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Covus : Document ProcessAutomat ion for SAP
Inbound, Outbound, and Storage of Documents to Deliver Real-Time Information
Cert i f i ed for SAP NetWeaver TM
Covus : Document Process Automat ion for SAP
Executive Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Paper Remains an Integral Part of Business Processes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Requirements for Integrating Paper Documents with SAP Processes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Covus: The Only Document Process Automation Solution with Direct Links to SAP . . . . . . .5
Covus Integration with SAP: A Non-Invasive, Standards-Based Solution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
How Covus Works with SAP to Automate Document Flows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Inbound Document Image Processing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Image Storage and Retrieval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Outbound Communication Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Automated Procure-to-Pay and Order-to-Cash Offer Best Practice Business Processes . . .14
Covus Furnishes Connectivity with a Wide Range of Existing Technologies . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
GLOSSARY OF TERMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Covus : Document Process Automat ion for SAP
Executive Summary
Enterprises rely on SAP® to run their core business processes. Yet, businesses continue to rely on
documents as well. And SAP is unable to manage paper. Paper documents lead to time-consuming and
error-prone manual processes that slow critical business processes and limit control. The Covus®
Solution for SAP puts a document process automation layer around the SAP solution to manage the
flow of documents, allowing a smooth flow of paper and electronic communications while SAP runs
the core business processes. Only Covus seamlessly integrates best practices with pre-packaged
templates, inbound imaging, integrated storage and output document generation into the SAP
environment.
Covus works with SAP R/3®, SAP R/3 Enterprise®, mySAPTM Business Suite Software, and seamlessly
integrates with the SAP NetWeaverTM Platform. Covus uses an open, non-invasive architecture that
supports standard SAP best practices, interfaces, SAP Transports, and data output formats. This allows
enterprises to seamlessly leverage their existing SAP investments. The Covus Solution for SAP also
provides connectivity to a wide variety of input and output systems to work with virtually any system,
application, or process in use today. This white paper describes how Covus operates within the SAP
infrastructure.
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Covus : Document Process Automat ion for SAP
Paper Remains an Integral Part of Business Processes
Despite the ERP revolution, businesses continue to rely on documents. Documents are the universal
communication tool – independent of person, system, technology, or business. They are easy to share,
easy to use, and easy to understand. Moreover, even if enterprises were able to successfully eliminate
paper documents from their own business processes, partners within the financial value chain would
continue to use paper. Sales orders still arrive on paper. Vendor invoices are on paper. Shipping labels
are on paper. Delivery notes arrive in the warehouse on paper. And so on.
Yet paper documents do not integrate easily with SAP solutions. With paper comes costly, time
consuming, error-prone manual processes for data entry, storage, retrieval, and distribution. In
addition, it can be difficult to link and reconcile related documents to each other and with business
transaction data stored in SAP systems. The result is slower critical business processes and the
inability to control these processes.
Given that documents will continue to remain part of business processes, enterprises using SAP to
automate their business processes need to marry documents to their SAP applications and automated
processes to eliminate operational inefficiencies and communication barriers.
One solution is to invest in additional technology to bolt onto SAP to tackle each part of the process,
an approach that requires new user training and a major business commitment. A second solution is to
force suppliers to use pre-defined standards. This approach may work for large global corporations,
but is unrealistic for most businesses. The third option is to put a document process automation layer
around the SAP solution to manage document flow. This option enables smooth paper or electronic
communications while the SAP applications run the core business.
Requirements for Integrating Paper Documents with SAP Processes
To create a complete document process automation layer around SAP, organizations need a solution
that brings together best practices with pre-packaged processes, inbound imaging, integrated storage,
and outbound communication-while seamlessly integrating these capabilities with SAP.
Inbound document imaging is necessary to allow enterprises to scan documents one-at-a time or
using high-volume scanners, lift the data contained in those documents, and automatically enter it into
SAP transactions. For example, to allow an enterprise to scan a vendor invoice, then automatically
enter the date, amount, vendor, and so on into an SAP transaction. The goal is to remove manual data
entry and potential human error, leading to faster supplier invoice processing and faster customer cash
collection.
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Covus : Document Process Automat ion for SAP
Document storage and retrieval is needed to provide SAP users with instant, anytime, anywhere self-
service access to documents. These capabilities need to automatically store exact copies of document
images and link them to the corresponding SAP transactions to enable users to access all documents
from within SAP screens or over the Web. They also need to cross-index related documents so users
can instantly access all related documents. The goal is to remove filing cabinets, sneakernet, and lost-
in-the-mail documents through instant, self-service access to real-time information.
