# SAP RFC

SAP is an enterprise resource planning software used by the largest corporations in the world. It allows you to connect with SAP systems even if they're behind a corporate firewall. The connector supports using IDoc or RFC to communicate with SAP. Using Workato, you can build powerful automation around SAP and other applications, without writing a line of code.

The Workato SAP RFC connector is a SAP-certified (opens new window) solution and recognized as a high quality, cost effective, and sustainable solution for SAP integration needs.

We initially developed the connector for on-prem SAP systems, but you can also use it with SAP S/4HANA Cloud, private edition (opens new window).

# Supported SAP versions

Workato's SAP RFC connector supports SAP ERP ECC 6.0 and later, SAP CRM, SAP SRM, SAP SCM, and any other modules compatible with the NetWeaver platform.

# Supported communication methods

The connector supports the following communication methods with SAP:

Inbound IDoc (Sending an IDoc from Workato to SAP)
Outbound IDoc (Receiving an IDoc from SAP to Workato)
Call Remote Functions (Invoke a function module in SAP from Workato)
Call BAPI (Invoke a BAPI in SAP from Workato)

# SAP Certified

As of March, 06 2023, the SAP RFC connector is certified (opens new window) for the following capabilities.

Access SAP Business Objects Repository (BOR) based on Application Components
Extract RFC/BAPI/IDOC Meta Data
Exchange RFC/BAPI/IDOC calls including SAP return parameters
Unicode communication enabled

# Prerequisites

You must have the following to use the SAP RFC connector:

The SAP JCo library version 3.1.7 and above.

Refer to SAP Note 2786882 - SAP JCo 3.1 release and support strategy (opens new window) for more details and to make sure your operating system fulfills all prerequisites.

DEPRECATION NOTICE

Starting with OPA version 2.16, Workato no longer maintains support for JCo 3.0 libraries. Prior to submitting any support requests, ensure that you are now using the latest JCo 3.1.7 libraries or above.

Additionally, if you use IDocs, you must use JCo 3.1.7 libraries or above and JIDocLib 3.1.3 (opens new window) or above.

# Introduction to IDoc

IDoc stands for intermediate document. It is simply a data container used to exchange information between SAP systems or between SAP and 3rd-party systems.

IDoc is an open interface which is independent of the internal data structure stored in SAP, and independent of sending or receiving applications. Any application can use IDoc by following the syntax and semantics of IDoc.

IDoc is independent of the direction of data exchange, having both outbound and inbound capabilities.

# Introduction to RFC

RFC is a SAP protocol that handles communications between SAP systems and third party applications. It is the process of calling a function module which is residing on a different machine from the caller program.

Workato can call SAP RFCs in an SAP system to fetch the data returned or make synchronous updates to the SAP data. RFCs can also be configured to leveraged to call Workato directly from your SAP instance. Determine how to set up an API endpoint on Workato and connect SAP directly to Workato here.

If you have trouble connecting to Workato with RFCs, review our Troubleshooting guide for more information.