Question 1

What is CGR SAP Connector?

Accepted Answer

CGR SAP Connector is a native SAP Add-on that enables seamless SAP integration with any system that supports JSON APIs. It exposes SAP functions, tables, and reports as secure, real-time APIs - without middleware.

Example of integration scenario: 
ABAP developer has created a new custom table, such as ZCUSTOMER_FEEDBACK. With CGR SAP Connector, this table is immediately exposed as a secure RESTful API, enabling an external application to instantly read records from it. To provide full data control, the developer can also create a new function module to update or delete records in this table, which is also instantly exposed as an API. An e-commerce platform, for example, could then use this API to directly manage data within the table with a simple HTTP call. Similarly, a developer can create a new ALV report that pulls a detailed list of materials with stock levels below a specific threshold. The connector instantly exposes the output of this report as a JSON response via a RESTful API, allowing any external system - like a Power BI, a custom-built web application, or a mobile app - to consume the data. This seamless and instantaneous transition from ABAP-generated data to a consumable API allows organizations to bypass traditional integration bottlenecks and gain the agility to react to business needs in real-time.

Question 2

What type of applications can be integrated using CGR SAP Connector?

Accepted Answer

CGR SAP Connector enables seamless SAP integration with virtually any application that utilizes JSON APIs and HTTP calls including but not limited to:

• Business Intelligence (BI) platforms (https://www.cgrsoft.com/copy-of-sap-integration-for-e-commerce)(e.g., Tableau, Power BI, SAP Analytics Cloud)
 • E-commerce platforms (https://www.cgrsoft.com/sap-ecommerce-solutions)(e.g., Shopify, Magento)   
 • CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, Dynamics 365)
 • Mobile applications
 • Web portals
 • External logistics and supply chain systems
 • Automation tools

Question 3

What are the key benefits of using CGR SAP Connector?

Accepted Answer

CGR SAP Connector simplifies SAP integration and delivers key benefits:

• No-code integration with any JSON API-enabled application
 • Real-time access to SAP data from external tools
 • Automation of key business processes
 • No middleware required, reducing complexity and cost
 • Easy connection to modern BI platforms
 • Strong security via SAP-native controls
 • Fast setup with plug-and-play deployment
 • Predictable cost, flexible pricing model and quick ROI

Question 4

Does CGR SAP Connector require any middleware?

Accepted Answer

No. CGR SAP Connector enables point-to-point SAP integration without the need for middleware.

Question 5

How does CGR SAP Connector simplify SAP integration projects?

Accepted Answer

CGR SAP Connector simplifies SAP integration projects by eliminating the need for complex, expensive, and difficult-to-maintain middleware. It is a native SAP add-on that operates directly within your SAP system, streamlining the process in several key ways:

No Middleware, No Hassle: By operating as a direct, point-to-point connector, it removes the need for additional middleware layers. This simplifies your IT architecture, reduces infrastructure and maintenance costs, and minimizes the reliance on specialized integration platforms.

Leverages Existing SAP Assets: The connector allows you to instantly expose existing SAP functions (like BAPIs, RFCs), custom tables, and reports as secure, real-time APIs. This means you don't have to rebuild business logic or write custom code for every integration, drastically reducing development effort and accelerating your time to market.

Reduces Technical Complexity: It provides a low-code approach to integration. Instead of extensive configuration or custom programming, you can configure the connector within the SAP environment. This empowers your internal teams and often eliminates the need for expensive external integration consultants.

Enhances Security: The connector operates within your SAP system and leverages its inherent security mechanisms, including a whitelist-based authorization model. This ensures that all data exchange remains secure within your corporate firewall and that your integrations adhere to your existing security and compliance standards.

Enables Real-Time Data Flow: By providing direct API access, the connector facilitates real-time, bi-directional data exchange between SAP and external applications. This is crucial for applications like e-commerce, cloud BI, and project management tools, where up-to-the-minute data is essential for informed decision-making and efficient operations.

Question 6

Is CGR SAP Connector compatible with both SAP ECC and S/4HANA?

Accepted Answer

Yes, CGR SAP Connector is designed to be fully compatible with both SAP ECC and SAP S/4HANA, as well as other SAP on-premise systems. It is a native SAP add-on, meaning it is installed directly into your SAP system, leveraging the existing functionality regardless of the version. This allows it to support your integration needs whether you are currently on SAP ECC or have migrated to S/4HANA.

