This blog post is about SAP 9.1s new add-on packaging and deployment mechanisms.
In short, this recently introduced new set of tools and functionality allows less painful packaging and deployment
Have a look starting at Slide 27 of http://www.slideshare.net/indrayusak/sap-b1-91-highlights
Because there's a lot of confusion about this new functionality (and the documentation is rather inadequate) I thought I'd clear some things up.
To start :
The new packaging tool is available under:
C:\Program Files (x86)\SAP\SAP Business One SDK\Tools\ExtensionPackage
Biggest benefits of this new packaging tool:
Better UI
Less of a hassle (fewer steps)
.ard gets autogenerated in the package.
You can easily include a 32bit, 64bit and SAP Hana version in the same package.
You will have 1 (one!) .zip file after pressing 'Package'
Optional:
You can save the .ard file separately by pressing export.and then you can import this .ard file as well, so you can easily save the configuration settings for an addon. (careful; I've found that re-importing and then trying to export rather often makes the tool crash, I'm not sure what would be the cause of this)
The ExtensionManager deployment mechanism.
Accessing the ExtensionManager
It is available next to SAP B1 9.1s SLD.
I've found it's easiest to navigate towards it using the SAP server's tools SAP Business One Service Manager
-Select the license manager
-open settings
-click the 'configure security' button left-below
-Your browser will open and navigate to an url somewhat like https://<pc-name>:30010/ControlCenter
-You will most probably encounter a warning somewhat like NET::ERR_CERT_COMMON_NAME_INVALID (in chrome)
-Continue on to this page
-The system landscape directory page will appear
-Log in using your site user login and password (default: B1SiteUser and whatever password you gave in while setting up SAP server)
-Now you'll be on a page with an url like https://<pc-name>:30010/ControlCenter/
-Modify this url to https://<pc-name>:30010/ExtensionManager/
-You will see another browser warning first and then asked to enter your SLD credentials again. Continue and do so.
Et voila, you're now in the new Extension Manager
Using the ExtensionManager
This is pretty straightforward.
-Click import.
Select a zipped package you created using the ExtensionPackage packaging tool
Follow the steps
-Navigate to company assignment
-select a company left
-press "assign"
-follow the steps
And you're done!
Enjoy using this new (and very nice) functionality!
For people having trouble using the ExtensionManager:
You'll most likely come from an older SAP installation which you've upgraded to the more recent 9.1
In that case see comments below by Edy Simon, Gerardo Francini and Bryan Gomez
