  • Standalone ITS: If you need an ITS outside the AS ABAP, consider a standalone installation.

1. Service Creation: Create services using the transaction code SICF that link to the desired SAP transactions.
2. Template Development: Develop HTML templates incorporating SAP GUI elements and dynamic content.

Example: Creating a Simple ITS Service

1. Go to transaction SICF.
2. Create a new service (e.g., ‘my_its_service’).
3. Link the service to a suitable SAP transaction (GUI Transaction).
4. Define a template to control the output of your web page.

ITS – Considerations and Alternatives

While it offers benefits, it’s worth noting other technologies within the SAP landscape:

• SAP Fiori: Provides a more modern and user-centric approach to web-enabling SAP applications, focusing on usability and design patterns.
• SAPUI5: A JavaScript framework for building Fiori-like applications.
• Web Dynpro ABAP: An alternative to ITS, using a more integrated programming model within ABAP itself.

Conclusion

ITS provides a valuable way to extend the reach of your SAP applications to the web. It is beneficial for scenarios where rapid web enablement of existing transactions is a priority. Understanding ITS will empower you to make informed decisions about the best approach to web-enable your SAP landscape.