In the world of SAP B2B Integration, enabling seamless communication between business partners across diverse systems and protocols is critical. Adapters play a pivotal role in this ecosystem by acting as bridges that translate and transport data between SAP landscapes and external partner systems. Understanding how adapters work and how to leverage them effectively is fundamental for successful B2B integration.
An adapter is a software component that facilitates connectivity between different systems by handling communication protocols, message formats, and transport mechanisms. In the context of SAP B2B integration, adapters enable SAP middleware platforms like SAP Process Orchestration (PO) or SAP Cloud Platform Integration (CPI) to communicate with external business partners who use varying communication standards and protocols.
AS2 (Applicability Statement 2) is widely used for secure and reliable EDI message exchange over the Internet.
These adapters enable exchanging data via file transfer protocols.
Specifically designed for SAP to SAP or SAP to non-SAP communication involving IDoc formats.
For web services-based integration, adapters support SOAP and REST protocols.
Supports communication over Java Messaging Service queues.
Adapters act as the communication endpoints within integration flows. They:
Analyze partner capabilities and communication preferences before selecting adapters. For example, if a partner mandates AS2 for EDI exchange, implement the AS2 adapter with all security settings configured properly.
Use certificates for encryption and digital signatures. Set up secure tunnels with protocols like SFTP or FTPS. Ensure compliance with standards like GDPR or HIPAA where applicable.
Enable detailed logging and monitoring on adapter components. Use SAP Solution Manager, SAP Focused Run, or cloud-native monitoring tools to proactively track message flows and detect issues.
Many adapters offer features like message splitting, batching, compression, or acknowledgment handling—use these to optimize communication.
Perform end-to-end testing with partners, simulating real-world message volumes and error scenarios.
Adapters form the backbone of SAP B2B integration by enabling diverse systems to communicate reliably and securely. Whether exchanging EDI documents via AS2, transferring files over SFTP, or invoking RESTful APIs, choosing and configuring the right adapters is critical. By understanding adapter types, capabilities, and best practices, SAP integration specialists can design robust, compliant, and scalable B2B integration solutions that drive efficient partner collaboration.