white paper - january 2006€¦ · models. the results are considerable cost savings and a...

Business Process Excellence

White Paper - January 2006

ARIS for SAP NetWeaver – The Business ProcessDesign Solution for SAP NetWeaver

2 © IDS Scheer AG – January 2006

Table of contents

11 IInnttrroodduuccttiioonn .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..4422 AARRIISS PPllaattffoorrmm .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..5533 AARRIISS ffoorr SSAAPP NNeettWWeeaavveerr .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..773.1 What is BPM? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73.1.1 Prerequisites for BPM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83.1.2 Critical Success Factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83.1.3 Modeling Instead of Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

3.2 Next Generation BPM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103.2.1 Process Architectural Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103.2.2 Process Configuration Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113.2.3 Process Execution Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

3.3 Unified Modeling Environment –From Process Knowledge to Service Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143.4 Innovation and Optimization –Advantages of Uniform Process Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

44 UUssee CCaasseess iinn DDeettaaiill .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..11554.1 Creation of a Consistent Process Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .154.2 Configuration of SAP Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .164.2.1 Blueprinting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .164.2.2 Interfaces and Development of Add-ons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .164.2.3 Process-Oriented Testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .164.2.4 Quality Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

4.3 Conceptual Design of mySAP Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .174.4 Process-Oriented User Training Courses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .184.5 Creating Individual Help Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .184.6 Description of Organizational Structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .194.7 Global Roll-outs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .194.8 Continuous Process Optimization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .204.9 Process-Oriented Redocumentation of SAP R/3 Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

55 TTeecchhnniiccaall DDeettaaiillss .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..22225.1 Interface with SAP Solution Manager and SAP XI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .225.2 Calling SAP Transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .225.3 Synchronization with SAP Solution Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .225.4 Synchronization of SAP Solution Manager with ARIS for SAP NetWeaver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .225.5 Synchronization of ARIS for SAP NetWeaver with SAP Solution Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .235.6 Upload of ARIS BPEL Processes to SAP XI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

66 CCoonntteenntt .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..22336.1 mySAP E-Business Scenario Diagrams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .236.2 SAP Solution Manager Scenarios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .236.3 SAP Reference Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

List of figures

Fig. 1: ARIS Platform for Process Excellence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5Fig. 2: Business Process Management Lifecycle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7Fig. 3: Consistent Process Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10Fig. 4: Process Architectural Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Fig. 5: Process Configuration Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12Fig. 6: Synchronization between ARIS for SAP NetWeaver and SAP Solution Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12Fig. 7: Process Execution Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13Fig. 8: Enterprise Services Architecture (ESA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14Fig. 9: Unified Modeling Environment – the Future of Process Modeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14Fig. 10: SAP transaction call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18Fig. 11: ARIS Process Performance Manager (ARIS PPM) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

© IDS Scheer AG – January 2006 3


1 Introduction

Business processes are the nerves of any enterprise. Their quality and efficiency have a decisive effect on turnoverand profit, and in turn also on the enduring success of the company, regardless of its size or the industry it oper-ates in. To obtain a long-term advantage, a company must deliver its products and services to customers fasterthan competitors and can respond with flexible business processes to changing market requirements.

Accordingly, in order to survive in the global marketplace, organizations need suitable management, control andmonitoring instruments. A company must possess a well-defined model of its own value chain, which can beadapted to new circumstances and general economic conditions at any time. For the implementation of intelligentbusiness strategies, a company should have flexibility in its business processesas well as a high level of innova-tion and the ability to transfer process optimization and innovation from management concepts to the world ofsupporting IT systems. Enterprise management application software must be configured efficiently with respectto supporting processes before it can be used as a strategically and value-adding corporate solution. It is the pri-mary task of process management not only to develop flexible process-oriented organizational structures andtherefore minimize the number of organizational hand-offs within the process flow, but also to automate sub-processes that are always executed in the same way.

As part of strategic development cooperation, SAP and IDS Scheer are combining the technological strengths andthe business process design expertise to offer a comprehensive Business Process Management (BPM) solution.BPM with SAP NetWeaver and ARIS provides methods and methodology, technologies and reference contentsthat enable the flexible, adaptable company to become a reality. A key element of the strategic development coop-eration between SAP and IDS Scheer is the refinement of methods and tools for consistent process modeling foran Enterprise Services Architecture (ESA).

ARIS for SAP NetWeaver represents a significant contribution to reducing time and costs in defining, implement-ing, operating, monitoring and optimizing business processes. It allows rapid adaptation of existing process mod-els (Change Management), while still enabling transparent and flexible integration of configuration and executionmodels. The results are considerable cost savings and a constantly growing base of process design knowledgewithin the company. This represents a critical milestone in the transition to a service-oriented IT architecture.

This white paper was written for users, consultants, and employees of the IT, technical, and organizational depart-ments who plan, document, configure, implement, or monitor business processes within the framework of an SAPsolution.

2 ARIS Platform

The ARIS Platform for Process Excellence provides all the tools for BPM Lifecycle that companies need tomanage a culture of continuous change and improvement. This includes all target groups in the company– from management and organizational departments, technical, and IT departments to controlling.

Fig. 1:ARIS Platform for ProcessExcellence

Implementing new businessstrategies demands that compa-nies have not only flexibility inbusiness processes, but also theability to transfer process opti-mization and innovation to theworld of IT systems: “AligningBusiness Processes and IT”.ARIS Platform can seamlesslylink business and IT. Its highlyscaleable and adaptable productfamily offers solutions for theentire Business Process Lifecycle– from Web-based description,analysis and optimization ofbusiness processes and soft-

ware engineering to SAP NetWeaver integration and constant process controlling. IDS Scheer promises tosupport each customer in every aspect of the BPM cycle. With the ARIS platform, companies can set upindividual architectures through the Web, structure their business processes faster, publish and implementthem in executable information systems.

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In the picture shown below, the main products of the ARIS platform are briefly described and catego-rized.

