Sap crm ui cookbook

Version 3

Consultant’s Cookbook
CRM WebClient UI
Valid for SAP CRM 2006s SP05 and higher

June 2007

Please provide feedback:
crm.feedback@sap.com

CRM WebClient Consultant’s Cookbook for CRM 2006s SP03 Page 2

Change History
Version Status/Changes Date
1 Version for CRM2006s SP03, CRMUIF SP4 February 2007
2 Version for CRM2006s SP05, CRMUIF SP7 June 2007
3 Version for CRM2007 December 2007

Icons

Icon Meaning
Caution

Example

Note

Recommendation

Syntax


Contents

0 Introduction...................................................................................................................................................4

1 CRM WebClient UI Architecture..................................................................................................................5

1.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................5
1.1.1 CRM WebClient UI Architecture Overview ..............................................................................................5

1.2 CRM WebClient UI Architecture: Software Architecture Layers...........................................................7

1.3 The Business Layer ....................................................................................................................................7

1.4 The Presentation Layer ..............................................................................................................................9
1.4.1 Model View Controller Design Pattern Overview.....................................................................................9
1.4.2 CRM WebClient UI Components ...........................................................................................................18
1.4.3 View Set Composition and Navigation...................................................................................................20

2 CRM WebClient UI Enhancements ...........................................................................................................23

2.1 Tool Overview ...........................................................................................................................................23
2.1.1 BSP Component Workbench .................................................................................................................23
2.1.2 UI Configuration .....................................................................................................................................24
2.1.3 Web Service Tool...................................................................................................................................26

2.2 Tutorial: Example for IC WebClient UI Structure and UI Configuration ..............................................28

3 Linked Documents .....................................................................................................................................35

3.1 SAP CRM Web UI Philosophy..................................................................................................................35

3.2 UI Configuration........................................................................................................................................35

3.3 General Framework Concepts.................................................................................................................35

3.4 BI Integration.............................................................................................................................................36

3.5 Enhancements ..........................................................................................................................................36

3.6 Web Service Tool ......................................................................................................................................37


0 Introduction

This cookbook is aimed at members of CRM WebClient UI implementation teams, for example,
consultants or project leads. It supplements the SAP CRM 2006s standard documentation and has the
following structure:

Unit 1
Explains the technical concepts and architecture used by the CRM WebClient UI, such as
Business Server Pages (BSPs) and the underlying Business Object Layer (BOL)

Unit 2
Contains tutorials on how to apply changes to the CRM WebClient UI. It also gives an overview of
the available tools that enable you to apply changes to the CRM WebClient UI.

Unit 3
Contains reference documents for further information on CRM WebClient UI.

As of SAP CRM Release 2006s, the IC WebClient shares the UI Framework and is a part of
the generic CRM WebClient UI. Therefore, you may also consult the SAP CRM
documentation for your IC WebClient projects.

We also recommend the following documentation:

TICM Guides and Configuration Guides: SAP Service Marketplace (service.sap.com/crm-inst) ->
SAP CRM 2006s:
o Master Guide
o Upgrade Guide
o Installation Guides
o Security Guide
o Solution Management Guide
o Configuration Guides for all released scenarios
Consultant Documentation: http://help.sap.com -> mySAP Business Suite -> SAP Customer
Relationship Management
System Documentation: IMG documentation and related field help, message long texts
Release Notes: SAP Service Marketplace (service.sap.com/releasenotes)

We would very much appreciate your feedback about this document. Please send your comments to:
crm.feedback@sap.com.


1 CRM WebClient UI Architecture
1.1 Introduction
In this unit, you will learn the following about the overall architecture of the CRM WebClient UI:
Section 1.1 explains that the CRM WebClient UI is based on the SAP Web Application Server
(SAP Web AS) technology
Section 1.2 gives an overview of the layers of the CRM WebClient UI software architecture
Section 1.3 focuses on the business layer of the CRM WebClient UI
Section 1.4 introduces the BSP technology-based presentation layer of the CRM WebClient UI

The graphics of this chapter visualize the concepts of the software architecture in two different ways:
Abstract graphics explain how the technical elements of the CRM WebClient UI work together in
the architecture concept
Screenshots from the Component Workbench (transaction BSP_WD_CMPWB) show how to
access these elements in the system and how they are linked together

This way you can compare the concepts to what you see in the system in parallel.

1.1.1 CRM WebClient UI Architecture Overview
The CRM WebClient UI is built to run within a Web browser. Therefore, on the client side it is only
necessary to install a Web browser. A SAP Graphical User Interface (SAP GUI) is not necessary.

All data displayed in the Web browser is sent by HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) from the SAP Web
AS to the client (the Web browser).