Outbound document generation and distribution is required to enable enterprises generating out-
bound documents from SAP to customize the look-and-feel of documents with graphics, charts, even
bar coding to support branding efforts. These capabilities then deliver documents to end users in the
most convenient format, such as fax, email, print, or XML, and automatically store copies of outbound
documents for later reference. The goal is to eliminate paper and pre-printed forms to reduce costs as
well as to reduce the time necessary to customize SAP output, improve the quality of documents,
and improve customer service.
Prepackaged processes based on best practices can enable organizations to automate and optimize
all aspects of document processes to help achieve the greatest efficiencies. Vendors should offer con-
sulting expertise, a fixed methodology, pre-packaged processes such as procurement, supplier invoice
processing, customer billing and dispute resolution, customer self-service, and so on. The goal is pre-
dictable implementation with proven results, as well as an ROI consistently less than six months.
Covus: The Only Document Process Automation Solutionwith Direct Links to SAP
The Covus Solution for SAP is the industry's only complete SAP document solution that brings
together best practices with pre-packaged processes, inbound imaging, integrated storage, and
outbound communication – while seamlessly integrating these capabilities with SAP.
In action, Covus document process automation takes all documents coming into a process and stores
them into a repository. Content can be extracted from these documents and passed into the SAP
environment for review, approval, and data entry as part of a business transaction. Covus document
process automation can also reformat and enhance all communications leaving the SAP environment
destined for customers or suppliers, then covert these communications into the best medium for the
recipient-paper, fax, email, and XML. Covus automatically cross-indexes these documents, links them to
related documents, stores them in the repository and links them back to the business transaction.
Users can view an image of the original document and all related documents without leaving the SAP
environment or business transaction. Prepackaged business processes and guaranteed delivery for
Procure to Pay (procurement to accounts payables) and Order to Cash (sales orders to accounts
receivables) based on pre-set templates optimize all aspects of these document processes to help
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Covus : Document Process Automat ion for SAP
companies reduce risk and speed implementation. Covus also comes with the point-and-click Covus
Process Modeler and drag-and-drop Covus Designer that enables enterprises to modify processes to
meet specific business requirements.
With these capabilities, Covus offers the only solution for document process automation that is cost
effective, easy to deploy, and easy to use. Using Covus, SAP customers can:
> Automate customer and supplier financial documents for the real-time enterprise
> Cut costs by removing paper, reallocating labor and speeding processing times to driveefficiency
> Improve working capital management and reduce Days Sales Outstanding for fastercustomer cash collection
> Boost profitability by paying suppliers faster to secure more early payment discountsand dramatically reduce cost per transaction
> Advance customer and supplier service through faster communication of more accurateand personalized information
> Ensure better control through consistent, auditable processes and document retention
> Improve user efficiency by reducing data entry time and time to find related documents
> Reduce customer service call times by providing instant access to documents andenabling instant delivery of these documents to customers or suppliers
Covus Integration with SAP: A Non-Invasive, Standards-Based Solution
The Covus Solution for SAP works with SAP R/3, SAP R/3 Enterprise, mySAP Business Suite, and on
the SAP NetWeaver infrastructure – SAP's comprehensive foundation for Web enabling applications –
using an open, non invasive architecture that supports standard SAP interfaces. In this way, the Covus
Solution for SAP leverages customers' existing investments in SAP systems. Covus uses standard SAP
Remote Function Calls (RFCs) and SAP supported interfaces to provide a future proof and compliant
application. Covus is deployed using standard SAP Transports, enabling automatic rollback of changes
and backwards compatibility to improve administrative productivity. When formatting SAP output,
Covus accepts standard SAP data formats including XML for SmartForms (XSF) and the SAPScript Raw
Data Interface (RDI). Covus links generated and imaged documents to SAP business transactions
using the standard HTTP Content Server interface, which includes ArchiveLink to allow users to access
documents instantly from within SAP.
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Covus : Document Process Automat ion for SAP
The following diagrams illustrate how Covus interfaces with SAP for inbound and outbound documents,
as well as for document storage and retrieval.
Document StorageCovus automatically stores all scannedand generated documents in CovusPresenter. Covus automatically linksthese document images to the relatedSAP business transaction using thestandard SAP ArchiveLink RFC withinthe BC-HCS HTTP Content Serverinterface.