BPM should always begin with the definition and implementation of the companiesstrategy, followed by a continuous controlling of the target systems. With ARIS BSCSolution, companies achieve – from key performance indicators (KPIs) to processes– a consistent implementation of company strategy, with data being stored in a cen-tral company repository. ARIS Business Optimizer analyzes KPIs, for example, forcost calculations in various areas, such as process cost management. It also per-

forms target costing and sets up BSC systems as part of the BSC solution. Various source systems can be accessedas a data source (e.g., ARIS Repository, SAP systems, etc.).

The Web-based solutions ARIS Business Architect and ARIS Business Designer enabledistributed, company-wide modeling, analysis and optimization of business processes,as well as setup of IT architectures through the Internet. ARIS Business Designer pro-vides professional BPM with user-friendly functionality that enables even unskilled,occasional users to model. Users are optimally supported in the process design by intu-itive user interfaces and many automated procedures. ARIS Business Architect is a

Web-based tool with extended administration and analysis functions for the skilled ARIS user or administrator.ARIS Toolset and ARIS Easy Design still represent the leading, Windows-based solutions for designing businessprocesses. All solutions can be used together in a distributed scenario.

With ARIS Implementation Platform products, the the gap betweenBusiness and IT can be closed. ARIS for SAP NetWeaver helps design theprocess architecture of SAP solutions that have been optimally adapted tothe company’s business processes. ARIS P2A Solution ensures the seam-less implementation of business logic in executable applications. Com-panies can use ARIS UML Designer to model all UML diagrams on the

basis of UML standard 1.4 and establish a relation to ARIS models. This integrates technical and topical contentin one tool, which saves time and guarantees the quality of the software developed.

ARIS Controlling Platform solutions monitor and optimize business processes.ARIS Process Perfomance Manager (ARIS PPM) is a patented client/server soft-ware that uses KPIs to automatically visualize, document, evaluate, and displaya company’s processes in real time. ARIS Audit Manager is workflow softwarehat applies various rules to verify the operability of internal control systems.

Since all tools and methods are fully integrated throughout the entire ARIS Platform, ARIS for SAP NetWeaver canbe extended with additional ARIS Platform components at any time. ARIS Business Architect, ARIS BusinessDesigner, ARIS Toolset and ARIS Easy Design can be expanded into ARIS Business Architect for SAP NetWeaver,ARIS Business Designer for SAP NetWeaver, ARIS Toolset for SAP NetWeaver or ARIS Easy Design for SAPNetWeaver for the specific purpose of successfully implementing SAP solutions. This provides the user with thehighest degree of security, consistency and flexibility. Using ARIS Business Designer for SAP NetWeaver or ARISEasy Design for SAP NetWeaver guarantees that employees engaged in SAP projects only have access to the mod-eling and presentation functions they need to carry out during their tasks.

3 ARIS for SAP NetWeaver

3.1 What is BPM?

BPM is the concept, method, and procedure for inter-organizational process monitoring along the entirelength of a company’s value-added chain. BPM includes the definition of process strategy, the recording ofprocesses, including analysis and optimization, their operational introduction and implementation into theIT infrastructure, and the automatic running, monitoring and measurement of these processes, as well astheir KPIs. In turn, BPM enables a company to adapt to changing internal and external demands. BPM istherefore a closed-loop solution.

This is the only way to obtain a complete view of the business processes, from strategy and design (busi-ness strategy), modeling (business model), configuration, automated execution by engines, to technologi-cal and business monitoring of internal and inter-company business processes (B2B). Continuous ProcessManagement also includes functions that facilitate the transfer of knowledge based on role, transparentdocumentation of processes and the operation of processes with appropriate means for handling excep-tions. Monitoring tasks encompass the analysis of the efficiency of a given process with reference todefined KPIs and the monitoring of critical business management events with event handling.

Fig. 2:Business Process ManagementLifecycle

The most important question remains: Howefficient is the process at managing theevolution and change of its own worksequences, organization, and IT infrastruc-ture? The added value of the company’s ITand IT-related investments are realized indi-rectly through the support of its processes.

Even the previously untapped potential sav-ings and benefits of inter-company process-es with customers (and their customers)and suppliers (and their suppliers) can berevealed and tapped into with thisapproach. BPM is the essential prerequisitefor any improvement in a company’s abilityto compete and innovate. BPM has a directbearing on the processes surrounding prod-uct creation (time to market, innovation),

provision of production and services (customer orientation, contribution margin/profit, quality), support(lower overhead, satisfied employees), and management and controlling of processes (change manage-ment, strategy). As a result, BPM enables companies to respond fast and flexibly to changing customerrequirements and market trends.

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3.1.1 Prerequisites for BPM

BPM must be embedded in the organizational structure of the company, professional and efficient managementprocesses, and all relevant target groups. However, any improvement potential that is derived as a result of BPMcannot remain the subject of one isolated initiative, because sustained and lasting competitive advantages canonly be achieved when the loop is completed – in a true Business Process Lifecycle. The success of this method-ology depends on the process-orientation of the companies in which it is implemented, and the constancy withwhich it is pursued.

Of the conditions listed, the information technologies to be installed in the company often represent a stumblingblock in the implementation of any process optimization plans. Most often, they consist of functionally separate,stand-alone components that are tailored to the individual needs of the organizational unit they serve. As a result,heterogeneous system landscapes are born, with redundant and often outdated applications, using any number ofdifferent versions. If it is even possible, adapting these systems to new, integrated business processes requires atremendous amount of development effort. For this reason, many IT projects fall short of expectations. Or, they areconsidered failed projects because they have not been implemented “ON TIME” and “UNDER BUDGET”.

To derive competitive advantage from such projects requires focusing on the business processes to be implement-ed. Only then can process innovations be put into practice, workflows made leaner, and both products and servic-es brought to market faster, cheaper, and with superior quality.

