The mapping tool was introduced as part of the extension framework in SAP Integration Suite, managed gateway for spend management and SAP Business Network. This self-service tool helps to cope up with huge demand of custom mappings by enabling buyers to create their own custom mappings.
With SAP Integration Suite, managed gateway for spend management and SAP Business Network, there are three types of mappings:
| Type | Definition |
|---|---|
| Standard mapping | The mappings that are delivered with every integration. The mapping transformations are delivered for every document type available in managed gateway for all customers. |
| Manual extension mapping | Mappings developed by the SAP Ariba Engineering team under special circumstances. |
| Custom mapping | The mappings created by customers using the managed gateway mapping tool. |
SAP Integration Suite, managed gateway allows buyers to retain the format in which they send the transaction documents between SAP ERP and SAP Ariba solutions. The managed gateway receives documents from SAP ERP or SAP S/4HANA system in a non-cXML format, transforms them into cXML format, and sends them to SAP Ariba solutions.
When you upgrade to a higher version of the managed gateway add-on, the mapping tool automatically migrates the custom mappings to the new version of the add-on.