With the Business Suite 7 i2010 the role based access to ERP applications is improved now. In addition to the well-established access to backend applications via the SAP Enterprise Portal, the SAP Netweaver Business Client 3.0 is now officially released for SAP ERP applications. Both options have different use cases. Please read the following positioning slide SAP EP – SAP NWBC:
The NWBC 3.0 comes with two flavors: NWBC for HTML and NWBC for Desktop. While the desktop version requires a small installation on the client, the NWBC HTML can be accessed via the browser (zero-foot print). In case of the NWBC for HTML, apart from the ERP EHP5 backend installation, no additional installation is required. Therefore the TCO for role based access to ERP applications is very low.
To see NWBC in action, please have a look at the demo on this SAP NetWeaver Business Client. The key differentiators are highlighted in the following graph:
Predefined role content
With the delivery of SAP ERP 6.0 Enhancement Package 5 almost all Business Packages (Portal Content) will be available as application roles for consumption with SAP Netweaver Business Client. The roles are delivered with the backend, well-known transaction PFCG is used to define menu structure and properties of the roles. In case of the NWBC for HTML, apart from the ERP EHP5 backend installation, no additional installation is required.
The following roles are released with BS7i2010 ERP:
NWBC for Desktop/HTML: List can be found on help.sap.com. The list and further information (System Administration, Customizing, etc.) can also be found in note 1522709.
SAP Enterprise Portal: The release Note for Portal Content is 1448100. A complete overview list of the Business Packages delivered since SAP ERP 6.0 can be found Predefined Portal Content Integration.
Installation and configuration for NWBC
Since the NWBC configuration is probably new to most customers, the basic steps for installation and configuration of the NWBC roles are described below:
1. Ensure that Netweaver Business Client Desktop is installed on your local PC or Netweaver Business Client for HTML is configured on the server. See here (chapter 3/4 for Desktop version and chapter 4 for HTML version).
2. Assign the user to the PFCG role (see here).
3. In general the roles are not delivered with authorization. But in many cases you can use the delivered authorization proposals to generate a profile for the role. (see here).
4. For some roles you need to define system connections. If roles call remote systems like e.g. BI systems for displaying reports, you have to create systems for the used system aliases. (see here).
The link to the overall Netweaver Business Client documentation can be found here.
How to get it
Enhancement Package 5 is available since end of 2010 for Ramp-Up customers. If you would like to take part in the Ramp-Up program, please visit Ramp Up Page for SAP Business Suite 7 Innovation 2010.
Related links
1522708 - SAP ERP 6.0 EHP 5: Collective Note for Predefined Roles
- NWBC
Please also check the release notes for Netweaver Business Client and Enhancement Package 5:
1029940 - NetWeaver Business Client requirements and restrictions
900000 - NetWeaver Business Client FAQ
- SAP Netweaver Portal
General information regarding Predefined Portal Content Integration can be found on SDN: Predefined Portal Content Integration
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