ABAP SDK for Google Cloud: Use case patterns
In May 2023, Google Cloud launched ABAP SDK for Google Cloud, which provides bi-directional, real-time integration between SAP and Google Cloud Products and Services. Thanks to the feedback and feature requests from our customers and partners, we released V1.5 in October 2023 with client libraries for over 55 Google APIs.
We designed and built the SDK with ABAP developers and SAP customers in mind. For instance, we made a conscious decision in making the SDK compatible with SAP Netweaver version 702, so that customers running ECC, BW etc can utilize the SDK and get AI functionality natively in their SAP systems. Also, ABAP Developers know the ins and outs of SAP functional areas. Therefore, we are empowering ABAP Developers with tools that they can use to streamline SAP business processes for their customers.
While we are only getting started in delivering Google innovations in ABAP SDK, below are a few architecture patterns that you can use as reference for your own implementation of the SDK (by no means the below list is exhaustive). If you have a pattern / use case, feel free to post them on any forum and comment here if you think that SAP community can benefit it!
Augment SAP Business Processes
ABAP SDK can improve SAP Business processes in multiple ways. For example, language translation can improve user experience, geo-distance calculation can help optimize supply chain processes, Data Loss Prevention API can prevent data leaks. You can also get insights from BigQuery table, extract entities from a document using Document AI, directly from SAP without any middleware. These are just a few examples — explore all the available APIs here to see which API can fit your business need.
Already excited with what you can do with ABAP SDK? Have a quick round table with your team and you’ll find use case(s) for your business processes!
Data / Process Integration
SAP Data and Processes often need to be integrated with external systems. Google Cloud Pub/Sub allows you to build seamless integration between SAP and external systems using event-driven architecture. Let’s take a look at both outbound and inbound use case patterns.
Outbound from SAP
In SAP, an update to the state of business object is called Business Event. For example, when a material is created in SAP, the event CREATED is raised in business object BUS1001006. SAP provides “hooks” where you can plug in your code to handle Business Events.
- If the business object uses a BOR architecture, you can use SWE2 approach to send the event to the Pub/Sub topic.
- If the business object uses latest RAP architecture, you can use RAP Event handlers to publish the message to Pub/Sub.
If your requirements are not met by using standard business events, you can use options such as User Exits, BADIs, Enhancement Spots, Change Pointers, and custom programs to send messages to Pub/Sub.
How external systems can get Pub/Sub messages
- An external system can directly subscribe to the topic to pull messages. Depending on the programming language that the external system supports, you can use any of our other SDKs to pull messages.
- You can also configure a push subscription if your external system supports that option.
- For more complex scenarios, you can also use in-built subscriptions / triggers to several other Google Cloud services such as Cloud Functions, BigQuery, Cloud Storage, APIGEE, Integration Connectors and use those services to pull / deliver messages to external system.
Inbound into SAP
Similar to sending SAP data to external systems, receiving business transactions and data from external systems is a common requirement for SAP customers. Once again, Pub/Sub is a great fit for such requirements, thanks to the event driven architecture it supports. While there are many integration tools in the market, there are advantages of building such integrations natively in SAP. For instance, since SAP is often the source of truth for business data, building validation, error handling and re-processing capabilities natively in SAP can improve user experience, total cost of ownership and application performance.
How external systems can publish Pub/Sub messages
- Depending on the programming language that the external system supports, you can publish messages to Pub/Sub using any of our other SDKs.
- You can also use other Cloud services such as Cloud Functions, Integration Connectors, APIGEE etc to publish message to Pub/Sub
How SAP systems can get messages from Pub/Sub
Using ABAP SDK, you can consume messages from a Pub/Sub topic at regular intervals.
- For an event-driven approach, check out this post, which provides 2 alternative options using CloudEvents.
- In this post, I also explain how you can use Dead Letter Topics to handle error scenarios.
Automate Business Processes using Google AI and ML Services
Google Vertex AI platform offers several models and services that can be used in SAP Business Processes. For example, you can build an end-to-end business processes such as Sales Order maintenance and AI powered shipment routing, all within SAP using Vertex AI platform and ABAP SDK.
If you overlay Google AI/ML capabilities with your business processes, I’m sure you’ll identify use cases that can greatly benefit your enterprise. Dont hesitate to contact Google Cloud Sales if you need help !
Integrate with Google Solutions
Google offers several solutions that are either industry agnostic or industry specific. Using ABAP SDK, you can integrate with these Google solutions.
Google Cloud Cortex Framework
Cortex Framework provides a foundation and rich set of building blocks and templates for enterprises looking to modernize with our Data Cloud. Cortex allows you to derive business insights and outcomes based on your enterprise data. Wouldn’t it be nice to use these insights directly in SAP to make informed business decisions? ABAP SDK offers exactly that!
- You can use Cortex App Layer Templates to write insights into a Pub/Sub topic
- Using ABAP SDK, you can read the insights from Pub/Sub topic.
- For ad-hoc requests, as Cortex insights are available in BigQuery tables, you can query them directly from SAP by using SQL commands.
Integrate with Google Industry Solutions
Google offers products and solutions for various Industries. As these products are well integrated into Google services such as Pub/Sub, Cloud Storage and BigQuery, you can easily integrate these industry solutions with SAP.
An example of such industry solution is Manufacturing Data Engine (MDE), which brings AI to the shop floor. Using ABAP SDK you can automate SAP business processes such as Maintenance Order creation by streaming anomalies detected into SAP.
If you are using any of Google Cloud industry solutions and use SAP as your ERP, consider using the same architecture as MDE described above to integrate SAP with the industry solutions.
Google Workspace Integration
Google workspace provides secure online productivity tools to both individuals and enterprises. ABAP SDK offers secure oAuth 2.0 based connectivity with Google Workspace Products so that business users can collaborate directly from SAP.
With ABAP SDK, you can read an email along with attachments, get Google drive content, integrate with Google Sheets, without going away from your favorite SAP UI.
Conclusion and Next Steps
As we end 2023, I want to thank our customers, partners and the SAP community for your continued feedback.
I’d like to reiterate that that these samples only scratch the surface of what’s possible with the ABAP SDK for Google Cloud. We are only getting started and we can’t wait to see what innovations you build using the SDK.
Here are some key resources to learn, collaborate and contribute:
Happy Learning and Innovating ! See you in the new year !