CRM WebClient and SAP Web Application Server

Web Browser

CRM
WebClient

HTTP
SAP WebApplication Server 70

SOAP/XML
Internet Communication
Manager
RFC

HTTP(S)
ABAP J2EE
Business Server Pages
(ABAP + HTMLB) SMTP

© SAP AG 2006; ASM CRM

CRM WebClient UI and SAP Web Application Server

SAP Web AS 70 contains two runtime environments:
ABAP
J2EE (Java 2 Enterprise Edition)

The CRM WebClient UI is fully based on the ABAP stack. The user interface (UI) is based on Business
Server Page (BSP) technology. BSPs are a blend of ABAP code and BSP extensions. BSP extensions
provide HyperText Markup Language Business (HTMLB) tags for a consistent look and feel throughout all
applications. HTMLB tags have complex and extensible capabilities that are much more powerful than
standard HTML tags.

For more information about how HTML tags are used for the CRM WebClient UI, see section 1.4.1.1:
Views.

The HTTP services of the Internet Communication Manager (ICM) communicate between the Web
browser and the BSP runtime. The ICM handles the inbound and outbound connections of the SAP Web
AS. It is responsible for caching and works with a great variety of protocols, such as Simple Object Access
Protocol (SOAP), HTTPs, and Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP).

The ICM is an integral part of the SAP Web AS. In addition, an Enterprise Portal can be used but is not
necessary to run the CRM WebClient UI.


1.2 CRM WebClient UI Architecture: Software Architecture Layers

The CRM WebClient UI is based on a multi-layer architecture on the server side:
CRM application & database
Business layer
Data of business objects of a CRM WebClient UI session, such as business partners, products,
and transactions, are handled by the business layer.
For more information, see section 1.2: The Business Layer.
Presentation layer
The Business Server Pages (BSPs) are the presentation layer of the CRM WebClient UI. They
are the basis for the HTML page running in the Web browser.
For more information, see section 1.3: The Presentation Layer.

The layers are strictly separated.

Layers of the CRM WebClient Application

CRM WebClient

Presentation Business Server Pages
CRM WebClient Layer (BSPs)
specific Layers
Business Business Object Layer
Layer (BOL)
Generic Interaction Layer
(GenIL)

Appl. Progr. Interfaces
Layers of Business (APIs)
underlying Engine
Business (e.g. mySAP CRM)
Tables
Application


CRM WebClient UI Architecture Layers

This separation allows the connection of any business application, via GenIL and BOL, to the CRM
WebClient UI presentation layer. The CRM WebClient UI handles not only CRM business objects and
processes, but also ERP system application objects, such as employees from mySAP HCM (Human
Capital Management) and ERP sales orders from mySAP SCM (Supply Chain Management).

1.3 The Business Layer
The business layer consists of the following:


Business Object Layer (BOL)
The BOL stores data of business objects, such as business partners and sales orders, at the
runtime of a CRM WebClient UI session. It was implemented to guarantee the separation of the
CRM WebClient user interface and the underlying business logic.
Generic Interaction Layer (GenIL)
The GenIL handles the data transfer from the BOL to the Application Programming Interfaces
(APIs) of the underlying (CRM) business engine (application logic and database tables). In other
words, the GenIL connects the BOL to the underlying business logic and database, for example
SAP CRM, through the Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) of the underlying application, in
most cases APIs of SAP CRM.

Business Layer: Overview

Presentation Layer (BSP)
Request
user Controller
input
Model
data
output Response
View

Business BOL: Business Object Layer
Layer data structures of the BOL holding business
objects for the CRM WebClient session

GenIL: Generic Interaction Layer
GenIL Model and Implementation
Classes connecting BOL to CRM APIs

Business API API API
Engine
(e.g. my SAP CRM)


Business Layer Overview

In the BOL, there are mainly three different types of objects:
Root objects (also called entities)
Root objects store business object data during the runtime of a CRM WebClient UI session.
Search objects (also called query services)
Dependant Objects
A dependent object is a special type of business object whose attributes cannot be determined
solely from the ID of this business object, but instead, only or together with the ID of the superior
access object. Example: ONEORDER (BOL component set) -> BTOrder (Root Object) ->
BTAdminH (Access Object) -> BTCustomerH (Dependent Object)

Root objects, such as business partners and CRM business transactions, are implemented as hierarchies
of data dictionary structures. Each BOL object appears in a tree structure with exactly one root node. The


composition of BOL objects is generic, as the BOL data structures are usually including the structures of
the underlying data model of the application.

You can use the component workbench (transaction code BSP_WD_CMPWB, button “BOL Model”) to
see how business objects are implemented in the BOL.

The figure below shows the BOL root object BTOrder (CRM business transactions).

Component Workbench: Accessing the BOL Model

BOL Object: CRM Business Transaction

Data Dictionary Structure (double click)

New Transaction:
BSP_WD_CMPWD

Fields of the structure


Accessing the BOL in the Component Workbench

For more information on GenIL and BOL customizing:
see Customizing for Customer Relationship Management, by choosing CRM Cross Application
Components Generic Interaction Layer/Object Layer Basic Settings.
see links in unit 2.