The SAP NetWeaver open integration and application platform provides companies with the ability to bringtogether users, information and business processes across technological and corporate boundaries. It enablescompanies to organize heterogeneous infrastructures flexibly, reduce their complexity and thereby significantlyreduce operating costs (total cost of ownership). SAP NetWeaver is the technological foundation for all solutionsin the mySAP Business Suite and SAP xApps, and ensures a high degree of reliability, security and scalability inthe flexible adaptation of company-critical business processes to meet constantly changing requirements.

3.1.2 Critical Success Factors

Even with the latest technologies, implementing innovative ideas is often a long and expensive undertaking, besetwith difficulties. The outcome of many process optimization projects often falls short of original expectations. Itis difficult to get executive management and operational departments to understand the technology-oriented per-spective of the IT department with regard to data, systems and interfaces. This is especially true when integrat-ing mature, heterogeneous system landscapes and various factors render the flexible adaptation of a company’sprocess landscape imperative: gaining access to new markets, introducing new products, changes in statutory reg-ulations, expanding the business partner network, acquiring other companies, and outsourcing certain processesto service providers (BPO). The “language gap” between the business management ideas of the operationaldepartment and the actual capabilities offered by the IT department’s implementation can create serious obsta-cles for the timely introduction of strategically essential requirements. Executive management and specialists inthe operational department define “what” needs to be done, the IT specialists identify the “how” and the “withwhat” (tools and systems) – but since their concepts, methods, and procedure models are not in agreement, thisentails a long process of polling everyone involved. BPM first enables different users with various roles to take ona range of tasks in modeling the processes – both ”top-down” and ”bottom-up” – so that communication betweenthe process manager and the IT specialist is optimized. Existing process knowledge is documented to be easilyunderstood and reused at any time. Starting with the description of the management process architecture andincluding the implementation view of the applications and the integration view of cross-system processes, BPMextends far beyond technical process integration approaches, which use classic EAI (Enterprise ApplicationIntegration) means to control business occurrences across application landscapes.

3.1.3 Modeling Instead of Programming

BPM with SAP NetWeaver and ARIS for SAP NetWeaver provide procedural models (methodology), meth-ods, technologies and reference content with which the flexible, adaptable company can become a reality.

First, SAP NetWeaver offers all integrated functions of a classic BPM Suite in one platform: using businessmanagement events, BPM controls processes within the individual business application systems based onthe business objects (order, call for bids, purchase requisitions, purchase orders, invoices, etc.), organiza-tional structures, and standard business rules. SAP Business Workflow assumes the function of a Work-flow Management System (WMS) that is integrated with the application. Cross-system process modelingand control is enabled by SAP Exchange Infrastructure (SAP XI). Then, programmable integration process-es, based on the exchange of information between SAP and non-SAP systems, use cross-application rulesand events to monitor the harmonization of communications among these systems. These processes areexecuted by the Business Process Engine embedded in SAP XI’s Integration Server. This “IntegrationBroker” in SAP NetWeaver performs far more than the traditional tasks of middleware, like transportingmessages, ensuring secure communications, and routing and transforming messages (structure and valuemapping) from 1:N interfaces. With cross-component BPM, it becomes possible to run process logic acrossthe boundaries of different systems. SAP XI then serves as a BPM System (BPMS) and “Event Broker”.

A range of exception handling methods for dealing with technical and business management alerts (e.g., atechnical message about system performance, expiration of a deadline for communicating with a businesspartner regarding a request for tender, or approval workflows) ensure that the appropriate users intervenein the automated processes in a timely manner. In order to increase user productivity, SAP NetWeaverincludes the SAP Enterprise Portal to enable customization of the work environment, which can accesstechnological and business events (work items, alerts, information messages, tasks) from the SAP and non-SAP systems, as well as from messages sent by the central process instances of the Business ProcessEngine. The Universal Worklist (UWL) assumes the function of a central inbox, so that users are effective-ly engaged in the process flows. Tasks, work items and alerts from various systems can therefore be pro-cessed at a single, central workstation. Either from the UWL or a Collaboration Room, using a simple, wiz-ard-based method (ad hoc workflow), any user can develop and add their own task management workflowsas subprocesses of existing application processes (e.g., controlled editing of an approval involving multi-ple steps and several users) or create stand-alone team processes (e.g., for joint editing of documents, forassigning tasks in a project, etc.).

With ARIS for SAP NetWeaver, this approach is supplemented with business process modeling functional-ities. In the first step, the functionalities include documentation of existing process flows. Processes canonly be rendered transparent and subject to more detailed analysis when all available knowledge about theprocesses, which exists primarily in the minds of the employees who use them, has been gathered and con-solidated. Structural and process-organizational models map the complexity of the company reality andreduce it to manageable terms. The analysis phase provides vital information about the true efficiency ofthe business processes. ARIS is particularly effective in the detection of process strengths and weakness-es. Personnel and material resource utilization levels are recorded together with the occurrence of dynam-ic wait times, which represent costly bottlenecks for a company. Cost center and resource utilization lev-els and the slowdowns in processes caused by media and system breaks become evident, as do best prac-tices (i.e., process variants revealed comparatively as the best of their kind in terms of time and cost). Withextensive evaluation and reporting capabilities (e.g., in the form of what-if analyses and process simula-tions), companies obtain KPIs and information about the business processes that are critical for successand for ongoing optimization.



3.2 Next Generation BPM

Fig. 3:Consistent Process Architecture

ARIS for SAP NetWeaver, the solution developedjointly by SAP and IDS Scheer, contains a consis-tent description of the process architecture – fromenterprise process models to implementation of theprocesses by SAP Solution Manager, the integra-tion of executable processes in SAP XI, and theapplications with SAP Business Workflow.

3.2.1 Process Architectural Model

At the top level (Process Architectural Model), a company’s process architecture is constructed using a purely busi-ness management view without technical reference. This model of the process architecture has two key functions:First, the creation of visibility in terms of the current quality of processes and second, the realignment of existingbusiness processes with the current demands of the market. For both tasks, a method-based approach and unifieddescription language are essential. The design phase answers the questions: WHO does WHAT, with WHOM, andin what order? As part of the process analysis, organizational, structural and technological weak points in theprocesses are revealed and improvement potential is identified. The results of the analysis are combined with theenterprise goals to yield target processes, in other words, the processes that – when converted into IT – will sup-port the company’s value creation for the future. With this architectural model, it is then possible to describe thecompany’s process strategy and reformulate it at will.

