CONSISTENT INTERFACE FOR SERVICE PRODUCT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject matter described herein relates generally to the generation and use of consistent interfaces (or services) derived from a business object model. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to the generation and use of consistent interfaces or services that are suitable for use across industries, across businesses, and across different departments within a business.

BACKGROUND

Transactions are common among businesses and between business departments within a particular business. During any given transaction, these business entities exchange information. For example, during a sales transaction, numerous business entities may be involved, such as a sales entity that sells merchandise to a customer, a financial institution that handles the financial transaction, and a warehouse that sends the merchandise to the customer. The end-to-end business transaction may require a significant amount of information to be exchanged between the various business entities involved. For example, the customer may send a request for the merchandise as well as some form of payment authorization for the merchandise to the sales entity, and the sales entity may send the financial institution a request for a transfer of funds from the customer's account to the sales entity's account.

Exchanging information between different business entities is not a simple task. This is particularly true because the information used by different business entities is usually tightly tied to the business entity itself. Each business entity may have its own program for handling its part of the transaction. These programs differ from each other because they typically are created for different purposes and because each business entity may use semantics that differ from the other business entities. For example, one program may relate to accounting, another program may relate to manufacturing, and a third program may relate to inventory control. Similarly, one program may identify merchandise using the name of the product while another program may identify the same merchandise using its model number. Further, one business entity may use U.S. dollars to represent its currency while another business entity may use Japanese Yen. A simple difference in formatting, e.g., the use of upper-case lettering rather than lower-case or title-case, makes the exchange of information between businesses a difficult task. Unless the individual businesses agree upon particular semantics, human interaction typically is required to facilitate transactions between these businesses. Because these “heterogeneous” programs are used by different companies or by different business areas within a given company, a need exists for a consistent way to exchange information and perform a business transaction between the different business entities.

Currently, many standards exist that offer a variety of interfaces used to exchange business information. Most of these interfaces, however, apply to only one specific industry and are not consistent between the different standards. Moreover, a number of these interfaces are not consistent within an individual standard.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, a computer-readable medium includes program code for providing a message-based interface for exchanging information about service products. The medium comprises program code for receiving, via a message-based interface exposing at least one service as defined in a service registry and from a heterogeneous application executing in an environment of computer systems providing message-based services, a first message for requesting to maintain a bundle of service products, each service product being an intangible product that describes the provision of a service, the service being provided at a time that the service is used. The first message includes a message package hierarchically organized as a service product bundle maintain request sync message entity and a service product package including at least one service product entity. Each service product entity includes at least one of the following: at least one description entity from a description package, at least one detail entity from a detail package, and at least one quantity conversion entity from a quantity conversion package. The medium further comprises program code for sending a second message to the heterogeneous application responsive to the first message.

Implementations can include the following. Each service product entity further includes at least one of the following: a purchasing entity from a purchasing package, at least one sales entity from a sales package, at least one deviant tax classification entity from a deviant tax classification package, at least one withholding tax classification entity from a withholding tax classification package, at least one valuation entity from a valuation package, at least one customer information entity from a customer information package, at least one supplier information entity from a supplier information package, and an attachment folder entity from an attachment folder package. Each service product entity includes at least one of the following: an object node sender technical identifier (ID), a change state ID, an internal ID, a universally unique identifier, a product category ID, a base measure unit code, a valuation measure unit code, and an expense indicator.

In another aspect, a distributed system operates in a landscape of computer systems providing message-based services defined in a service registry. The system comprises a graphical user interface comprising computer readable instructions, embedded on tangible media, for requesting to maintain a bundle of service products, each service product being an intangible product that describes the provision of a service, the service being provided at a time that the service is used, the instructions using a request. The system further comprises a first memory storing a user interface controller for processing the request and involving a message including a message package hierarchically organized as a service product bundle maintain request sync message entity and a service product package including at least one service product entity. Each service product entity includes at least one of the following: at least one description entity from a description package, at least one detail entity from a detail package, and at least one quantity conversion entity from a quantity conversion package. The system further comprises a second memory, remote from the graphical user interface, storing a plurality of service interfaces, wherein one of the service interfaces is operable to process the message via the service interface.

Implementations can include the following. The first memory is remote from the graphical user interface. The first memory is remote from the second memory.

In another aspect, a computer-readable medium includes program code for providing a message-based interface for exchanging information about service products. The medium comprises program code for receiving, via a message-based interface exposing at least one service as defined in a service registry and from a heterogeneous application executing in an environment of computer systems providing message-based services, a first message for requesting to check whether maintaining a bundle of service products is possible, each service product being an intangible product that describes the provision of a service, the service being provided at a time that the service is used. The first message includes a message package hierarchically organized as a service product bundle maintenance check request sync message entity and a service product package including at least one service product entity. Each service product entity includes at least one of the following: at least one description entity from a description package, at least one detail entity from a detail package, and at least one quantity conversion entity from a quantity conversion package. The medium further comprises program code for sending a second message to the heterogeneous application responsive to the first message.

In another aspect, a distributed system operates in a landscape of computer systems providing message-based services defined in a service registry. The system comprises a graphical user interface comprising computer readable instructions, embedded on tangible media, for requesting to check whether maintaining a bundle of service products is possible, each service product being an intangible product that describes the provision of a service, the service being provided at a time that the service is used, the instructions using a request. The system further comprises a first memory storing a user interface controller for processing the request and involving a message including a message package hierarchically organized as a service product bundle maintenance check request sync message entity and a service product package including at least one service product entity. Each service product entity includes at least one of the following: at least one description entity from a description package, at least one detail entity from a detail package, and at least one quantity conversion entity from a quantity conversion package. The system further comprises a second memory, remote from the graphical user interface, storing a plurality of service interfaces, wherein one of the service interfaces is operable to process the message via the service interface.

Implementations can include the following. The first memory is remote from the graphical user interface. The first memory is remote from the second memory.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a flow diagram of the overall steps performed by methods and systems consistent with the subject matter described herein.

FIG. 2 depicts a business document flow for an invoice request in accordance with methods and systems consistent with the subject matter described herein.

FIGS. 3A-B illustrate example environments implementing the transmission, receipt, and processing of data between heterogeneous applications in accordance with certain embodiments included in the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example application implementing certain techniques and components in accordance with one embodiment of the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5A depicts an example development environment in accordance with one embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5B depicts a simplified process for mapping a model representation to a runtime representation using the example development environment of FIG. 5A or some other development environment.

FIG. 6 depicts message categories in accordance with methods and systems consistent with the subject matter described herein.

FIG. 7 depicts an example of a package in accordance with methods and systems consistent with the subject matter described herein.

FIG. 8 depicts another example of a package in accordance with methods and systems consistent with the subject matter described herein.

FIG. 9 depicts a third example of a package in accordance with methods and systems consistent with the subject matter described herein.

FIG. 10 depicts a fourth example of a package in accordance with methods and systems consistent with the subject matter described herein.

FIG. 11 depicts the representation of a package in the XML schema in accordance with methods and systems consistent with the subject matter described herein.

FIG. 12 depicts a graphical representation of cardinalities between two entities in accordance with methods and systems consistent with the subject matter described herein.

FIG. 13 depicts an example of a composition in accordance with methods and systems consistent with the subject matter described herein.

FIG. 14 depicts an example of a hierarchical relationship in accordance with methods and systems consistent with the subject matter described herein.

FIG. 15 depicts an example of an aggregating relationship in accordance with methods and systems consistent with the subject matter described herein.

FIG. 16 depicts an example of an association in accordance with methods and systems consistent with the subject matter described herein.

FIG. 17 depicts an example of a specialization in accordance with methods and systems consistent with the subject matter described herein.

FIG. 18 depicts the categories of specializations in accordance with methods and systems consistent with the subject matter described herein.

FIG. 19 depicts an example of a hierarchy in accordance with methods and systems consistent with the subject matter described herein.

FIG. 20 depicts a graphical representation of a hierarchy in accordance with methods and systems consistent with the subject matter described herein.

FIGS. 21A-B depict a flow diagram of the steps performed to create a business object model in accordance with methods and systems consistent with the subject matter described herein.

FIGS. 22A-F depict a flow diagram of the steps performed to generate an interface from the business object model in accordance with methods and systems consistent with the subject matter described herein.

FIG. 23 depicts an example illustrating the transmittal of a business document in accordance with methods and systems consistent with the subject matter described herein.

FIG. 24 depicts an interface proxy in accordance with methods and systems consistent with the subject matter described herein.

FIG. 25 depicts an example illustrating the transmittal of a message using proxies in accordance with methods and systems consistent with the subject matter described herein.

FIG. 26A depicts components of a message in accordance with methods and systems consistent with the subject matter described herein.

FIG. 26B depicts IDs used in a message in accordance with methods and systems consistent with the subject matter described herein.

FIGS. 27A-E depict a hierarchization process in accordance with methods and systems consistent with the subject matter described herein.

FIG. 28 illustrates an example method for service enabling in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 29 is a graphical illustration of an example business object and associated components as may be used in the enterprise service infrastructure system of the present disclosure.

FIG. 30 illustrates an example method for managing a process agent framework in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 31 illustrates an example method for status and action management in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 32-1 through 32-2 depict an example ServiceProduct object model.

FIGS. 33-1 through 33-3 depict an example ServiceProductBundleMaintainRequest_sync message data type.

FIG. 34 depicts an example ServiceProductBundleMaintainConfirmation_sync message data type.

FIGS. 35-1 through 35-3 depict an example ServiceProductBundleMaintenanceCheckRequest_sync message data type.

FIG. 36 depicts an example ServiceProductBundleMaintenanceCheckConfirmation_sync message data type.

FIGS. 37-1 through 37-25 depict an example ServiceProductBundleMaintainRequest_sync element structure.

FIGS. 38-1 through 38-2 depict an example ServiceProductBundleMaintainConfirmation_sync element structure.

FIGS. 39-1 through 39-25 depict an example ServiceProductBundleMaintenanceCheckRequest_sync element structure.

FIGS. 40-1 through 40-2 depict an example ServiceProductBundleMaintenanceCheckConfirmation_sync element structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A. Overview

Methods and systems consistent with the subject matter described herein facilitate e-commerce by providing consistent interfaces that are suitable for use across industries, across businesses, and across different departments within a business during a business transaction. To generate consistent interfaces, methods and systems consistent with the subject matter described herein utilize a business object model, which reflects the data that will be used during a given business transaction. An example of a business transaction is the exchange of purchase orders and order confirmations between a buyer and a seller. The business object model is generated in a hierarchical manner to ensure that the same type of data is represented the same way throughout the business object model. This ensures the consistency of the information in the business object model. Consistency is also reflected in the semantic meaning of the various structural elements. That is, each structural element has a consistent business meaning. For example, the location entity, regardless of in which package it is located, refers to a location.

From this business object model, various interfaces are derived to accomplish the functionality of the business transaction. Interfaces provide an entry point for components to access the functionality of an application. For example, the interface for a Purchase Order Request provides an entry point for components to access the functionality of a Purchase Order, in particular, to transmit and/or receive a Purchase Order Request. One skilled in the art will recognize that each of these interfaces may be provided, sold, distributed, utilized, or marketed as a separate product or as a major component of a separate product. Alternatively, a group of related interfaces may be provided, sold, distributed, utilized, or marketed as a product or as a major component of a separate product. Because the interfaces are generated from the business object model, the information in the interfaces is consistent, and the interfaces are consistent among the business entities. Such consistency facilitates heterogeneous business entities in cooperating to accomplish the business transaction.

Generally, the business object is a representation of a type of a uniquely identifiable business entity (an object instance) described by a structural model. In the architecture, processes may typically operate on business objects. Business objects represent a specific view on some well-defined business content. In other words, business objects represent content, which a typical business user would expect and understand with little explanation. Business objects are further categorized as business process objects and master data objects. A master data object is an object that encapsulates master data (i.e., data that is valid for a period of time). A business process object, which is the kind of business object generally found in a process component, is an object that encapsulates transactional data (i.e., data that is valid for a point in time). The term business object will be used generically to refer to a business process object and a master data object, unless the context requires otherwise. Properly implemented, business objects are implemented free of redundancies.

The architectural elements also include the process component. The process component is a software package that realizes a business process and generally exposes its functionality as services. The functionality contains business transactions. In general, the process component contains one or more semantically related business objects. Often, a particular business object belongs to no more than one process component. Interactions between process component pairs involving their respective business objects, process agents, operations, interfaces, and messages are described as process component interactions, which generally determine the interactions of a pair of process components across a deployment unit boundary. Interactions between process components within a deployment unit are typically not constrained by the architectural design and can be implemented in any convenient fashion. Process components may be modular and context-independent. In other words, process components may not be specific to any particular application and as such, may be reusable. In some implementations, the process component is the smallest (most granular) element of reuse in the architecture. An external process component is generally used to represent the external system in describing interactions with the external system; however, this should be understood to require no more of the external system than that able to produce and receive messages as required by the process component that interacts with the external system. For example, process components may include multiple operations that may provide interaction with the external system. Each operation generally belongs to one type of process component in the architecture. Operations can be synchronous or asynchronous, corresponding to synchronous or asynchronous process agents, which will be described below. The operation is often the smallest, separately-callable function, described by a set of data types used as input, output, and fault parameters serving as a signature.

The architectural elements may also include the service interface, referred to simply as the interface. The interface is a named group of operations. The interface often belongs to one process component and process component might contain multiple interfaces. In one implementation, the service interface contains only inbound or outbound operations, but not a mixture of both. One interface can contain both synchronous and asynchronous operations. Normally, operations of the same type (either inbound or outbound) which belong to the same message choreography will belong to the same interface. Thus, generally, all outbound operations to the same other process component are in one interface.

The architectural elements also include the message. Operations transmit and receive messages. Any convenient messaging infrastructure can be used. A message is information conveyed from one process component instance to another, with the expectation that activity will ensue. Operation can use multiple message types for inbound, outbound, or error messages. When two process components are in different deployment units, invocation of an operation of one process component by the other process component is accomplished by the operation on the other process component sending a message to the first process component.

The architectural elements may also include the process agent. Process agents do business processing that involves the sending or receiving of messages. Each operation normally has at least one associated process agent. Each process agent can be associated with one or more operations. Process agents can be either inbound or outbound and either synchronous or asynchronous. Asynchronous outbound process agents are called after a business object changes such as after a “create”, “update”, or “delete” of a business object instance. Synchronous outbound process agents are generally triggered directly by business object. An outbound process agent will generally perform some processing of the data of the business object instance whose change triggered the event. The outbound agent triggers subsequent business process steps by sending messages using well-defined outbound services to another process component, which generally will be in another deployment unit, or to an external system. The outbound process agent is linked to the one business object that triggers the agent, but it is sent not to another business object but rather to another process component. Thus, the outbound process agent can be implemented without knowledge of the exact business object design of the recipient process component. Alternatively, the process agent may be inbound. For example, inbound process agents may be used for the inbound part of a message-based communication. Inbound process agents are called after a message has been received. The inbound process agent starts the execution of the business process step requested in a message by creating or updating one or multiple business object instances. Inbound process agent is not generally the agent of business object but of its process component. Inbound process agent can act on multiple business objects in a process component. Regardless of whether the process agent is inbound or outbound, an agent may be synchronous if used when a process component requires a more or less immediate response from another process component, and is waiting for that response to continue its work.

The architectural elements also include the deployment unit. Each deployment unit may include one or more process components that are generally deployed together on a single computer system platform. Conversely, separate deployment units can be deployed on separate physical computing systems. The process components of one deployment unit can interact with those of another deployment unit using messages passed through one or more data communication networks or other suitable communication channels. Thus, a deployment unit deployed on a platform belonging to one business can interact with a deployment unit software entity deployed on a separate platform belonging to a different and unrelated business, allowing for business-to-business communication. More than one instance of a given deployment unit can execute at the same time, on the same computing system or on separate physical computing systems. This arrangement allows the functionality offered by the deployment unit to be scaled to meet demand by creating as many instances as needed.

Since interaction between deployment units is through process component operations, one deployment unit can be replaced by other another deployment unit as long as the new deployment unit supports the operations depended upon by other deployment units as appropriate. Thus, while deployment units can depend on the external interfaces of process components in other deployment units, deployment units are not dependent on process component interaction within other deployment units. Similarly, process components that interact with other process components or external systems only through messages, e.g., as sent and received by operations, can also be replaced as long as the replacement generally supports the operations of the original.

Services (or interfaces) may be provided in a flexible architecture to support varying criteria between services and systems. The flexible architecture may generally be provided by a service delivery business object. The system may be able to schedule a service asynchronously as necessary, or on a regular basis. Services may be planned according to a schedule manually or automatically. For example, a follow-up service may be scheduled automatically upon completing an initial service. In addition, flexible execution periods may be possible (e.g. hourly, daily, every three months, etc.). Each customer may plan the services on demand or reschedule service execution upon request.

FIG. 1 depicts a flow diagram 100 showing an example technique, perhaps implemented by systems similar to those disclosed herein. Initially, to generate the business object model, design engineers study the details of a business process, and model the business process using a “business scenario” (step 102). The business scenario identifies the steps performed by the different business entities during a business process. Thus, the business scenario is a complete representation of a clearly defined business process.

After creating the business scenario, the developers add details to each step of the business scenario (step 104). In particular, for each step of the business scenario, the developers identify the complete process steps performed by each business entity. A discrete portion of the business scenario reflects a “business transaction,” and each business entity is referred to as a “component” of the business transaction. The developers also identify the messages that are transmitted between the components. A “process interaction model” represents the complete process steps between two components.

After creating the process interaction model, the developers create a “message choreography” (step 106), which depicts the messages transmitted between the two components in the process interaction model. The developers then represent the transmission of the messages between the components during a business process in a “business document flow” (step 108). Thus, the business document flow illustrates the flow of information between the business entities during a business process.

FIG. 2 depicts an example business document flow 200 for the process of purchasing a product or service. The business entities involved with the illustrative purchase process include Accounting 202, Payment 204, Invoicing 206, Supply Chain Execution (“SCE”) 208, Supply Chain Planning (“SCP”) 210, Fulfillment Coordination (“FC”) 212, Supply Relationship Management (“SRM”) 214, Supplier 216, and Bank 218. The business document flow 200 is divided into four different transactions: Preparation of Ordering (“Contract”) 220, Ordering 222, Goods Receiving (“Delivery”) 224, and Billing/Payment 226. In the business document flow, arrows 228 represent the transmittal of documents. Each document reflects a message transmitted between entities. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the messages transferred may be considered to be a communications protocol. The process flow follows the focus of control, which is depicted as a solid vertical line (e.g., 229) when the step is required, and a dotted vertical line (e.g., 230) when the step is optional.

