Classifying Integration Modules

The data integrated can be classified as master data and transactional data.

Master data refers to the core data entities essential for business operations. This includes data related to customers, products, suppliers, and other foundational business entities. Master data is typically maintained and managed centrally and serves as a single source of truth for the entire organization.

On the other hand, transactional data is generated from day-to-day business transactions. This includes data related to sales orders, purchase orders, invoices, and other transactional activities. Transactional data is constantly changing and is crucial for real-time decision-making and reporting.

When integrating SAP Commerce Cloud and SAP S/4HANA Cloud, it is essential to ensure that master and transactional data are synchronized and consolidated seamlessly. This ensures that accurate and up-to-date information is available across the entire organization, improving operational efficiency and better business insights.

SAP Commerce Cloud provides several modules with separate extensions to support integrating the data type discussed earlier. Some integration features are for B2C scenarios, others are for B2B scenarios, and some are suitable for both.

The following diagram illustrates the classification of the integration modules.

The integration modules can be classified into four different categories.

• Master Data modules to implement master data replication.
• Order Management modules to implement different ways to handle orders between both systems.
• Transaction Management modules to transfer all the other transactional data needed.
• Other modules that offer specific features.

Let's discuss each of these modules in detail.

Master data integration is supported by the Customer Module and the Model Module.

• The SAP Customer Module integrates an SAP back end (SAP S/4HANA, SAP ERP, or SAP CRM) and SAP Commerce Cloud to replicate customers and contact persons in B2B scenarios and consumers in B2C scenarios.

  For more information, visit SAP Customer Module.

• Model Module, on the other hand, describes the features, architecture, and extensions common for the asynchronous replication of all types of master data (products, prices, discounts, etc.) for integrating SAP Commerce Cloud and SAP backend platforms. For more information, visit SAP Model Module.

Order Management is supported by these modules:

• Asynchronous Order Management Module (AOM)
• Synchronous Order Management Module (SOM), and
• Asynchronous Order Management System Module (OMS)

In AOM, order capturing is done completely in SAP Commerce Cloud, including price calculation and storing of orders. Orders submitted in the online store are transferred through Data Hub to the SAP back end (SAP S/4HANA, SAP ERP, or SAP CRM). Sales order fulfillment(delivery and billing) is done in the backend, and the status of orders, deliveries, and goods issued are exchanged between the systems. For more information, visit the Asynchronous Order Management Module.

Similar to AOM, SOM integrates SAP Commerce Cloud and SAP back end for order management purposes. However, for cart and checkout, in SOM, SAP Commerce Cloud functionality is bypassed completely. Instead, functionality from the back end that has more dynamic pricing and detailed information availability is used. For more information, visit the Synchronous Order Management Module.

OMS handles sales order fulfillment (delivery and billing), using sourcing with multiple SAP back ends, and the status of orders, deliveries, and goods issues is exchanged between SAP Commerce Cloud and SAP back end. For more information, visit the Asynchronous Order Management System Module.

Transaction Management consists of Pricing, Stock, Credit, and Invoice integration modules.

• SAP Synchronous Pricing Module enables the online store to read pricing information directly from the SAP back end (SAP S/4HANA, SAP ERP). This functionality allows the latest prices to be available on the storefront without delay. You can enable synchronous pricing in different areas, such as the online store's product catalog, cart, and product details page. For more details, visit the SAP Synchronous Pricing Module.

• SAP Invoice Module allows B2B customers in the store to view invoices originating from SAP back end. For more details, visit the SAP Invoice Module.
• SAP Sales Order Simulation Integration Module enables real-time synchronous fetch of stock availability, credit check, and pricing at the catalog and cart levels. For more details, visit the SAP Sales Order Simulation Integration Module.
• Performed for B2B customers, the SAP Credit Check Module checks if the order that you placed exceeds the credit limit. For more information, visit the SAP Credit Check Module.

In addition to those discussed earlier, additional modules that support data integration with other solutions are available.

• SAP CPQ Integration for Configurable Products Module provides APIs and extensions that customers can use to implement a frontend UI for configuring SAP CPQ configurable products in the SAP Commerce Cloud storefront. For more information, visit SAP CPQ Integration for Configurable Products
• SAP Customer Activity Repository Integration Module helps you provide B2C customers with a complete view of their purchase histories. For more information, visit the SAP Customer Activity Repository Integration Module.
• SAP S/4HANA Service Integration Module helps to replicate service products and service orders between the two systems. For more information, visit the SAP S/4HANA Service Integration Module.