Companies need the consistent support of BPM through software tools, i.e., support that extends beyond record-ing processes in text or tables, or in purely graphical format. Without the times, costs and frequencies associat-ed with the processes, it is impossible to identify precise process costs, dynamic wait times, and classic “bottle-necks”. The necessary solution must meet all requirements for describing the totality of process knowledge. Inother words, it must be possible to represent and deal with not only structural, but also process-organizationaland technological problems, in an integrated way.

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Fig. 4: Process Architectural Model

ARIS for SAP NetWeaver enables process information to be administered centrally in a multilingual repos-itory. As a result, it can be used for project documentation, global system implementations, end user train-ing or optimization projects. In addition, ARIS for SAP NetWeaver provides modeling functionalities thatare optimally tailored to the process architecture model of business scenarios, business processes andprocess steps.

However, the improvement potential of a company is not fully realized just by modeling and making orga-nizational improvements to operational process flows. An essential factor in the success of a company isthe IT used to support critical company processes. It must be adaptable to allow the company to respondto rapid changes in the corporate environment, and must also be powerful enough to meet the innovativerequirements for future process changes.

3.2.2 Process Configuration Model

Accordingly, the next step is to transfer and adapt business processes to the application software in oper-ational use seamlessly and without loss of information. The level of the Process Configuration Model isused to describe processes configuration down to individual steps within one or more mySAP scenarios.Configuration models are used to describe the processes and process steps throughout all different com-ponents of the mySAP Business Suite.

SAP supports the introduction of the mySAP Business Suite with SAP Solution Manager. This platform pro-vides the integrated contents (reference processes), tools and procedures that are essential not only forconducting the implementation efficiently and economizing on resources committed to the support opera-tions, but also for the overall operation of an SAP solution. For example, at the operational level, SAPSolution Manager offers technical monitoring of the entire SAP solution. This enables business processesto be tracked across multiple systems and interfaces. A support portal provides support desk functions,such as Note Search, Automatic Note Implementation and Remote Support.

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Fig. 5: Process Configuration Model

In order to derive the full benefit potential of a process-oriented procedure with SAP Solution Manager, a link bet-ween the global business processes and the SAP solution should be established. Using ARIS for SAP NetWeaver,companies can choose the business scenarios and processes to support with SAP solutions from the SAP refer-ence examples offered, based on their own business management requirements. SAP Solution Manager providesreference processes that can be adapted during implementation to suit specific customer requirements and usedfor operations and process monitoring. Finally, a model of this kind also serves to enable specific derivation of cus-tomizing activities, navigation to SAP systems, and the definition of information relevant for monitoring (e.g.,transaction thresholds).

Fig. 6:Synchronization between ARIS for SAPNetWeaver and SAP Solution Manager

Process models and other configuration ele-ments can be exchanged (synchronized) bet-ween ARIS for SAP NetWeaver and SAP Solu-tion Manager. In this context, SAP referencemodels are integrated in the ARIS processarchitecture and adapted to individual cus-tomer requirements and company processes asrequired. The models are then incorporated in adetailed requirements specification (blueprint),which is loaded into a project in SAP SolutionManager. This is where the technical realiza-tion of the model (customizing) takes place.

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This assures that the system is aligned as closely as possible with the business logic of the company, ratherthan vice versa. On this foundation, the SAP processes can be synchronized with and adapted to the exist-ing company processes. The connectivity between SAP Solution Manager and ARIS for SAP NetWeaverprovides both companies and consultants with an important aid for successful, process-oriented configu-ration of the SAP solution, because it enables a link to be established between global business processesand the SAP solution.

3.2.3 Process Execution Model

At the next level (Process Execution Model), the level of the executable process models, modeled processflows are used by SAP XI and the applications for execution. SAP XI has a standard-based (BPEL: BusinessProcess Execution Language) development environment from which abstract process logic can be trans-ferred to the runtime environment of SAP XI, the Integration Server. At the same time, the technicalprocesses can be derived using BPEL modeling in ARIS based on the description of process requirementsfrom the business management viewpoint (Process Architectural Model). These process models constitutethe supporting substructure for the BPEL processes that are to be implemented and run in SAPNetWeaverXI. The BPEL standard interface in SAP NetWeaver XI enables the process models to be import-ed, so that essential information for their execution can be added, and the models can be configured andrun.

Fig. 7: Process Execution Model

In this context, cross-system inter-application processes are flexibly connected with the application pro-cesses of the individual systems and individual system interfaces from SAP and non-SAP systems, as wellas business workflows (e.g., an ERP approval workflow), can be orchestrated in a high level process logicfor human interaction. Integration scenarios and processes that are sometimes used in an industry-specif-ic form (e.g., RosettaNet) for business partner communication can now also be made available to the com-plete process architecture in ARIS.

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3.3 Unified Modeling Environment –From Process Knowledge to Service Architecture

A key element of the strategic development cooperation between SAP and IDS Scheer is the further developmentof methods and tools for consistent process modeling to support the Enterprise Services Architecture (ESA). TheESA describes the way in which an integration and application platform can be used to map business processesquickly and flexibly, and to synchronize them with each other.

Fig. 8:Enterprise Services Architecture (ESA)

In this way, ESA enables the design of compositeapplications that are based on existing systems anduse Web services to process special business prob-lems or tasks quickly and efficiently. ESA provides anew dimension in flexibility, since all aspects of abusiness process, including people, systems, andinformation can be controlled; this encompasses bothSAP and non-SAP applications, as well as structuredand unstructured data, such as databases and docu-ments along the entire value chain.