During the Contract transaction 220, the SRM 214 sends a Source of Supply Notification 232 to the SCP 210. This step is optional, as illustrated by the optional control line 230 coupling this step to the remainder of the business document flow 200. During the Ordering transaction 222, the SCP 210 sends a Purchase Requirement Request 234 to the FC 212, which forwards a Purchase Requirement Request 236 to the SRM 214. The SRM 214 then sends a Purchase Requirement Confirmation 238 to the FC 212, and the FC 212 sends a Purchase Requirement Confirmation 240 to the SCP 210. The SRM 214 also sends a Purchase Order Request 242 to the Supplier 216, and sends Purchase Order Information 244 to the FC 212. The FC 212 then sends a Purchase Order Planning Notification 246 to the SCP 210. The Supplier 216, after receiving the Purchase Order Request 242, sends a Purchase Order Confirmation 248 to the SRM 214, which sends a Purchase Order Information confirmation message 254 to the FC 212, which sends a message 256 confirming the Purchase Order Planning Notification to the SCP 210. The SRM 214 then sends an Invoice Due Notification 258 to Invoicing 206.

During the Delivery transaction 224, the FC 212 sends a Delivery Execution Request 260 to the SCE 208. The Supplier 216 could optionally (illustrated at control line 250) send a Dispatched Delivery Notification 252 to the SCE 208. The SCE 208 then sends a message 262 to the FC 212 notifying the FC 212 that the request for the Delivery Information was created. The FC 212 then sends a message 264 notifying the SRM 214 that the request for the Delivery Information was created. The FC 212 also sends a message 266 notifying the SCP 210 that the request for the Delivery Information was created. The SCE 208 sends a message 268 to the FC 212 when the goods have been set aside for delivery. The FC 212 sends a message 270 to the SRM 214 when the goods have been set aside for delivery. The FC 212 also sends a message 272 to the SCP 210 when the goods have been set aside for delivery.

The SCE 208 sends a message 274 to the FC 212 when the goods have been delivered. The FC 212 then sends a message 276 to the SRM 214 indicating that the goods have been delivered, and sends a message 278 to the SCP 210 indicating that the goods have been delivered. The SCE 208 then sends an Inventory Change Accounting Notification 280 to Accounting 202, and an Inventory Change Notification 282 to the SCP 210. The FC 212 sends an Invoice Due Notification 284 to Invoicing 206, and SCE 208 sends a Received Delivery Notification 286 to the Supplier 216.

During the Billing/Payment transaction 226, the Supplier 216 sends an Invoice Request 287 to Invoicing 206. Invoicing 206 then sends a Payment Due Notification 288 to Payment 204, a Tax Due Notification 289 to Payment 204, an Invoice Confirmation 290 to the Supplier 216, and an Invoice Accounting Notification 291 to Accounting 202. Payment 204 sends a Payment Request 292 to the Bank 218, and a Payment Requested Accounting Notification 293 to Accounting 202. Bank 218 sends a Bank Statement Information 296 to Payment 204. Payment 204 then sends a Payment Done Information 294 to Invoicing 206 and a Payment Done Accounting Notification 295 to Accounting 202.

Within a business document flow, business documents having the same or similar structures are marked. For example, in the business document flow 200 depicted in FIG. 2, Purchase Requirement Requests 234, 236 and Purchase Requirement Confirmations 238, 240 have the same structures. Thus, each of these business documents is marked with an “O6.” Similarly, Purchase Order Request 242 and Purchase Order Confirmation 248 have the same structures. Thus, both documents are marked with an “O1.” Each business document or message is based on a message type.

From the business document flow, the developers identify the business documents having identical or similar structures, and use these business documents to create the business object model (step 110). The business object model includes the objects contained within the business documents. These objects are reflected as packages containing related information, and are arranged in a hierarchical structure within the business object model, as discussed below.

Methods and systems consistent with the subject matter described herein then generate interfaces from the business object model (step 112). The heterogeneous programs use instantiations of these interfaces (called “business document objects” below) to create messages (step 114), which are sent to complete the business transaction (step 116). Business entities use these messages to exchange information with other business entities during an end-to-end business transaction. Since the business object model is shared by heterogeneous programs, the interfaces are consistent among these programs. The heterogeneous programs use these consistent interfaces to communicate in a consistent manner, thus facilitating the business transactions.

Standardized Business-to-Business (“B2B”) messages are compliant with at least one of the e-business standards (i.e., they include the business-relevant fields of the standard). The e-business standards include, for example, RosettaNet for the high-tech industry, Chemical Industry Data Exchange (“CIDX”), Petroleum Industry Data Exchange (“PIDX”) for the oil industry, UCCnet for trade, PapiNet for the paper industry, Odette for the automotive industry, HR-XML for human resources, and XML Common Business Library (“xCBL”). Thus, B2B messages enable simple integration of components in heterogeneous system landscapes. Application-to-Application (“A2A”) messages often exceed the standards and thus may provide the benefit of the full functionality of application components. Although various steps of FIG. 1 were described as being performed manually, one skilled in the art will appreciate that such steps could be computer-assisted or performed entirely by a computer, including being performed by either hardware, software, or any other combination thereof.

B. Implementation Details

As discussed above, methods and systems consistent with the subject matter described herein create consistent interfaces by generating the interfaces from a business object model. Details regarding the creation of the business object model, the generation of an interface from the business object model, and the use of an interface generated from the business object model are provided below.

Turning to the illustrated embodiment in FIG. 3A, environment 300 includes or is communicably coupled (such as via a one-, bi- or multi-directional link or network) with server 302, one or more clients 304, one or more or vendors 306, one or more customers 308, at least some of which communicate across network 312. But, of course, this illustration is for example purposes only, and any distributed system or environment implementing one or more of the techniques described herein may be within the scope of this disclosure. Server 302 comprises an electronic computing device operable to receive, transmit, process and store data associated with environment 300. Generally, FIG. 3A provides merely one example of computers that may be used with the disclosure. Each computer is generally intended to encompass any suitable processing device. For example, although FIG. 3A illustrates one server 302 that may be used with the disclosure, environment 300 can be implemented using computers other than servers, as well as a server pool. Indeed, server 302 may be any computer or processing device such as, for example, a blade server, general-purpose personal computer (PC), Macintosh, workstation, Unix-based computer, or any other suitable device. In other words, the present disclosure contemplates computers other than general purpose computers as well as computers without conventional operating systems. Server 302 may be adapted to execute any operating system including Linux, UNIX, Windows Server, or any other suitable operating system. According to one embodiment, server 302 may also include or be communicably coupled with a web server and/or a mail server.

As illustrated (but not required), the server 302 is communicably coupled with a relatively remote repository 335 over a portion of the network 312. The repository 335 is any electronic storage facility, data processing center, or archive that may supplement or replace local memory (such as 327). The repository 335 may be a central database communicably coupled with the one or more servers 302 and the clients 304 via a virtual private network (VPN), SSH (Secure Shell) tunnel, or other secure network connection. The repository 335 may be physically or logically located at any appropriate location including in one of the example enterprises or off-shore, so long as it remains operable to store information associated with the environment 300 and communicate such data to the server 302 or at least a subset of plurality of the clients 304.

Illustrated server 302 includes local memory 327. Memory 327 may include any memory or database module and may take the form of volatile or non-volatile memory including, without limitation, magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), removable media, or any other suitable local or remote memory component. Illustrated memory 327 includes an exchange infrastructure (“XI”) 314, which is an infrastructure that supports the technical interaction of business processes across heterogeneous system environments. XI 314 centralizes the communication between components within a business entity and between different business entities. When appropriate, XI 314 carries out the mapping between the messages. XI 314 integrates different versions of systems implemented on different platforms (e.g., Java and ABAP). XI 314 is based on an open architecture, and makes use of open standards, such as eXtensible Markup Language (XML)™ and Java environments. XI 314 offers services that are useful in a heterogeneous and complex system landscape. In particular, XI 314 offers a runtime infrastructure for message exchange, configuration options for managing business processes and message flow, and options for transforming message contents between sender and receiver systems.

XI 314 stores data types 316, a business object model 318, and interfaces 320. The details regarding the business object model are described below. Data types 316 are the building blocks for the business object model 318. The business object model 318 is used to derive consistent interfaces 320. XI 314 allows for the exchange of information from a first company having one computer system to a second company having a second computer system over network 312 by using the standardized interfaces 320.

While not illustrated, memory 327 may also include business objects and any other appropriate data such as services, interfaces, VPN applications or services, firewall policies, a security or access log, print or other reporting files, HTML files or templates, data classes or object interfaces, child software applications or sub-systems, and others. This stored data may be stored in one or more logical or physical repositories. In some embodiments, the stored data (or pointers thereto) may be stored in one or more tables in a relational database described in terms of SQL statements or scripts. In the same or other embodiments, the stored data may also be formatted, stored, or defined as various data structures in text files, XML documents, Virtual Storage Access Method (VSAM) files, flat files, Btrieve files, comma-separated-value (CSV) files, internal variables, or one or more libraries. For example, a particular data service record may merely be a pointer to a particular piece of third party software stored remotely. In another example, a particular data service may be an internally stored software object usable by authenticated customers or internal development. In short, the stored data may comprise one table or file or a plurality of tables or files stored on one computer or across a plurality of computers in any appropriate format. Indeed, some or all of the stored data may be local or remote without departing from the scope of this disclosure and store any type of appropriate data.

Server 302 also includes processor 325. Processor 325 executes instructions and manipulates data to perform the operations of server 302 such as, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a blade, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). Although FIG. 3A illustrates a single processor 325 in server 302, multiple processors 325 may be used according to particular needs and reference to processor 325 is meant to include multiple processors 325 where applicable. In the illustrated embodiment, processor 325 executes at least business application 330.

At a high level, business application 330 is any application, program, module, process, or other software that utilizes or facilitates the exchange of information via messages (or services) or the use of business objects. For example, application 330 may implement, utilize or otherwise leverage an enterprise service-oriented architecture (enterprise SOA), which may be considered a blueprint for an adaptable, flexible, and open IT architecture for developing services-based, enterprise-scale business solutions. This example enterprise service may be a series of web services combined with business logic that can be accessed and used repeatedly to support a particular business process. Aggregating web services into business-level enterprise services helps provide a more meaningful foundation for the task of automating enterprise-scale business scenarios Put simply, enterprise services help provide a holistic combination of actions that are semantically linked to complete the specific task, no matter how many cross-applications are involved. In certain cases, environment 300 may implement a composite application 330, as described below in FIG. 4. Regardless of the particular implementation, “software” may include software, firmware, wired or programmed hardware, or any combination thereof as appropriate. Indeed, application 330 may be written or described in any appropriate computer language including C, C++, Java, Visual Basic, assembler, Perl, any suitable version of 4GL, as well as others. For example, returning to the above mentioned composite application, the composite application portions may be implemented as Enterprise Java Beans (EJBs) or the design-time components may have the ability to generate run-time implementations into different platforms, such as J2EE (Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition), ABAP (Advanced Business Application Programming) objects, or Microsoft's .NET. It will be understood that while application 330 is illustrated in FIG. 4 as including various sub-modules, application 330 may include numerous other sub-modules or may instead be a single multi-tasked module that implements the various features and functionality through various objects, methods, or other processes. Further, while illustrated as internal to server 302, one or more processes associated with application 330 may be stored, referenced, or executed remotely. For example, a portion of application 330 may be a web service that is remotely called, while another portion of application 330 may be an interface object bundled for processing at remote client 304. Moreover, application 330 may be a child or sub-module of another software module or enterprise application (not illustrated) without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Indeed, application 330 may be a hosted solution that allows multiple related or third parties in different portions of the process to perform the respective processing.

More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 4, application 330 may be a composite application, or an application built on other applications, that includes an object access layer (OAL) and a service layer. In this example, application 330 may execute or provide a number of application services, such as customer relationship management (CRM) systems, human resources management (HRM) systems, financial management (FM) systems, project management (PM) systems, knowledge management (KM) systems, and electronic file and mail systems. Such an object access layer is operable to exchange data with a plurality of enterprise base systems and to present the data to a composite application through a uniform interface. The example service layer is operable to provide services to the composite application. These layers may help the composite application to orchestrate a business process in synchronization with other existing processes (e.g., native processes of enterprise base systems) and leverage existing investments in the IT platform. Further, composite application 330 may run on a heterogeneous IT platform. In doing so, composite application may be cross-functional in that it may drive business processes across different applications, technologies, and organizations. Accordingly, composite application 330 may drive end-to-end business processes across heterogeneous systems or sub-systems. Application 330 may also include or be coupled with a persistence layer and one or more application system connectors. Such application system connectors enable data exchange and integration with enterprise sub-systems and may include an Enterprise Connector (EC) interface, an Internet Communication Manager/Internet Communication Framework (ICM/ICF) interface, an Encapsulated PostScript (EPS) interface, and/or other interfaces that provide Remote Function Call (RFC) capability. It will be understood that while this example describes a composite application 330, it may instead be a standalone or (relatively) simple software program. Regardless, application 330 may also perform processing automatically, which may indicate that the appropriate processing is substantially performed by at least one component of environment 300. It should be understood that automatically further contemplates any suitable administrator or other user interaction with application 330 or other components of environment 300 without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

Returning to FIG. 3A, illustrated server 302 may also include interface 317 for communicating with other computer systems, such as clients 304, over network 312 in a client-server or other distributed environment. In certain embodiments, server 302 receives data from internal or external senders through interface 317 for storage in memory 327, for storage in DB 335, and/or processing by processor 325. Generally, interface 317 comprises logic encoded in software and/or hardware in a suitable combination and operable to communicate with network 312. More specifically, interface 317 may comprise software supporting one or more communications protocols associated with communications network 312 or hardware operable to communicate physical signals.

Network 312 facilitates wireless or wireline communication between computer server 302 and any other local or remote computer, such as clients 304. Network 312 may be all or a portion of an enterprise or secured network. In another example, network 312 may be a VPN merely between server 302 and client 304 across wireline or wireless link. Such an example wireless link may be via 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.20, WiMax, and many others. While illustrated as a single or continuous network, network 312 may be logically divided into various sub-nets or virtual networks without departing from the scope of this disclosure, so long as at least portion of network 312 may facilitate communications between server 302 and at least one client 304. For example, server 302 may be communicably coupled to one or more “local” repositories through one sub-net while communicably coupled to a particular client 304 or “remote” repositories through another. In other words, network 312 encompasses any internal or external network, networks, sub-network, or combination thereof operable to facilitate communications between various computing components in environment 300. Network 312 may communicate, for example, Internet Protocol (IP) packets, Frame Relay frames, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) cells, voice, video, data, and other suitable information between network addresses. Network 312 may include one or more local area networks (LANs), radio access networks (RANs), metropolitan area networks (MANs), wide area networks (WANs), all or a portion of the global computer network known as the Internet, and/or any other communication system or systems at one or more locations. In certain embodiments, network 312 may be a secure network associated with the enterprise and certain local or remote vendors 306 and customers 308. As used in this disclosure, customer 308 is any person, department, organization, small business, enterprise, or any other entity that may use or request others to use environment 300. As described above, vendors 306 also may be local or remote to customer 308. Indeed, a particular vendor 306 may provide some content to business application 330, while receiving or purchasing other content (at the same or different times) as customer 308. As illustrated, customer 308 and vendor 306 each typically perform some processing (such as uploading or purchasing content) using a computer, such as client 304.

Client 304 is any computing device operable to connect or communicate with server 302 or network 312 using any communication link. For example, client 304 is intended to encompass a personal computer, touch screen terminal, workstation, network computer, kiosk, wireless data port, smart phone, personal data assistant (PDA), one or more processors within these or other devices, or any other suitable processing device used by or for the benefit of business 308, vendor 306, or some other user or entity. At a high level, each client 304 includes or executes at least GUI 336 and comprises an electronic computing device operable to receive, transmit, process and store any appropriate data associated with environment 300. It will be understood that there may be any number of clients 304 communicably coupled to server 302. Further, “client 304,” “business,” “business analyst,” “end user,” and “user” may be used interchangeably as appropriate without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Moreover, for ease of illustration, each client 304 is described in terms of being used by one user. But this disclosure contemplates that many users may use one computer or that one user may use multiple computers. For example, client 304 may be a PDA operable to wirelessly connect with external or unsecured network. In another example, client 304 may comprise a laptop that includes an input device, such as a keypad, touch screen, mouse, or other device that can accept information, and an output device that conveys information associated with the operation of server 302 or clients 304, including digital data, visual information, or GUI 336. Both the input device and output device may include fixed or removable storage media such as a magnetic computer disk, CD-ROM, or other suitable media to both receive input from and provide output to users of clients 304 through the display, namely the client portion of GUI or application interface 336.

GUI 336 comprises a graphical user interface operable to allow the user of client 304 to interface with at least a portion of environment 300 for any suitable purpose, such as viewing application or other transaction data. Generally, GUI 336 provides the particular user with an efficient and user-friendly presentation of data provided by or communicated within environment 300. For example, GUI 336 may present the user with the components and information that is relevant to their task, increase reuse of such components, and facilitate a sizable developer community around those components. GUI 336 may comprise a plurality of customizable frames or views having interactive fields, pull-down lists, and buttons operated by the user. For example, GUI 336 is operable to display data involving business objects and interfaces in a user-friendly form based on the user context and the displayed data. In another example, GUI 336 is operable to display different levels and types of information involving business objects and interfaces based on the identified or supplied user role. GUI 336 may also present a plurality of portals or dashboards. For example, GUI 336 may display a portal that allows users to view, create, and manage historical and real-time reports including role-based reporting and such. Of course, such reports may be in any appropriate output format including PDF, HTML, and printable text. Real-time dashboards often provide table and graph information on the current state of the data, which may be supplemented by business objects and interfaces. It should be understood that the term graphical user interface may be used in the singular or in the plural to describe one or more graphical user interfaces and each of the displays of a particular graphical user interface. Indeed, reference to GUI 336 may indicate a reference to the front-end or a component of business application 330, as well as the particular interface accessible via client 304, as appropriate, without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, GUI 336 contemplates any graphical user interface, such as a generic web browser or touchscreen, that processes information in environment 300 and efficiently presents the results to the user. Server 302 can accept data from client 304 via the web browser (e.g., Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator) and return the appropriate HTML or XML responses to the browser using network 312.

