SAP XI (Exchange Infrastructure)

Definition or Meaning - What is SAP XI?

Full form or SAP XI stands for (Exchange Infrastructure), is an innovative Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) application with strong integration with the SAP software. A popular component of the NetWeaver group of products, it is being used for facilitating information exchange among the internal systems/software of a company and those belonging to external parties. SAP (XI) is compatible with internal enterprise and cross companies scenarios - thus enabling easy linking of enterprises across the globe. It is used for exchanging information between vendors with same or diverse technologies and/ or versions of applications.

Integrating different systems is a complex task. In today's world organizations host several complicated systems both ERP as well as non-ERP systems. A common IT landscape is that of different application systems with multiple connections between different interfaces. These multiple connections are not only difficult to maintain but are also costly. SAP Exchange Infrastructure aims at integrating business processes across different IT systems and landscapes cost-effectively.

SAP Exchange Infrastructure (XI) provides a single point of integration for all ERP and non-ERP systems be it SAP or non-SAP. The beauty of SAP XI is that it supports B2B as well as A2A message exchanges. This is possible through an inbuilt engine for designing processes. In contrast with traditional integration approaches, SAP exchange infrastructure looks at integrating applications through centralized storage of knowledge. This makes it easier to control and manage varied applications and IT systems.

SAP XI’s adapter engine offers:

• A central monitoring system for tracking message flows and processes.
• Integration of heterogeneous system components.
• A reliable runtime environment for process management, messages and so forth.

SAP designates XI as an integration broker because it mediates between entities boasting of differing requirements in regards to format, connectivity and protocols. According to SAP experts, XI brings about a reduction in integration costs by offering a common repository for varied interfaces. The SAP  Integration Server forms the central component of SAP XI and facilitates convenient interaction between applications and operating systems across internally placed and externally networked systems.

The many advantages of integrating SAP XI applications include:

• Easy Integration with all SAP components and products (RFC, IDOC, Proxy).
• Reliable data security like in other SAP products.
• Possibility of asynchronous and synchronous communication.
• Presence of platform independent Java elements.
• .Net and JAVA Support.
• Effective tools for handling complex communication tools.
• A wide range of adapters for handling diverse tools/ technologies (Mail, JDBC, SOAP, CDIX) and so forth.

The SAP XI is a part of NetWeaver group which facilitate in message exchange between two entities which might be working on the same or different technologies. The course provides its audience hand full information with respect to how to configure scenarios which shall help them to configure and connect to SAP XI. It enables the user to develop the concepts of message mapping, gives an overview of architecture and components of the SAP XI.

Contents covered are:

NetWeaver and XI Architecture, Proxy And Web Services, XI Runtime, Mapping Introduction, Message Mapping, Server Administration and PI adapters.

Prerequisite for the course

SAP XI course boosts its audience career by helping them to gain hands-on experience and skills on integration of different vendors information. The course enables them to gain knowledge of information exchange between different enterprises using different technologies or the same technologies.

The course is designed as SAP XI training and Advanced SAP XI training. The duration of the course varies from 5- 20 days and the fee varies from institutes to institutes which can range from 15K to 2 lacs.  The certification can be obtained by clearing an exam which costs approximately 25K to 30K.

The course is best suitable for candidates who have a background from information technology domain. Thus any degree like BSC, BCA, MCA, B.Tech, M. Tech, MBA or other shall suffice. The only thing is that the candidate must have basic knowledge of information technology. He/she must be familiar with web services, business information, and basic computer networking concepts.

Project members or persons from the software industry having experience in the software development lifecycle can also pursue this course which shall help them to move ahead towards a bright future. Candidates having experience in ABAP, or java programming language are the best ones to go further for this course.