Determining the Approach to Use When Updating Routings in SAP
There are two approaches for updating process plans (Routings):
1. Using the custom RFC ZRFC_MODIFY_ROUTING developed and owned by PTC.
2. Using CP_BD_DIRECT_INPUT_PLAN API provided by SAP. This API contains the status “Not released to customer” and therefore thorough testing should be carried out on an identical TEST environment before updating. For more information on CP_BD_DIRECT_INPUT_PLAN API refer to the following sections in the Windchill Enterprise Systems Integration Customizer's Guide - SAP:
◦ Advantages of using CP_BD_DIRECT_INPUT_PLAN
◦ Various actions tested on ECC60 SAP IDES instances.
◦ Sample test data for CP_BD_DIRECT_INPUT_PLAN
◦ Other RFC/ZRFC required to support CP_BD_DIRECT_INPUT_PLAN
You can also refer to the Windchill Enterprise Systems Integration Implementation Guide - SAP for information on the mappings and other ZRFC/RFCs required to support the CP_BD_DIRECT_INPUT_PLAN API approach.
If no issues have been found when using the CP_BD_DIRECT_INPUT_PLAN API approach in a test environment then you may continue with this approach. The following settings must be modified:
• Global variable changes:
◦ By default the ESIFlag/ use ZRFC_MODIFY_ROUTING global variable is set to “true”. ZRFC_MODIFY_ROUTING must be imported if the value is set to “true”. To continue with the CP_BD_DIRECT_INPUT_PLAN API approach you must set this value to “false”.
◦ Import the custom RFC ZRFC_OPR_LABEL. There is a limitation when using the CP_BD_DIRECT_INPUT_PLAN approach in that this API is not capable of modifying the operation label (activity /sub activity values). In order to achieve this specific functionality only, the custom RFC has been developed by PTC using BDC technology. The functionality of this custom RFC is very limited and is used to update operation labels only.