More generally in environment 300 as depicted in FIG. 3B, a Foundation Layer 375 can be deployed on multiple separate and distinct hardware platforms, e.g., System A 350 and System B 360, to support application software deployed as two or more deployment units distributed on the platforms, including deployment unit 352 deployed on System A and deployment unit 362 deployed on System B. In this example, the foundation layer can be used to support application software deployed in an application layer. In particular, the foundation layer can be used in connection with application software implemented in accordance with a software architecture that provides a suite of enterprise service operations having various application functionality. In some implementations, the application software is implemented to be deployed on an application platform that includes a foundation layer that contains all fundamental entities that can used from multiple deployment units. These entities can be process components, business objects, and reuse service components. A reuse service component is a piece of software that is reused in different transactions. A reuse service component is used by its defined interfaces, which can be, e.g., local APIs or service interfaces. As explained above, process components in separate deployment units interact through service operations, as illustrated by messages passing between service operations 356 and 366, which are implemented in process components 354 and 364, respectively, which are included in deployment units 352 and 362, respectively. As also explained above, some form of direct communication is generally the form of interaction used between a business object, e.g., business object 358 and 368, of an application deployment unit and a business object, such as master data object 370, of the Foundation Layer 375.

Various components of the present disclosure may be modeled using a model-driven environment. For example, the model-driven framework or environment may allow the developer to use simple drag-and-drop techniques to develop pattern-based or freestyle user interfaces and define the flow of data between them. The result could be an efficient, customized, visually rich online experience. In some cases, this model-driven development may accelerate the application development process and foster business-user self-service. It further enables business analysts or IT developers to compose visually rich applications that use analytic services, enterprise services, remote function calls (RFCs), APIs, and stored procedures. In addition, it may allow them to reuse existing applications and create content using a modeling process and a visual user interface instead of manual coding.

FIG. 5A depicts an example modeling environment 516, namely a modeling environment, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 5A, such a modeling environment 516 may implement techniques for decoupling models created during design-time from the runtime environment. In other words, model representations for GUIs created in a design time environment are decoupled from the runtime environment in which the GUIs are executed. Often in these environments, a declarative and executable representation for GUIs for applications is provided that is independent of any particular runtime platform, GUI framework, device, or programming language.

According to some embodiments, a modeler (or other analyst) may use the model-driven modeling environment 516 to create pattern-based or freestyle user interfaces using simple drag-and-drop services. Because this development may be model-driven, the modeler can typically compose an application using models of business objects without having to write much, if any, code. In some cases, this example modeling environment 516 may provide a personalized, secure interface that helps unify enterprise applications, information, and processes into a coherent, role-based portal experience. Further, the modeling environment 516 may allow the developer to access and share information and applications in a collaborative environment. In this way, virtual collaboration rooms allow developers to work together efficiently, regardless of where they are located, and may enable powerful and immediate communication that crosses organizational boundaries while enforcing security requirements. Indeed, the modeling environment 516 may provide a shared set of services for finding, organizing, and accessing unstructured content stored in third-party repositories and content management systems across various networks 312. Classification tools may automate the organization of information, while subject-matter experts and content managers can publish information to distinct user audiences. Regardless of the particular implementation or architecture, this modeling environment 516 may allow the developer to easily model hosted business objects 140 using this model-driven approach.

In certain embodiments, the modeling environment 516 may implement or utilize a generic, declarative, and executable GUI language (generally described as XGL). This example XGL is generally independent of any particular GUI framework or runtime platform. Further, XGL is normally not dependent on characteristics of a target device on which the graphic user interface is to be displayed and may also be independent of any programming language. XGL is used to generate a generic representation (occasionally referred to as the XGL representation or XGL-compliant representation) for a design-time model representation. The XGL representation is thus typically a device-independent representation of a GUI. The XGL representation is declarative in that the representation does not depend on any particular GUI framework, runtime platform, device, or programming language. The XGL representation can be executable and therefore can unambiguously encapsulate execution semantics for the GUI described by a model representation. In short, models of different types can be transformed to XGL representations.

The XGL representation may be used for generating representations of various different GUIs and supports various GUI features including full windowing and componentization support, rich data visualizations and animations, rich modes of data entry and user interactions, and flexible connectivity to any complex application data services. While a specific embodiment of XGL is discussed, various other types of XGLs may also be used in alternative embodiments. In other words, it will be understood that XGL is used for example description only and may be read to include any abstract or modeling language that can be generic, declarative, and executable.

Turning to the illustrated embodiment in FIG. 5A, modeling tool 340 may be used by a GUI designer or business analyst during the application design phase to create a model representation 502 for a GUI application. It will be understood that modeling environment 516 may include or be compatible with various different modeling tools 340 used to generate model representation 502. This model representation 502 may be a machine-readable representation of an application or a domain specific model. Model representation 502 generally encapsulates various design parameters related to the GUI such as GUI components, dependencies between the GUI components, inputs and outputs, and the like. Put another way, model representation 502 provides a form in which the one or more models can be persisted and transported, and possibly handled by various tools such as code generators, runtime interpreters, analysis and validation tools, merge tools, and the like. In one embodiment, model representation 502 maybe a collection of XML documents with a well-formed syntax.

Illustrated modeling environment 516 also includes an abstract representation generator (or XGL generator) 504 operable to generate an abstract representation (for example, XGL representation or XGL-compliant representation) 506 based upon model representation 502. Abstract representation generator 504 takes model representation 502 as input and outputs abstract representation 506 for the model representation. Model representation 502 may include multiple instances of various forms or types depending on the tool/language used for the modeling. In certain cases, these various different model representations may each be mapped to one or more abstract representations 506. Different types of model representations may be transformed or mapped to XGL representations. For each type of model representation, mapping rules may be provided for mapping the model representation to the XGL representation 506. Different mapping rules may be provided for mapping a model representation to an XGL representation.

This XGL representation 506 that is created from a model representation may then be used for processing in the runtime environment. For example, the XGL representation 506 may be used to generate a machine-executable runtime GUI (or some other runtime representation) that may be executed by a target device. As part of the runtime processing, the XGL representation 506 may be transformed into one or more runtime representations, which may indicate source code in a particular programming language, machine-executable code for a specific runtime environment, executable GUI, and so forth, which may be generated for specific runtime environments and devices. Since the XGL representation 506, rather than the design-time model representation, is used by the runtime environment, the design-time model representation is decoupled from the runtime environment. The XGL representation 506 can thus serve as the common ground or interface between design-time user interface modeling tools and a plurality of user interface runtime frameworks. It provides a self-contained, closed, and deterministic definition of all aspects of a graphical user interface in a device-independent and programming-language independent manner. Accordingly, abstract representation 506 generated for a model representation 502 is generally declarative and executable in that it provides a representation of the GUI of model representation 502 that is not dependent on any device or runtime platform, is not dependent on any programming language, and unambiguously encapsulates execution semantics for the GUI. The execution semantics may include, for example, identification of various components of the GUI, interpretation of connections between the various GUI components, information identifying the order of sequencing of events, rules governing dynamic behavior of the GUI, rules governing handling of values by the GUI, and the like. The abstract representation 506 is also not GUI runtime-platform specific. The abstract representation 506 provides a self-contained, closed, and deterministic definition of all aspects of a graphical user interface that is device independent and language independent.

Abstract representation 506 is such that the appearance and execution semantics of a GUI generated from the XGL representation work consistently on different target devices irrespective of the GUI capabilities of the target device and the target device platform. For example, the same XGL representation may be mapped to appropriate GUIs on devices of differing levels of GUI complexity (i.e., the same abstract representation may be used to generate a GUI for devices that support simple GUIs and for devices that can support complex GUIs), the GUI generated by the devices are consistent with each other in their appearance and behavior.

Abstract representation generator 504 may be configured to generate abstract representation 506 for models of different types, which may be created using different modeling tools 340. It will be understood that modeling environment 516 may include some, none, or other sub-modules or components as those shown in this example illustration. In other words, modeling environment 516 encompasses the design-time environment (with or without the abstract generator or the various representations), a modeling toolkit (such as 340) linked with a developer's space, or any other appropriate software operable to decouple models created during design-time from the runtime environment. Abstract representation 506 provides an interface between the design time environment and the runtime environment. As shown, this abstract representation 506 may then be used by runtime processing.

As part of runtime processing, modeling environment 516 may include various runtime tools 508 and may generate different types of runtime representations based upon the abstract representation 506. Examples of runtime representations include device or language-dependent (or specific) source code, runtime platform-specific machine-readable code, GUIs for a particular target device, and the like. The runtime tools 508 may include compilers, interpreters, source code generators, and other such tools that are configured to generate runtime platform-specific or target device-specific runtime representations of abstract representation 506. The runtime tool 508 may generate the runtime representation from abstract representation 506 using specific rules that map abstract representation 506 to a particular type of runtime representation. These mapping rules may be dependent on the type of runtime tool, characteristics of the target device to be used for displaying the GUI, runtime platform, and/or other factors. Accordingly, mapping rules may be provided for transforming the abstract representation 506 to any number of target runtime representations directed to one or more target GUI runtime platforms. For example, XGL-compliant code generators may conform to semantics of XGL, as described below. XGL-compliant code generators may ensure that the appearance and behavior of the generated user interfaces is preserved across a plurality of target GUI frameworks, while accommodating the differences in the intrinsic characteristics of each and also accommodating the different levels of capability of target devices.

For example, as depicted in example FIG. 5A, an XGL-to-Java compiler 508A may take abstract representation 506 as input and generate Java code 510 for execution by a target device comprising a Java runtime 512. Java runtime 512 may execute Java code 510 to generate or display a GUI 514 on a Java-platform target device. As another example, an XGL-to-Flash compiler 508B may take abstract representation 506 as input and generate Flash code 526 for execution by a target device comprising a Flash runtime 518. Flash runtime 518 may execute Flash code 516 to generate or display a GUI 520 on a target device comprising a Flash platform. As another example, an XGL-to-DHTML (dynamic HTML) interpreter 508C may take abstract representation 506 as input and generate DHTML statements (instructions) on the fly which are then interpreted by a DHTML runtime 522 to generate or display a GUI 524 on a target device comprising a DHTML platform.

It should be apparent that abstract representation 506 may be used to generate GUIs for Extensible Application Markup Language (XAML) or various other runtime platforms and devices. The same abstract representation 506 may be mapped to various runtime representations and device-specific and runtime platform-specific GUIs. In general, in the runtime environment, machine executable instructions specific to a runtime environment may be generated based upon the abstract representation 506 and executed to generate a GUI in the runtime environment. The same XGL representation may be used to generate machine executable instructions specific to different runtime environments and target devices.

According to certain embodiments, the process of mapping a model representation 502 to an abstract representation 506 and mapping an abstract representation 506 to some runtime representation may be automated. For example, design tools may automatically generate an abstract representation for the model representation using XGL and then use the XGL abstract representation to generate GUIs that are customized for specific runtime environments and devices. As previously indicated, mapping rules may be provided for mapping model representations to an XGL representation. Mapping rules may also be provided for mapping an XGL representation to a runtime platform-specific representation.

Since the runtime environment uses abstract representation 506 rather than model representation 502 for runtime processing, the model representation 502 that is created during design-time is decoupled from the runtime environment. Abstract representation 506 thus provides an interface between the modeling environment and the runtime environment. As a result, changes may be made to the design time environment, including changes to model representation 502 or changes that affect model representation 502, generally to not substantially affect or impact the runtime environment or tools used by the runtime environment. Likewise, changes may be made to the runtime environment generally to not substantially affect or impact the design time environment. A designer or other developer can thus concentrate on the design aspects and make changes to the design without having to worry about the runtime dependencies such as the target device platform or programming language dependencies.

FIG. 5B depicts an example process for mapping a model representation 502 to a runtime representation using the example modeling environment 516 of FIG. 5A or some other modeling environment. Model representation 502 may comprise one or more model components and associated properties that describe a data object, such as hosted business objects and interfaces. As described above, at least one of these model components is based on or otherwise associated with these hosted business objects and interfaces. The abstract representation 506 is generated based upon model representation 502. Abstract representation 506 may be generated by the abstract representation generator 504. Abstract representation 506 comprises one or more abstract GUI components and properties associated with the abstract GUI components. As part of generation of abstract representation 506, the model GUI components and their associated properties from the model representation are mapped to abstract GUI components and properties associated with the abstract GUI components. Various mapping rules may be provided to facilitate the mapping. The abstract representation encapsulates both appearance and behavior of a GUI. Therefore, by mapping model components to abstract components, the abstract representation not only specifies the visual appearance of the GUI but also the behavior of the GUI, such as in response to events whether clicking/dragging or scrolling, interactions between GUI components and such.

One or more runtime representations 550a, including GUIs for specific runtime environment platforms, may be generated from abstract representation 506. A device-dependent runtime representation may be generated for a particular type of target device platform to be used for executing and displaying the GUI encapsulated by the abstract representation. The GUIs generated from abstract representation 506 may comprise various types of GUI elements such as buttons, windows, scrollbars, input boxes, etc. Rules may be provided for mapping an abstract representation to a particular runtime representation. Various mapping rules may be provided for different runtime environment platforms.

Methods and systems consistent with the subject matter described herein provide and use interfaces 320 derived from the business object model 318 suitable for use with more than one business area, for example different departments within a company such as finance, or marketing. Also, they are suitable across industries and across businesses. Interfaces 320 are used during an end-to-end business transaction to transfer business process information in an application-independent manner. For example the interfaces can be used for fulfilling a sales order.

1. Message Overview

To perform an end-to-end business transaction, consistent interfaces are used to create business documents that are sent within messages between heterogeneous programs or modules.

a) Message Categories

As depicted in FIG. 6, the communication between a sender 602 and a recipient 604 can be broken down into basic categories that describe the type of the information exchanged and simultaneously suggest the anticipated reaction of the recipient 604. A message category is a general business classification for the messages. Communication is sender-driven. In other words, the meaning of the message categories is established or formulated from the perspective of the sender 602. The message categories include information 606, notification 608, query 610, response 612, request 614, and confirmation 616.

(1) Information

Information 606 is a message sent from a sender 602 to a recipient 604 concerning a condition or a statement of affairs. No reply to information is expected. Information 606 is sent to make business partners or business applications aware of a situation. Information 606 is not compiled to be application-specific. Examples of “information” are an announcement, advertising, a report, planning information, and a message to the business warehouse.

(2) Notification

A notification 608 is a notice or message that is geared to a service. A sender 602 sends the notification 608 to a recipient 604. No reply is expected for a notification. For example, a billing notification relates to the preparation of an invoice while a dispatched delivery notification relates to preparation for receipt of goods.

(3) Query

A query 610 is a question from a sender 602 to a recipient 604 to which a response 612 is expected. A query 610 implies no assurance or obligation on the part of the sender 602. Examples of a query 610 are whether space is available on a specific flight or whether a specific product is available. These queries do not express the desire for reserving the flight or purchasing the product.

(4) Response

A response 612 is a reply to a query 610. The recipient 604 sends the response 612 to the sender 602. A response 612 generally implies no assurance or obligation on the part of the recipient 604. The sender 602 is not expected to reply. Instead, the process is concluded with the response 612. Depending on the business scenario, a response 612 also may include a commitment, i.e., an assurance or obligation on the part of the recipient 604. Examples of responses 612 are a response stating that space is available on a specific flight or that a specific product is available. With these responses, no reservation was made.

(5) Request

A request 614 is a binding requisition or requirement from a sender 602 to a recipient 604. Depending on the business scenario, the recipient 604 can respond to a request 614 with a confirmation 616. The request 614 is binding on the sender 602. In making the request 614, the sender 602 assumes, for example, an obligation to accept the services rendered in the request 614 under the reported conditions. Examples of a request 614 are a parking ticket, a purchase order, an order for delivery and a job application.

(6) Confirmation

A confirmation 616 is a binding reply that is generally made to a request 614. The recipient 604 sends the confirmation 616 to the sender 602. The information indicated in a confirmation 616, such as deadlines, products, quantities and prices, can deviate from the information of the preceding request 614. A request 614 and confirmation 616 may be used in negotiating processes. A negotiating process can consist of a series of several request 614 and confirmation 616 messages. The confirmation 616 is binding on the recipient 604. For example, 100 units of X may be ordered in a purchase order request; however, only the delivery of 80 units is confirmed in the associated purchase order confirmation.

b) Message Choreography

A message choreography is a template that specifies the sequence of messages between business entities during a given transaction. The sequence with the messages contained in it describes in general the message “lifecycle” as it proceeds between the business entities. If messages from a choreography are used in a business transaction, they appear in the transaction in the sequence determined by the choreography. This illustrates the template character of a choreography, i.e., during an actual transaction, it is not necessary for all messages of the choreography to appear. Those messages that are contained in the transaction, however, follow the sequence within the choreography. A business transaction is thus a derivation of a message choreography. The choreography makes it possible to determine the structure of the individual message types more precisely and distinguish them from one another.

2. Components of the Business Object Model

The overall structure of the business object model ensures the consistency of the interfaces that are derived from the business object model. The derivation ensures that the same business-related subject matter or concept is represented and structured in the same way in all interfaces.

The business object model defines the business-related concepts at a central location for a number of business transactions. In other words, it reflects the decisions made about modeling the business entities of the real world acting in business transactions across industries and business areas. The business object model is defined by the business objects and their relationship to each other (the overall net structure).

Each business object is generally a capsule with an internal hierarchical structure, behavior offered by its operations, and integrity constraints. Business objects are semantically disjoint, i.e., the same business information is represented once. In the business object model, the business objects are arranged in an ordering framework. From left to right, they are arranged according to their existence dependency to each other. For example, the customizing elements may be arranged on the left side of the business object model, the strategic elements may be arranged in the center of the business object model, and the operative elements may be arranged on the right side of the business object model. Similarly, the business objects are arranged from the top to the bottom based on defined order of the business areas, e.g., finance could be arranged at the top of the business object model with CRM below finance and SRM below CRM.

To ensure the consistency of interfaces, the business object model may be built using standardized data types as well as packages to group related elements together, and package templates and entity templates to specify the arrangement of packages and entities within the structure.

a) Data Types

Data types are used to type object entities and interfaces with a structure. This typing can include business semantic. Such data types may include those generally described at pages 96 through 1642 (which are incorporated by reference herein) of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/803,178, filed on May 11, 2007 and entitled “Consistent Set Of Interfaces Derived From

A Business Object Model”. For example, the data type BusinessTransactionDocumentID is a unique identifier for a document in a business transaction. Also, as an example, Data type BusinessTransactionDocumentParty contains the information that is exchanged in business documents about a party involved in a business transaction, and includes the party's identity, the party's address, the party's contact person and the contact person's address. BusinessTransactionDocumentParty also includes the role of the party, e.g., a buyer, seller, product recipient, or vendor.

The data types are based on Core Component Types (“CCTs”), which themselves are based on the World Wide Web Consortium (“W3C”) data types. “Global” data types represent a business situation that is described by a fixed structure. Global data types include both context-neutral generic data types (“GDTs”) and context-based context data types (“CDTs”). GDTs contain business semantics, but are application-neutral, i.e., without context. CDTs, on the other hand, are based on GDTs and form either a use-specific view of the GDTs, or a context-specific assembly of GDTs or CDTs. A message is typically constructed with reference to a use and is thus a use-specific assembly of GDTs and CDTs. The data types can be aggregated to complex data types.