Document RetrievalWhen users wish to access a document, they viewthe related SAP business transaction. A list ofdocuments related to the business transactionappears as HTTP Content Server attachments.The user makes a selection and a Content ServerHTTP call passes the request to Covus Presenter,which returns the document image. Once thedocument is retrieved, users can print, fax, email,or save the document locally without leaving thedocument view.
InboundCommunication
Covus uses standard SAP RFCs to loaddata lifted from document images into SAPbusiness transactions.
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Covus : Document Process Automat ion for SAP
OutboundCommunications
When users generate a document using Covus,they send the output, which can be in OTF,RDI, or XSF formats, to a Covus output devicewithin the standard SAP spooler. Covusreceives this data as a spool file and thenprocesses the job according to the user rulesdefined within the Covus application.
Print HistoryCovus uniquely provides print status and his-tory information via the Covus ZFRM PresenterSpooler. After completing the output requestCovus uses calls to internal SAP functions toupdate the Covus ZFRM Presenter SpoolHistory, which then allows users to review andreprint any output.
Output ReviewFrom with the Covus ZFRM Presenter SpoolHistory, users can see the status of a job andreview the final output. The Covus ZFRMPresenter Spooler makes a remote function callto Covus Presenter, which returns the documentimage to the user. Users can then reprint, fax,email or save the job as required from withinthe document view.
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Covus : Document Process Automat ion for SAP
How Covus Works with SAP to AutomateDocument Processes
Covus works with SAP to automatically enter documents and data into SAP, provide seamlessly
integrated document storage and retrieval, and generate and deliver document output. It also
offers pre-packaged processes to automate Procure-to-Pay and Order-to-Cash document
application processes in conjunction with SAP applications. The following describes the
interaction between Covus and SAP.
Inbound Document Image Processing
When enterprises receive documents (invoices, POs, sales orders, work orders, contracts,
proof-of-delivery documents, and so on) as fax, email, digital images or paper, Covus can store
these documents, automatically lift data from them and link them to SAP business transactions:
1. Single documents or batches of 100 or more documents are passed to Covus as TIF images from scanner, email attachments or faxes. Covus bursts batches intoindividual documents using barcode labels or identification templates. Operatorscan validate document batches using a Web application prior to bursting toimprove operational efficiency.
2. Covus Presenter stores the individual, imaged documents for later retrieval via SAPinterfaces or online web interfaces.
3. Covus uses optical character recognition functionality to lift data from the document images. Covus passes unidentified documents to users for data entry via Covus Responder.
4. If additional data needs to be entered or if approvals are required, CovusResponder can be configured to route the document as necessary.
5. Once a document is identified and the data extracted, Covus automatically converts all documents into a common image format.
6. Covus uses standard SAP RFCs to load the data into SAP business transactions andArchiveLink to create a link to the document image.
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Covus : Document Process Automat ion for SAP
7. Enterprises can use SAP Workflow to notify users that a new business transactionneeds to be processed, then open standard SAP Materials Management orFinancials Transaction Screens for use in processing. If the Enterprise does not useSAP Workflow, users can open the Materials Management screen, use the standardSAP Search function to find all unprocessed business transactions, then processthem.
SAP Business Workplace showing business transactions posted by Covus
8. If users need to enter additional data into the business transaction or if Covus wasunable to recognize a particular field, users can select the document image fromthe HTTP Content Server attachment list within the Materials ManagementTransaction screen, open the image view, as well as copy and paste data from theimage as required.
Copy and Paste from an image in the SAP Document Viewer 10
Covus : Document Process Automat ion for SAP
9. Once the transaction is complete, the user can post the transaction to create abusiness document within the SAP Financials module.
Opening an image from within a posted SAP business document
Covus also supports SAP's early and late archive methods using barcode labels, which are part
of the ArchiveLink interface specification. For some SAP business transaction types Covus will
automatically link business documents to document images within the SAP Financials and
Materials Management modules.
Image Storage and Retrieval
The Covus Solution for SAP automatically stores all documents within Covus Presenter for SAP
and makes these documents available to users as attachments to business transactions or business
documents, as well as online via the web within or outside the organization:
1. As soon as Covus receives an inbound image or an outbound document CovusPresenter automatically stores and indexes the document.
