An Interface specification is required for the following custom development types:
A System Interface is implemented inside an application system, such as S/4HANA. It either provides ("sends out") data from the system to an external receiver; or receives data from an external receiver, and stores it in the database.
An Integration Process connects System Interfaces together. It is implemented in a middleware system such as SAP Integration Suite.
These are separate specs because their implementations are separate, implemented using different code and tooling, and usually built by different teams.
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In the diagram above, there are three specs:
It is not enough to write a single spec for "System A to System B integration". The reality of the built code is that code in System A, System B, and the middleware is quite distinct and separate from each other, and only loosely coupled via defined touchpoints. The specs must reflect this reality and not be a "muddle" without clear separation of responsibility of the various systems and actors in the design. If a System Interface is standard, out-of-the-box, and not being modified, then a spec can be omitted. The spec for the Integration Process should instead reference the relevant API documentation and specifications provided by the vendor. If an Integration Process is based on vendor-delivered content (e.g. an IFlow delivered by SAP via the SAP Business Accelerator Hub), then only a simple spec is necessary. This spec should not reverse-engineer all of the implementation details but describe the overall design, and focus on the information needed to support and operate the integration (e.g. monitoring, error handling, volumetrics, etc.) |
Specification Acceptance Checklist
Creating Functional Specifications
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