To achieve a harmonization across business objects and interfaces, the same subject matter is typed with the same data type. For example, the data type “GeoCoordinates” is built using the data type “Measure” so that the measures in a GeoCoordinate (i.e., the latitude measure and the longitude measure) are represented the same as other “Measures” that appear in the business object model.

b) Entities

Entities are discrete business elements that are used during a business transaction. Entities are not to be confused with business entities or the components that interact to perform a transaction. Rather, “entities” are one of the layers of the business object model and the interfaces. For example, a Catalogue entity is used in a Catalogue Publication Request and a Purchase Order is used in a Purchase Order Request. These entities are created using the data types defined above to ensure the consistent representation of data throughout the entities.

c) Packages

Packages group the entities in the business object model and the resulting interfaces into groups of semantically associated information. Packages also may include “sub”-packages, i.e., the packages may be nested.

Packages may group elements together based on different factors, such as elements that occur together as a rule with regard to a business-related aspect. For example, as depicted in FIG. 7, in a Purchase Order, different information regarding the purchase order, such as the type of payment 702, and payment card 704, are grouped together via the PaymentInformation package 700.

Packages also may combine different components that result in a new object. For example, as depicted in FIG. 8, the components wheels 804, motor 806, and doors 808 are combined to form a composition “Car” 802. The “Car” package 800 includes the wheels, motor and doors as well as the composition “Car.”

Another grouping within a package may be subtypes within a type. In these packages, the components are specialized forms of a generic package. For example, as depicted in FIG. 9, the components Car 904, Boat 906, and Truck 908 can be generalized by the generic term Vehicle 902 in Vehicle package 900. Vehicle in this case is the generic package 910, while Car 912, Boat 914, and Truck 916 are the specializations 918 of the generalized vehicle 910.

Packages also may be used to represent hierarchy levels. For example, as depicted in FIG. 10, the Item Package 1000 includes Item 1002 with subitem xxx 1004, subitem yyy 1006, and subitem zzz 1008.

Packages can be represented in the XML schema as a comment. One advantage of this grouping is that the document structure is easier to read and is more understandable. The names of these packages are assigned by including the object name in brackets with the suffix “Package.” For example, as depicted in FIG. 11, Party package 1100 is enclosed by <PartyPackage> 1102 and </PartyPackage> 1104. Party package 1100 illustratively includes a Buyer Party 1106, identified by <BuyerParty> 1108 and </BuyerParty> 1110, and a Seller Party 1112, identified by <SellerParty> 1114 and </SellerParty>, etc.

d) Relationships

Relationships describe the interdependencies of the entities in the business object model, and are thus an integral part of the business object model.

(1) Cardinality of Relationships

FIG. 12 depicts a graphical representation of the cardinalities between two entities. The cardinality between a first entity and a second entity identifies the number of second entities that could possibly exist for each first entity. Thus, a 1:c cardinality 1200 between entities A 1202 and X 1204 indicates that for each entity A 1202, there is either one or zero 1206 entity X 1204. A 1:1 cardinality 1208 between entities A 1210 and X 1212 indicates that for each entity A 1210, there is exactly one 1214 entity X 1212. A 1:n cardinality 1216 between entities A 1218 and X 1220 indicates that for each entity A 1218, there are one or more 1222 entity Xs 1220. A 1:cn cardinality 1224 between entities A 1226 and X 1228 indicates that for each entity A 1226, there are any number 1230 of entity Xs 1228 (i.e., 0 through n Xs for each A).

(2) Types of Relationships

(a) Composition

A composition or hierarchical relationship type is a strong whole-part relationship which is used to describe the structure within an object. The parts, or dependent entities, represent a semantic refinement or partition of the whole, or less dependent entity. For example, as depicted in FIG. 13, the components 1302, wheels 1304, and doors 1306 may be combined to form the composite 1300 “Car” 1308 using the composition 1310. FIG. 14 depicts a graphical representation of the composition 1410 between composite Car 1408 and components wheel 1404 and door 1406.

(b) Aggregation

An aggregation or an aggregating relationship type is a weak whole-part relationship between two objects. The dependent object is created by the combination of one or several less dependent objects. For example, as depicted in FIG. 15, the properties of a competitor product 1500 are determined by a product 1502 and a competitor 1504. A hierarchical relationship 1506 exists between the product 1502 and the competitor product 1500 because the competitor product 1500 is a component of the product 1502. Therefore, the values of the attributes of the competitor product 1500 are determined by the product 1502. An aggregating relationship 1508 exists between the competitor 1504 and the competitor product 1500 because the competitor product 1500 is differentiated by the competitor 1504. Therefore the values of the attributes of the competitor product 1500 are determined by the competitor 1504.

An association or a referential relationship type describes a relationship between two objects in which the dependent object refers to the less dependent object. For example, as depicted in FIG. 16, a person 1600 has a nationality, and thus, has a reference to its country 1602 of origin. There is an association 1604 between the country 1602 and the person 1600. The values of the attributes of the person 1600 are not determined by the country 1602.

(3) Specialization

Entity types may be divided into subtypes based on characteristics of the entity types. For example, FIG. 17 depicts an entity type “vehicle” 1700 specialized 1702 into subtypes “truck” 1704, “car” 1706, and “ship” 1708. These subtypes represent different aspects or the diversity of the entity type.

Subtypes may be defined based on related attributes. For example, although ships and cars are both vehicles, ships have an attribute, “draft,” that is not found in cars. Subtypes also may be defined based on certain methods that can be applied to entities of this subtype and that modify such entities. For example, “drop anchor” can be applied to ships. If outgoing relationships to a specific object are restricted to a subset, then a subtype can be defined which reflects this subset.

As depicted in FIG. 18, specializations may further be characterized as complete specializations 1800 or incomplete specializations 1802. There is a complete specialization 1800 where each entity of the generalized type belongs to at least one subtype. With an incomplete specialization 1802, there is at least one entity that does not belong to a subtype. Specializations also may be disjoint 1804 or nondisjoint 1806. In a disjoint specialization 1804, each entity of the generalized type belongs to a maximum of one subtype. With a nondisjoint specialization 1806, one entity may belong to more than one subtype. As depicted in FIG. 18, four specialization categories result from the combination of the specialization characteristics.

e) Structural Patterns

(1) Item

An item is an entity type which groups together features of another entity type. Thus, the features for the entity type chart of accounts are grouped together to form the entity type chart of accounts item. For example, a chart of accounts item is a category of values or value flows that can be recorded or represented in amounts of money in accounting, while a chart of accounts is a superordinate list of categories of values or value flows that is defined in accounting.

The cardinality between an entity type and its item is often either 1:n or 1:cn. For example, in the case of the entity type chart of accounts, there is a hierarchical relationship of the cardinality 1:n with the entity type chart of accounts item since a chart of accounts has at least one item in all cases.

(2) Hierarchy

A hierarchy describes the assignment of subordinate entities to superordinate entities and vice versa, where several entities of the same type are subordinate entities that have, at most, one directly superordinate entity. For example, in the hierarchy depicted in FIG. 19, entity B 1902 is subordinate to entity A 1900, resulting in the relationship (A,B) 1912. Similarly, entity C 1904 is subordinate to entity A 1900, resulting in the relationship (A,C) 1914. Entity D 1906 and entity E 1908 are subordinate to entity B 1902, resulting in the relationships (B,D) 1916 and (B,E) 1918, respectively. Entity F 1910 is subordinate to entity C 1904, resulting in the relationship (C,F) 1920.

Because each entity has at most one superordinate entity, the cardinality between a subordinate entity and its superordinate entity is 1:c. Similarly, each entity may have 0, 1 or many subordinate entities. Thus, the cardinality between a superordinate entity and its subordinate entity is 1:cn. FIG. 20 depicts a graphical representation of a Closing Report Structure Item hierarchy 2000 for a Closing Report Structure Item 2002. The hierarchy illustrates the 1:c cardinality 2004 between a subordinate entity and its superordinate entity, and the 1:cn cardinality 2006 between a superordinate entity and its subordinate entity.

3. Creation of the Business Object Model

FIGS. 21A-B depict the steps performed using methods and systems consistent with the subject matter described herein to create a business object model. Although some steps are described as being performed by a computer, these steps may alternatively be performed manually, or computer-assisted, or any combination thereof. Likewise, although some steps are described as being performed by a computer, these steps may also be computer-assisted, or performed manually, or any combination thereof.

As discussed above, the designers create message choreographies that specify the sequence of messages between business entities during a transaction. After identifying the messages, the developers identify the fields contained in one of the messages (step 2100, FIG. 21A). The designers then determine whether each field relates to administrative data or is part of the object (step 2102). Thus, the first eleven fields identified below in the left column are related to administrative data, while the remaining fields are part of the object.

MessageID
Admin

ReferenceID

CreationDate

SenderID

AdditionalSenderID

ContactPersonID

SenderAddress

RecipientID

AdditionalRecipientID

ContactPersonID

RecipientAddress

ID
Main Object

AdditionalID

PostingDate

LastChangeDate

AcceptanceStatus

Note

CompleteTransmission Indicator

Buyer

BuyerOrganisationName

Person Name

FunctionalTitle

DepartmentName

CountryCode

StreetPostalCode

POBox Postal Code

Company Postal Code

City Name

DistrictName

PO Box ID

PO Box Indicator

PO Box Country Code

PO Box Region Code

PO Box City Name

Street Name

House ID

Building ID

Floor ID

Room ID

Care Of Name

AddressDescription

Telefonnumber

MobileNumber

Facsimile

Email

Seller

SellerAddress

Location

LocationType

DeliveryItemGroupID

DeliveryPriority

DeliveryCondition

TransferLocation

NumberofPartialDelivery

QuantityTolerance

MaximumLeadTime

TransportServiceLevel

TranportCondition

TransportDescription

CashDiscountTerms

PaymentForm

PaymentCardID

PaymentCardReferenceID

SequenceID

Holder

ExpirationDate

AttachmentID

AttachmentFilename

DescriptionofMessage

ConfirmationDescriptionof Message

FollowUpActivity

ItemID

ParentItemID

HierarchyType

ProductID

ProductType

ProductNote

ProductCategoryID

Amount

BaseQuantity

ConfirmedAmount

ConfirmedBaseQuantity

ItemBuyer

ItemBuyerOrganisationName

Person Name

FunctionalTitle

DepartmentName

CountryCode

StreetPostalCode

POBox Postal Code

Company Postal Code

City Name

DistrictName

PO Box ID

PO Box Indicator

PO Box Country Code

PO Box Region Code

PO Box City Name

Street Name

House ID

Building ID

Floor ID

Room ID

Care Of Name

AddressDescription

Telefonnumber

MobilNumber

Facsimile

Email

ItemSeller

ItemSellerAddress

ItemLocation

ItemLocationType

ItemDeliveryItemGroupID

ItemDeliveryPriority

ItemDeliveryCondition

ItemTransferLocation

ItemNumberofPartialDelivery

ItemQuantityTolerance

ItemMaximumLeadTime

ItemTransportServiceLevel

ItemTranportCondition

ItemTransportDescription

ContractReference

QuoteReference

CatalogueReference

ItemAttachmentID

ItemAttachmentFilename

ItemDescription

ScheduleLineID

DeliveryPeriod

Quantity

ConfirmedScheduleLineID

ConfirmedDeliveryPeriod

ConfirmedQuantity

Next, the designers determine the proper name for the object according to the ISO 11179 naming standards (step 2104). In the example above, the proper name for the “Main Object” is “Purchase Order.” After naming the object, the system that is creating the business object model determines whether the object already exists in the business object model (step 2106). If the object already exists, the system integrates new attributes from the message into the existing object (step 2108), and the process is complete.

If at step 2106 the system determines that the object does not exist in the business object model, the designers model the internal object structure (step 2110). To model the internal structure, the designers define the components. For the above example, the designers may define the components identified below.

ID
Purchase

AdditionalID
Order

PostingDate

LastChangeDate

AcceptanceStatus

Note

CompleteTransmission

Indicator

Buyer

Buyer

BuyerOrganisationName

Person Name

FunctionalTitle

DepartmentName

CountryCode

StreetPostalCode

POBox Postal Code

Company Postal Code

City Name

DistrictName

PO Box ID

PO Box Indicator

PO Box Country Code

PO Box Region Code

PO Box City Name

Street Name

House ID

Building ID

Floor ID

Room ID

Care Of Name

AddressDescription

Telefonnumber

MobileNumber

Facsimile

Email

Seller

Seller

SellerAddress

Location

Location

LocationType

DeliveryItemGroupID

DeliveryTerms

DeliveryPriority

DeliveryCondition

TransferLocation

NumberofPartialDelivery

QuantityTolerance

MaximumLeadTime

TransportServiceLevel

TranportCondition

TransportDescription

CashDiscountTerms

PaymentForm

Payment

PaymentCardID

PaymentCardReferenceID

SequenceID

Holder

ExpirationDate

AttachmentID

AttachmentFilename

DescriptionofMessage

ConfirmationDescriptionof

Message

FollowUpActivity

ItemID

Purchase Order

ParentItemID

Item

HierarchyType

ProductID

Product

ProductType

ProductNote

ProductCategoryID

ProductCategory

Amount

BaseQuantity

ConfirmedAmount

ConfirmedBaseQuantity

ItemBuyer

Buyer

ItemBuyerOrganisation

Name

Person Name

FunctionalTitle

DepartmentName

CountryCode

StreetPostalCode

POBox Postal Code

Company Postal Code

City Name

DistrictName

PO Box ID

PO Box Indicator

PO Box Country Code

PO Box Region Code

PO Box City Name

Street Name

House ID

Building ID

Floor ID

Room ID

Care Of Name

AddressDescription

Telefonnumber

MobilNumber

Facsimile

Email

ItemSeller

Seller

ItemSellerAddress

ItemLocation

Location

ItemLocationType

ItemDeliveryItemGroupID

ItemDeliveryPriority

ItemDeliveryCondition

ItemTransferLocation

ItemNumberofPartial

Delivery

ItemQuantityTolerance

ItemMaximumLeadTime

ItemTransportServiceLevel

ItemTranportCondition

ItemTransportDescription

ContractReference

Contract

QuoteReference

Quote

CatalogueReference

Catalogue

ItemAttachmentID

ItemAttachmentFilename

ItemDescription

ScheduleLineID

DeliveryPeriod

Quantity

ConfirmedScheduleLineID

ConfirmedDeliveryPeriod

ConfirmedQuantity

During the step of modeling the internal structure, the designers also model the complete internal structure by identifying the compositions of the components and the corresponding cardinalities, as shown below.

PurchaseOrder

1

Buyer

0 . . . 1

Address

0 . . . 1

ContactPerson

0 . . . 1

Address
0 . . . 1

Seller

0 . . . 1

Location

0 . . . 1

Address

0 . . . 1

DeliveryTerms

0 . . . 1

Incoterms

0 . . . 1

PartialDelivery

0 . . . 1

QuantityTolerance

0 . . . 1

Transport

0 . . . 1

CashDiscountTerms

0 . . . 1

MaximumCashDiscount

0 . . . 1

NormalCashDiscount

0 . . . 1

PaymentForm

0 . . . 1

PaymentCard

0 . . . 1

Attachment

0 . . . n

Description

0 . . . 1

Confirmation

0 . . . 1

Description

Item

0 . . . n

HierarchyRelationship

0 . . . 1

Product

0 . . . 1

ProductCategory

0 . . . 1

Price

0 . . . 1

NetunitPrice
0 . . . 1

ConfirmedPrice

0 . . . 1

NetunitPrice
0 . . . 1

Buyer

0 . . . 1

Seller

0 . . . 1

Location

0 . . . 1

DeliveryTerms

0 . . . 1

Attachment

0 . . . n

Description

0 . . . 1

ConfirmationDescription

0 . . . 1

ScheduleLine

0 . . . n

DeliveryPeriod
1

ConfirmedScheduleLine

0 . . . n

After modeling the internal object structure, the developers identify the subtypes and generalizations for all objects and components (step 2112). For example, the Purchase Order may have subtypes Purchase Order Update, Purchase Order Cancellation and Purchase Order Information. Purchase Order Update may include Purchase Order Request, Purchase Order Change, and Purchase Order Confirmation. Moreover, Party may be identified as the generalization of Buyer and Seller. The subtypes and generalizations for the above example are shown below.

Purchase

1

Order

PurchaseOrder

Update

PurchaseOrder Request

PurchaseOrder Change

PurchaseOrder

Confirmation

PurchaseOrder

Cancellation

PurchaseOrder

Information

Party

BuyerParty

0 . . . 1

Address

0 . . . 1

ContactPerson

0 . . . 1

Address
0 . . . 1

SellerParty

0 . . . 1

Location

ShipToLocation

0 . . . 1

Address

0 . . . 1

ShipFromLocation

0 . . . 1

Address

0 . . . 1

DeliveryTerms

0 . . . 1

Incoterms

0 . . . 1

PartialDelivery

0 . . . 1

QuantityTolerance

0 . . . 1

Transport

0 . . . 1

CashDiscountTerms

0 . . . 1

MaximumCash Discount

0 . . . 1

NormalCashDiscount

0 . . . 1

PaymentForm

0 . . . 1

PaymentCard

0 . . . 1

Attachment

0 . . . n

Description

0 . . . 1

Confirmation

0 . . . 1

Description

Item

0 . . . n

HierarchyRelationship

0 . . . 1

Product

0 . . . 1

ProductCategory

0 . . . 1

Price

0 . . . 1

NetunitPrice

0 . . . 1

ConfirmedPrice

0 . . . 1

NetunitPrice

0 . . . 1

Party

BuyerParty

0 . . . 1

SellerParty

0 . . . 1

Location

ShipTo

0 . . . 1

Location

ShipFrom

0 . . . 1

Location

DeliveryTerms

0 . . . 1

Attachment

0 . . . n

Description

0 . . . 1

Confirmation

0 . . . 1

Description

ScheduleLine

0 . . . n

Delivery

1

Period

ConfirmedScheduleLine

0 . . . n

After identifying the subtypes and generalizations, the developers assign the attributes to these components (step 2114). The attributes for a portion of the components are shown below.

