SAP Interview Questions and Answers
Question - 41 : - What is AWB? What are the functions of AWB?
Answer - 41 : -
AWB(Administrator Workbench) is a tool useful in controlling, maintaining, and monitoring each and every process that is in link with staging and processing of data in SAP business information warehousing. Also, it can be used to create, modify and customize all types of metadata objects of Business Warehouse.
Administration Workbench(AWB) functions in SAP BW are:
- Modeling: It is used for creating and maintaining metadata objects related to the staging and processing of data within SAP Business Warehouse(SAP BW). These objects will be displayed in a tree structure format, in which the objects are ordered based on hierarchical criteria. You can make use of the context menu for accessing the relevant maintenance dialogs for every object in the object tree. You need to choose transaction RSA1 for accessing the Modeling functions area.
- Monitoring: It is helpful in monitoring and controlling the process of data loading and additional data process in SAP BW.
- Reporting Agent: With the help of this reporting agent tool you will be able to schedule and execute the reporting functions in the background.
- Transport Connection: This function area is useful for transferring the newly created or modified objects that are present in BW systems. For example, transporting objects from the development server to the testing server and then to production systems.
- Documents: This function area is used for inserting, searching, creating links for one or more documents according to the needed format, languages, and versions for SAP BW objects.
- Business Content: It provides preconfigured data models based on metadata. We can say that business content is a collection of SAP-defined objects available in the delivery version.
- Translation: You can perform translation of texts for SAP BW objects.
- Metadata Repository: In the metadata repository of HTML, SAP BW metadata objects and related links to other objects are centrally managed together with the help of an integrated metadata repository browser.
Question - 42 : - What is SAP R/3?
Answer - 42 : -
- SAP R/3 is a 3rd generation set of extremely integrated software modules. It is one of the major products in SAP, where R represents RealTime and the number 3 represents three-tier application architecture.
- It is an organization-wide information system that is mainly designed for coordinating all the resources, information, and activities required to complete common business processes such as human resource management, billing, order fulfilment, and production planning.
- It can be used by any organization however different it is in its operations, or anywhere in the world.
- SAP R/3 has three main layers. They are:
- Presentation Layer: It consists of the software components that are made of SAPgui(graphical user interface). This layer is responsible for sending the user’s input to the application server, and for receiving the data for display from it.
- Application Layer: It consists of single or multiple application servers and a message server. The message server transmits the request from one application server to another application server within the system. Also, it holds application server groups related information and the current load balancing within them. It will make use of this information for assigning a suitable server when a user logs onto the system.
- Database Layer: It contains a central database system that has all of the data in the R/3 System. SAP has developed its own database named HANA, but it is compatible with many databases like Oracle.
Question - 43 : - What is SAP PI/PO(Process Integration/Process Orchestration)?
Answer - 43 : -
- SAP PI/PO is a tool that permits you for integrating the solutions from SAP systems to other SAP or non-SAP systems. Using this, data between various systems can be easily synchronized. For example, consider that the SAP ERP system is used by you, and you want to integrate it with the CRM system. It can be done using PI, which allows the user to easily perform the integrations, with the help of a standard tool that permits you to maintain various connections in a single place.
- Using SAP PI/PO, synchronizing data to a warehouse system is also possible. For example, consider the case where you wish to send all the orders related information like how they are used, which of them are being produced, and when they need to be shipped.
- Work becomes easier and more trouble-free with the help of SAP PI/PO. Because developers and organizations are having a single tool that can be used for various integrations varieties, instead of using multiple divergent tools for smaller tasks.
Question - 44 : - Define LUW(Logical Unit of Work).
Answer - 44 : -
- An LUW(Logical Unit of Work) is a series of database operations that should be either completely executed(followed by commit) or not at all(followed by rollback).
- It helps to guarantee the integrity of the database. The database is said to be in a correct state when an LUW has been successfully concluded. However, if any error occurs within an LUW, all the modifications made to the database from the beginning of the LUW will be canceled and the database will be returned to the previous state as before the LUW started. For example, in financial accounting, while transferring some amount of money, you must deduct that amount from account A and it must be added to account B. Before and after the transfer process, the data must be consistent, but in between these two steps, data can be inconsistent. If the amount transfer by LUW becomes successful, then the amount will be deducted from account A and added into account B. If any error occurs in between database must be returned to its previous state before LUW started.
