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Month: November 2013

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Web Dynpro – wda_ls_main.js Error in IE

Well, here’s something new I just ran into.  Last night, my system crashed, which by itself was no big deal.  I just had to restart my virtual server.  But then I went to do some testing in Rapier and suddenly I couldn’t even get the login page to show up.  All I got was an error in IE (internet Explore) talking wda_ls_main.js  Well, this sounded cryptic and unhelpful.  So I went to SDN, and quickly found that it’s a browser issue, not anything with my code.  Which was good, since it worked last night and I hadn’t changed anything.

The solution was simple, go to the internet options, delete all the browsing history.  Apparently, from time to time, something strange gets cached and it won’t reload.  I wasn’t able to really get any more info than that (that I understood at least.  ha ha ha).

so if you run into this error on you AWDP page, try just clearing out the history.

Thanks for reading,

Variant Configuration – IPC – Hidden Characteristics

Seems I’m on a roll with the IPC stuff, so here’s another interesting thing I just learned.  It seems that SAP has changed the way that the IPC will handle hidden characteristics.  Originally, you had the option to make a selection within the configurator to show the hidden characteristics to not show them, much like CU50 can do with the hidden characteristic button.  Well, the IPC has changed it’s logic, and now within the XCM, you only get the option of always showing the hidden characteristics, or never showing the hidden characteristics.

Well, I gotta say, it always confuses me when functionality is taken away within a program.  I can only hope that this buys back a lot of performance or make the maintenance easier for the engine, because from a user perspective, this really kind of sucks.  Alright, this is just another short one for today.  Thanks for reading,

Variant Configuration – IPC Reference Characteristic MARA-MATNR

I just learned something new today with the latest and “greatest” version of the IPC.  In our models we were using a reference characteristic MARA-MATNR to find the material number and help us determine what transaction we are currently executing within.  The idea behind this was that we could drive different behavior if the model was being executed inside of a Sales order or CU50 (MARA-MATNR wouldn’t  be specified) and in the material master (MARA-MATNR would  be specified).

Well, it turns out the IPC outsmarted me.  It is over ambitious and goes and find a value for MARA-MATNR within the sales order (and probably CU50 as well).  So now, that reference characteristic is never blank within the IPC.

There was an easy fix, we now need to include a statement to check if the material number (MATNR) is equal to the KMAT name.  Not the end of the world, but it’s a rather funny little trick to be aware of.  I’m waiting to see if it “helps” me with any other reference characteristics too.

Anyway, something to be aware.  Thanks for reading,

Variant Configuration – IPC in ERP – CFG_ERP_REQUEST_DB

Well, this being my first time back in the IPC in a while, I’m learning some new tricks.  This particular project I’m working on is setting up to use the IPC within ERP exclusively (no CRM or third party).  So this is uncharted territory, and from what I’ve been digging around online, not many places are doing this…  at least not that they are posting about.  So, like always, as I start new adventures, why not keep y’all in the loop 🙂

The first thing I learned is that whenever you need to generate a new KB or a new runtime version, you also need to run the program CFG_ERP_REQUEST_DB.  My understanding is that this takes the place of the upload to CRM, so the ERP side can see the latest changes.

This is a short one, but it’s something I needed in my digital notebook anyway 🙂

Thanks for reading,

Getting our First Intern

Now I know that we are hitting the big time, we are working to bring on board our first intern.  The idea was first presented to us at the regional ASUG in Columbia, SC.  At the time it was only a passing idea, but recently I found out my younger cousin (a programmer) was looking for his for job and having a hard time finding anything, well, things just started to come together.

Obviously, I’m overworked and can’t keep up with all the development I have on my plate, along with business and marketing and sales…  so it seemed like a perfect fit.  Now, the fun part came in when we had to do an “on-boarding” process.  I have a new appreciation for just what it takes to bring in a new employee.  First, there’s the legal paperwork, NDA’s, SOW’s, contracts, compensation, etc.  Then setting him up with an email account, getting everyone linked on Skype, dropbox etc.  Then of course, I needed to get him setup with a SAP logon, a development key…  and a system that he can play in without impacting any of my other development initiatives.

Now to make thing more exciting, he’s never done SAP (hence why he was probably looking for a job.  ha ha).  So, I’ve been setting him up some of my old training material.  Now, I think we finally have it all pulled together.  He has a system to play in, some of our applications to use as a model (needless to say, we’re keeping it simple for the first round), a bunch of training…  and license to break anything he wants to.

I finally realize what a win win it really is to have interns.  You know, I got started in all of this by accident through an internship so very long ago…  and look at me now.  Well, maybe I can impart the same sort of success to our first intern.  Or at the very least, I can trade some cash to get back some of my time.  No matter how you look it, it could be huge for everyone involved.  And with all the self-help, sales programs, motivation programs, they all have a simple fact in common…  if you want to succeed in the long run, you need to focus on win-win deals.  Make sure it works for everyone and it’s sure to work.  Well, let’s hope all the experts are right.

Thanks for reading,