2. Covus then automatically links these document images to the related SAP businesstransaction. Covus creates these links using the standard SAP ArchiveLink RFCswithin the HTTP Content Server interface.
3. Covus also automatically cross indexes related documents according to specifiedcriteria that the enterprise has supplied within output data or after the inboundimages has been posted into SAP.
4. When users wish to access a document, they go to the SAP Transaction Screen andview the Content Server attachment list.
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Covus : Document Process Automat ion for SAP
5. When users click on a Covus document, SAP makes an HTTP Content Server call toCovus Presenter, which returns a document view.
SAP Document Viewer with embedded Covus Presenter Document
6. Users can find related documents from the Covus Presenter view, then save, emailor print the document with a single click.
Outbound Communication Management
Covus accepts standard SAP output spool file types and reformats them. Once the transaction is
complete, the SAP user can review the final output and print, reprint, fax or email the documents,
as well as email document links to any destination.
1. The SAP user selects the Covus ouput device and submits the job for processing.
2. The SAP Spool passes the output request to Covus as either a standard OutputText Format (OTF), XML for SmartForms (XSF) or SAPscript Raw Data Interface(RDI) spool file.
3. Covus enhances the document look and feel, providing total repagination, multiplelanguages, multiple layouts, branding, and more from the single output report.
4. Using conditional logic, Covus can output a single document any number of timesand deliver the output through email, fax, XML, or print. Covus can also put severaldocuments into the queue for consolidation into a single envelope.
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Covus : Document Process Automat ion for SAP
5. Covus then stores the document within Covus Presenter and creates an ArchiveLink,which in turn creates a Content Server attachment to the original SAP businessdocument.
Opening a Purchase Order within Covus Presenter from the SAP Document Viewer
6. Next, Covus creates an entry in the Covus ZFRM SAP Presenter Spool History,which resides within the SAP environment.
View of the Covus ZFRM SAP Presenter Spool
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Covus : Document Process Automat ion for SAP
7. SAP users can then review the final formatted output from within the Covus ZFRMSpool history and reprint, email or save the document as required without resubmitting the document through the SAP Spooler or returning to the SAP business document.
Opening an document image from the Covus SAP Presenter Spool History
Automated Procure to Pay and Order to Cash Offer BestPractice Business Processes
A Covus Solution for SAP, Covus for Financial Operations provides pre-packaged application process
models and templates for the Procure-to-Pay and Order-to-Cash business processes that combine
Covus capabilities with best practices to optimize these processes at all possible levels. For example,
when supporting the SAP Procure-to-Pay process (procurement through accounts payable),
Covus for Financial Operations can work within SAP Workflow to automate the process as follows:
1. SAP purchasers generate a purchase order and print the document to Covus via theSAP Spooler.
2. Covus receives the print request, enhances the look and feel of the document, thendelivers it to the vendor via email, print, fax, XML, or Web Services. Covus links theimage of the purchase order to the business transaction through ArchiveLink andupdates the Covus ZFRM SAP Presenter Spool History.
3. The purchasing department can review the final format document from either theSAP business document or the Covus ZFRM Spool Administrator and reprint, email,save locally or easily find any associated documents, such as quotations.
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Covus : Document Process Automat ion for SAP
4. When the company receives the shipment and an invoice from a vendor, it labelsthe document and scans it into Covus.
5. The automated Procure-to-Pay solution lifts the data from the vendor invoice,stores the document and creates a parked SAP business transaction.
6. SAP processes ensure that the ordered items have been received.
7. An SAP workflow notifies the SAP entry clerk of the new vendor invoice.
8. The clerk then opens the parked business transaction, checks that the vendorinvoice data is correct and adds any additional data fields not found in the document.
9. The clerk posts the business transaction.
10. The vendor invoice is then ready for payment.
The Covus for Financial Operations Procure-to-Pay and Order-to-Cash processes work alongside
the following SAP Financial and Materials Management modules within SAP R/3, SAP R/3 Enterprise,
and mySAP Business Suite.
Typical SAP and Covus Touch Points
Covus can also be used alongside other
SAP applications such as Product
Lifecycle Management (PLM), Human
Resources (HR), and Customer
Relationship Management (CRM).