- Each time when you start a transaction.
- When the changes made to the database using the previous LUW has been confirmed(database commit).
- When the changes made to the database using the previous LUW has been canceled(database rollback).
- When the changes made to the database has been confirmed(database commit).
- When the changes made to the database has been canceled(database rollback).
Question - 45 : - What are variables in SAP?
Answer - 45 : -
- Variables are query parameters that are set in the definition of parameter query and values will be assigned only after the query has been entered into the workbooks.
- There are various types of variables that can be used in different applications. Some commonly used variables are text, formulas, replacement path, user entry/default type, hierarchies, hierarchy nodes, characteristics variable, processing types, etc.
Question - 46 : - What are the two types of services used for dealing with communication in SAP?
Answer - 46 : -
The two types of services used to deal with communication:
- Gateway Service: This service permits communication between SAP R/3 and external applications using the CPI-C protocol.
- Message Service: This service is used by the application servers for exchanging short internal messages.
Question - 47 : - Explain the standard stages of the SAP Payment Run?
Answer - 47 : -
The standard stages of SAP on SAP Payment Run execution will include:
- Entering of parameters: It will include entering company codes, methods of payments, vendor accounts, etc.
- Proposal Scheduling: The system offers a list of invoices to be paid
- Payment booking: It includes booking of the actual payment into the ledger
- Printing of Payment forms: It includes payment forms printing.
Question - 48 : - What is BDC(Batch Data Communication)? How many methods of BDC are present?
Answer - 48 : -
BDC(Batch Data Communication) is used for data transfer from the Non-SAP system to the SAP R/3 system. A huge amount of data can be added into the database of the sap tables instead of manual entry of the data. Use SHDB(transaction code used for transaction recording in SAP) transaction for recording and the cursor movement. This cursor movement is noticeable by the SAP software and according to our excel or flat file, the data will be sent or stored in the proper position.
There are 3 methods you can use for transferring the data. The methods of BDC are:
- Batch Input Session Method: This method is mainly used in ABAP programming when no other method exists. The online transaction process is simulated and the data transfer will be done in the way it is done online. A batch input session will be created using SHDB that has all the data and screens and then processed. If you have made any changes to the screen then you need to add these screens to the program, otherwise, the BDC will be failed.
- Direct Input Method: In this method, the input file data will be transferred directly to the SAP database. The involvement of screens is not required. This method will make use of function modules to complete the task.
- Call Transaction Method: It does asynchronous processing of data and transfers only a small amount of data. Here, data will be automatically updated and it is having faster processing. If you are using this method, errors must be handled explicitly.
Question - 49 : - Explain the significance of ODS(Operational Data Store) in BIW(Business Warehouse Information).
Answer - 49 : -
An ODS(Operational Data Store) Object supports consolidated and debugged transaction data storage on a document level. It defines a combined dataset from single or multiple InfoSources. Analysis of this dataset can be done with an InfoSet Query or BEx Query. We can update the ODS Object data with a delta update into InfoCubes and other ODS Objects that belongs to the same system or across other systems. The data in ODS Objects will be stored in transparent, flat database tables.
Question - 50 : - Explain about SAP services.
Answer - 50 : -
Some of the SAP services are:
- SAP Application Management Services: It includes development of application, implementation, integration, testing, monitoring, help desk services, maintenance and support(technical and functional), backup and recovery.
- SAP Platform Modernization: The modernization approach will convert SAP into a dynamic, agile, and capable digital core ready to fit into frequently changing market conditions and requirements of the customers.
- SAP S/4 HANA Migration and Transition Services: Integrated business planning and strategies of digital transition for S/4 HANA migrations will be provided. Our aim is to migrate the useful features while implementing technology that supports the current and future requirements of a business.
- SAP S/4 HANA Implementation Services: It allows businesses to fulfill the digital economy-related demands.
- SAP Technology Platform & Infrastructure Services: This service will make sure that your ERP platforms are robust and secure, whether it is an existing SAP platform or part of S/4 HANA or cloud migration/implementation.