1.4 The Presentation Layer

1.4.1 Model View Controller Design Pattern Overview
Business Server Pages (BSPs) can be created using different programming paradigms and design
patterns. The CRM WebClient UI BSP is based on the Model View Controller (MVC) paradigm. MVC is a
widely accepted design pattern for developing object oriented user interfaces (UI). It provides an effective
way of relating UI layouts to an underlying data model. A MVC application consists of a:

Model


The model of the CRM WebClient UI BSPs consists of contexts and context nodes that link the
fields of a view to the underlying business layer (the BOL). This linking is referred to as binding.
Each data field on a view visualizes an attribute of a context node.
For more information on context and context nodes, see section 1.4.1.3: Model: Contexts and
Context Nodes.
View
The view handles the visual output. It is responsible for rendering the output and relevant UI
controls, such as data fields and push buttons. All output is received from the controller for
rendering. All user input is passed from the view back to the controller for processing.
For more information, see section 1.4.1.1: Views.
Controller
The controller handles the interaction logic and provides the connection between a view and a
model of a MVC application. A controller receives all keyboard and mouse input from the view.
Based on these events, the controller can decide how to react, for example, by accessing data
from the model or triggering the navigation to a different view.
For more information on view controllers, see section 1.4.1.2: Controllers.

IC WebClient 5.0 2006s Delta Knowledge:
As of release 2006s, the IC WebClient views are stored in components. The Interfaces of a
component – the windows – allow the reuse of the views of a component by other
components. This is an improvement compared to the situation in 4.0 and 5.0 where views
could not be reused directly . A component is technically a BSP application. (Learn more
about components in the IC WebClient Components section of this unit and in unit 2.)

The figure below shows how the view, controller, and model make up the Presentation layer of the CRM
WebClient UI.


Model View Controller Concept


user Request Controller
input

set Model

CRM WebClient data
output Response View
get

Business Layer (BOL & GenIL)

Business (APIs)
Data flow
Control flow Engine Tables

Model View Controller Concept

The views and their corresponding controllers and contexts of CRM WebClient UI components can be
accessed in the component workbench (Transaction BSP_WD_CMPWB: click on Views in the Bowser
Component Structure).


Component Workbench: View, Controller and Model

Controller:
Class
Model:
Context &
Context
Nodes

Controller:
Event
Handling &
Navigation

Transaction Code
View: Layout BSP_WD_CMPWB

Component Workbench Overview

NOTE: In CRM WebClient UI components, each view has its own view controller, for example, view,
BTSHeader.htm, and corresponding controller, BTSHeader.do.

The CRM WebClient UI includes special types of views called view sets. A view set contains
placeholders - the view areas – that can be filled with other views. This way, a number of views
can be combined on a screen in a particular layout. See figure View Set, View Area, and View.

The different elements of the CRM WebClient UI BSPs are explained in more detail in the following
section.

1.4.1.1 Views
The layout of CRM WebClient UI views can be implemented in two different ways, both of which rely on
HTMLB tags. Both ways are used by the CRM WebClient UI standard delivery layout.

Option 1) The layout definition, including the selection, sequence and positioning of fields and labels, is
configured and stored outside of the view by the UI configuration tool. The view contains one
special HTMLB tag that is able to read the layout definition that was saved by the
configuration tool. To access the tool, select a view in the component workbench and click on
tab page Configuration.

Option 2) The layout details are represented by HTMLB tags directly in the view layout coding. HTMLB
tags are used to structure the view layout and to describe all of its UI elements. The view
layout definition structures the available space as a grid of columns and rows. Cells of this


grid are filled by HTMLB tags for the various UI elements like fields, navigation links, and
buttons. To access the view layout code, double-click on the view on the Structure tab page
in the component workbench.

HTMLB is a SAP extension of HTML. HTMLB tags have complex and extensible capabilities that are
much more powerful than normal HTML tags. HTMLB tags ensure a consistent look and feel throughout
all applications. In addition to standard HTMLB tags, the CRM Web client UI framework makes use of
THTMLB and CHTMLB tags. THTMLB are the basic tags (T stands for thin). These tags could also be
used directly (Input tag, Table tag...).
CHTMLB are the configurable tags (C stands for configurable). These tags are used on the view in case
the view can be changed in configuration. The CHTMLB Tags are based on the basic tags but are more
complex.
For more information about HTMLB tags, see the Tag Browser in transaction SE80.

Option 1 is used mainly for the layout of form views (fields and labels and the grid of table views).

Option 2 is used for areas of views that contain buttons and navigation links.

The new UI configuration tool was introduced with 2006s. It allows changes to major parts of
the IC WebClient layout. Many of the layout changes that required changes to the view
layout coding (HTMLB tags) in SAP CRM release 4.0 and 5.0 can now be done by the
graphical UI configuration tool. Learn more about the UI configuration tool in unit 2.

UI Configuration Tool

Transaction Code
BSP_WD_CMPWB

Field Set with
available fields View Layout



1.4.1.2 Controllers
View controllers consist of:
• Controller definitions
• Assigned controller classes

To access the view controller class of a view, see figure Component Workbench Overview. (The
controller class can be selected on view structure tab page).

