To get the most out of SAP’s Business Application Programming Interfaces (BAPIs), you need to know the basics of the business object repository. We’ve put together a helpful guide on using the business object repository in Systems, Applications & Products (SAP).
We’ll take a look at some key examples of business objects, how to use business objects in automation testing tools, and SAP’s business intelligence suite. Consider this your one-stop guide on the fundamentals of the business object repository.
What is the Business Object Repository?
A business object repository (BOR) stores all the code related to the functions of business applications. The BOR is the entire collection of all your business logic in CRM and contains information on business objects (BOs) in an application. A repository simplifies the way developers work with business software applications.
You can access the business object repository using the business object repository browser. You’ll find the definition of the business object types and other attributes there, including the definition, function, and key fields of the business object types.
The SAP business object repository is helpful for finding information on business objects. The repository describes the implementation of any given business object, its attributes, and how it interacts with other BOs.
The SAP business object repository captures UI elements and stores them in a DOM-like repository. Users can share all the business objects across projects, making managing UI elements more efficient.
What is a Business Object in DBMS?
A business object contains application data, which the user can exchange between other components in the application. In a database management system (DBMS), a business object represents the required fields of the business.
You can use a business object in a DBMS to manipulate data and improve the application’s functionality. A business object can make requests for and receive data in a DBMS.
What Are Some Examples of Business Objects?
A business object represents a business entity within a program. These entities contain attributes relating to the function of the existing object types—for example, the attributes of ‘manager’ link to the role of management in the organization.
Some other examples of business object types include:
- Person
- Place
- Concept
- Event
- Business process
What is the Future of SAP Business Objects?
SAP recently announced the SAP Business Objects Private Cloud Edition as part of its cloud transformation project. The new release means support and maintenance won’t be available outside the Private Cloud Edition after 2027. This includes the repository and the business object builder.
SAP BO customers must switch to the Private Cloud Edition or create an alternative using SAP Analytics Cloud. SAP will help existing customers migrate from the on-premises version to the cloud solution.
What Are the Types of Object Repositories in QTP?
The HP Quick Test Professional (QTP) tool helps users identify problems with an application. The object repository is essential to the operation of the QTP tool. Software testing professionals must know two types of object repositories, shared and local.
The local object repository is the default option in QTP. When starting a new test, QTP creates one action, and the local object repository only applies to that action.
The shared object repository applies to two or more actions. As the name suggests, users can share objects across actions and modules. You can also export local objects into the shared object repository.
How To Use SAP Business Objects and Business Intelligence
The SAP Business Objects Business Intelligence (BI) suite is an essential tool for business users. Their user-friendly interface makes reporting, analyzing, and sharing data more efficient. Here’s how.
The SAP Business Objects Business Intelligence (BI) suite produces deep data insights from multiple sources. Users benefit from self-service access to data analytics and a personalized approach to sharing insights.
Using the SAP Business Object Repository is simple. You can locate the business object repository browser from the business object builder. The business object builder is found on the initial screen under definition tools. To use the browser, you must first select the number of object types to display from the entry screen.
The SAP system improves BI management, empowering users to leverage data and make quick data-driven decisions.
What is the Difference Between a Metadata Repository and a Business Glossary?
Understanding the difference between the metadata repository and a business glossary is crucial to leveraging data for business growth.
A metadata repository contains information on data and data-related entities such as models, scripts, reports, and applications. Users can manage all kinds of metadata and use the information to perform data analysis.
A business glossary contains business terms and business-related information. For example, information on organizations, policies, processes, and rules on how they are all inextricably linked.
A combination of the metadata repository and the business glossary is ideal for technical and business information to work hand in hand.
What is a Business Object Repository in SAP?
Initially developed for SAP Business Workflow, the Business Object Repository (BOR) is the main access point for SAP business objects in the R/3 system. You can use the business object repository browser from the business object builder to access information on all the object types and interface types in the SAP system.
Users get an object-oriented view of the R/3 system’s data and processes. You can easily search for functions of any object type within the component hierarchy of SAP interfaces.
Examples of business objects in SAP:
- Customer
- Vendor
- Material
- Purchase Order
Objects in SAP perform multiple functions depending on the needs of the user. Business objects facilitate the communication between different components in the SAP system. They also allow for communication with non-SAP systems. Many business users continue to use SAP for the versatility it offers. Most importantly, business objects simplify the SAP system by dividing it into smaller, more manageable units.
What is the Use Of An Object Repository in An Automation Platform Testing Tool?
You can create an object repository when recording a test on an automation platform testing tool such as QTP. The object repository has information on the attributes of each object type of a page during a test.
The automation tool captures user events and information on the object type that flags each event. The tool then uses information found in the object repository to locate the object type for easy access in the future.
What is a Database Business Object?
A database object is a software entity that stores or references data. Business objects often contain database objects capable of manipulating data using business logic.
Examples of database objects:
- Table – Used to create a simple unit of storage for presenting data.
- Views – Uses business logic to represent data from one or more tables in a database.
- Indexes – Used for direct access to rows in a table and improving the performance of some queries.
- Sequences – Multiple users can share a sequence in a database to generate unique integers.
- Synonym – Simplifies access to objects by creating an alternative name for other objects, e.g., table, views, sequence, etc.
How Do I Enable BOR Objects in SAP?
You can access the business object repository in the SAP system from the initial screen by accessing the business object builder. Navigate to Tools, Business Workflow, Development, Definition tools, and then Business Object Builder.
Using the Business Object Builder, first create a business object. Fill in the details of the object type, name, etc. Then define the object supertype and select the application based on your needs. After saving the object, you can enable it by selecting ‘edit,’ ‘change release status,’ and selecting ‘release.’
What Would It Take To Make a Successful Repository of Reusable Business Process Models?
Many enterprise business process models share their functions across units of an organization. Reusing existing process model assets would make business process modeling much more straightforward. Compared to creating new models from scratch or sharing existing models across units.
Reusing business process models can offer many benefits to the user, but measuring the effectiveness is a debated issue. Research focuses primarily on the behaviors of process models. For example, identifying elements to reuse, repeatability, and intention of reuse.
As of now, it’s still unclear what it takes to create a repository of reusable business process models successfully, but researchers are not giving up on the issue.
The Architecture of Business Process Managing Systems
By now, you should have a good understanding of the business object repository. Business object repositories are a crucial element of managing business processes. They represent the safe room for all business objects in an application.
Without the repository, business process automation and management systems would lack the right kind of support to operate effectively. A repository makes it easier for developers to use business software applications. In short, having a functioning repository is crucial to all business processes and the growth of your organization.
We hope you use our guide for future reference in managing your projects and using the business object repository to its full advantage.