Purchase-

1

Order

ID

1

SellerID

0 . . . 1

BuyerPosting-

0 . . . 1

DateTime

BuyerLast-

0 . . . 1

ChangeDate-

Time

SellerPosting-

0 . . . 1

DateTime

SellerLast-

0 . . . 1

ChangeDate-

Time

Acceptance-

0 . . . 1

StatusCode

Note

0 . . . 1

ItemList-

0 . . . 1

Complete-

Transmission-

Indicator

BuyerParty

0 . . . 1

StandardID

0 . . . n

BuyerID

0 . . . 1

SellerID

0 . . . 1

Address

0 . . . 1

ContactPerson

0 . . . 1

BuyerID
0 . . . 1

SellerID
0 . . . 1

Address
0 . . . 1

SellerParty

0 . . . 1

Product-

0 . . . 1

RecipientParty

VendorParty

0 . . . 1

Manufacturer-

0 . . . 1

Party

BillToParty

0 . . . 1

PayerParty

0 . . . 1

CarrierParty

0 . . . 1

ShipTo-

0 . . . 1

Location

StandardID

0 . . . n

BuyerID

0 . . . 1

SellerID

0 . . . 1

Address

0 . . . 1

ShipFrom-

0 . . . 1

Location

The system then determines whether the component is one of the object nodes in the business object model (step 2116, FIG. 21B). If the system determines that the component is one of the object nodes in the business object model, the system integrates a reference to the corresponding object node from the business object model into the object (step 2118). In the above example, the system integrates the reference to the Buyer party represented by an ID and the reference to the ShipToLocation represented by an into the object, as shown below. The attributes that were formerly located in the PurchaseOrder object are now assigned to the new found object party. Thus, the attributes are removed from the PurchaseOrder object.

PurchaseOrder

ID

SellerID

BuyerPostingDateTime

BuyerLastChangeDateTime

SellerPostingDateTime

SellerLastChangeDateTime

AcceptanceStatusCode

Note

ItemListComplete

TransmissionIndicator

BuyerParty

ID

SellerParty

ProductRecipientParty

VendorParty

ManufacturerParty

BillToParty

PayerParty

CarrierParty

ShipToLocation

ID

ShipFromLocation

During the integration step, the designers classify the relationship (i.e., aggregation or association) between the object node and the object being integrated into the business object model. The system also integrates the new attributes into the object node (step 2120). If at step 2116, the system determines that the component is not in the business object model, the system adds the component to the business object model (step 2122).

Regardless of whether the component was in the business object model at step 2116, the next step in creating the business object model is to add the integrity rules (step 2124). There are several levels of integrity rules and constraints which should be described. These levels include consistency rules between attributes, consistency rules between components, and consistency rules to other objects. Next, the designers determine the services offered, which can be accessed via interfaces (step 2126). The services offered in the example above include PurchaseOrderCreateRequest, PurchaseOrderCancellationRequest, and PurchaseOrderReleaseRequest. The system then receives an indication of the location for the object in the business object model (step 2128). After receiving the indication of the location, the system integrates the object into the business object model (step 2130).

4. Structure of the Business Object Model

The business object model, which serves as the basis for the process of generating consistent interfaces, includes the elements contained within the interfaces. These elements are arranged in a hierarchical structure within the business object model.

5. Interfaces Derived from Business Object Model

Interfaces are the starting point of the communication between two business entities. The structure of each interface determines how one business entity communicates with another business entity. The business entities may act as a unified whole when, based on the business scenario, the business entities know what an interface contains from a business perspective and how to fill the individual elements or fields of the interface. As illustrated in FIG. 27A, communication between components takes place via messages that contain business documents (e.g., business document 27002). The business document 27002 ensures a holistic business-related understanding for the recipient of the message. The business documents are created and accepted or consumed by interfaces, specifically by inbound and outbound interfaces. The interface structure and, hence, the structure of the business document are derived by a mapping rule. This mapping rule is known as “hierarchization.” An interface structure thus has a hierarchical structure created based on the leading business object 27000. The interface represents a usage-specific, hierarchical view of the underlying usage-neutral object model.

As illustrated in FIG. 27B, several business document objects 27006, 27008, and 27010 as overlapping views may be derived for a given leading object 27004. Each business document object results from the object model by hierarchization.

To illustrate the hierarchization process, FIG. 27C depicts an example of an object model 27012 (i.e., a portion of the business object model) that is used to derive a service operation signature (business document object structure). As depicted, leading object X 27014 in the object model 27012 is integrated in a net of object A 27016, object B 27018, and object C 27020. Initially, the parts of the leading object 27014 that are required for the business object document are adopted. In one variation, all parts required for a business document object are adopted from leading object 27014 (making such an operation a maximal service operation). Based on these parts, the relationships to the superordinate objects (i.e., objects A, B, and C from which object X depends) are inverted. In other words, these objects are adopted as dependent or subordinate objects in the new business document object.

For example, object A 27016, object B 27018, and object C 27020 have information that characterize object X. Because object A 27016, object B 27018, and object C 27020 are superordinate to leading object X 27014, the dependencies of these relationships change so that object A 27016, object B 27018, and object C 27020 become dependent and subordinate to leading object X 27014. This procedure is known as “derivation of the business document object by hierarchization.”

Business-related objects generally have an internal structure (parts). This structure can be complex and reflect the individual parts of an object and their mutual dependency. When creating the operation signature, the internal structure of an object is strictly hierarchized. Thus, dependent parts keep their dependency structure, and relationships between the parts within the object that do not represent the hierarchical structure are resolved by prioritizing one of the relationships.

Relationships of object X to external objects that are referenced and whose information characterizes object X are added to the operation signature. Such a structure can be quite complex (see, for example, FIG. 27D). The cardinality to these referenced objects is adopted as 1:1 or 1:C, respectively. By this, the direction of the dependency changes. The required parts of this referenced object are adopted identically, both in their cardinality and in their dependency arrangement.

The newly created business document object contains all required information, including the incorporated master data information of the referenced objects. As depicted in FIG. 27D, components Xi in leading object X 27022 are adopted directly. The relationship of object X 27022 to object A 27024, object B 27028, and object C 27026 are inverted, and the parts required by these objects are added as objects that depend from object X 27022. As depicted, all of object A 27024 is adopted. B3 and B4 are adopted from object B 27028, but B1 is not adopted. From object C 27026, C2 and C1 are adopted, but C3 is not adopted.

FIG. 27E depicts the business document object X 27030 created by this hierarchization process. As shown, the arrangement of the elements corresponds to their dependency levels, which directly leads to a corresponding representation as an XML structure 27032.

The following provides certain rules that can be adopted singly or in combination with regard to the hierarchization process. A business document object always refers to a leading business document object and is derived from this object. The name of the root entity in the business document entity is the name of the business object or the name of a specialization of the business object or the name of a service specific view onto the business object. The nodes and elements of the business object that are relevant (according to the semantics of the associated message type) are contained as entities and elements in the business document object.

The name of a business document entity is predefined by the name of the corresponding business object node. The name of the superordinate entity is not repeated in the name of the business document entity. The “full” semantic name results from the concatenation of the entity names along the hierarchical structure of the business document object.

The structure of the business document object is, except for deviations due to hierarchization, the same as the structure of the business object. The cardinalities of the business document object nodes and elements are adopted identically or more restrictively to the business document object. An object from which the leading business object is dependent can be adopted to the business document object. For this arrangement, the relationship is inverted, and the object (or its parts, respectively) are hierarchically subordinated in the business document object.

Nodes in the business object representing generalized business information can be adopted as explicit entities to the business document object (generally speaking, multiply TypeCodes out). When this adoption occurs, the entities are named according to their more specific semantic (name of TypeCode becomes prefix). Party nodes of the business object are modeled as explicit entities for each party role in the business document object. These nodes are given the name <Prefix><Party Role>Party, for example, BuyerParty, ItemBuyerParty. BTDReference nodes are modeled as separate entities for each reference type in the business document object. These nodes are given the name <Qualifier><BO><Node>Reference, for example SalesOrderReference, OriginSalesOrderReference, SalesOrderltemReference. A product node in the business object comprises all of the information on the Product, ProductCategory, and Batch. This information is modeled in the business document object as explicit entities for Product, ProductCategory, and Batch.

Entities which are connected by a 1:1 relationship as a result of hierarchization can be combined to a single entity, if they are semantically equivalent. Such a combination can often occurs if a node in the business document object that results from an assignment node is removed because it does not have any elements.

The message type structure is typed with data types. Elements are typed by GDTs according to their business objects. Aggregated levels are typed with message type specific data types (Intermediate Data Types), with their names being built according to the corresponding paths in the message type structure. The whole message type structured is typed by a message data type with its name being built according to the root entity with the suffix “Message”. For the message type, the message category (e.g., information, notification, query, response, request, confirmation, etc.) is specified according to the suited transaction communication pattern.

In one variation, the derivation by hierarchization can be initiated by specifying a leading business object and a desired view relevant for a selected service operation. This view determines the business document object. The leading business object can be the source object, the target object, or a third object. Thereafter, the parts of the business object required for the view are determined. The parts are connected to the root node via a valid path along the hierarchy. Thereafter, one or more independent objects (object parts, respectively) referenced by the leading object which are relevant for the service may be determined (provided that a relationship exists between the leading object and the one or more independent objects).

Once the selection is finalized, relevant nodes of the leading object node that are structurally identical to the message type structure can then be adopted. If nodes are adopted from independent objects or object parts, the relationships to such independent objects or object parts are inverted. Linearization can occur such that a business object node containing certain TypeCodes is represented in the message type structure by explicit entities (an entity for each value of the TypeCode). The structure can be reduced by checking all 1:1 cardinalities in the message type structure. Entities can be combined if they are semantically equivalent, one of the entities carries no elements, or an entity solely results from an n:m assignment in the business object.

After the hierarchization is completed, information regarding transmission of the business document object (e.g., CompleteTransmissionIndicator, ActionCodes, message category, etc.) can be added. A standardized message header can be added to the message type structure and the message structure can be typed. Additionally, the message category for the message type can be designated.

Invoice Request and Invoice Confirmation are examples of interfaces. These invoice interfaces are used to exchange invoices and invoice confirmations between an invoicing party and an invoice recipient (such as between a seller and a buyer) in a B2B process. Companies can create invoices in electronic as well as in paper form. Traditional methods of communication, such as mail or fax, for invoicing are cost intensive, prone to error, and relatively slow, since the data is recorded manually. Electronic communication eliminates such problems. The motivating business scenarios for the Invoice Request and Invoice Confirmation interfaces are the Procure to Stock (PTS) and Sell from Stock (SFS) scenarios. In the PTS scenario, the parties use invoice interfaces to purchase and settle goods. In the SFS scenario, the parties use invoice interfaces to sell and invoice goods. The invoice interfaces directly integrate the applications implementing them and also form the basis for mapping data to widely-used XML standard formats such as RosettaNet, PIDX, xCBL, and CIDX.

The invoicing party may use two different messages to map a B2B invoicing process: (1) the invoicing party sends the message type InvoiceRequest to the invoice recipient to start a new invoicing process; and (2) the invoice recipient sends the message type InvoiceConfirmation to the invoicing party to confirm or reject an entire invoice or to temporarily assign it the status “pending.”

An InvoiceRequest is a legally binding notification of claims or liabilities for delivered goods and rendered services—usually, a payment request for the particular goods and services. The message type InvoiceRequest is based on the message data type InvoiceMessage. The InvoiceRequest message (as defined) transfers invoices in the broader sense. This includes the specific invoice (request to settle a liability), the debit memo, and the credit memo.

InvoiceConfirmation is a response sent by the recipient to the invoicing party confirming or rejecting the entire invoice received or stating that it has been assigned temporarily the status “pending.” The message type InvoiceConfirmation is based on the message data type InvoiceMessage. An InvoiceConfirmation is not mandatory in a B2B invoicing process, however, it automates collaborative processes and dispute management.

Usually, the invoice is created after it has been confirmed that the goods were delivered or the service was provided. The invoicing party (such as the seller) starts the invoicing process by sending an InvoiceRequest message. Upon receiving the InvoiceRequest message, the invoice recipient (for instance, the buyer) can use the InvoiceConfirmation message to completely accept or reject the invoice received or to temporarily assign it the status “pending.” The InvoiceConfirmation is not a negotiation tool (as is the case in order management), since the options available are either to accept or reject the entire invoice. The invoice data in the InvoiceConfirmation message merely confirms that the invoice has been forwarded correctly and does not communicate any desired changes to the invoice. Therefore, the InvoiceConfirmation includes the precise invoice data that the invoice recipient received and checked. If the invoice recipient rejects an invoice, the invoicing party can send a new invoice after checking the reason for rejection (AcceptanceStatus and ConfirmationDescription at Invoice and InvoiceItem level). If the invoice recipient does not respond, the invoice is generally regarded as being accepted and the invoicing party can expect payment.

FIGS. 22A-F depict a flow diagram of the steps performed by methods and systems consistent with the subject matter described herein to generate an interface from the business object model. Although described as being performed by a computer, these steps may alternatively be performed manually, or using any combination thereof. The process begins when the system receives an indication of a package template from the designer, i.e., the designer provides a package template to the system (step 2200).

Package templates specify the arrangement of packages within a business transaction document. Package templates are used to define the overall structure of the messages sent between business entities. Methods and systems consistent with the subject matter described herein use package templates in conjunction with the business object model to derive the interfaces.

The system also receives an indication of the message type from the designer (step 2202). The system selects a package from the package template (step 2204), and receives an indication from the designer whether the package is required for the interface (step 2206). If the package is not required for the interface, the system removes the package from the package template (step 2208). The system then continues this analysis for the remaining packages within the package template (step 2210).

If, at step 2206, the package is required for the interface, the system copies the entity template from the package in the business object model into the package in the package template (step 2212, FIG. 22B). The system determines whether there is a specialization in the entity template (step 2214). If the system determines that there is a specialization in the entity template, the system selects a subtype for the specialization (step 2216). The system may either select the subtype for the specialization based on the message type, or it may receive this information from the designer. The system then determines whether there are any other specializations in the entity template (step 2214). When the system determines that there are no specializations in the entity template, the system continues this analysis for the remaining packages within the package template (step 2210, FIG. 22A).

At step 2210, after the system completes its analysis for the packages within the package template, the system selects one of the packages remaining in the package template (step 2218, FIG. 22C), and selects an entity from the package (step 2220). The system receives an indication from the designer whether the entity is required for the interface (step 2222). If the entity is not required for the interface, the system removes the entity from the package template (step 2224). The system then continues this analysis for the remaining entities within the package (step 2226), and for the remaining packages within the package template (step 2228).

If, at step 2222, the entity is required for the interface, the system retrieves the cardinality between a superordinate entity and the entity from the business object model (step 2230, FIG. 22D). The system also receives an indication of the cardinality between the superordinate entity and the entity from the designer (step 2232). The system then determines whether the received cardinality is a subset of the business object model cardinality (step 2234). If the received cardinality is not a subset of the business object model cardinality, the system sends an error message to the designer (step 2236). If the received cardinality is a subset of the business object model cardinality, the system assigns the received cardinality as the cardinality between the superordinate entity and the entity (step 2238). The system then continues this analysis for the remaining entities within the package (step 2226, FIG. 22C), and for the remaining packages within the package template (step 2228).

The system then selects a leading object from the package template (step 2240, FIG. 22E). The system determines whether there is an entity superordinate to the leading object (step 2242). If the system determines that there is an entity superordinate to the leading object, the system reverses the direction of the dependency (step 2244) and adjusts the cardinality between the leading object and the entity (step 2246). The system performs this analysis for entities that are superordinate to the leading object (step 2242). If the system determines that there are no entities superordinate to the leading object, the system identifies the leading object as analyzed (step 2248).

The system then selects an entity that is subordinate to the leading object (step 2250, FIG. 22F). The system determines whether any non-analyzed entities are superordinate to the selected entity (step 2252). If a non-analyzed entity is superordinate to the selected entity, the system reverses the direction of the dependency (step 2254) and adjusts the cardinality between the selected entity and the non-analyzed entity (step 2256). The system performs this analysis for non-analyzed entities that are superordinate to the selected entity (step 2252). If the system determines that there are no non-analyzed entities superordinate to the selected entity, the system identifies the selected entity as analyzed (step 2258), and continues this analysis for entities that are subordinate to the leading object (step 2260). After the packages have been analyzed, the system substitutes the BusinessTransactionDocument (“BTD”) in the package template with the name of the interface (step 2262). This includes the “BTD” in the BTDItem package and the “BTD” in the BTDItemScheduleLine package.

6. Use of an Interface

The XI stores the interfaces (as an interface type). At runtime, the sending party's program instantiates the interface to create a business document, and sends the business document in a message to the recipient. The messages are preferably defined using XML. In the example depicted in FIG. 23, the Buyer 2300 uses an application 2306 in its system to instantiate an interface 2308 and create an interface object or business document object 2310. The Buyer's application 2306 uses data that is in the sender's component-specific structure and fills the business document object 2310 with the data. The Buyer's application 2306 then adds message identification 2312 to the business document and places the business document into a message 2302. The Buyer's application 2306 sends the message 2302 to the Vendor 2304. The Vendor 2304 uses an application 2314 in its system to receive the message 2302 and store the business document into its own memory. The Vendor's application 2314 unpacks the message 2302 using the corresponding interface 2316 stored in its XI to obtain the relevant data from the interface object or business document object 2318.

From the component's perspective, the interface is represented by an interface proxy 2400, as depicted in FIG. 24. The proxies 2400 shield the components 2402 of the sender and recipient from the technical details of sending messages 2404 via XI. In particular, as depicted in FIG. 25, at the sending end, the Buyer 2500 uses an application 2510 in its system to call an implemented method 2512, which generates the outbound proxy 2506. The outbound proxy 2506 parses the internal data structure of the components and converts them to the XML structure in accordance with the business document object. The outbound proxy 2506 packs the document into a message 2502. Transport, routing and mapping the XML message to the recipient 28304 is done by the routing system (XI, modeling environment 516, etc.).

When the message arrives, the recipient's inbound proxy 2508 calls its component-specific method 2514 for creating a document. The proxy 2508 at the receiving end downloads the data and converts the XML structure into the internal data structure of the recipient component 2504 for further processing.

As depicted in FIG. 26A, a message 2600 includes a message header 2602 and a business document 2604. The message 2600 also may include an attachment 2606. For example, the sender may attach technical drawings, detailed specifications or pictures of a product to a purchase order for the product. The business document 2604 includes a business document message header 2608 and the business document object 2610. The business document message header 2608 includes administrative data, such as the message ID and a message description. As discussed above, the structure 2612 of the business document object 2610 is derived from the business object model 2614. Thus, there is a strong correlation between the structure of the business document object and the structure of the business object model. The business document object 2610 forms the core of the message 2600.

In collaborative processes as well as Q&A processes, messages should refer to documents from previous messages. A simple business document object ID or object ID is insufficient to identify individual messages uniquely because several versions of the same business document object can be sent during a transaction. A business document object ID with a version number also is insufficient because the same version of a business document object can be sent several times. Thus, messages require several identifiers during the course of a transaction.