Question 7

Can CGR SAP Connector be used for real-time SAP integration?

Accepted Answer

Yes. It enables real-time data exchange between SAP and external systems, including BI dashboards,(https://www.cgrsoft.com/sap-integration-cloud-bi) CRMs, and e-commerce platforms.

Question 8

What makes CGR SAP Connector different from other SAP integration tools?

Accepted Answer

After years of experiencing the complexities and costs of traditional SAP integration, we developed CGR SAP Connector to provide a better way. The market is full of powerful, but often overly complex and expensive, integration platforms. Commentators and industry analysts frequently cite SAP integration as a major headache for businesses, particularly for small to mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) that lack dedicated integration teams.

CGR SAP Connector is designed to solve this problem by eliminating the need for bulky middleware, custom-coded interfaces, and expensive consultants. It operates as a native ABAP Add-On, which means it installs directly into your SAP system (both ECC and S/4HANA). This "plug-and-play" design allows you to bypass the traditional integration challenges and connect your systems faster and more efficiently.

Upon installation, the connector immediately makes almost any SAP object available for external consumption via secure RESTful APIs, including:

• Standard and custom tables
 • Views and CDS views
 • Reports and queries
 • Function modules (RFCs and BAPIs)

This approach dramatically simplifies the integration process, democratizing access to SAP data and functionality for any developer or business user, not just seasoned ABAP experts.

Question 9

How can you integrate ERP systems without middleware?

Accepted Answer

Traditionally, ERP integrations require middleware platforms like SAP PI/PO or third-party iPaaS tools. However, with CGR’s native SAP add-on, you can integrate SAP with external systems, such as BI tools, CRMs, or e-commerce platforms, using secure REST APIs, all without external middleware. This approach simplifies architecture, reduces cost, and accelerates your SAP integration projects.

Question 10

How does CGR SAP Connector modernize ABAP?

Accepted Answer

CGR SAP Connector transforms ABAP Function Modules,(https://www.cgrsoft.com/post/the-abap-revolution-turning-sap-s-legacy-into-your-api-advantage) ALV reports, and SAP Queries into REST or OData APIs, enabling real-time data exchange with external systems. This unlocks ABAP’s potential without needing middleware or complex redevelopment.

Question 11

Pricing Models

Accepted Answer

One-Time Full License Purchase: A traditional, upfront capital expenditure for perpetual ownership.
Annual Subscription: A recurring operational expense that includes the license, support, and updates for a set period.
Hybrid Model: A flexible approach that combines the benefits of both one-time purchases and recurring subscriptions to meet diverse needs.

Question 12

Comparison: CGR SAP Connector vs. Traditional Methods

Question 13

Achieving a Rapid ROI and Transparent Pricing

Accepted Answer

Traditional SAP integration is riddled with hidden costs. A single project can easily run into hundreds of thousands of dollars, driven by expensive hourly rates for expert consultants ($100-$250/hour) and the long project timelines (3-6 months) required to develop, test, and deploy integrations. Middleware platforms, while powerful, add another layer of complexity with their own licensing costs, which can range from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars annually.

CGR SAP Connector directly challenges this model. Our pricing is transparent and designed to be a fraction of the cost of traditional methods. This leads to a faster and more significant return on investment by:

• Drastically Cutting Development Time: By making SAP objects instantly available, we reduce the development effort from months to weeks, allowing you to realize the benefits of integration much sooner.
 • Eliminating Middleware Costs: There is no need for a separate integration platform, its licenses, or the infrastructure required to run it.
 • Simplifying Maintenance: The clean, standardized API layer simplifies future changes and reduces the need for constant, costly maintenance by ABAP developers.

In essence, CGR SAP Connector is more than just a tool—it's a new approach to enterprise integration. It's a testament to the belief that connecting systems shouldn't be a project for a select few with deep, specialized knowledge and a massive budget. Instead, it should be an accessible, efficient, and cost-effective process that empowers businesses of all sizes to unlock the full potential of their SAP data. By stripping away the layers of complexity and cost associated with traditional methods, we are enabling our customers to innovate faster, increase operational efficiency, and accelerate their digital transformation journey with a solution that is simple, secure, and built for the modern enterprise.