The controller class provides important methods that control the behavior of the corresponding view:
Navigation
Inbound/outbound plugs are methods that control what happens when navigating to or away from
views. For more information on navigation in the CRM WebClient UI, see the Navigation section of
this unit and links in unit 2.
Events
Event handler methods control the reaction to events, mainly user input. For example, when a
user presses a button on a view, the processing of this event takes place in the method,
DO_HANDLE_EVENT, of the view controller class.

NOTE: Do not confuse these BSP events, described above, with CRM WebClient UI application
events. The CRM WebClient UI application events can be triggered and handled by CRM
WebClient UI alerts and are described in the online help documentation and IMG
documentation.
Context and Data Binding
Various methods of the view controller class control the initialization of the context and thus the
data binding. For more information on contexts and context nodes, see the next section.

In CRM WebClient UI BSP applications, each view has its own view controller. The naming convention is:

View name MyView.htm
Controller name MyView.do
Controller class name CL_CRM_IC_MYVIEW_IMPL

1.4.1.3 Model: Contexts and Context Nodes
The model of CRM WebClient UI BSPs consists of contexts and context nodes that link the fields of a
BSP view to the underlying BOL data structures. This linking is referred to as data binding. Each data field
on a view visualizes an attribute of a context node. Each attribute of the context node is connected to a
field in a BOL structure.


Data Binding

Controller
Model
View Context with
Context
Nodes and
Attributes

Business BOL: Business Object Layer
Layer data structures of the BOL holding business
objects for the CRM WebClient session

GenIL: Generic Interaction Layer
GenIL Model and Implementation
Classes connecting BOL to CRM APIs

Business Engine CRM APIs
(e.g. my SAP CRM)
passing the data to

CRM Database Tables


Business Layer: Data Binding

Context nodes and contexts are both implemented as ABAP classes.

To find the context nodes, expand the view structure in transaction BSP_WD_CMPWB. For an example,
see figure below.
In the example, the context class (suffix _CTXT) is an attribute of the view controller class. The context
contains several context nodes, such as with suffixes CN00, CN01, and CN02. Each context node class
contains one or more attributes. The attributes of context nodes are exchanged with the attributes of
corresponding BOL structures.


Component Workbench: Context, Context Nodes,
Attributes

Context

Context
Nodes

Attributes
(Fields)


Component Workbench: Context, Context Nodes, Attributes

In the SAP CRM releases 4.0 and 5.0, each attribute of a context node was implemented by
its own GET and SET methods that read and write this attribute from and to a corresponding
field of the BOL structure. As of SAP CRM release 2006s, the attributes of context nodes
are implemented in generic getter and setter methods. Therefore individual methods per field
are no longer required. As the new getter and setter methods are generic, they also handle
fields that have been added to the BOL structures so that these fields no longer have to be
implemented separately in the context nodes.


Example for Generic STRUCT setters and getters

Each time a view controller and a view are called, the context manages the instantiation of the context
nodes. However, when the view is no longer visible, it is removed from memory. This also removes the
context and context nodes and the data.

However, sometimes it makes sense to keep the data in memory while a view is not displayed. For
example, to pass data from one view to another or in case the user wants to navigate back to the view.
Data can be shared between different view controllers so the retrieval of data from the BOL can be
reduced. This can be realized by custom controllers that have an unrestricted lifespan.

1.4.1.4 Custom Controllers
Besides the view controllers, there is another type of controller, called custom controllers. As described
above, the important difference between custom controllers and view controllers is their lifespan.

A view and the corresponding controller and context have the same lifespan. When a user navigates away
from a view, the view, controller, context, and its data are deleted from the memory immediately. To
preserve the data, they can be passed to custom controllers that have an unrestricted lifespan. Data
required by different view controllers, or one view controller at different times, can be handled and stored
by one custom controller.

For this purpose, the contexts can be linked to a custom controller. The contexts are assigned to an
attribute, TYPED_CONTEXT, of the custom controller class.

This concept makes custom controllers ideal to hold common application data, such as the confirmed
business partner or current transaction.

IC WebClient 5.0 2006s Delta Knowledge: Global Data Context
As in releases 4.0 and 5.0, custom controllers can be used to share data between the views
of a component and to extend the lifespan of data so that they survive the lifespan of a single
view.
In 2006s, this concept is enhanced by the global data context. The global data context is
used to transfer data between components and to extend the lifespan of the data so that
they survive the lifespan of a single component. In the IC WebClient, global data contexts
are used a lot, as some data needs to be available during the whole session (communication
process).
Technically, a global data context is a public custom controller of a component.


Custom Controller

Lifespan
Lifespan Custom Lifespan
Controller
Controller Model Controller Model
Context Node Model Context Node
Context Node
View 1 View 2

Business Layer (BOL, GenIL)

Database


1.4.2 CRM WebClient UI Components

The CRM WebClient UI consists of various Components. Components are technically BSP applications.
The component workbench (transaction BSP_WD_CMPWB) is the tool used to develop, test and enhance
components.

