For businesses using SAP IBP’s Response & Supply Planning module, SAP is recommending the use of its Real Time Integration technology for order-based data integration between SAP IBP and SAP transactional systems (S/4HANA, ECC).
RTI is the latest technology from SAP to enable “near” real-time integration for order-based planning; in the future also planned to be used for time-series planning. This technology is expected to replace its predecessor SDI (Smart Data Integration) technology.
IBP customers using order-based planning will find major benefits in using RTI technology.
| No | Scenario | Our Recommendation |
| 1 | Existing SAP IBP Customer – Already Productive on OBP and SDI | Continue using SDI and transition to RTI when the existing scope is covered in RTI. Implementing RTI should be considered a new project because the planning model is different will be supported by SAP till RTI reaches its maturity curve |
| 2 | Customers having Non-SAP Execution System and Planning to Implement OBP | Use RTI if the scope of integration matches the scope of the project. Otherwise, use SDI. Contact SAP as required |
| 3 | Customers having Non-SAP Execution System and Planning to Implement OBP | Continue using SDI and transition to RTI when the existing scope is covered in RTI. Implementing RTI should be considered a new project because the planning model is different and will be supported by SAP till RTI reaches its maturity curve |
| 4 | Use RTI for Time Series and Order Based Planning | Use CI-DS for time series till RTI is available for Time Series. SAP plans in the future to use RTI as the common tool for both Time series and Order-based Planning. For time series integration with RTI, the timeline is not yet confirmed; please refer to SAP’s Roadmap for RTI |
The below representation of SAP IBP Order-based integration architecture using recently introduced RTI technology will deliver almost real-time integration from source to target system via asynchronous functions:
The below decision tree is recommended by SAP to help determine the integration technology that is best suitable for your IBP scenario.
The following table lists the prerequisites to implement RTI technology in the SAP IBP landscape.
| Tool | Specification |
| SAP ECC | Greater than EHP4 SP 24 |
| SAP S/4HANA | Greater than 1709 |
| Planning Area | SAP7F |
| Tools Required | BTP license and Cloud connector |
Given SAP’s roadmap for RTI and its expected benefits, it seems logical for IBP-OBP customers (existing, and new) to consider and adopt RTI as the integration technology in its SAP IBP landscape.
We at GyanSys are committed to helping your business to adopt/transition to RTI seamlessly. Reach out to us for more insights.