lisa - Saturday, January 2, 2010 4:46 PM:
Dear Sirs,
As a quick test in a dev environment, I added a table in SQL Server 2008 in the Innovator database named dbo.employees.
On a form, I want to connect a drop down list to the column employee_name in this table. What text shall I enter as the Data Source?
Or do I need to take additional steps first?
Further, any advice regarding using Aras Innovator as a corporate off-of-SAP expense tracking system would be much appreciated.
I need a platform where I can develop and modify on an ongoing basis off-of-SAP workflow such as purchase approval requests, third-party invoice approval workflow, business trip expense and other cash expense report workflow, hr workflow...).
Please tell me what you think.
- Lisa
PeterSchroer - Monday, January 4, 2010 8:08 AM:
Hello Lisa,
Aras Innovator should be a good solution for "off-of-SAP" workflow. Should be easy to interface with SAP data, and also to extend functionality on top of SAP. Good idea!
Some suggestions....
If you want to create new tables, I recommend creating new ItemTypes. This will add ~10 additional columns to your new tables, but this is small overhead to then allow use of all Innovator features (forms, workflows, permissions etc.).
You should check-out the SAP interface from xPLM. This will make it easy to get data transfer in both directions. http://www.aras.com/partners/PartnerDetail.aspx?partner=xplm
Using Aras Innovator to workflow-enable another database and to allow users to work with remote data, we call Federation. There are some good hints on how to use Federation on our Wiki. http://www.aras.comhttp://www.aras.com/Community/wikis/kb/how-to-use-federation.aspx with Federation, you create a pointer in Aras to objects in SAP. Forms, workflows, web interface, permissions, reporting... everything is possible with data that is stored only in SAP.
if you have specific questions, send me a direct email.
Peter.