As depicted in FIG. 26B, the message header 2618 in message 2616 includes a technical ID (“ID4”) 2622 that identifies the address for a computer to route the message. The sender's system manages the technical ID 2622.

The administrative information in the business document message header 2624 of the payload or business document 2620 includes a BusinessDocumentMessageID (“ID3”) 2628. The business entity or component 2632 of the business entity manages and sets the BusinessDocumentMessageID 2628. The business entity or component 2632 also can refer to other business documents using the BusinessDocumentMessageID 2628. The receiving component 2632 requires no knowledge regarding the structure of this ID. The BusinessDocumentMessageID 2628 is, as an ID, unique. Creation of a message refers to a point in time. No versioning is typically expressed by the ID. Besides the BusinessDocumentMessageID 2628, there also is a business document object ID 2630, which may include versions.

The component 2632 also adds its own component object ID 2634 when the business document object is stored in the component. The component object ID 2634 identifies the business document object when it is stored within the component. However, not all communication partners may be aware of the internal structure of the component object ID 2634. Some components also may include a versioning in their ID 2634.

7. Use of Interfaces Across Industries

Methods and systems consistent with the subject matter described herein provide interfaces that may be used across different business areas for different industries. Indeed, the interfaces derived using methods and systems consistent with the subject matter described herein may be mapped onto the interfaces of different industry standards. Unlike the interfaces provided by any given standard that do not include the interfaces required by other standards, methods and systems consistent with the subject matter described herein provide a set of consistent interfaces that correspond to the interfaces provided by different industry standards. Due to the different fields provided by each standard, the interface from one standard does not easily map onto another standard. By comparison, to map onto the different industry standards, the interfaces derived using methods and systems consistent with the subject matter described herein include most of the fields provided by the interfaces of different industry standards. Missing fields may easily be included into the business object model. Thus, by derivation, the interfaces can be extended consistently by these fields. Thus, methods and systems consistent with the subject matter described herein provide consistent interfaces or services that can be used across different industry standards.

For example, FIG. 28 illustrates an example method 2800 for service enabling. In this example, the enterprise services infrastructure may offer one common and standard-based service infrastructure. Further, one central enterprise services repository may support uniform service definition, implementation and usage of services for user interface, and cross-application communication. In step 2801, a business object is defined via a process component model in a process modeling phase. Next, in step 2802, the business object is designed within an enterprise services repository. For example, FIG. 29 provides a graphical representation of one of the business objects 2900. As shown, an innermost layer or kernel 2901 of the business object may represent the business object's inherent data. Inherent data may include, for example, an employee's name, age, status, position, address, etc. A second layer 2902 may be considered the business object's logic. Thus, the layer 2902 includes the rules for consistently embedding the business object in a system environment as well as constraints defining values and domains applicable to the business object. For example, one such constraint may limit sale of an item only to a customer with whom a company has a business relationship. A third layer 2903 includes validation options for accessing the business object. For example, the third layer 2903 defines the business object's interface that may be interfaced by other business objects or applications. A fourth layer 2904 is the access layer that defines technologies that may externally access the business object.

Accordingly, the third layer 2903 separates the inherent data of the first layer 2901 and the technologies used to access the inherent data. As a result of the described structure, the business object reveals only an interface that includes a set of clearly defined methods. Thus, applications access the business object via those defined methods. An application wanting access to the business object and the data associated therewith usually includes the information or data to execute the clearly defined methods of the business object's interface. Such clearly defined methods of the business object's interface represent the business object's behavior. That is, when the methods are executed, the methods may change the business object's data. Therefore, an application may utilize any business object by providing the information or data without having any concern for the details related to the internal operation of the business object. Returning to method 2800, a service provider class and data dictionary elements are generated within a development environment at step 2803. In step 2804, the service provider class is implemented within the development environment.

FIG. 30 illustrates an example method 3000 for a process agent framework. For example, the process agent framework may be the basic infrastructure to integrate business processes located in different deployment units. It may support a loose coupling of these processes by message based integration. A process agent may encapsulate the process integration logic and separate it from business logic of business objects. As shown in FIG. 30, an integration scenario and a process component interaction model are defined during a process modeling phase in step 3001. In step 3002, required interface operations and process agents are identified during the process modeling phase also. Next, in step 3003, a service interface, service interface operations, and the related process agent are created within an enterprise services repository as defined in the process modeling phase. In step 3004, a proxy class for the service interface is generated. Next, in step 3005, a process agent class is created and the process agent is registered. In step 3006, the agent class is implemented within a development environment.

FIG. 31 illustrates an example method 3100 for status and action management (S&AM). For example, status and action management may describe the life cycle of a business object (node) by defining actions and statuses (as their result) of the business object (node), as well as, the constraints that the statuses put on the actions. In step 3101, the status and action management schemas are modeled per a relevant business object node within an enterprise services repository. In step 3102, existing statuses and actions from the business object model are used or new statuses and actions are created. Next, in step 3103, the schemas are simulated to verify correctness and completeness. In step 3104, missing actions, statuses, and derivations are created in the business object model with the enterprise services repository. Continuing with method 3100, the statuses are related to corresponding elements in the node in step 3105. In step 3106, status code GDT's are generated, including constants and code list providers. Next, in step 3107, a proxy class for a business object service provider is generated and the proxy class S&AM schemas are imported. In step 3108, the service provider is implemented and the status and action management runtime interface is called from the actions.

Regardless of the particular hardware or software architecture used, the disclosed systems or software are generally capable of implementing business objects and deriving (or otherwise utilizing) consistent interfaces that are suitable for use across industries, across businesses, and across different departments within a business in accordance with some or all of the following description. In short, system 100 contemplates using any appropriate combination and arrangement of logical elements to implement some or all of the described functionality.

Moreover, the preceding flowcharts and accompanying description illustrate example methods. The present services environment contemplates using or implementing any suitable technique for performing these and other tasks. It will be understood that these methods are for illustration purposes only and that the described or similar techniques may be performed at any appropriate time, including concurrently, individually, or in combination. In addition, many of the steps in these flowcharts may take place simultaneously and/or in different orders than as shown. Moreover, the services environment may use methods with additional steps, fewer steps, and/or different steps, so long as the methods remain appropriate.

FIGS. 32-1 through 32-2 illustrate an example object model for a Service Product business object 32000. Specifically, the object model depicts interactions among various components of the Service Product business object 32000, as well as external components that interact with the Service Product business object 32000 (shown here as 32002 through 32008 and 32044 through 32050). The Service Product business object 32000 includes elements 32010 through 32042 that can be hierarchical, as depicted. For example, Service Product entity 32010 hierarchically includes an Overview entity 32012, one or more Identification entities 32014, zero or one Common entities 32018, and various other entities. Similarly, each Identification entity 32014 includes an Identification Overview entity 32016. Some or all of the entities 32010 through 32042 can correspond to packages and/or entities in the message data types described below.

The business object Service Product is an intangible product that describes a provision of a service. A service can be provided at the time of its use. The business object Service Product belongs to the process component Product Data Maintenance. A product includes information that identifies, describes, quantifies, and categorizes a product, as well as information used by specific business processes involving the product, such as sales or service processes. The business object Service Product is involved in the following Process Component Interaction Models: Data Migration System_Product Data Maintenance_Service Product.

A service interface Service Product Replication In has a technical name of ProductDataMaintenanceServiceProductReplicationIn. The service interface Service Product Replication In is part of the following Process Component Interaction Models: Data Migration System_Product Data Maintenance_Service Product. The service interface Service Product Replication In is an interface to migrate or replicate service master data from a source system or file to a target system. A Replicate Service Product operation has a technical name of ProductDataMaintenanceServiceProductReplicationIn.ReplicateServiceProduct, can be used to create or update service master data in a target system using service master data from a source system or file, and is based on the message type Service Product Replicate Request that is derived from the business object Service Product.

The business object Service Product can include a Root node. The Root node can represent a commodity that is an object of a business activity of a company and that serves to generate value for the company. The commodity can be a material, service product, individual material, or warranty. Service Product includes an assignment to product categories, relationships to other products and business partners, relevant properties, a standardized, unique identification, and information about physical and other processes.

The elements located directly at the node Service Product are defined by the data type ProductElements. These elements include: UUID, InternalID, TypeCode, SystemAdministrativeData, Status, and LifeCycleStatusCode. UUID may be an alternative key, is a globally unique identifier for a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: UUID. InternalID is an identifier for a product, may be based on datatype GDT: ProductInternalID, and may correspond to internal and/or external number ranges. An internal number range defines a range of identifiers permitted when a product identifier is assigned automatically. For materials, service products, and warranties, one internal number range can be used. An external number range defines a range of identifiers permitted when a product identifier is assigned manually. For materials, service products, individual materials, and warranties, one or more external number ranges can be used. TypeCode is a coded representation of a product type, such as a material or service, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductTypeCode. CompetitorProductIndicator is an indication whether a product is offered by a competitor, and may be based on datatype GDT: Indicator, with a qualifier of CompetitorProduct. ExpenseIndicator indicates whether a product is an expense, and may be based on datatype GDT: Indicator, with a qualifier of Expense. An expense product is a product that is used to represent an expense and can be handled as such in business logic and query behavior. SystemAdministrativeData is a collection of data that identifies a user who created a product, a user who last changed the product, as well as the date and time of the creation and last change, and may be based on datatype GDT: SystemAdministrativeData. Status is a current step in a life cycle of a product, and may be based on datatype BOIDT: ProductStatus. LifeCycleStatusCode is a status defining the state of a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductLifeCycleStatusCode.

The following composition relationships to subordinate nodes exist: Overview, in a 1:1 cardinality relationship; Identification, in a 1:N cardinality relationship; Common, in a 1:C cardinality relationship; ProductCategoryAssignment, in a 1:CN cardinality relationship; Description, in a 1:CN cardinality relationship; Quantity, in a Unit 1:CN cardinality relationship; QuantityConversion, in a 1:CN cardinality relationship; QuantityCharacteristic, in a 1:CN cardinality relationship; TaxClassification, in a 1:CN cardinality relationship; DeviantTaxClassification, in a 1:CN cardinality relationship; CustomerInformation, in a 1:CN cardinality relationship; SupplierInformation, in a 1:CN cardinality relationship; OwnProduct, in a 1:CN cardinality relationship; TextCollection, in a 1:C cardinality relationship; and AttachmentFolder, in a 1:C cardinality relationship. The following inbound association relationships may exist: LastChangeIdentity, from the business object Identity/node Identity, with a cardinality of 1:CN, which is an association from an identity representing a user who last changed a product; and CreationIdentity, from the business object Identity/node Identity, with a cardinality of 1:CN; which is an association from an identity representing a user who created a product. The following specialization associations for navigation may exist to the node ProductCategoryAssignment: CrossProcessCategory, with a target cardinality of C, which is a product category that belongs to a hierarchy to which a CrossProcess usage is assigned.

A Create with Reference action can be used to copy nodes belonging to a product subtype material, individual material, service product, or warranty, and associated process-driven views. In some implementations, the Create with Reference action does not copy identification data such as the InternalID at the Root node, the SerialID and InventoryID at the Common node, the GlobalTradeItemNumber node, CustomerInformation node, and SupplierInformation node. In some implementations, the Create with Reference action does not copy derived data such as the Identification and QuantityUnit nodes. Changes to status resulting from the Create with Reference action include the status of each ProcessUsability node being set to “InPreparation.”

A Transfer Master Copy action can be used transfer nodes belonging to a product that has a MasterCopyUseIndicator set for a product category to which the current product is assigned. In some implementations, the Transfer Master Copy action does not copy identification data such as the InternalID at the Root node, the SerialID and InventoryID at the Common node, the GlobalTradeItemNumber node, CustomerInformation node, and the SupplierInformation node. In some implementations, the Transfer Master Copy action does not copy derived data such as the Identification and QuantityUnit nodes. In some implementations, to call the Transfer Master Copy action, the Product Category Assignment node is maintained. In some implementations, the Description node, the Text Collection node, the Attachment Folder node, and the InternalID at the Root node are maintained. In some implementations, if any other nodes are maintained, the Transfer Master Copy action is not called.

A Set Master Copy Use Indicator action can be used to set a MasterCopyUse flag for a specified product category at the ProductCategoryAssignment node. Data of a product can be used as a master copy for the Transfer Master Copy action. The specified product category can exist at the Product Category Assignment node. In some implementations, a product category hierarchy to which the product category belongs has a “Cross Process” usage. The action elements are defined by the data type ProductSetMasterCopyUseIndicatorActionElements. These elements include: ProductCategoryIDKey and MasterCopyUseIndicator. ProductCategoryIDKey is an identifier for a product category, and may be based on datatype KDT: ProductCategoryHierarchyProductCategoryIDKey. ProductCategoryIDKey can include ProductCategoryHierarchyID, which is an identifier for a product category hierarchy, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductCategoryHierarchyID. ProductCategoryIDKey may include ProductCategoryInternalID. ProductCategoryInternalID is an identifier for a product category and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductCategoryInternalID. MasterCopyUseIndicator indicates whether a product is a master copy for a specified product category, and may be based on datatype GDT: Indicator, with a qualifier of Use. If MasterCopyUseIndicator is set, the Set Master Copy Use Indicator action sets the Master Copy Use Indicator for a corresponding product category at the Product Category Assignment node. If the MasterCopyUseIndicator is not set, the Set Master Copy Use Indicator action ensures that the Master Copy Use Indicator is not set for the corresponding product category at the Product Category Assignment node.

A Flag As Obsolete action can be used to mark a product as obsolete. Preconditions for the Flag As Obsolete action can include the product having the status “active”.

A Revoke Obsolescence action can be used to revoke obsolescence for a product and to activate the product. Preconditions for the Revoke Obsolescence action can include the product having a status of “obsolete”. Changes to status resulting from the Revoke Obsolescence action can include the product having a status of “active”.

A Query By Base Quantity Unit can be used to return a list of products according to a specified base quantity type code and/or base measure unit code. The query elements are defined by the data type ProductBaseQuantityUnitQueryElements. These elements include: CommonBaseQuantityTypeCode, CommonBaseMeasureUnitCode, and ProductLifeCycleStatusCode. CommonBaseQuantityTypeCode may be optional and may be based on datatype GDT: QuantityTypeCode, with a qualifier of Base. CommonBaseMeasureUnitCode may be optional and may be based on datatype GDT: MeasureUnitCode, with a qualifier of Base. ProductLifeCycleStatusCode may be optional, is a life cycle status of a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductLifeCycleStatusCode.

A Query By Customer query may be used to return a list of products for which a specified business partner is a customer. The query elements are defined by the data type ProductCustomerQueryElements. These elements include: CustomerInformationCustomerID, CustomerInformationProductCustomerID, ProductLifeCycleStatusCode, and SearchText. CustomerInformationCustomerID may be optional and may be based on datatype GDT: BusinessPartnerInternalID. CustomerInformationProductCustomerID may be optional, is an alternative, human-readable identifier for a product, can be assigned by a customer for use internally, can be used with a search that is carried out for products in a customer namespace, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductPartyID. ProductLifeCycleStatusCode may be optional, is a life cycle status of a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductLifeCycleStatusCode. SearchText may be optional, includes free text including one or several word search terms to search for a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: SearchText. For every query that includes the SearchText as query parameter, an application-specific subset of the other query parameters can be defined. A query result can be calculated using the following steps: search terms can be assigned to the subset of query parameters in such a way that every search term is used exactly once in the assignment; several search terms may be assigned to the same query parameter; for each of these assignments, a query result can be calculated; a total result can be a union of the results calculated per assignment.

A Query By Description query can be used to return a list of products according to specified language-dependent texts and identifiers. The query elements are defined by the data type ProductDescriptionQueryElements. These elements include: DescriptionDescription, ProductidentifierTypeCode, ProductID, CompetitorProductIndicator, ExpenseIndicator, SearchText, and ProductLifeCycleStatusCode. DescriptionDescription is a language-dependent description of a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: SHORT_Description. ProductidentifierTypeCode may be optional, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductidentifierTypeCode. ProductID may be optional, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductID. CompetitorProductIndicator may be optional and may be based on datatype GDT: Indicator, with a qualifier of CompetitorProduct. ExpenseIndicator may be optional, is an indication that a product is an expense, and may be based on datatype GDT: Indicator, with a qualifier of Expense. An expense product is a product that can be used to represent an expense and can be handled as such in business logic and query behavior. SearchText may be optional, includes free text including one or several word search terms to search for a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: SearchText. ProductLifeCycleStatusCode may be optional, is a life cycle status of a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductLifeCycleStatusCode.

A Query By Supplier query can be used to return a list of products for which a specified business partner is a supplier. The query elements are defined by the data type ProductSupplierQueryElements. These elements include: SupplierInformationSupplierID, SupplierInformationProductSupplierID, ProductLifeCycleStatusCode, and SearchText. SupplierInformationSupplierID may be optional and may be based on datatype GDT: BusinessPartnerInternalID. SupplierInformationProductSupplierID may be optional, is an alternative, human-readable identifier for a product, can be assigned by a vendor for internal use, can be used for a search that is carried out for products in a vendor namespace, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductPartyID. ProductLifeCycleStatusCode may be optional, is a life cycle status of a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductLifeCycleStatusCode. SearchText may be optional, includes free text including one or several word search terms to search for a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: SearchText.

A Query By Product Category Hierarchy Usage query can be used to return a list of products assigned to product categories belonging to a hierarchy with a specified usage. In some implementations, the search can be limited further to certain product descriptions. The query elements are defined by the data type ProductProductCategoryHierarchyUsageQueryElements. These elements include: ProductCategoryHierarchy, ProductCategoryIDKey, ProductCategoryHierarchyID, ProductCategoryInternalID, ProductCategoryHierarchy, SubordinateProductCategoryIncludeIndicator, SiteSpecificProductCategoryAssignmentSiteUUID, SiteSpecificProductCategoryAssignmentSiteID, SupplyPlanningAreaSpecificProductCategoryAssignmentSupplyPlanningAreaUUID, SupplyPlanningAreaSpecificProductCategoryAssignmentSupplyPlanningAreaID, ProductidentifierTypeCode, ProductID, MasterCopyIndicator, SearchText, and ProductLifeCycleStatusCode. ProductCategoryHierarchy_UsageCode may be based on datatype GDT: ProductCategoryHierarchyUsageCode. In some implementations, exactly one usage is specified. ProductCategoryIDKey may be optional and may be based on datatype KDT: ProductCategoryHierarchyProductCategoryIDKey. ProductCategoryHierarchyID is an identifier for a product category hierarchy, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductCategoryHierarchyID. ProductCategoryInternalID is an identifier for a product category, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductCategoryInternalID. ProductCategoryHierarchy_ProductCategoryDescriptionDescription may be optional and may be based on datatype GDT: MEDIUM_Description. SubordinateProductCategoryIncludeIndicator may be optional, indicates whether all subordinate product categories of a product category assigned to a product are included in a search, and may be based on datatype GDT: Indicator, with a qualifier of Include. SiteSpecificProductCategoryAssignmentSiteUUID may be optional and may be based on datatype GDT: UUID. SiteSpecificProductCategoryAssignmentSiteID may be optional and may be based on datatype GDT: LocationID. SupplyPlanningAreaSpecificProductCategoryAssignmentSupplyPlanningAreaUUID may be optional and may be based on datatype GDT: UUID. SupplyPlanningAreaSpecificProductCategoryAssignmentSupplyPlanningAreaID may be optional and may be based on datatype GDT: SupplyPlanningAreaID. ProductidentifierTypeCode may be optional and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductidentifierTypeCode. ProductID may be optional and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductID. MasterCopyIndicator may be optional and may be based on datatype GDT: Indicator, with a qualifier of Copy. SearchText may be optional, includes free text including one or several word search terms to search for a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: SearchText. ProductLifeCycleStatusCode may be optional, is a life cycle status of a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductLifeCycleStatusCode.