The separation of the IC WebClient views into components began in SAP CRM Release 5.0.
Here the IC WebClient views were separated into two BSPs:
• The generic BSP IC_BASE that contains all the generic views, such as
breadcrumbs, navigation bar, and other parts of the L-shape that are framing the
work area.
• The application-specific BSP CRM_IC, which stored the views and view sets that
were used to fill the work area of the IC WebClient.
This separation of views into components was continued in the new UI Framework of SAP
CRM 2006s.
• The generic Component CRM_UI_FRAME that contains the L-Shape views etc. It is
used by all CRM WebClient UI applications, not only by the IC WebClient.
• About thirty Interaction Center application-specific workarea components where
the content of the release 5.0 BSP CRM_IC was re-implemented and split into
separate components. For example, there is a separate component for the Account
Identification, the Sales Order, the Service Order, Product Search, Agent Inbox etc.


• Reuse components that are shared between components. Reuse components
allow us to share, for example, the text view or the partner view in the IC WebClient
wherever needed in the IC WebClient, for example, on the header and item level of
Sales Orders and Service Tickets and other transactions.
A more detailed example for a workarea component (service ticket) and a reuse
component (service header details) is given in unit 2.
• The IC WebClient Runtime Framework (BSP CRM_IC_RT_REP) was also split up.
Each component now contains its own Runtime Framework XML file.

The decoupling into the generic CRM WebClient UI component CRM_UI_FRAME, application specific
workarea components and reuse components is visualized in the figure below.


1.4.3 View Set Composition and Navigation
1.4.3.1 View Set, View Area, and View
A view set can combine several view areas. A view area can be filled with a view or another view set.

View Set, View Area, and View

Each component contains an XML file called Repository.xml (also called Runtime Repository). This
repository describes the view set hierarchy, specifically how the views are filled into the view areas of the
view set as well as the navigation between views of a component. You can find the Repository.xml of a
component under Pages with Flow Logic in the component workbench.

You can see and edit the assignment of views to view areas in the XML files. An easier way to configure
the view set composition is through the Runtime Repository Editor of the component workbench. The
figure below shows the Main Window of the Account Identification Component CRMCMP_BPIDENT in the
Runtime Repository Editor (part of transaction BSP_WD_CMPWB).


View Set Composition: Runtime Repository (part of transaction BSP_WD_CMPWD)

1.4.3.2 Navigation

Navigation from view to view is controlled by several elements.
First of all, there are outbound and inbound plugs. These plugs are methods of the view controller
classes. The outbound plug is a method of the source view (where the navigation starts) and the inbound
plug belongs to the target view where the navigation ends.

In addition, it is necessary to map the outbound and inbound plugs and thus the source views and the
target view of the navigation.

This mapping can be done by navigational links. A navigational link consists of an identifier, source view,
outbound plug, target view and inbound plug. Navigational links are stored in the runtime repository. As
each component has its own runtime repository, navigational links are mainly used when navigating
between the views inside the same component or to views of reuse components.

If the navigation target is an independent workarea component, the navigation is mediated by mapping
tables that are part of the navigation bar customizing and the workarea component repository. It is
important to understand that the navigation bar is not only controlling the navigation triggered by the
buttons in the navigation bar but also the navigation from one workarea component to another.

To learn more about how the navigation in the CRM WebClient UI works, see unit 2.


Navigational Links: Visualization Runtime Repository Editor (Part of BSP_WD_CMPWD)

The navigation through navigational links of the repository is still similar to Release 5.0. An
important improvement is that the repository can now be edited by the Runtime Repository
Editor instead of manually changing the XML code. Differences to the earlier releases are
related to the components. When the navigation involves reused components, more than
one repository is involved. Here parts of the navigation are delegated from one component to
another. In the IC WebClient, reuse components play a major role. Therefore it is important
to understand components and the way they expose their views through windows to other
components. You can find more information about the component concept and navigation in
unit 2.
Totally new is the navigation between work area components that is delegated to the
navigation bar. Advantages of this concept are that major parts of the IC WebClient
navigation are now controlled by IMG customizing rather than by XML or method coding.


2 CRM WebClient UI Enhancements

This unit contains tutorials on how to apply changes to the CRM WebClient user interface and its
underlying layers.