PROCUREMENT> Purchase Order Processing> Receipt Confirmation> Invoice Verification
INVENTORY & WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT> Inbound Processing
SALES ORDER PROCESSING> Field Sales> Quotation & Order Management> Billing
CUSTOMER SERVICE> Service Requests & Order Management
FINANCIAL SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT> Collection Management> Dispute Management> In-house Cash> Cash & Liquidity Management
SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT> Procurement
• Purchase Order Processing• Receipt Confirmation• Invoice Verification
> Order Fulfillment• Sales Order Processing• Billing
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Covus : Document Process Automat ion for SAP
Covus Features and Benefits for SAP Users
The Covus Solution for SAP provides a wide range of features that integrate with SAP and enable
the automation of document processes to speed data entry and document approvals, improve
customer service and productivity, reduce output costs and speed document distribution, speed
deployment and reduce cost risk, and enable global operation. The following table details these
capabilities.
SPEED DATA ENTRY AND DOCUMENT APPROVALS
FEATURE BENEF IT
TIF support Leverages investments in existing scanners
High-volume image processing, document identification templates, and bursting of batchedimages into individual documents
Improve mailroom efficiency
OCR technology lifts data and automatically creates parked documents
Eliminates manual data entry
Ability to view document images and data entryscreens side by side and drag and drop data into SAP
Speeds data entry for documents that cannot beOCRd
Integrates with SAP Workflows to create SAP business transactions
Improves effiency in distributing documents for dataentry and posting to SAP as a business document
Covus Responder requests a response or decisionfrom an end user when interaction is required aspart of the process
Enable the creation of business flows that providedata entry and approval routing for remote managers who do not have access to an SAP client
IMPROVE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND PRODUCTIVITY THROUGH INTEGRATED STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL
FEATURE BENEF IT
Automatically stores all imaged or Covus-generateddocuments
Provides a single source for documents andensures that documents are never lost
Links document images to SAP transactions Furnishes instant access to images from within theSAP interface
Automatically cross indexes documents Offers instant access to all related documents
Automatically time stamps and activity logs alltransactions
Provides an audit trail that supports corporategovernance; can be used in environments wheredocuments may be required as legal evidence
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Covus : Document Process Automat ion for SAP
REDUCE OUTPUT COSTS AND SPEED DOCUMENT DISTRIBUTION THROUGHOUTBOUND COMMUNICATION MANAGEMENT
FEATURE BENEF IT
Covus Designer furnishes a simple, drag-and-dropenvironment for advanced formatting thatincludes barcodes, charts, graphical elements,multiple languages, multiple branding, and more.
Provides total control over output format andpresentation; reduces time necessary to createoutput; saves time and money.
Graphical form design tools eliminate the needfor SAPScript or SmartForms
Reduces development time; enables rapid modification of documents and reduces skill setrequirements
Automatically collates and postage sorts documents Speeds document delivery and reduces postage costs
Prints multiple documents, including SAP andnon-SAP documents, in one pass
Improves convenience and reduces postage costs
Print preview of Covus documents Reduces wasted paper
SAP Print Spool support Furnishes visibility into printing of SAP and nonSAP documents
Outputs to fax, email, print, XML, HTML Speeds distribution and improves customer service
FAST DEPLOYMENT AND LOWER COST RISK THROUGH PRE-PACKAGED APPLICATION PROCESSES
FEATURE BENEF IT
Pre-packaged processes include inbound processblueprints, outbound process blueprints and document templates
Faster deployment and less development cost
Covus Professional Services guaranteed deliveryapproach accesses current processes, scopesimplementation, and deploys the solution
Gets customers up and running in just a fewweeks, not months or years
Covus Training and Mentoring Ensures team productivity
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Covus : Document Process Automat ion for SAP
DEPLOY GLOBAL SOLUTIONS THROUGH ENTERPRISE-CLASS ARCHITECTURE
FEATURE BENEF IT
Enterprise architecture, multi-languages, multi-currency support
Enables global deployment and reduces systemoverhead
Failover, load balancing, and clusters High availability
Scalable architecture Allows printing of thousands of documents perday - anywhere
Minimal network bandwidth utilization Speeds performance and reduces operational costs
Centralized management Speeds deployment and simplifies management
Non-invasive architecture Integrates with existing environments
Multi-platform database support, including MSSQL Server, Oracle, IBM DB2
Integrates with existing database technology
Covus Furnishes Connectivity with a Wide Range of ExistingTechnologies
In addition to connectivity with SAP, Covus also provides connectivity to a wide variety of input and
output systems and formats, enabling connectivity with virtually any system, application or process in
use today. The Covus Solution for SAP provides the following connectivity capabilities:
> Application-level interfaces for source data include host application connectors forleading ERP, CRM, and SCM packages, and legacy, mainframe and custom applications.Specifically optimized and certified Covus connectors are available for SAP R/3, SAPR/3 Enterprise, mySAP Business Suite, as well as PeopleSoft®, Oracle®, and more.