In the future, products and expertise from both SAPand IDS Scheer will be even more tightly integrated:design, modeling, and model-based configuration willtake place in a technically integrated solution, a stan-dardized modeling environment that will form part of

the SAP Enterprise Services Repository in SAP NetWeaver, which is an advanced version of today’s SAPNetWeaver XI Integration Repository. Based on a common metamodel, users will be able to undertake differentrole-specific tasks in a common modeling environment:

Fig. 9:Unified Modeling Environment – the Futureof Process Modeling

The integration of business management processknowledge with the technical orchestration ofenterprise and application services facilitates theevolutionary implementation of a service-orientedarchitecture based on business requirements. Newprocesses, or “next practices”, can be soundlyspecified in management terms and developedusing models based on existing ”best practice”applications and their functions, business objectsand application logic encapsulated as services.

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3.4 Innovation and Optimization –Advantages of Uniform Process Management

The joint solution from SAP and IDS Scheer enables companies to rapidly and flexibly realize innovativebusiness processes and strategies. SAP NetWeaver increases the flexibility of the entire heterogeneous ITlandscape in a company while at the same time reducing the operating costs. With ARIS for SAPNetWeaver, IDS Scheer offers a tailor-made environment for the design and the architecture of businessprocess models. The models in ARIS for SAP NetWeaver are transparently integrated into the configura-tion and execution models in SAP NetWeaver.

Companies can start today with the homogeneous, method-based integration of business processes, fromthe business view to technical realization. Process architecture, configuration and execution models pro-duced now can also be used in the future, so investment security is protected.

4 Use Cases in Detail

4.1 Creation of a Consistent Process Architecture

The process architecture of a company describes its business processes consistently from a purely busi-ness management level, to a configuration-oriented view, and down to an integrated description of exe-cutable processes.

The Business View describes end-to-end processes from a purely business management perspective withno reference to technology. Its purpose is not only to provide an overview and clarity for everyone involved,but also to enable the strategic realignment of all business processes to meet the current requirements ofthe market.

A complete process architecture thus supports the seamless integration of processes in all aspects of cus-tomer relationship management, e-commerce, supply chain management, and business intelligence. Theylink the various, multi-level systems of purchasers and salesmen, as well as customers and suppliers (end-to-end). This enables business processes to be tracked across multiple systems and interfaces. This per-mits the creation of a process architecture for all partners involved throughout the company, improvingquality and customer service and increasing profitability.

This business management content is available in ARIS for SAP NetWeaver to assist companies in thetechnical setup of their IT infrastructure. The representation in ARIS renders process flows clear for man-agement and technical staff, and configuration and integration specialists, enabling efficient planning anddesign. In this way, the skills and information possessed by various experts can be harnessed for imple-mentation and optimization so that an optimal and efficient solution is reached.



4.2 Configuration of SAP Components

4.2.1 Blueprinting

The business blueprint defines the overall scope of the SAP project. It describes which business processes will besupported by SAP components in the future. In the first step, a connection is established between the globalprocess architecture and the SAP solution (components). When synchronized with SAP Solution Manager, ARIS forSAP Netweaver provides access to all business scenarios generated by SAP in an ARIS database. From this sce-nario pool, consultants or experienced employees can select scenarios to match the business processes that arerunning and are to be supported by SAP systems in the future.

In this way, companies can refer to their own business management needs as the basis for their choice of the sce-narios they want to support with SAP. Depending on the scenarios selected, an ARIS report automatically deter-mines which SAP component and which release is required to realize these scenarios (SAP landscape). The advan-tage of this automation is considerably reduced effort to select the necessary system components.

In addition to the scenarios, SAP Solution Manager also provides reference processes that can be analyzed, adapt-ed and extended for application to specific customers in ARIS. These process models can be exchanged (synchro-nized) between ARIS for SAP NetWeaver and SAP Solution Manager at any time. After a new synchronization, themodels are incorporated in a detailed requirements specification (blueprint) in SAP Solution Manager. This iswhere the technical realization of the model (customizing) takes place.

4.2.2 Interfaces and Development of Add-ons

ARIS UML Designer is included in the Implementation Platform as a tool for developing add-on functions and inter-faces during the implementation. With the addition of classic UML methodology to ARIS, it is possible to obtaina consistent and uniform visual representation of the requirements of the business world, culminating in theirimplementation in individual software. Technical and technological contents can be created in the same databasewith a single tool.

Interfaces enable data to be exported and imported between ARIS and computer-aided software engineering(CASE) tools, such as Rational Rose. Data can be transferred via XMI (XML Metadata Interchange) to enable com-puter-supported software development. The main task of CASE tools is to generate program code automaticallyfrom the UML models. Model-based code generation offers an advantage in the executability of the program com-ponents and the fact that the overall system can be verified beforehand in the model. This significantly shortensthe implementation phase.

ARIS Connectivity for Eclipse provides access to ARIS databases from the Eclipse platform. UML models createdin ARIS can be sent via XMI to other development tools integrated in Eclipse (Borland Together Eclipse integra-tion, Borland Together Eclipse Edition, or Rational XDE). The UML models then become available as source code(Borland Together) or as J2EE software components (Rational XDE) from ARIS. This means that software develop-ers can work with (UML) data from ARIS directly in the development environment.

4.2.3 Process-Oriented Testing

In the past, the design and implementation phases were often carried out separately. However, the current trendis to carry out the two steps in parallel. The advantage of this approach is that it enables the knowledge gainedin the design phase to be used directly for rapid implementation of executable processes in a prototype (iterativeprocess prototyping). The process model is used as a procedural basis (blueprint) for customizing the prototype.By calling selected SAP transactions from the process model with ARIS for SAP NetWeaver, the processing capa-bilities and the runtime behavior of various SAP components can be tested at a very early stage of the project.

For system tests, business occurrences are recorded as business cases via animation control and thenplayed back automatically. Since SAP experts who set up the system usually concentrate strongly on appli-cations, the overall process can be tested across all applications. Such tests reveal weak points in theprocess sequence at an early stage, enabling analysis in time.

