Question:
Hi all,
I've heard that BC will become obsolete in 2-3 years. Does anyone know what will replace it? Has anyone already replaced it?
TIA,
Tom.
Answer:
Hello,
SAP Business Connector 4.7 is last issue of SAP modified WebMethods Integrator. It is set end-of-life by SAP.
SAP is providing replacement by two "new" components/systems. One is Web Application Server for communication purposes and other is Exchange Infrastructure for connectivity with applications (SAP/nonSAP) and mapping messages.
Note that license for SAP Business Connector was changed during time. The license tightened over time, and now you can only use SBC for connecting to SAP Components, any XML or HTML Sources and other SBCs. who want to communicate directly to or from a non-SAP System cannot use SAP BC, but are asked to license the SAP Exchange Infrastructure (SAP XI).
You can found more details in SAP note 571530. There is also note SBC vs XI 507813.
And now some side information:
License in SBC 4.7 expires on 2023-24-12.
As Mr. Schuessler said in one answer to similar question SAP put lot of effort in development of 4.7 version and he do not expect that SAP will abandon SBC in near future. You will not get new releases (WebMethods Integration Server is now 6.0), but you will get updates. Before was that updates will be until release of WAS 6.40, but as I can see now there is no such limitation, and SBC will be supported longer that expected.
Some time ago there was a rumor that WebMethods will propose free upgrade to their version of SBC (not full WebMethods product) but for now nothing happened.
If you are OK with that I do not see any problem to hold SBC until there in necessity to convert to XI/WAS. You can have problems with upgrade because you can only transfer XSLT transformations and nothing else.
Of course I will consider implementing XI with new integration project.
There are huge benefits of early introducing of XI considering where SAP is going with mySAP ERP solution.
HTH
Gordan
Answer:
Hi Gordon,
Thanks for the information. I'll read the notes, explore XI and then discuss with my team.
Thanks again,
Tom