This document is related to SAP PI Sheet (XStep) integration with Weighing Machine/Scale. Accurate weights are vital in any manufacturing process. In Pharmaceutical industry it comes under GMP. A slight wrong weight in medicine manufacturing can cause several death. ERP-Scale interfaces weigh scales and other analytical devices with: SAP OPC Data Access (SAP ODA) • In PI-Sheets and XSteps to support weighing of components for goods-issues including target weighing using a weighing bar and goods-receipts of finished or semi-finished products • Using data access subscriptions to automatically trigger functions in SAP (e.g. order confirmation) when the weight is received from the scale • In manufacturing cockpits This document covers SAP settings and overall architecture details and basic settings required in the third party ERP Scale software on the scales.

1. SAP PI Sheet (Xstep) integration with
Weighing Machine/Scale
By,
Ankit Sharma
SAP PP Consultant
businessconsulting007@gmail.com
+91 – 8888896575 / 8888632763

2. Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................3
Brief of Scale Integration with PI sheet ..................................................................................................3
Source and Target System Description………………………………………………………………………………………………5
Architect Design………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..5
Trigger Event…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……….7
Steps required to integrate SAP and ERP Scale…………………………………………………………………………………..7
Setting up RFC destination for ERP-Scale…………………………………………………………………………………………..8
Define the SAP RFC connection settings in ERP-Scale……………………………………………………………………….10
Define the communication settings…………………………………………………………………………………………………12
Create the parsing settings and map the device input data to the data fields………………………………….12
If using an SAP ODA data subscription, check the dead-band settings……………………………………………..13
Create the OPC Data Access Item in SAP ODA………………………………………………………………………………….13
Create XStep Repository………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….18
Type of Weighing Machine/Scale in Pharmaceutical……………………………………………………………………….22
Reading of Weight on PI Sheet from Weighing Machine/Scale………………………………………………………..23
Error Monitoring & Resolution – Failure Points……………………………………………………………………………….25

3. Summary*
This document is related to SAP PI Sheet (XStep) integration with Weighing Machine/Scale.
Introduction
Accurate weights are vital in any manufacturing process. In Pharmaceutical industry it comes under
GMP. A slight wrong weight in medicine manufacturing can cause several death.
ERP-Scale interfaces weigh scales and other analytical devices with:
SAP OPC Data Access (SAP ODA)
 In PI-Sheets and XSteps to support weighing of components for goods-issues including target
weighing using a weighing bar and goods-receipts of finished or semi-finished products
 Using data access subscriptions to automatically trigger functions in SAP (e.g. order
confirmation) when the weight is received from the scale
 In manufacturing cockpits
The Interface between SAP PI sheet and the W&D scales needs to be setup in order to transmit
weight data from scales to SAP PI sheets. Another middleware third party software called ERP scale
will be used to facilitate communication between SAP and the scales.
This document covers SAP settings and overall architecture details and basic settings required in the
third party ERP Scale software on the scales.
Brief of Scale Integration
ERP-Scale includes an interface to SAP ODA. Ideal for use in PI-Sheets and XSteps, this allows access
to the weigh scale using the SAP ODA functionality for OPC data access. SAP’s ODA Connector is not
required as ERP-Scale provides full access to your weighing equipment in one easy-to-install and
implement package including reading and writing data access items.
Using SAP ODA Data subscriptions, you can use ERP-Scale to trigger a function in SAP when a new
weight is received without any operator intervention.
At Pocket Programs we are currently working on a new version of ERP-Scale V4.1 which supports the
SAP ODA interface (without requiring the SAP ODA Connector). The integration of SAP ODA and PI-
Sheets is simpler than using the HUPAST RFC.

4. Three easy steps to weigh scale integration with SAP:
 Download and install ERP-Scale
 Configure the SAP packing station profile and RFC destination
 Import the SAP configuration into ERP-Scale and define the weighing device communication
parameters
Source and Target Systems Description
 SAP: Back-end system is the ERP system, where all the master and transactional data are
located.
 ERP Scale: A third party software provided by a company called Pocket programs
(www.pocketprograms.com)
 Weighing Scales: Devices in warehouse/dispensing locations in the manufacturing area to
weigh out for consumptions.
Architect Design:
Below diagram shows Interface Architecture:

5. Trigger Event:
Trigger
Event
Description
Real Time
or Batch
Manual click
on read
scale button
Once the User clicks on the read scale button the
weight along with the UOM from the scale is
populated on the PI sheet fields.
Real Time

6. Steps required to integrate SAP and ERP Scale.
SAP ODA and ERP-Scale can be used to provide automatic input of weight data to SAP for use in PI-
Sheets, X-Steps and Electronic work instructions (EWI).
To use ERP-Scale with SAP ODA we need to complete below steps:
1. Create the RFC destination for ERP-Scale
2. Define the SAP RFC connection settings in ERP-Scale
3. Define the communication settings
4. Create the parsing settings and map the device input data to the datafields
5. If using an SAP ODA data subscription, check the dead-band settings
6. Create the OPC Data Access Item in SAP ODA