> Robust support for Web Services enables standards-based integration across B2C andB2B environments for both source data and destination information. Covus itself canbe deployed as and make use of Web Services. Covus can dynamically generate and useXML and WSDL across standard SOAP protocols.
> Covus uses industry-standard XML DTDs, XML schemas, XSLT stylesheets, and numerousXML vertical standards. Covus will continue to evolve alongside XML and Web Servicesstandards.
> Business process infrastructure interfaces for both source data and destination informationinclude IBM WebSphere MQ messaging and Microsoft MSMQ messaging. EAI packagesupport includes Microsoft BizTalk Server 2000/2003. Covus can integrate with manyindustry workflow systems through messaging, text, and Web Service interfaces. TheCovus Solution for SAP also provides its own document routing through CovusResponder, using industry standard interfaces.
> HTTP and HTTPS support for posting and retrieving web pages to and from any indus-try standard web server.
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Integrates with third-party applications Leverages existing investment
Covus : Document Process Automat ion for SAP
> E-mail integration supports any SMTP and POP3 package, such as MicrosoftExchange/Outlook and Lotus Notes/Domino.
> Source data can be captured or loaded from, and destination information distributedto, print streams for thousands of printers, ASCII text in delimited and non-delimitedformats, IDocs, OTF, RDI, XSF, XML documents, PDF documents and PDF forms.
> A Universal Database Connector enables ODBC or native interfaces to query, insert,update, or delete information from relational databases. The connector includes specificnative optimizations for IBM DB2, Microsoft SQL Server 2000 and Oracle 8i/9i. Thehigh-performance design of this connector ensures very fast loading of bulk data asrequired for data intensive processes such as mail merges involving hundreds of thousandsof names and addresses.
> Application configuration and user information can be retrieved from LDAP directoryservers at both design time and run time.
> Finalized output documents can be directed to any printer or print stream in local ordistributed architectures, including very high volume equipment. In addition, broad faxcapabilities are available, including specifically optimized integrations with CaptarisRightFax, Esker VSI-Fax and Zetafax. Other fax solutions can be used through use ofcommand line instructions, external files and embedded print codes.
> For paper-to-electronic conversion of documents, document imaging technologiesincluding OCR conversion facilities are available to index and process inbound scannedimages. This is important for enterprises that are not fully automated.
> Since nearly any application or system in the world can communicate with or be convertedto ASCII text, Covus can interoperate with nearly any system. With the advent of XMLand Web Services, Covus empowers enterprises to take advantage of these B2C andB2B interoperability applications today and in the future
> Supports third-party storage devices for offline storage
Conclusion
With support for standard SAP interface, industry best practices, and SAP Workflow Covus Solutions
for SAP provide a non-invasive architecture for integrating Covus functionality with SAP applications.
Enterprises using SAP to automate their core business processes gain inbound imaging, integrated
storage, outbound communication, together with best practices based on pre-packaged application
processes to target operational inefficiencies and improve control. At the same time, Covus does not
alter the SAP environment in any way, allowing IT to control changes to data and to automatically
rollback any changes if necessary.
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Covus : Document Process Automat ion for SAP
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
ArchiveLink (BC-AL)BC-AL connects Covus Presenter to SAP R/3. It is a cross-application interface that provides SAP R/3 applications witharchive functionality. This is now part of the BC-HCS HTTP Content Server interface. See http://www.sap.com/partners/icc/scenarios/technology/bc-al.aspx
Covus DesignerA development tool used to modify the Covus application templates, report layouts and conditional logic.
Covus PresenterA Web repository that stores document images both on-line and off-line.
Covus Process ModelerA development tool that allows a designer or administrator to see the Covus application architecture.
Covus ResponderAn interactive Web Service that provides additional document routing, data entry and approval processing for documentsbefore they are passed to SAP or during the output communication process.
Covus ZFRMAn SAP application provided with the Covus Solution for SAP that contains additional spooling capabilities that providea full print history and allow users to view the final Covus-generated document. Users can also review other non-Covusdocuments that pass through the standard SAP Spooler.