2.1 Tool Overview
This section provides an overview of the tools available to help you change the CRM WebClient UI.

2.1.1 BSP Component Workbench
The new workbench is the central modeling tool for the new CRM UI Framework. The workbench is the
Central Access point to:
Components, Windows, Views
Runtime repositories
Component related BOL Model
The transaction to start the workbench is BSP_WD_CMPWB. Unlike the old IC Workbench
(BSP_WD_WORKBENCH, which should not be used any more), the new component workbench supports
the following new features:

New elements in object tree (related to componentization concept)
o Component Controller
o Application Controller (not needed for us)
o Window Controller
New Wizards
o “Create Window”
o “Create Inbound Plug”
o “Create Outbound Plug”
o “Create Event Handler”
New features
o Support of components
o Support of dynamic context node attributes
Context node attributes no longer need to be generated out (as long as no special
string conversion is needed (currency fields etc.))
All attributes of model entities are implicitly available on the view layout via
structure access
Also supported in the configuration tools
Other features
“Delete View”
“Delete Custom Controller“

The following tools are new with CRM 5.1:
Create Component on initial screen
View layout configuration Tool
The appropriate configuration tool appears as a separate tab in the work area for
views that contain a configuration tag
Grid configuration tool
Table and Tree configuration tool
Overview, Home and Work Center Page configuration tool
Advanced Search configuration tool
Create Overview, Home and Work Center Page


Runtime repository editor
Component Runtime repository is stored as single BSP page (“Repository.xml”)
but editing it is easier using the new tool available in the tree area (replaces the
“Runtime Repository Browser” tool)
Can’t be used to edit old-style, fragmented runtime repositories
Forward navigation support
Component Test
You can easily test the default window of a component by pressing F8

You can create a component directly from the entry screen of the workbench
1. Enter name of the component.
2. Click on Create.
The system generates:
BSP application with the name of the component
Component controller (BSP controller & corresponding component controller class)
Default window named “MainWindow” (BSP controller, corresponding controller class & BSP
view)
Runtime repository XML file (BSP page "REPOSITORY.xml”) in the component’s BSP application

For further details please check note 1122248.

2.1.2 UI Configuration
A variety of tools are available to adapt the UI:
UI Configuration tool
Design Layer Customizing
Easy Enhancement Workbench
Navigation Bar Customizing
Business Role Customizing
Changing Skins


UI Configuration Tools: Overview

The UI Configuration tool is an easy-to-use tool for adjusting the CRM standard views to your needs.
Project team members and consultants use the tool as follows:
Configure pages
o Work center pages
o Overview pages
o Edit pages
o Advanced search pages
Configure blocks
o Forms
o Tables
o Trees
Configure fields

Design Layer Customizing
The design layer links UI-related settings to a new, generic design object, which spans several views
implementing the same business content.
The UI-related settings are simple field settings that are likely to be changed by project team members
and consultants.
Field visibility: Set a field to ‘Hidden’ / ‘Field excluded from field set’:
Field isn‘t available in the UI ConfigTool. (In CoD there is a difference between these two fields –
if ‘Hidden’ is chosen, it is still available in the field customizing.)
Rename field labels.
Value Help from Dictionary: Generic V- and P-Getter methods, which define the value help (from
DDIC: search help / value table / domain values) and field type (input field, checkbox, DDLB),
have been implemented. The new generic V- and P-Getter logic is used only if the indicator is set.

Role and Navigation Bar Customizing


The role and navigation bar customizing controls are based on business roles and determine how the
navigation bar is structured and which links appear on the work center/home/report pages and in the
direct link group.
The main elements are:
Business role
The business role is the central object for controlling the navigation bar and the logical links.
User assignment
The business role is assigned to an organizational unit in the organizational model.
The user is assigned to an organizational unit as well.
Authorizations
The business role is assigned to an authorization profile via a “PFCG” role.
Navigation bar profile
The navigation bar profile contains direct link groups and work centers.
Logical links are assigned to the direct link groups.
Work center link groups structure the logical links for work centers. These work center link groups
aren't visible in the application.

Customer Enhancements
Customer enhancements can be done using the UI Configuration Tool and/or the component
enhancement concept.
View layout configuration:
Can be done using only the UI Configuration tool
Does not require leveraging the component enhancement concept
Used for customer specific layout and label changes (including adding new fields via EEW)
Customer and SAP configurations are stored separately
Component Enhancements:
Enhance the functionality of components, views and controllers provided by SAP
Modification free via inheritance and using references
Uses replacement concept for components at runtime
You can also create completely new components.

In chapter 3, you can find links to documents with more detailed information regarding the different UI
configuration tools.

2.1.3 Web Service Tool
Key Concept
Web services are open interfaces that allow you to link loosely coupled systems with a technology that
does not bind them to any particular programming language or platform. Web services represent an
industry-wide standard and are defined by the Web Service Definition Language (WSDL) file.

Web services offer you the flexibility to extend an application’s capabilities to support specific business
processes without the need for extensive coding or complex integration. For instance, you can use Web
services to allow your customers to access your product and price information from their procurement
systems and create sales orders in SAP CRM by linking the procurement software to your order
management application.

Web services can also help you to work offline by uploading data from SAP CRM to an Adobe form that
you can modify offline and synchronize later. This way you can pass leads, such as from SAP CRM to
your channel partners, via email or send service tickets to service technicians out in the field. They then
receive all the information they need and can respond and add new data simply by filling out the form.

