Combination SAP ERP, Jitterbit and SugarCRM

**zolo274** · 2008-12-20, 02:41 PM

Hi,

I'm doing research for a small project or better to say I need a idea for a university course.

At my University we have SAP ERP 6.0 with IDES, SAP BW 3.5 and SAP SEM.

I thougt about developing a little scenario with SAP CRM, but this module is not available yet.

So I found Jitterbit (http://www.jitterbit.com/) and heard about SugarCRM.

Could someone tell me if this idea makes sense?

I mean the combination of SAP ERP 6.0 - Jitterbit - SugarCRM.

And what could a potential scenario look like?

I read the import/export chapter of the sugarcrm manual.

Is it true that the import has to be done manually? (formats: salesforce.com, csv, user-defined, tab textfile)

Greetings
berko

**wjwood64** · 2008-12-20, 05:39 PM

I've been doing SAP consulting over 14 years now, with that background and a recent ECC 6.0 implementation, there is no need for middleware any longer.

The new ECC versions of SAP have the Netweaver stack fully integrated into the application servers and the Java instance now runs directly on the application servers with full integration.

Combined with SAP's SOA initiatives, and web-enabled RFC (remote function calls) along with web enabled services, integration between SugarCRM and SAP can be done directly. In conjunction with that, SAP's services can be set up to "publish" the data to external sources in real time so there isn't even a need for a cron job unless you wanted to batch process.

**zolo274** · 2008-12-20, 10:35 PM

Ok. I don't have such an experience.

But I'm really suprised about your argument that middleware has no need in the future or right now.

Because I did all day long research about the scenario SAP ERP - some connector - SugarCRM (or any other application) and yes, I've found a few provider which are offering that service.

And to my suprise one of the provider is a former COO of SAP. And that company was established at the end of 2007 I think. They have an own developed connector between SAP ERP and SugarCRM. And as I read this is their whole business model.

So there is a need for middleware, for maybe middle sized companies. Because not everybody can afford SAP applications or they would like to use but there is no budget for further modules?

Why should I use SAP CRM if a open source alternative like SugarCRM is available for free (I don't know the exactly terms of use for open source software especially SugarCRM)?

I need a idea becaus my opportunities at the University are very limited in view of SAP modules. And the SAP BW 3.5 is not up to date I think. And the most SAP Partners in Germany (Berlin) are looking for programers and I'm not a programer. I understand the technical background but I don't like to code.