Days Sales OutstandingThe number of days between when the enterprise issues a sales invoice and the customer pays it.
Document Process AutomationThe process by which paper is removed from the core business processes while retaining paper as an input or outputfrom the process. This allows for great efficiency and a reduced number of process exceptions.
Early ArchiveThis is when the document image is scanned before the SAP business transaction is created. The document image andthe SAP business transaction are linked using a document number within a barcode.
HTTP Content Server (BC-HCS)BC-HCS is a cross-application interface that connects SAP R/3 with Covus using the HTTP protocol. See http://www.sap.com/partners/icc/scenarios/technology/bc-hcs.aspx
Late ArchiveThis is when the SAP business transaction is created first and the document image is linked to the transaction via a barcode label.
SAPScriptSAPScript is a text based form design tool that creates output requests from SAP R/3. ABAP programming is requiredto extract the data from the SAP database.
SAPScript Raw Data Interface (BC-RDI)BC-RDI enables enterprises to loosely couple SAP R/3 to Covus in order to control output requests. The interface supports all form data from SAP R/3 but no layout information such as font or page size. See http://www.sap.com/partners/icc/scenarios/technology/bc-rdi.aspx
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Covus : Document Process Automat ion for SAP
SAP Remote Function Calls (RFCs)A standard integration technology that connects Covus to the SAP environment. RFCs are documented and providecommunication between SAP and Covus. In addition to using RFCs, Covus uses the standard SAP Business ApplicationProgramming Interface (BAPI®) at a lower level.
SAP SmartFormsSAP SmartForms is an SAP graphical form design tool, which requires ABAPTM programming to create conditional logicwith output requests.
SAP Transaction ScreenA standard method of viewing SAP business data within either a business transaction or business document.
SAP TransportsPackages of SAP business functionality used to transfer third-party applications into the SAP environment.
SAP WorkflowA standard SAP technology that allows users to manage their workload and receive new tasks automatically.
XML for SmartForms (BC-XSF)BC-XSF is an XML interface for printing SAP SmartForms. It allows enterprises to connect SAP SmartForms to external textmanagement and form printing tools. The interface provides all the form data from SAP R/3 but does not include layoutinformation such as fonts or page size – these are defined by Covus. To read an XSF stream, Covus complies with theform's XML document type definition (DTD). See http://www.sap.com/partners/icc/scenarios/technology/bc-xsf.aspx
Supported SAP Releases
• SAP® R/3® (4.6c)
• SAP® R/3® Enterprise (4.7)
• mySAPTM Business Suite
• SAP NetWeaverTM (4.0)
• Earlier releases can be supported including R/3® 4.5 and mySAPTM 4.6c.
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Covus : Document Process Automat ion for SAP
About FormScape
FormScape is dedicated to helping companies target operational inefficiencies and communication
barriers through Document Process Automation solutions. By uniquely integrating documents,
processes and business systems, FormScape enterprise software solutions deliver faster action
through real-time information. FormScape is the single-source for expertise spanning pre-packaged
processes and ERP interface integration with document imaging, storage and output. Companies of
all sizes use FormScape solutions to cut costs, improve working capital management and profitability,
advance customer-supplier service, and ensure better control.
SAP NetWeaver™
The SAP NetWeaver™ platform is the open integration and application platform that enables change.
SAP NetWeaver helps companies align IT with their business. It allows companies to obtain more
business value from existing IT investments and to deploy a services-oriented architecture. SAP
NetWeaver reduces total cost of ownership (TCO) and complexity across the entire IT landscape.
SAP NetWeaver powers mySAP™ Business Suite, SAP® xApps™ packaged composite applications, and
partner solutions. It provides the best way to integrate all systems running SAP or non-SAP software.
SAP NetWeaver unifies integration technologies into a single platform and is preintegrated with
business applications, reducing the need for custom integration.
Covus and the Covus logo are registered trademarks of FormScape Group Ltd. © Copyright 2004. FormScape and the FormScape logo are registered trademarksof AFP Holdings Ltd. © Copyright 1996-2004. FormScape Group Ltd. All rights reserved. SAP® R/3® software, mySAPTM Business Suite software, SAP NetWeaverTM
technology platform, ABAPTM programming language, and BAPI® programming interface are the trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP AG in Germany and inseveral other countries. © SAP AG 2004. All Rights Reserved.
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