SAP Modeling Concepts

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The iGrafx® platform integrates with SAP® and provides support for using SAP methodology and data within the iGrafx platform. With the iGrafx® SAP® Platform Extension, blueprint project data in the SAP Solution Manager is available to the business-friendly iGrafx suite, using common SAP terminology. By supporting work with Blueprint projects in SAP Solution Manager, iGrafx integrates with the Accelerated SAP (ASAP) & Run SAP Methodologies. Whether you are working on a new implementation focused on best practices, or on change management where you are using the project to apply changes, iGrafx can assist with implementing SAP in your enterprise.

Using iGrafx you can map your supporting SAP processes to your operational processes, to indicate where your enterprise implements operational processes using SAP. Creating these relationships allows you to understand who is, and what processes are, affected by SAP. In addition, you can create diagrams that visualize how the operational process landscape is supported by SAP, and add documentation to further detail support of your enterprise processes. You can bridge the gap between the process owner and IT development, ensuring the requirements of the business are reflected in your SAP project.

Whether you are a Business or Process Analyst, Information Technology (IT) Application Developer, C-Level executive, or any member of the enterprise, there is functionality in the iGrafx product suite for you to define or understand how SAP integrates with and supports the work of the enterprise. In particular, the following topics provide an overview of the iGrafx SAP applications and the key benefits of using them with SAP Solution Manager Blueprint projects.

SAP Modeling

When equipped with an SAP Modeler user extension, you can use iGrafx desktop applications to identify where business processes and resources are supported by SAP automation, and modify blueprint data (e.g. process structure and documentation) for use in IT implementation, ensuring the structure for the SAP implementation that the business requires. In other words, you can increase process transparency, gaining a more holistic view of your enterprise across a wider audience.

The extension provides the ability to model the SAP landscape using SAP terminology and methodology.

Key benefits:

Collect all modeling information into a business-friendly tool with common SAP terminology. Use SAP Blueprint project data in iGrafx, and use iGrafx information in SAP Solution Manager
Identify where business processes are supported by SAP automation. Visually create context for where and how SAP processes are used, and align SAP processes and transactions with the operational business process landscape.
Business users augment the SAP Solution Manager Blueprint data for use in IT implementation. This effectively provides the IT developer visibility to business requirements, bridging the gap between functional areas.

Functionality enabled by the SAP Modeler extension includes:

Create or modify SAP process objects and relationships.
Create placeholders for new or custom SAP Transactions.
Create IT implementation requirements and work instructions documentation (e.g. for Transactions).
Understand the impact of Master Data on operational processes and the Blueprint project.
Create and share documentation related to operational and supporting processes.
Identify organizations and people that interact with, and rely on, SAP processes.
Automatically generate diagrammatic representations of project hierarchy and relationships.

SAP Landscape Reporting

The SAP Architect user extension enables the use of iGrafx Enterprise Modeler for reporting on your enterprise and its alignment with SAP. For example, run reports showing the effect of SAP on operational processes and resources, and understand where there are gaps in SAP support for processes.

The SAP Architect extension also enables synchronization of Solution Manager Blueprint projects and iGrafx enterprise modeling information.

Key benefits:

Identify processes and groups that are affected by potential change. This includes understanding end users requiring authentication for SAP systems access. Understanding what organizational units may require notification of changes, or training on updated systems.
Highlight opportunities for SAP automation by reporting on alignment of SAP to business process landscapes, and where operational processes are supported by SAP, and where the gaps are.
Bridge the gap between business users and IT implementation. Viewing the visual context for SAP transactions, and other process information, from iGrafx within Solution Manager provides IT with additional information about the processes to implement.

SAP and iGrafx Enterprise Objects Overview

Please see the SAP Objects Overview and iGrafx SAP Enterprise Objects Overview topics (also shown in the Related Topics links below) for further conceptual information about iGrafx and SAP.