Overview Retrieve Transformation Node is a collection of overview information about a product. The elements located directly at the node Overview are defined by the data type ProductOverviewElements. These elements include: UUID, InternalID, and Description. UUID may be an alternative key, is a globally unique identifier for a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: UUID. InternalID is an identifier for a product, may be based on datatype GDT: ProductID, and may be derived from the Identification node using a filter “ProductidentifierTypeCode=ProductInternalID”. Description may be optional, is a language-independent product description, and may be based on datatype GDT: LANGUAGEINDEPENDENT SHORT_Description. A language may be determined by a logon language.

Identification includes an identifier for a product. The elements located directly at the node Identification are defined by the data type ProductIdentificationElements. These elements include: ProductTypeCode, ProductidentifierTypeCode, ProductID, UnformattedProductID, Key, UnformattedKey, and UUIDKey. ProductTypeCode is a coded representation of a product type, such as a material or service, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductTypeCode. ProductidentifierTypeCode is a coded representation of a product identifier type, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductidentifierTypeCode. ProductID may be an alternative key, is an identifier for a product, may be based on datatype GDT: ProductID, and, in some implementations, is not cross session stable. UnformattedProductID is an unformatted identifier for a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: NOCONVERSION_ProductID, with a qualifier of Unformatted. Key may be an alternative key, is an alternative identifier for a product, and may be based on datatype KDT: ProductKey. Key can include ProductTypeCode, ProductID, and ProductIdentifierTypeCode. ProductTypeCode is a coded representation of a product type, such as a material or service, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductTypeCode. ProductidentifierTypeCode is a coded representation of a product identifier type, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductidentifierTypeCode. ProductID is an identifier for a product, may be based on datatype GDT: ProductID, and, in some implementations, is not cross session stable. UnformattedKey may be an alternative key, is an alternative identifier for a product, and may be based on datatype KDT: ProductUnformattedKey. UnformattedKey can include ProductTypeCode, ProductIdentifierTypeCode, and ProductID. ProductTypeCode is a coded representation of a product type, such as a material or service, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductTypeCode. ProductidentifierTypeCode is a coded representation of a product identifier type, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductidentifierTypeCode. ProductID is an identifier for a product, may be based on datatype GDT: NOCONVERSION_ProductID, and, in some implementations, is not cross session stable. UUIDKey may be an alternative key, is an alternative identifier for a product, and may be based on datatype KDT: ProductUUIDKey. UUIDKey can include ProductIdentifierTypeCode, and ProductUUID. ProductidentifierTypeCode is a coded representation of a product identifier type, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductidentifierTypeCode. ProductUUID is a globally unique identifier for a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: UUID. The following composition relationships to subordinate nodes exist: Identification Overview, with a cardinality of 1:1.

A Query By ID query can be used to return a list of product identifications according to specified human-readable identifiers. Query results can be sorted by product identifier. The query elements are defined by the data type ProductIdentificationIDQueryElements. These elements include: ProductidentifierTypeCode, ProductID, DescriptionDescription, ProductCategoryAssignmentProductCategoryIDKey, ProductCategoryHierarchyID, ProductCategoryInternalID, ProductCategoryHierarchy_ProductCategoryDescriptionDescription, SubordinateProductCategoryIncludeIndicator, CompetitorProductIndicator, SearchText, ExpenseIndicator, and ProductLifeCycleStatusCode. ProductidentifierTypeCode may be optional and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductidentifierTypeCode. ProductID may be optional and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductID. DescriptionDescription may be optional, is a language-dependent description of a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: SHORT_Description. ProductCategoryAssignmentProductCategoryIDKey may be optional, is a product category that is assigned to a product and that belongs to a hierarchy with a “Cross Process” usage, and may be based on datatype KDT: ProductCategoryHierarchyProductCategoryIDKey. ProductCategoryHierarchyID is an identifier for a product category hierarchy, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductCategoryHierarchyID. ProductCategoryInternalID is an identifier for a product category, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductCategoryInternalID. ProductCategoryHierarchy_ProductCategoryDescriptionDescription may be optional and may be based on datatype GDT: MEDIUM_Description. SubordinateProductCategoryIncludeIndicator may be optional, indicates whether subordinate product categories of a product category assigned to a product are included in a search, and may be based on datatype GDT: Indicator, with a qualifier of Include. CompetitorProductIndicator may be optional, indicates whether a product is offered by a competitor, and may be based on datatype GDT: Indicator, with a qualifier of CompetitorProduct. SearchText may be optional, includes free text including one or several word search terms to search for a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: SearchText. ExpenseIndicator may be optional, indicates whether a product is an expense, and may be based on datatype GDT: Indicator, with a qualifier of Expense. An expense product is a product that is used to represent an expense and is handled as such in business logic and query behavior. ProductLifeCycleStatusCode may be optional, is a life cycle status of a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductLifeCycleStatusCode.

A Query By ID And Sales Information query can be used to return a list of product identifications according to specified sales-relevant information. Query results can be sorted by product identifier. The query elements are defined by the data type ProductIdentificationIDAndSalesInformationQueryElements. These elements include: ProductidentifierTypeCode, ProductID, ProductDescription, ProductCategoryIDKey, ProductCategoryHierarchyID, ProductCategoryInternalID, ExpenseIndicator, ProductCategoryDescription, SubordinateProductCategoryIncludeIndicator, CompetitorProductIndicator, ProductLifeCycleStatusCode, LifeCycleStatusCode, SalesOrganisationID, DistributionChannelCode, and SearchText. ProductidentifierTypeCode may be optional and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductidentifierTypeCode. ProductID may be optional and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductID. ProductDescription may be optional, is a language-dependent description of a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: SHORT_Description, with a qualifier of Product. ProductCategoryIDKey may be optional, is a product category that is assigned to a product and that belongs to a hierarchy with a “Cross Process” usage, and may be based on datatype KDT: ProductCategoryHierarchyProductCategoryIDKey. ProductCategoryHierarchyID is an identifier for a product category hierarchy, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductCategoryHierarchyID. ProductCategoryInternalID is an identifier for a product category, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductCategoryInternalID. The product category resides at the Product Category Assignment node. ExpenseIndicator may be optional, is an indication that a product is an expense, and may be based on datatype GDT: Indicator, with a qualifier of Expense. An expense product is a product that is used to represent an expense and is handled as such in business logic and query behavior. ProductCategoryDescription may be optional, is a description of an assigned product category, and may be based on datatype GDT: MEDIUM_Description, with a qualifier of ProductCategory. SubordinateProductCategoryIncludeIndicator may be optional, indicates whether all subordinate product categories of a product category assigned to a product are included in a search, and may be based on datatype GDT: Indicator, with a qualifier of Include. CompetitorProductIndicator may be optional, indicates whether a product is offered by a competitor, and may be based on datatype GDT: Indicator, with a qualifier of CompetitorProduct. ProductLifeCycleStatusCode may be optional, is a life cycle status of a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductLifeCycleStatusCode. LifeCycleStatusCode may be optional, is a life cycle status of a usability of a product for a sales process, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductProcessUsabilityLifeCycleStatusCode. The status can reside at the Sales Process Usability node. SalesOrganisationID may be optional, is an identifier of a sales organization for an assigned sales process, and may be based on datatype GDT: OrganisationalCentreID. DistributionChannelCode may be optional and is a coded representation of a channel via which goods or services reach a customer for an assigned sales process. Examples of distribution channels include wholesale trade, retail trade, and direct sales. DistributionChannelCode may be based on datatype GDT: DistributionChannelCode. SearchText may be optional, includes free text including one or several word search terms used to search for a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: SearchText.

A Query By ID And Financials Information query can be used to return a list of product identifications according to specified financials-relevant information. Query results can be sorted by product identifier. The query elements are defined by the data type ProductIdentificationIDAndFinancialsInformationQueryElements. These elements include: ProductidentifierTypeCode, ProductID, ProductDescription, ExpenseIndicator, ProductCategoryIDKey, ProductCategoryHierarchyID, ProductCategoryInternalID, ProductCategoryDescription, SubordinateProductCategoryIncludeIndicator, CompetitorProductIndicator, LifeCycleStatusCode, ProductLifeCycleStatusCode, CompanyID, and SearchText. ProductidentifierTypeCode may be optional and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductidentifierTypeCode. ProductID may be optional and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductID. ProductDescription may be optional, is a language-dependent description of a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: SHORT_Description, with a qualifier of Product. ExpenseIndicator may be optional, indicates whether a product is an expense, and may be based on datatype GDT: Indicator, with a qualifier of Expense. An expense product is a product that is used to represent an expense and is handled as such in business logic and query behavior. ProductCategoryIDKey may be optional, is a product category that is assigned to a product, and may be based on datatype KDT: ProductCategoryHierarchyProductCategoryIDKey. ProductCategoryHierarchyID is an identifier for a product category hierarchy, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductCategoryHierarchyID. ProductCategoryInternalID is an identifier for a product category, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductCategoryInternalID. ProductCategoryDescription may be optional, is a description of an assigned product category, and may be based on datatype GDT: MEDIUM_Description, with a qualifier of ProductCategory. SubordinateProductCategoryIncludeIndicator may be optional, indicates whether all subordinate product categories of a product category assigned to a product are included in a search, and may be based on datatype GDT: Indicator, with a qualifier of Include. CompetitorProductIndicator may be optional, indicates whether a product is offered by a competitor, and may be based on datatype GDT: Indicator, with a qualifier of CompetitorProduct. LifeCycleStatusCode may be optional, is a life cycle status of a usability of a product for a financials process, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductProcessUsabilityLifeCycleStatusCode. ProductLifeCycleStatusCode may be optional, is a life cycle status of a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductLifeCycleStatusCode. CompanyID may be optional, is an identifier of a company for an assigned financials process, and may be based on datatype GDT: OrganisationalCentreID. SearchText may be optional, includes free text including one or several word search terms used to search for a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: SearchText.

A Query By ID And Procurement Information can be used to return a list of product identifications according to specified procurement-relevant information. Query results can be sorted by product identifier. The query elements are defined by the data type ProductIdentificationIDAndProcurementInformationQueryElements. These elements include: ProductidentifierTypeCode, ProductID, ProductDescription, ProductCategoryIDKey, ProductCategoryHierarchyl, ProductCategoryInternalI, ProductCategoryDescription, SubordinateProductCategoryIncludeIndicator, CompetitorProductIndicator, LifeCycleStatusCode, ExpenseIndicator, and SearchText. ProductidentifierTypeCode may be optional and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductidentifierTypeCode. ProductID may be optional and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductID. ProductDescription may be optional, is a language-dependent description of a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: SHORT_Description, with a qualifier of Product. ProductCategoryIDKey may be optional, is a product category that is assigned to a product and that belongs to a hierarchy with a “Cross Process” usage, and may be based on datatype KDT: ProductCategoryHierarchyProductCategoryIDKey. ProductCategoryHierarchyID is an identifier for a product category hierarchy, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductCategoryHierarchyID. ProductCategoryInternalID is an identifier for a product category, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductCategoryInternalID. ProductCategoryDescription may be optional, is a description of an assigned product category, and may be based on datatype GDT: MEDIUM_Description, with a qualifier of ProductCategory. SubordinateProductCategoryIncludeIndicator may be optional, indicates whether all subordinate product categories of a product category assigned to a product are included in a search, and may be based on datatype GDT: Indicator, with a qualifier of Include. CompetitorProductIndicator may be optional, indicates whether a product is offered by a competitor, and may be based on datatype GDT: Indicator, with a qualifier of CompetitorProduct. LifeCycleStatusCode may be optional, is a life cycle status of a usability of a product for a procurement process, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductProcessUsabilityLifeCycleStatusCode. ExpenseIndicator may be optional, indicates whether a product is an expense, and may be based on datatype GDT: Indicator, with a qualifier of Expense. An expense product is a product that is used to represent an expense and is handled as such in business logic and query behavior. SearchText may be optional, includes free text including one or several word search terms used to search for a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: SearchText.

A Query By ID And Time And Labour Information query can be used to return a list of product identifications according to specified time and labor management-relevant information. Query results can be sorted by product identifier. The query elements are defined by the data type ProductIdentificationIDAndTimeAndLabourInformationQueryElements. These elements include: ProductidentifierTypeCode, ProductID, ProductDescription, ProductCategoryIDKey, ProductCategoryHierarchyID, ProductCategoryInternalID, ProductCategoryDescription, SubordinateProductCategoryIncludeIndicator, CompetitorProductIndicator, ExpenseIndicator, QuantityTypeCode, ProductLifeCycleStatusCode, and SearchText. ProductidentifierTypeCode may be optional and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductidentifierTypeCode. ProductID may be optional and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductID. ProductDescription may be optional, is a language-dependent description of a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: SHORT_Description, with a qualifier of Product. ProductCategoryIDKey may be optional, is a product category that is assigned to a product and that belongs to a hierarchy with a “Cross Process” usage, and may be based on datatype KDT: ProductCategoryHierarchyProductCategoryIDKey. ProductCategoryHierarchyID is an identifier for a product category hierarchy, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductCategoryHierarchyID. ProductCategoryInternalID is an identifier for a product category, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductCategoryInternalID. ProductCategoryDescription may be optional, is a description of an assigned product category, and may be based on datatype GDT: MEDIUM_Description, with a qualifier of ProductCategory. SubordinateProductCategoryIncludeIndicator may be optional, is an indication that all subordinate product categories of a product category assigned to a product are included in a search, and may be based on datatype GDT: Indicator, with a qualifier of Include. CompetitorProductIndicator may be optional, indicates whether a product is offered by a competitor, and may be based on datatype GDT: Indicator, with a qualifier of CompetitorProduct. ExpenseIndicator may be optional, indicates whether a product is an expense, and may be based on datatype GDT: Indicator, with a qualifier of Expense. An expense product is a product that is used to represent an expense and is handled as such in business logic and query behavior. QuantityTypeCode may be optional, is a coded representation of a quantity type in which a product is measured, and may be based on datatype GDT: QuantityTypeCode. ProductLifeCycleStatusCode may be optional, is a life cycle status of a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductLifeCycleStatusCode. SearchText may be optional, includes free text including one or several word search terms used to search for a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: SearchText.

An Identification Overview Query Response Transformation Node is an overview for an identification of a product. The elements located directly at the node Identification Overview are defined by the data type ProductIdentificationOverviewElements. These elements include: ProductKey, ProductDescription, ProductCategoryIDKey, ProductCategoryDescription, and ProductUnformattedKey. ProductKey may be an alternative key, is an alternative identifier for a product, and may be based on datatype KDT: ProductKey. ProductKey can include ProductTypeCode, ProductidentifierTypeCode, and ProductID. ProductTypeCode is a coded representation of a product type, such as a material or service, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductTypeCode. ProductidentifierTypeCode is a coded representation of a product identifier type, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductidentifierTypeCode. ProductID is an identifier for a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductID. ProductDescription may be optional, is a language-independent description of a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: LANGUAGEINDEPENDENT_SHORT_Description, with a qualifier of Product. A language can be determined by a logon language. ProductCategoryIDKey may be optional, is an alternative key for a product category hierarchy, and may be based on datatype KDT: ProductCategoryHierarchyProductCategoryIDKey. ProductCategoryIDKey may include ProductCategoryHierarchyID and ProductCategoryInternalID. ProductCategoryHierarchyID is an identifier for a product category hierarchy, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductCategoryHierarchyID. ProductCategoryInternalID is an identifier for a product category, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductCategoryInternalID. ProductCategoryDescription may be optional, is a language-independent description of one or more properties of a product category, and may be based on datatype GDT: LANGUAGEINDEPENDENT_MEDIUM_Description, with a qualifier of ProductCategory. A product category hierarchy can have a “Cross Process” usage code. ProductUnformattedKey may be an alternative key, is an alternative identifier for a product, and may be based on datatype KDT: ProductUnformattedKey. ProductUnformattedKey can include ProductTypeCode, ProductidentifierTypeCode, and ProductID. ProductTypeCode is a coded representation of a product type, such as a material or service, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductTypeCode. /ProductidentifierTypeCode is a coded representation of a product identifier type, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductidentifierTypeCode. ProductID is an identifier for a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: NOCONVERSION_ProductID. In some implementations, an alternative key is not cross session stable.

A Query By ID query can be used to return a list of product identifications according to specified human-readable identifiers. Query results can be sorted by product identifier. The query elements are defined by the data type ProductIdentificationOverviewIDQueryElements. These elements include: ProductidentifierTypeCode, ProductID, ProductDescription, ProductCategoryIDKey, ProductCategoryDescription, SubordinateProductCategoryIncludeIndicator, ExpenseIndicator, ProductLifeCycleStatusCode, and SearchText. ProductidentifierTypeCode may be optional and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductidentifierTypeCode. ProductID may be optional and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductID. ProductDescription may be optional, is a language-dependent description of a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: SHORT_Description, with a qualifier of Product. ProductCategoryIDKey may be optional, is a product category that is assigned to a product and that belongs to a hierarchy with a “Cross Process” usage, and may be based on datatype KDT: ProductCategoryHierarchyProductCategoryIDKey. ProductCategoryIDKey may include ProductCategoryHierarchyID and ProductCategoryInternalID. ProductCategoryHierarchyID is an identifier for a product category hierarchy, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductCategoryHierarchyID. ProductCategoryInternalID is an identifier for a product category, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductCategoryInternalID. ProductCategoryDescription may be optional and may be based on datatype GDT: MEDIUM_Description, with a qualifier of ProductCategory. SubordinateProductCategoryIncludeIndicator may be optional, indicates whether all subordinate product categories of a product category assigned to a product are included in a search, and may be based on datatype GDT: Indicator, with a qualifier of Include. ExpenseIndicator may be optional, indicates whether a product is an expense, and may be based on datatype GDT: Indicator, with a qualifier of Expense. An expense product is a product that is used to represent an expense and is handled as such in business logic and query behavior. ProductLifeCycleStatusCode may be optional, is a life cycle status of a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductLifeCycleStatusCode. SearchText may be optional, includes free text including one or several word search terms used to search for a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: SearchText.