Web Service Tool in SAP CRM 2006s
SAP CRM 2006s provides a new Web service tool that allows you to model your individual Web service
interfaces without spending days on ABAP or Java coding. With the Web service tool, you first model your
service design object by choosing the needed attributes. Then the tool transforms those service design


objects into Web service interfaces by plugging into the standard SAP NetWeaver Web service application
programming interface (API).

Uses for Web Service Tool
Prior to SAP CRM 2006s, you had to create Web services manually by first creating the needed function
modules, and then using the SAP NetWeaver Web service creation wizard to create the respective web
service interface. This process could take days or even weeks, depending on the interfaces available to
build on. The Web service tool can shorten this time to a couple of hours.

Web Service Tool Features
Features within the Web service tool that allow you to maintain and manage your Web services include:

• Default values
• Ability to change attribute names
• Copy functionality


2.2 Tutorial: Example for IC WebClient UI Structure and UI Configuration
This tutorial explains how to find out about the components that make up the CRM WebClient UI, and how
components are reused and configured.

An example is the employee request, which is part of the business role IC_SSC_AGENT (IC Shared
Service Center Agent).

The employee request is part of the Employee Interaction Center. It looks very similar to the IC service
ticket. We therefore assume that the employee request is the same component as the service ticket.
There are just some minor differences in the layout, for example, the view in the upper left corner, which
displays fewer fields in the employee request than in the service ticket.

Our goal is to find out which component the employee request is generally based on.
In particular, we want to find out more about the view in the upper left corner and how the layout of this
view is distinguished from the standard layout in the service ticket.

Follow the next figures for a detailed guided tour through customizing and component configuration.

IC WebClient
Example: Employee Request

© SAP AG 2005, Title of Presentation, Speaker Name 5


A Shortcut to find out the component and view name is:
1. Place cursor in the view.
2. Press F2.

This popup gives you the name of the view and the component of the view. With this information, we can
go directly to the component workbench to access the UI configuration of the view.

However, it can be interesting to get more information, such as the embedding workarea component, the
UI Object type, etc. For this reason, we will go through the related customizing step by step to retrieve all
the detailed information.

First, we have to find out which component is displayed when we click on Employee Request in the
Navigation Bar.


Business Role and Navigation Bar Customizing

IMG CRM Business Roles Define Business Role (or
IMG CRM IC WebClient Define Business Role)

IMG CRM UI Framework Technical Role Definition Define Navigation Bar Profile
(or IMG CRM IC WebClient Basic Functions Define Navigation Bar Profile)

The figure above shows that our business role IC_SSC_AGENT has the navigation bar profile IC-EIC
assigned.

In the navigation bar profile IC-EIC, the work center for the employee request is IC_BT_ER. (The work
center is the button that we see in the navigation bar.)

The next figure explains how to find the name of the logical link and the component.
As a result, we find out that the employee request is technically a service ticket: component
ICCMP_BT_SVT (IC WebClient Service Ticket).


from Workcenter via Logical Link to Component

In the definition of workcenter IC_BT_ER
we can see that the logical link
IC_BT_SVER is assigned.

The logical link IC_BT_SVER is assigned
to target ID IC_BT_SVER. A Target ID is
the connection between a Logical Link
and an Inbound Plug of a component.

To find the name of the component you
can use use the F4 help of the field target
ID.
The component is ICCMP_BT_SVT which
stands for IC WebClient - Service Ticket.

All screens:
IMG CRM UI Framework Technical Role Definition Define Navigation Bar Profile
(or IMG CRM IC WebClient Basic Functions Define Navigation Bar Profile)

The inbound plug definitions of component ICCMP_BT_SVT are stored in the work area component
repository.

IMG CRM UI Framework Technical Role Definition Define Work Area Component Repository

The component ICCMP_BT_SVT is the service ticket component. Depending on target ID and inbound
plug, a different UI Object type is assigned.

The UI Object Type is used as a key for the layout configuration of the service ticket:
Object Type BT116_SRVER stands for the employee request layout configuration while BT116_SRVTK
stands for the service ticket layout.


The Object Action is not relevant here.

The next figure shows the layout of the main viewset of component ICCMP_BT_SVT in the component
workbench:

Component Workbench: Service Ticket Component

IMG CRM UI Framework Technical Role Definition Define
Work Area Component Repository

In the Component Workbench (Transaction BSP_WD_CMPWB) the views and view sets of
component ICCMP_BT_SVT can be configured.

On the right hand side the layout of the main view set: TicketViewSet can be configured. The view
area in the upper left corner is called HeaderDetails.

On the left hand side under Component Usage you can see that the component ICCMP_BT_SVT
is reusing other components. For example to display header details the component
ICCMP_BTSHEAD is reused.


In the next step we will open component ICCMP_BTSHEAD.

You can do this by clicking on the component name under component usages in the embedding
component. The workbench supports the forward navigation.


Component Workbench: Service Header “Reuse”-
Component Employee Request Specific View Layout

Compare to the view layout below


In the figure above, the view BTSHeader of the reuse component ICCMP_BTSHEAD is configured in the
component workbench.

