SAP Process Integration (PI) and Process Orchestration (PO) provide a robust middleware platform for enterprise system integration. A critical component of this architecture is the Advanced Adapter Engine Extended (AEX), which plays a vital role in managing communication between SAP and non-SAP systems.
This article introduces the concept of AEX, its role in SAP PI/PO, and why it is essential for modern integration scenarios.
The Advanced Adapter Engine Extended (AEX) is an evolution of the Adapter Engine within the SAP PI/PO landscape. Unlike the traditional Adapter Engine that required a dual-stack (ABAP + Java) environment, AEX is a Java-only standalone adapter engine that can run independently or embedded within SAP Process Orchestration.
AEX facilitates protocol conversion, message processing, and routing for various adapters, enabling connectivity across diverse system landscapes.
In traditional dual-stack SAP PI systems, the Adapter Engine resided on the ABAP stack, communicating with the Integration Engine on the Java stack. With AEX, the Adapter Engine functionality is fully migrated to the Java stack, enabling a streamlined, unified architecture.
The architecture typically includes:
This design improves system stability and simplifies infrastructure requirements.
Simplification of Landscape
Java-only architecture reduces the complexity of managing dual-stack systems and lowers operational costs.
Flexibility in Deployment
Can be deployed standalone or embedded, offering flexible integration into heterogeneous IT landscapes.
Expanded Adapter Ecosystem
Supports a broad range of protocols and adapter types essential for modern cloud and on-premise integrations.
Better Scalability
Supports load balancing and clustering to handle high volumes of message processing.
Future-Proofing Integration
Aligns with SAP’s strategic roadmap favoring Java-only stacks and cloud readiness.
The Advanced Adapter Engine Extended (AEX) represents a significant advancement in SAP PI/PO middleware architecture by consolidating adapter functionalities into a streamlined Java-only engine. Its flexibility, performance, and comprehensive adapter support make it indispensable for enterprises looking to build efficient, scalable, and future-ready integration landscapes.
Understanding AEX and its capabilities is essential for SAP integration architects and administrators to design robust, maintainable, and scalable SAP PI/PO systems.