7. A. Setting up RFC Destination for ERP Scale:
Step 1: Define RFC Destination for SAP ODA

8. The Sap-Scale server communicates directly with SAP using various SAP Customer Released RFCs.
Each Sap-Scale server can accept RFC requests from multiple SAP systems simultaneously. This
simplifies testing as it can communicate with the development and production SAP systems at the
same time.
Active Tick this box if the Sap-Scale server should register
with the RFC destination specified
Gateway Host Enter the network address of the SAP host. Routing
information can be entered in front of the hostname
e.g. /H/sapserv3.test.com/S/3296/H/cpff551.test.com
Host Type Select ERP if communicating with an ECC system (e.g.
SAPODA, HUPAST, and QM-IDI) or EWM if the host is
an SCM system. Select ERP&ECM if the host is an ECC
system with the EWM extension installed
Gateway Service The gateway service. See section
Sap Program ID The RFC registered program name.
Count The number of servers to register for the RFC
destination. If the Sap-Server has a single weighing-
device attached, use 1 server. If the Sap-Scale server
provides the interface for multiple weighing devices,
enter a larger number
Step 2: Check Connection Test

9. B. Define the SAP RFC connection settings in ERP-Scale.
The Sap-Scale server communicates directly with SAP using various SAP Customer Released RFCs.
Each Sap-Scale server can accept RFC requests from multiple SAP systems simultaneously. This
simplifies testing as it can communicate with the development and production SAP systems at the
same time.
**This setting need to be done by ERP Scale team.
Active Tick this box if the Sap-Scale server should register
with the RFC destination specified
Gateway Host Enter the network address of the SAP host. Routing
information can be entered in front of the hostname
e.g. /H/sapserv3.test.com/S/3296/H/cpff551.test.com
Host Type Select ERP if communicating with an ECC system (e.g.
SAPODA, HUPAST, and QM-IDI) or EWM if the host is
an SCM system. Select ERP&ECM if the host is an ECC
system with the EWM extension installed
Gateway Service The gateway service.
Sap Program ID The RFC registered program name
Count The number of servers to register for the RFC
destination. If the Sap-Server has a single weighing-
device attached, use 1 server. If the Sap-Scale server
provides the interface for multiple weighing devices,
enter a larger number

10. Mapping ERP Scale data based on RFC Destination Data.

11. C. Define the communication settings, see section
Configuring Devices
The ERP-Scale configuration utility supports the definition of Sap Scale Server settings on a remote
computer. However, for physical devices connected directly to a PC (serial or USB), we advise
running the configuration utility directly on the PC.
**This setting need to be done from ERP Scale team.
D. Create the parsing settings and map the device input data to the
data fields.
Data parsing defines how the Sap-Scale server takes the input message received from the device and
extracts the weight, unit of measure and other values to be returned to SAP. It also has settings to
detect if the scale has motion on it.
Click on Filter from the main console to access the parse settings
**This setting need to be done from ERP Scale team.

12. E. If using an SAP ODA data subscription, check the dead-band
settings
The settings for the Data Access Item in SAP ODA include a deadband value %. When the value
change from the device exceeds the deadband value, the value is sent to SAP. The value range
defines the maximum expected value for numeric data from the device. E.g. if the value from the
device changes by 15 and the value range is set at 1000, then that indicates a 1.5% change.
In some cases the data returned to SAP will include additional values (e.g. material or PLU code). In
this case a separate field can be used to determine the deadband value.
Example:
F. Create the OPC Data Access Item in SAP ODA.
When using ERP-Scale with SAP ODA, you use the settings for SAP ODA to define the following:
1. The OPC Server for each ERP-Scale installation
2. The OPC Data Access Items you wish to access in ERP-Scale.
You can access the OPC Settings using SAP transaction COOPC1.

13. Create SAP ODA OPC Server for ERP-Scale
It is advised not to use a value below 500ms for the Update Rate and Time between Two access
Attempts.
Once the settings have been entered and saved, you can test the connection (Ensure you have
saved the entries or the connection test may fail):
Check the Connection
Server Running – Green Light

14. Create SAP ODA OPC Data Access Items

15. Access Type ERP-Scale will read data directly from the device if
Device Data Access is selected. ERP-Scale will
return a previously read value if Cache Data Access
is selected and the value is not older than the
buffer time. If the value is older than the buffer
time, then the status
‘Obsolete’ will be returned.
Buffer Time Determines how long cached data is valid
Deadband% Sets the minimum value change in % for a data
subscription to report an updated value.
Once the value has been saved, test the connection by clicking Read Synchronously:
Value (Weight on Scale 6) – 16.9

16. Read weight on Scale 9:
After creating an SAP ODA OPC Data Access Item, it can be accessed from a PI-Sheet or
electronic work instruction (EWI).

17. Create Xstep Repository:
Define Parameter:

18. Select Scope of Generation:
Select Destination:

19. Create Process Instruction:
Cretae Manufacturing Data Access:

20. Create Parameter Value for Weight:
Create Parameter Value for UOM:

21. Type of Weighing Machine/Scale in Pharmaceutical:

22. Reading of Weight on PI Sheet from Weighing Machine/Scale:
Weight – 0.02
UOM - KG
Reduce some weight from Weighing Machine…
Weight – 0.01
UOM - KG

23. We can change Look and Feel of PI sheet based on Customer Requirement:

24. Error Monitoring & Resolution – Failure Points
• Error due to RFC Destination connection – Work with BASIS team to resolve issue
• Error due to OPC SERVERS & OPC DATA ACESS - someone may have changed the OPC server
id and OPC item id. Contact with SAP PP team and ERP Scale team.
• Error due to connectivity of laptops– someone may have turned off the laptops – Work with
business to check the connectivity of laptops at manufacturing area
• Error due to update in XSteps repository – Considering many new requirements for PI sheet
that requires updates to XSteps repository in production system
• Error due to C_COOPC1 authorization to read weight from scale –proper authorization is not
maintained for PI sheet roles – work with Security team
• Error due to scale connectivity of reporting data – ERP scale licenses may be expired which
needs to be renewed annually – Reach out to business