The test can also be supported by ARIS Business Designer for SAP NetWeaver. Transactions are launcheddirectly from the browser. After closing the transaction, the user is automatically returned to the initialprocess. Test plans can be generated with an ARIS report to rationalize the test phase.

Documents can be embedded in the process models that have been created with ARIS for SAP NetWeaver,for example, to document the customization of settings in more detail. This information is important for co-ordinating various project teams and enables certain settings to be reviewed when the system is opera-tional.

4.2.4 Quality Control

After a successful implementation of the SAP system, the process models are used for quality checks. Theimplemented SAP system can be called from the models, in which the users’ requirements are document-ed. Quality assurance tests can thus be carried out. Deviations from the requirements definition are detect-ed and can be eliminated by animating the business processes or by running through various scenarios.

4.3 Conceptual Design of mySAP Solutions

Collaborative and Inter-Enterprise scenarios extending beyond company boundaries must be planned indetail and communicated to all interested business partners. Therefore, solution maps and C-business sce-narios are an important component of mySAP. The method for mapping these models, describing the mySAPsolutions that can be realized for various industry sectors, was developed jointly by IDS Scheer and SAP.The C-business scenarios, which are provided with ARIS for SAP NetWeaver in the form of an ARIS data-base in the ARIS E-Business method, describe business processes and process flows in mySAP. The ARISE-Business method enables virtual integration between companies and comprehensive cooperation amongvarious companies and even entire commercial syndicates. To allow simple, efficient, and easy use of thisbusiness process integration via any Internet-compliant end device, E-Business models are transferred toa Web-based representation form and made available on the Internet. With ARIS for SAP NetWeaver, busi-ness management content is available for adaptation to individual process flows. When they are represent-ed in the ARIS E-Business method, processes become easier to plan and create efficiently because theyare clear to customers, suppliers, and business partners. It is even possible to use other companies’ skillsto strengthen and optimize your own core competencies to result in an optimum, efficient solution for allinvolved.

All business partners satisfy a specific task within an e-business scenario. The tasks are based on busi-ness processes that are run in the respective companies. In many cases, these business processes are sup-ported by business management applications systems, such as SAP R/3. With such predefined templates,companies can use these descriptions to plan and generate detailed documentation of their own mySAPsolutions before they are implemented.



4.4 Process-Oriented User Training Courses

ARIS for SAP NetWeaver lends itself particularly well to SAP user training. Traditional SAP user training sessionsonly cover dialog sequences. However, the business management connection is often overlooked. However, ARISfor SAP NetWeaver enables process-oriented training based on the process model. Company processes are avail-able in the form of a process map, from where SAP transactions can be called according to the exact sequence inwhich they occur when processing a business occurrence.

In addition to SAP transactions, it is also possible to incorporate training materials, such as PowerPoint presenta-tions, Internet pages, text, images or videos in the process models. SAP transactions and the SAP system onlinehelp are available from within the process model to answer questions on individual processing steps. ARIS thusprovides training in which the entire business management context is taken into consideration and subsequentprocessing steps, carried out by other organizational units, are described.

Fig. 10:SAP transaction call

With the animation control, trainers can cap-ture individual process flows in a process mod-el and save them as business cases. Subse-quently, they run through the business cases inuser training. With this approach, training istailored specifically to employees’ individualtasks. The additional links to the SAP onlinehelp and the ARIS Online Guide also enablestaff to learn by studying on their own, in turnsignificantly reducing training effort. If theprocesses modeled in ARIS have been exportedusing ARIS Web Publisher or ARIS BusinessPublisher, they are available to all staff mem-bers on the intranet or Internet, even after thetraining is complete.

4.5 Creating Individual Help Systems

ARIS supports the operation of the SAP solution with the availability of process-oriented documentation on theintranet or the Internet. The ARIS Online Guide also enables the creation of a customized SAP help system. SAPsystem users must often work with a large number of screens. It is easy to lose track of the business process inwhich users are actually working. The ARIS Online Guide establishes a direct connection from SAP transactionsto individually created user documentation and the associated process models. This allows the corresponding doc-uments and process models to be called from any SAP transaction as a supplement to the SAP standard help. Withthe ARIS Online Guide, users can switch directly from an SAP transaction into the associated process model. Thismakes work easier for infrequent users and considerably shortens orientation times for new employees. In thisway, relevant documents that have been created during an implementation project can be made available, alsofrom the SAP R/3 system, to all employees.

4.6 Description of Organizational Structures

The focus in implementing IT projects should be directed at the continuous optimization of process flowsand the organizations involved in them. To this end, ARIS for SAP NetWeaver also includes ARISConnectivity for SAP HR. This interface connects the SAP-based business processes with the structural andprocess organizational contents of the SAP system. The organizational structures, personnel resource allo-cations, task catalogs and task profiles in the SAP HR module can be transferred automatically to an ARISdatabase from the SAP R/3 system as graphic models, to provide additional organizational allocation infor-mation for the SAP process models. In this way, ARIS ensures the internal consistency and reusability ofthe modeling results. This reduces modeling effort and allows relationships to be documented in ARISbetween the organization and the business processes. The result is a unified, central repository of compa-ny documentation that can be used as the basis for continued optimization.

4.7 Global Roll-outs

A further advantage of using ARIS to document SAP blueprints is the standardization of SAP blueprintsthroughout decentralized locations. In many international groups, SAP systems are initially implemented atone location, and these pre-set systems are subsequently rolled out to other sites. However, the systemsare usually inadequately documented, which can lead to costly delays or inconsistent system settings. Theabilities to link process models with SAP transactions via ARIS for SAP NetWeaver and to connect SAPtransactions to process models (ARIS Online Guide), combined with the multilingual capability of ARIS,enable optimum orientation on the adapted system in near-real time at all locations. Documentation canbe maintained centrally and exchanged worldwide on the intranet or the Internet. Adaptations to the basicsystem, which are necessary for country and company-specific requirements, are then planned and docu-mented at the various sites.

The following functions are particularly useful:

• ARIS enables the creation of model variants. Variants for subsidiaries can be created from an existingcompany model so that specific local features are taken into consideration.