Note that the UI Object type BT116_SRVER is part of the configuration key. (This configuration is thus
only valid for the employee request and not for the service order/ticket). Only four fields are displayed.
Compare this to the layout of the service ticket in the next figure.


Component Workbench: Service Header “Reuse”-
Component Default View Layout


The above figure displays the service ticket specific layout of the view BTSHeader of the reuse
component ICCMP_BTSHEAD. This layout displays more fields than the layout of the employee request.

The last figure in this section gives you an overview of all steps and how the different objects are assigned
to each other.
IC WebClient Component Configuration: Overview
Example: Employee Request
Business Role and NavBar Customzing:
Business Role: IC_SSC_AGENT

Navigation Bar: Profile IC-EIC

Workcenter: IC_BT_ER

Logical Link: IC_BT_SVER

Target ID: IC_BT_SVER

Workarea Component Definition:
Comp: ICCMP_BT_SVT,
Object Type BT116_SRVER

View Config. Key: Component Configuration:
Object Type BT116_SRVER HeaderDetails
Comp.: ICCMP_BT_SVT
Main ViewSet: TicketViewSet

Component Usage: HeaderDetails
Component Configuration:
Comp.: ICCMP_BTSHEAD Used Component: ICCMP_BTSHEAD
View BTSHeader


3 Linked Documents

This unit describes which additional documents are available in the SAP CRM Web UI learning map on
the SAP Service Market Place. You can access the documents by clicking on the hyperlinks in the Step 2:
Prepare for your Project area of the learning map.

3.1 SAP CRM Web UI Philosophy
CRM Web UI Philosophy
This document will help you understand the new CRM WebClient UI.

3.2 UI Configuration

UI Configuration Tools
This document will help you:
Get an overview of the functions of the UI ConfigTool, Design Layer Customizing, and Business
Role Customizing
Learn how to use the UI ConfigTool and Design Layer Customizing in implementation projects to
adjust the CRM WebClient UI
Learn how to add customer specific fields to the CRM WebClient UI

Navigation Bar and Business Role Customizing
This document will help you to:
Get an overview of the functions of Navigation Bar Customizing, Business Role Customizing, and
the Transaction Launcher
Learn how to use Navigation Bar Customizing, Business Role Customizing ,and the Transaction
Launcher in implementation projects to adjust the CRM WebClient UI

How-to Guide Copy and adjust Skins
This document will help you copy a SAP Skin and adjust this new Skin to your needs.

How-to Guide Configure Fact Sheets
Understand the concept of fact sheets
Learn how to configure fact sheets

3.3 General Framework Concepts

Concepts of Navigation


This document will help you understand the concepts of navigation.

How-to Guide UI Object Types
Understand the concept of UI object types
Change SAP UI object types
Create your own UI object types

How-to Guide UI Configuration Determination
This document will help you understand:
How configuration is determined
How labels are determined

How-to Guide Access Objects from outside
This document will help you to understand how to access a specific component from outside CRM when
considering the launch of the full L-Shape, in order to enable cross-component navigation for the address
page.

3.4 BI Integration
How-to use the BI Report Component
This document will help you understand:
How to use the BI component
How to integrate BI reports into the CRM WebClient UI

3.5 Enhancements
How-to Guide Framework Enhancements
Understand the Framework Enhancement Concept
Create Enhancement Sets
Know which Business Add-ins (BadIs) are provided with the Enhancement Concept

Framework Enhancements: Example
This document explains in detail the different enhancement steps.

How-to Guide: Compare Runtime Repositories of Enhanced Components with Standard
Components
This document describes how to use the tool for runtime comparison, in order to identify differences
between the runtime repository of an enhanced component and a standard component.
This is especially interesting after an upgrade of the CRM system to a higher support package or even
higher release.

How-to Guide: Drop down list boxes
This document will help you to create drop-down list boxes in your component.


How-to Guide: Value Helps
This document will help you to create value helps (F4 helps) in your component.

Integrating views into the upper right area of the Account Identification screen of the Interaction
Center
This document explains how to integrate your own object components, for example, industry-specific
views or Customer views, into the Account Identification page of the CRM WebClient.

Business Object Layer (BOL): Application Programming Guide
This document describes the runtime programming interface of the Business Object Layer.

3.6 Web Service Tool
Create Web Services Quickly with a Web Service Tool
This document explains:
How to use Web Services
How to create a Web Service with the Web Service Tool

Web Service Tool UIU Contribution Interfaces and Web Service Tool Contribution Interfaces FAQ
These documents will help you to enable BOL objects for Web Services

Sap crm ui cookbook

Recomendados

Recomendados

Más contenido relacionado

La actualidad más candente

La actualidad más candente (20)

Destacado

Destacado (6)

Similar a Sap crm ui cookbook

Similar a Sap crm ui cookbook (20)

Último

Último (20)

Sap crm ui cookbook