Quick Tip: Simplify and Improve Document Output with Smart Forms

by Rajen Iyer, CPIM, PMP, SAP America, Inc

Smart Forms is a tool first delivered with R/3 Release 4.6 for printing and sending documents via email, Web, and fax. The supporting technology allows you to configure and deploy Smart Forms as a workflow-based or event-driven functionality.

Categories: ABAP, Financials, Tools

For some time, SAPscript has been SAP's only printing output option. Implementing and maintaining SAPscript can be difficult, and anyone familiar with third-party printing tools knows that they are not fully integrated, since they employ batch printing and spool control. Most also recognize the value of keeping as close to SAP standards as possible.

To ease printing woes, SAP offers a new tool called Smart Forms. Introduced with SAP R/3 4.6C, it is fully integrated with SAP core applications, such as FI and mySAP ERP. It also supports Web applications, which is a key area of expansion for most companies. Smart Forms may be used with interactive Web forms that are based on generated XML output XSF, Basis Release 4.6C; HTML+XSF, and SAP Web Application Server (Web AS) 6.10. Smart Forms is standard for various central business processes (starting with CRM 2.0, SD, FI, and HR 4.6C).

The documentation for Smart Forms, however, is scattered; there is no easy way to learn what it entails and how to use it. The conversion process is completely undocumented. I'll walk you through an overview of Smart Forms and describe some of the tools available to help you migrate from SAPscript to Smart Forms. Then you can go to the Downloads section of the SAP Financials Expert Web site at www.SAPFinancialsExpert.com, and download my guide that shows you how to develop Smart Forms from scratch. I also explain how you can migrate forms already built in SAPscript to Smart Forms to save development time. Two types of migration are available: individual migration and mass migration. You can migrate a SAPscript form into a Smart Form and convert a SAPscript style into a Smart Style.

Would you like to see the full version of this article?

If you are an electronic license holder to Financials Expert, please click here to log in.

If you would like information about becoming an electronic license holder — and having 24/7 unrestricted access to all articles and content in the Financials Expert online knowledgebase — click here to see the available subscription options.

Or call 1-781-751-8799 to speak directly with a subscription and licensing specialist about customized access for you and your team.

Isn't your SAP implementation worth world-class information support?

Copyright © 2010 Wellesley Information Services. All rights reserved. Email: customer.service@financialsexpertonline.com.
Financials Expert, 20 Carematrix Drive, Dedham, MA 02026, USA.
Sales and Customer Service: 1-781-751-8799
SAP and the SAP logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP AG in Germany and several other countries.