Introduction:
The Open Catalog Interface (OCI) is the interface between catalogs and Enterprise Buyer professional edition. SAP Open Catalog Interface uses standard Internet protocols.It can be used to call up an external catalog from a maintenance/service order, a maintenance task list and copy materials from the catalog to the order or task list.
You have the option of storing multiple catalogs for each of the following criteria:
•Order type and planning plant
•Task list category and plant
Advantage :
It can easily search component from the URL using the search engine.
Master data in SAP can be reduced.
User can develop its own URL using own equipments, spares & language.
Scenario:
We have some External/Internal Catalog as a internet/intranet site and our requirement is to call up an catalog URL and select the spares/materials from the screens into SAP:
•Component overview
If multiple catalogs are possible for the criteria named above, during processing you must select one of the catalogs offered.
In the catalog you select the required spares/materials and transfer them to the SAP R/3 system.
Solution:
In PM order we have options for catalog interface from which the spares URL can be browsed & required spares can be selected & send back to component tab. The advantage of the URL is:
easy search engine for spares parts
user friendly options to select the spares with drill down options/ spares with more tech specification & pictorial view.
After selecting the spares & quantity to component tab, normal PM procedures will be followed.
Requirement:
Customization:
Step 1:Define Catalogs
Step 2: Maintain Call-structure
Step 3: Assign Catalogs to Order type/Plant
Step 4:Maintain Field Conversion from HTML to SAP
Procedures:
Step1: Create PM Order or Open the existing PM Order in change mode to attach materials and click on "catalog" tab to access the URL
Step 2 : Browsing the URL and Selecting the Material
Selected material : 6203-2RS Ball Bearing, 17x40x12, 6203 RS
Step 3: Material No and Description copied to SAP Screen
Component /Material Nos should be available in URL which needs to be written to SAP screen as above.