• Database contents can be created in any language and simultaneously managed in one database.

• Special analysis supports a comparison of the company model with the business process variants cre-ated (e.g., by different subsidiaries).

• ARIS Merge enables consistent merging of different, remote databases and offers comprehensive helpfor automated or individual conflict resolution.

• In conjunction with ARIS Web Publisher, ARIS Business Publisher, ARIS Business Architect, or ARISBusiness Designer, processes can be edited and distributed anywhere in the world via intranet or theInternet.



4.8 Continuous Process Optimization

The use of process models for documenting the IT solution is still valuable even after the actual implementation.The systems are usually optimized after implementation and during operational use. However, staff or consultantswho worked on the implementation projects are often no longer available after the conclusion of the project. Newusers can learn the customer-specific SAP system at any time using the process models created in ARIS for SAPNetWeaver, which also document all knowledge acquired during the implementation. The linking of process mod-els to Office documents, as well as the close integration with SAP Solution Manager and SAP XI provide furtherinformation in support of orientation. Additionally, all project-related and general documentation can be trans-ferred from SAP Solution Manager to ARIS for SAP NetWeaver. Therefore, the references to project-related andgeneral documentation in SAP Solution Manager are taken into account during synchronization. The documentsare added, deleted, and updated in ARIS. As part of the optimization process, necessary changes can be docu-mented subsequently and additional scenarios, processes and functions can be modeled and implemented there-after. This enables the constant expansion and modification of the SAP system.

Fig. 11:ARIS Process Performance Manager (ARIS PPM)

ARIS PPM supports this continuous improvement and is ananalytical application for business process optimizationwithin ARIS Controlling Platform. ARIS PPM increases thereturn on investment (ROI) of existing business processesby automatically reading current performance data fromoperational systems (e.g., SAP R/3) and measuring themusing objective process KPIs, such as delivery deadlinereliability or process cycle times. At a glance, decisionmakers see their company’s process performance intachometer displays and can gain critical competitiveadvantages through benchmarking. As part of the monitor-ing component, management concentrates on critical cor-porate tasks while the ARIS PPM early warning systemprovides warnings (e.g., via e-mail) as soon as actual val-ues begin to deviate from target values.

The organizational design of company processes alsoassumes special significance in subsequent phases. For

example, if times and costs are assigned in the process models, analyses, animations, simulations or activity-based cost calculations can be performed. Add-on components ARIS Simulation and ARIS Business Optimizer(ARIS BO) are available for simulation and activity-based cost calculations. Other areas where process models maybe used include IT architecture analyses (Enterprise Architecture), workflow implementations, risk and compliancemanagement, or ISO certifications.

4.9 Process-Oriented Redocumentation of SAP R/3 Systems

Today, over 17,000 companies in 110 countries have selected more than 88,000 SAP R/3 installations.When the systems were implemented, the primary intention was usually to upgrade from superseded sys-tems and ensure the rapid availability of executable solutions. As a consequence, only a very small frac-tion of the enormous capabilities of these systems has ever been fully exploited. The adaptation of the sys-tem to company-specific processes has taken place during implementation and has not been documentedconsistently and in a process-oriented manner. Today, companies face an upgrade, new implementation,optimization by technical departments, or consolidation or migration tasks. Comprehensive understanding,as well as the process-oriented documentation of existing systems and ongoing processes, are urgentlyrequired for these new projects. Harmonizing business processes with the deployed software and provid-ing employees with process-oriented training will reveal the full range of potential benefits, as detailedbelow.

The following points emphasize the benefits described above.

• Innovative business areas and business models can be realized simply by using new SAP products andtechnologies. This raises the question of how to link these new, inter-company processes with compa-ny-internal processes and IT systems.

• The optimization potential contained in new SAP releases can only be accessed if documentation existsto indicate which functionalities has been used and to what extent in the past.

• Many companies are undergoing merger and acquisitions. Integrating legacy systems is impossible,since there are frequently no records of which modules and functions are being used where.

• Due to constantly rising IT costs and the necessity to respond to market changes with flexible businessprocesses, there is a need to integrate various SAP systems within the same company or with a com-pany’s business partners. In this scenario, process-oriented documentation can reduce the workload.

With the ARIS Redocumentation Solution, companies can determine very quickly which processes are real-ly running in their systems. Redocumentation runs almost entirely automatically and does not occupyexperts’ valuable time with laborious interviews. Only then can a company use a system to its full advan-tage. Companies can also identify system and process-related KPIs for controlling processes and IT as theprocess-oriented redocumentation is carried out.

As part of the ARIS Redocumentation Solution, process-related configuration information and adaptationsor extensions to SAP systems are evaluated with reference to special SAP reports. This information is thenautomatically consolidated and linked to the SAP reference content of SAP Solution Manager. The refer-ence content is synchronized with ARIS for SAP NetWeaver and used as the starting point for more in-depth analyses, optimization recommendations and the requirements description for future processes inyour SAP landscape.

The aim is to provide visibility of the system-based business processes throughout the entire system land-scape. As you proceed, you will find the answers to the following questions:

• Who uses which functionalities and how often?

• Which business processes have been implemented but are never used?

• What customer-specific transactions and reports do we have, how frequently are they used and whocreated them?

• Which functions should be prioritized during an upgrade?

• What are the differences in usage of the various SAP R/3 systems?

• What is the best way to relate your system-supported processes back to the standard process in theevent of an upgrade?



5 Technical Details

5.1 Interface with SAP Solution Manager and SAP XI

With ARIS for SAP NetWeaver interfaces, SAP reference processes can be synchronized between ARIS for SAPNetWeaver and SAP Solution Manager. BPEL (Business Process Execution Language) processes modeled in ARIScan be transferred to SAP XI for further processing. Moreover, all project-related and general documentation canbe transferred unidirectionally from SAP Solution Manager to ARIS for SAP NetWeaver. In turn, the references toproject-related and general documentation in SAP Solution Manager are taken into account during synchroniza-tion. The documents are added, deleted, and updated in ARIS.

5.2 Calling SAP Transactions

By calling selected SAP transactions from the process model, the processing capabilities and runtime behavior ofthe SAP system can be tested very early in the project, and system users can participate in process-oriented train-ing. This functionality is also supported by ARIS Business Architect, ARIS Business Designer, ARIS Toolset andARIS Easy Design for SAP NetWeaver, and ARIS Web Publisher. Therefore, SAP transactions can be launcheddirectly from the browser. After closing the SAP transaction, users are automatically returned to the process mod-el. Test plans can be generated with an ARIS report to further rationalize the test phase.

5.3 Synchronization with SAP Solution Manager

Synchronization with SAP Solution Manager ensures that both ARIS for SAP NetWeaver and SAP SolutionManager possess the same data and process structures. Database contents can only be synchronized if theprocess hierarchy is consistently modeled. ARIS reports ensure that consistency rules are observed. As a conse-quence, a check can be made even before the actual synchronization to ensure that all necessary information isavailable and that the item will lend itself to synchronization. In this consistency check, corrections to ARISobjects’ attribute values can be made, in some cases automatically.

5.4 Synchronization of SAP Solution Manager with ARIS for SAP NetWeaver

During the synchronization process, the “in scope” or “out of scope” status is compared (scope information). In theSynchronization Wizard, users can specify whether the items are to be synchronized recursively or non-recursive-ly. Out of scope items are displayed with inactive symbols in ARIS database models. In addition to scope informa-tion, structural information is also transferred. This may include newly created structural items, project-specificnames of structural items, and transactions.

References to project documentation created in SAP Solution Manager are also considered when the project isdownloaded and during synchronization with ARIS for SAP NetWeaver. At this time, document objects (informa-tion carriers) are created, deleted or updated in ARIS. The documentation of information carriers is available fromARIS via an interface with the SAP system, similar to launching a transaction. Then, the documents can be dis-played in the SAP GUI via the “Solution Manager Documentation” menu item in ARIS.

5.5 Synchronization of ARIS for SAP NetWeaver with SAP Solution Manager

If parts of the hierarchy have been recreated during customization, compliance with the consistency condi-tions that apply in ARIS is necessary. These rules are checked thoroughly during the synchronization pro-cedure. If they have not been satisfied, ARIS for SAP NetWeaver functionalities, such as synchronizationand navigation via the SAP Properties menu item, will then only operate in the consistent areas of the mod-el. During synchronization, name changes, new/deleted transactions and newly created items are trans-ferred. The recursive synchronization also transfers the in-scope/out-of-scope status (scope information).The synchronization functions provide users with various options for deleting, which can be activated asneeded.

5.6 Upload of ARIS BPEL Processes to SAP XI

With the ARIS BPEL export, ARIS BPEL models can be transferred to SAP XI. The elements to be exportedmust first be exported from ARIS Business Architect for SAP NetWeaver. ARIS creates ZIP files, which canbe imported into SAP XI.

6 Content

6.1 mySAP E-Business Scenario Diagrams

The mySAP E-Business Scenario Diagrams describe the synergy between processes implemented by differ-ent companies and allow users to create their own Internet-based processes using predefined templates.

6.2 SAP Solution Manager Scenarios

The scenarios reflect the business processes to be supported by the SAP systems. These scenarios are thenused to determine the scope of a given SAP implementation project.

6.3 SAP Reference Models

Reference models, organized into scenarios, processes and process steps, provide model-based descrip-tions of the business management process flows within the SAP system landscape (component diagram).They enable the SAP solution to be customized and individually documented using detailed graphic mod-els. This can potentially yield enormous savings during the implementation and subsequent use of the var-ious SAP components.


The software and consulting company IDS Scheer is the worldwide leading provider of Business Process Managementand IT solutions. With the ARIS Platform for process Excellence, IDS Scheer offers a complete tool portfolio for“Business Process Excellence”, which is highly integrated both technologically and from the content aspect. Thisencompasses methods, software and solutions for all phases of the process lifecycle – from strategy and designthrough to implementation and controlling. ARIS Platform is thus a clear unique selling point for IDS Scheer and pro-vides customers in corporations and public authorities with software support for their whole process lifecycles. Withinthe ARIS Platform for Process Excellence, ARIS Toolset is the world's most frequently purchased tool for process opti-mization. Under a strategic cooperation with SAP, the ARIS tools and methods will in future be standard in theNetWeaver platform. ARIS SmartPath is a tool that will make rapid SAP introduction a reality for medium-sized com-panies as well. Thanks to the integrated approach of ARIS Value Engineering (AVE), IDS Scheer consultants view theircustomers’ organizations holistically. AVE means building bridges between corporate strategy, the processes derivedfrom it, the IT solutions needed to support it and also the controlling of running processes. Moreover, customers pro-fit from complete global services for outsourcing and support.

IDS Scheer was founded in 1984 by Prof. August-Wilhelm Scheer, who today is Chairman of the Supervisory Board andChief Technology Advisor. The company now serves about 6,000 customers in over 70 countries through a network ofits own branch offices and partners. In 2005, the company earned revenues of about 318 million Euro (preliminary figu-res). About 2500 people are working for IDS Scheer worldwide. The company is listed in the TecDAX on the FrankfurtStock Exchange (Germany).

“ARIS”, “IDS” and “Y” symbol are registered trademarks of IDS Scheer AG, Saarbruecken. “SAP NetWeaver” is a trademark of SAP AG, Walldorf.Allother trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved. The contents of this document are subject to copyright. Anychanges,modifications, additions or amendments require prior written consent from IDS Scheer AG, Saarbrücken. Reproduction in any form is only per-mitted onthe condition that the copyright notice remains on the actual document. Publication or translation in any form requires prior written consentfromIDS Scheer AG, Saarbrücken.

Inventory number ANW0106-E-WP © Copyright IDS Scheer AG, Saarbrücken, 2006

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