A Query By ID And Sales Information query can be used to return a list of product identifications according to specified sales-relevant information. Query results can be sorted by product identifier. The query elements are defined by the data type ProductIdentificationOverviewIDAndSalesInformationQueryElements. These elements include: ProductidentifierTypeCode, ProductID, ProductDescription, ProductCategoryIDKey, ProductCategoryDescription, SubordinateProductCategoryIncludeIndicator, ExpenseIndicator, ProductLifeCycleStatusCode, LifeCycleStatusCode, SalesOrganisationID, DistributionChannelCode, ProductCustomerID, and SearchText. ProductidentifierTypeCode may be optional and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductidentifierTypeCode. ProductID may be optional and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductID. ProductDescription may be optional, is a language-dependent description of a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: SHORT_Description, with a qualifier of Product. ProductCategoryIDKey may be optional, is a product category that is assigned to a product and that belongs to a hierarchy with a “Cross Process” usage, and may be based on datatype KDT: ProductCategoryHierarchyProductCategoryIDKey. ProductCategoryIDKey may include ProductCategoryHierarchyID and ProductCategoryInternalID. ProductCategoryHierarchyID is an identifier for a product category hierarchy, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductCategoryHierarchyID. ProductCategoryInternalID is an identifier for a product category, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductCategoryInternalID. ProductCategoryDescription may be optional, is a description of an assigned product category, and may be based on datatype GDT: MEDIUM_Description, with a qualifier of ProductCategory. SubordinateProductCategoryIncludeIndicator may be optional, indicates whether all subordinate product categories of a product category assigned to a product are included in a search, and may be based on datatype GDT: Indicator, with a qualifier of Include. ExpenseIndicator may be optional, indicates whether a product is an expense, and may be based on datatype GDT: Indicator, with a qualifier of Expense. An expense product is a product that is used to represent an expense and is handled as such in business logic and query behavior. ProductLifeCycleStatusCode may be optional, is a life cycle status of a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductLifeCycleStatusCode. LifeCycleStatusCode may be optional, is a life cycle status of a usability of a product for a sales process, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductProcessUsabilityLifeCycleStatusCode. SalesOrganisationID may be optional, is an identifier of a sales organization for an assigned sales process, and may be based on datatype GDT: OrganisationalCentreID. DistributionChannelCode may be optional, and is a coded representation of a channel via which goods or services reach a customer for an assigned sales process. Examples of distribution channels include wholesale trade, retail trade, and direct sales. DistributionChannelCode may be based on datatype GDT: DistributionChannelCode. ProductCustomerID may be optional and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductPartyID. SearchText may be optional, includes free text including one or several word search terms used to search for a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: SearchText.

A Query By ID And Financials Information query can be used to return a list of product identifications according to specified financials-relevant information. Query results can be sorted by product identifier. The query elements are defined by the data type ProductIdentificationOverviewIDAndFinancialsInformationQueryElements. These elements include: ProductidentifierTypeCode, ProductID, ProductDescription, ProductCategoryIDKey, ProductCategoryDescription, SubordinateProductCategoryIncludeIndicator, ExpenseIndicator, LifeCycleStatusCode, ProductLifeCycleStatusCode, CompanyID, and SearchText. ProductidentifierTypeCode may be optional and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductidentifierTypeCode. ProductID may be optional and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductID. ProductDescription may be optional, is a language-dependent description of a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: SHORT_Description, with a qualifier of Product. ProductCategoryIDKey may be optional, is a product category that is assigned to a product, and may be based on datatype KDT: ProductCategoryHierarchyProductCategoryIDKey. ProductCategoryIDKey can include ProductCategoryHierarchyID and ProductCategoryInternalID. ProductCategoryHierarchyID is an identifier for a product category hierarchy, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductCategoryHierarchyID. ProductCategoryInternalID is an identifier for a product category, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductCategoryInternalID. ProductCategoryDescription may be optional, is a description of an assigned product category, and may be based on datatype GDT: MEDIUM_Description, with a qualifier of ProductCategory. SubordinateProductCategoryIncludeIndicator may be optional, indicates whether all subordinate product categories of a product category assigned to a product are included in a search, and may be based on datatype GDT: Indicator, with a qualifier of Include. ExpenseIndicator may be optional, indicates whether a product is an expense, and may be based on datatype GDT: Indicator, with a qualifier of Expense. An expense product is a product that is used to represent an expense and is handled as such in business logic and query behavior. LifeCycleStatusCode may be optional, is a life cycle status of a usability of a product for a financials process, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductProcessUsabilityLifeCycleStatusCode. ProductLifeCycleStatusCode may be optional, is a life cycle status of a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductLifeCycleStatusCode. CompanyID may be optional, is an identifier of a company for an assigned financials process, and may be based on datatype GDT: OrganisationalCentreID. SearchText may be optional, includes free text including one or several word search terms used to search for a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: SearchText.

A Query By ID And Procurement Information query can be used to return a list of product identifications according to specified procurement-relevant information. Query results can be sorted by product identifier. The query elements are defined by the data type ProductIdentificationOverviewIDAndProcurementInformationQueryElements. These elements include: ProductTypeCode, ProductidentifierTypeCode, ProductID, ProductDescription, ProductCategoryIDKey, ProductCategoryDescription, SubordinateProductCategoryIncludeIndicator, ExpenseIndicator, ProductLifeCycleStatusCode, LifeCycleStatusCode, SupplierID, ProductSupplierID, and SearchText. ProductTypeCode may be optional and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductTypeCode. ProductidentifierTypeCode may be optional and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductidentifierTypeCode. ProductID may be optional and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductID. ProductDescription may be optional, is a language-dependent description of a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: SHORT_Description, with a qualifier of Product. ProductCategoryIDKey may be optional, is a product category that is assigned to a product and that belongs to a hierarchy with a “Cross Process” usage, and may be based on datatype KDT: ProductCategoryHierarchyProductCategoryIDKey. ProductCategoryIDKey may include ProductCategoryHierarchyID and ProductCategoryInternalID. ProductCategoryHierarchyID is an identifier for a product category hierarchy, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductCategoryHierarchyID. ProductCategoryIDKey may include ProductCategoryInternalID, which is an identifier for a product category, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductCategoryInternalID. ProductCategoryDescription may be optional, is a description of an assigned product category, and may be based on datatype GDT: MEDIUM_Description, with a qualifier of ProductCategory. SubordinateProductCategoryIncludeIndicator may be optional, indicates whether all subordinate product categories of a product category assigned to a product are included in a search, and may be based on datatype GDT: Indicator, with a qualifier of Include. ExpenseIndicator may be optional, indicates whether a product is an expense, and may be based on datatype GDT: Indicator, with a qualifier of Expense. An expense product is a product that is used to represent an expense and is handled as such in business logic and query behavior. ProductLifeCycleStatusCode may be optional, is a life cycle status of a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductLifeCycleStatusCode. LifeCycleStatusCode may be optional, is a life cycle status of a usability of a product for a procurement process, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductProcessUsabilityLifeCycleStatusCode. SupplierID may be optional and may be based on datatype GDT: BusinessPartnerInternalID. In some implementations, no more than one supplier identifier is specified. ProductSupplierID may be optional and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductPartyID. SearchText may be optional, includes free text including one or several word search terms used to search for a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: SearchText.

A Query By ID And Time And Labour Information query can be used to return a list of product identifications according to specified time and labor management-relevant information. Query results can be sorted by product identifier. The query elements are defined by the data type ProductIdentificationOverviewIDAndTimeAndLabourInformationQueryElementsThese elements include: ProductidentifierTypeCode, ProductID, ProductDescription, ProductCategoryIDKey, ProductCategoryDescription, SubordinateProductCategoryIncludeIndicator, CompetitorProductIndicator, ExpenseIndicator, QuantityTypeCode, ProductLifeCycleStatusCode, and SearchText. ProductidentifierTypeCode may be optional and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductidentifierTypeCode. ProductID may be optional and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductID. ProductDescription may be optional, is a language-dependent description of a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: SHORT_Description, with a qualifier of Product. ProductCategoryIDKey may be optional, is a product category that is assigned to a product and that belongs to a hierarchy with a “Cross Process” usage, and may be based on datatype KDT: ProductCategoryHierarchyProductCategoryIDKey. ProductCategoryIDKey may include ProductCategoryHierarchyID, which is an identifier for a product category hierarchy, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductCategoryHierarchyID. ProductCategoryIDKey can include ProductCategoryInternalID, which is an identifier for a product category, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductCategoryInternalID. ProductCategoryDescription may be optional, is a description of an assigned product category, and may be based on datatype GDT: MEDIUM_Description, with a qualifier of ProductCategory. SubordinateProductCategoryIncludeIndicator may be optional, indicates whether all subordinate product categories of a product category assigned to a product are included in a search, and may be based on datatype GDT: Indicator, with a qualifier of Include. CompetitorProductIndicator may be optional, indicates whether a product is offered by a competitor, and may be based on datatype GDT: Indicator, with a qualifier of CompetitorProduct. ExpenseIndicator may be optional, indicates whether a product is an expense, and may be based on datatype GDT: Indicator, with a qualifier of Expense. An expense product is a product that is used to represent an expense and is handled as such in business logic and query behavior. QuantityTypeCode may be optional, is a coded representation of a quantity type in which a product is measured, and may be based on datatype GDT: QuantityTypeCode. ProductLifeCycleStatusCode may be optional, is a life cycle status of a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductLifeCycleStatusCode. SearchText may be optional, includes free text including one or several word search terms used to search for a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: SearchText.

The node Common is a collection of general information about a product. In some implementations, such general information is not stored at the root node due to performance considerations, as the information can be requested as part of various business use cases. The elements located directly at the node Common are defined by the data type ProductCommonElements. These elements include: QuantityGroupCode, BaseQuantityTypeCode, BaseMeasureUnitCode, ProductUUID, and PredefinedExtensionFolder. QuantityGroupCode may be optional, is a coded representation for grouping a complexity of sizes and conversions, and may be based on datatype GDT: QuantityGroupCode. BaseQuantityTypeCode may be optional, is a coded representation of a base quantity type in which a product is measured, and may be based on datatype GDT: QuantityTypeCode, with a qualifier of Base. When a base unit of measure is maintained, a base quantity type can be defaulted automatically. BaseMeasureUnitCode may be optional, is a coded representation of a base unit in which a product is measured, and may be based on datatype GDT: MeasureUnitCode, with a qualifier of Base. When a base quantity type is maintained, a base unit of measure can be defaulted automatically. ProductUUID may be an alternative key, is a globally unique identifier for a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: UUID. ProductUUID can be an alternative key for the Common node. PredefinedExtensionFolder may be optional, is a folder of predefined extensions of a product, and may be based on datatype BOIDT: ProductCommonPredefinedExtensionFolderElements. PredefinedExtensionFolder can include MaterialCommonPredefinedExtension, which may be optional, is a predefined extension of general information of a material, and may be based on datatype BOIDT: MaterialCommonPredefinedExtension.

Product Category Assignment is an assignment of a product category to a product. A product can be categorized according to a business aspect of a product category hierarchy to which a product category belongs. The elements located directly at the node Product Category Assignment are defined by the data type ProductProductCategoryAssignmentElements. These elements include: ProductCategoryUUID, ProductCategoryIDKey, and MasterCopyUseIndicator. ProductCategoryUUID is a globally unique identifier for a product category, and may be based on datatype GDT: UUID. ProductCategoryIDKey is an identifier for a product category, and may be based on datatype KDT: ProductCategoryHierarchyProductCategoryIDKey. ProductCategoryIDKey can include ProductCategoryHierarchyID and ProductCategoryInternalID. ProductCategoryHierarchyID is an identifier for a product category hierarchy, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductCategoryHierarchyID. ProductCategoryInternalID is an identifier for a product category, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductCategoryInternalID. MasterCopyUseIndicator indicates whether a product is a master copy for a specified product category, and may be based on datatype GDT: Indicator, with a qualifier of Use. The MasterCopyUseIndicator can be set by the Set Master Copy Use Indicator action. The Set Master Copy Use Indicator action can be performed for product categories that belong to a product category hierarchy with a “Cross Process” usage. If the MasterCopyUseIndicator is set, when a product category is changed, the indicator can be deselected. MasterCopyProductCategoryUUID may be optional, may be an alternative key, is a globally unique identifier of a product category for which a product has been specified as a master copy, and may be based on datatype GDT: UUID. MasterCopyProductCategoryUUID can be an alternative key for the Product Category Assignment node. The following inbound aggregation relationships may exist: ProductCategory, from the business object Product Category Hierarchy/node Product Category, with a cardinality of 1:CN, which is an association from a product category belonging to a product category hierarchy. An associated product category can specify one or more characteristics of a product. In some implementations, each product category assigned to a product belongs to a different ProductCategoryHierarchy business object and each combination of ProductCategoryUUID and ProductCategoryHierarchyProductCategoryIDKey is unique. In some implementations, ProductCategoryUUID exists at the ProductCategory node of a ProductCategoryHierarchy business object referenced by the ProductCategoryHierarchyProductCategoryIDKey and the ProductAssignmentAllowedIndicator for the product category is set at a referenced ProductCategoryHierarchy business object.

Product categories belonging to the ProductCategoryHierarchy business object with a “Cross-process” usage may be assigned to the following business objects: Material, Individual Material, Service Product, Warranty, Material Procurement Process Control, Material Financials Process Control, Material Sales Process Control, Material Inventory Process Control, Material Supply Planning Process Control, Material Availability Confirmation Process Control, Service Product Procurement Process Control, Service Product Financials Process Control, Service Product Sales Process Control, Individual Material Service Process Control, and Warranty Service Process Control. Product categories belonging to the ProductCategoryHierarchy business object with a “Sales” usage may be assigned to the following business objects: Material Sales Process Control, Service Product Sales Process Control, Individual Material Service Process Control, and Warranty Service Process Control. Product categories belonging to the ProductCategoryHierarchy business object with a “Demand Planning” usage may be assigned to the following business objects: Material Supply Planning Process Control.

If product categories are assigned to the following business objects, one of the product categories can belong to the ProductCategoryHierarchy business object with the “Cross-process” usage: Material Procurement Process Control, Material Financials Process Control, Material Sales Process Control, Material Inventory Process Control, Material Supply Planning Process Control, Material Availability Confirmation Process Control, Service Product Procurement Process Control, Service Product Financials Process Control, and Service Product Sales Process Control. If product categories are assigned to the following business objects, one of the product categories can belong to the ProductCategoryHierarchy business object with the “Sales” usage: Individual Material Service Process Control, and Warranty Service Process Control.

Description is a language-dependent description of a product. The elements located directly at the node Description are defined by the data type ProductDescriptionElements. These elements include Description, which is a language-dependent product description which may be based on datatype GDT: SHORT_Description. In some implementations, if a LanguageCode is maintained, Description is also maintained.

Quantity Unit is a collection of information about quantity units supported by a product. The QuantityUnit node includes the following: operational quantity types involved in conversions between quantity units at the QuantityConversion node, and operational quantity types for base and/or process quantity units of active process-driven views. The Quantity Unit node can be read-only. An operational quantity can be used in business transactions to measure a product. For example, a conversion between 1 EA=10 KGM/MASS can exist at a QuantityConversion node and therefore a QuantityUnit node can include EA and MASS quantity types. Using such information, an “Each” trading unit can be converted into any quantity unit of a MASS quantity type, for example, LBR or GR. The elements located directly at the node Quantity Unit are defined by the data type ProductQuantityUnitElements. These elements include QuantityTypeCode, which is a coded representation of a quantity type in which a product is measured, and may be based on datatype GDT: QuantityTypeCode.

Quantity Conversion includes conversion factors between different units of measure for a product. As an example, for a material “mineral water,” a following conversion can be defined: “1 crate equals 6 bottles” and “1 bottle equals 1.5 liters”. Therefore, a QuantityConversion reuse service component can determine that one crate includes 9 liters. The elements located directly at the node Quantity Conversion are defined by the data type ProductQuantityConversionElements. These elements include: QuantityTypeCode, Quantity, CorrespondingQuantityTypeCode, CorrespondingQuantity, ValuePrecisionCode, and QuantityOriginCode. QuantityTypeCode is a coded representation of a type of quantity in which a product is measured, and may be based on datatype GDT: QuantityTypeCode. When a quantity type is maintained, a unit of measure can be defaulted automatically. Similarly, when a unit of measure is maintained, a quantity type can be defaulted automatically. Quantity is a factor of a unit of measurement for a quantity type, and may be based on datatype GDT: Quantity. CorrespondingQuantityTypeCode is a coded representation of a type of quantity in which a product is measured, and may be based on datatype GDT: QuantityTypeCode, with a qualifier of Corresponding. When a corresponding quantity type is maintained, a corresponding unit of measure can be defaulted automatically. Similarly, when a corresponding unit of measure is maintained, a corresponding quantity type can be defaulted automatically. CorrespondingQuantity is a factor of a unit of measurement for a corresponding quantity type, and may be based on datatype GDT: Quantity, with a qualifier of Corresponding. ValuePrecisionCode is a coded representation of an accuracy of a size, and may be based on datatype GDT: ValuePrecisionCode. QuantityOriginCode is a coded representation of a manner in which a quantity is determined, for example, manually or automatically, and may be based on datatype GDT: QuantityOriginCode.

Quantity Characteristic includes conversion factors between process-relevant units of measure and characteristic units of measure for a product. The elements located directly at the node Quantity Characteristic are defined by the data type ProductQuantityCharacteristicElements. These elements include: QuantityTypeCode, Quantity, CharacteristicQuantityTypeCode, CharacteristicQuantity, ValuePrecisionCode, and QuantityOriginCode. QuantityTypeCode is a coded representation of a type of quantity in which a product is measured, and may be based on datatype GDT: QuantityTypeCode. A quantity type can be either a trading quantity type or a physical quantity type. When a quantity type is maintained, a unit of measure can be defaulted automatically. Likewise, when a unit of measure is maintained, a quantity type can be defaulted automatically. Quantity is a factor of a unit of measurement for a trading or physical quantity, and may be based on datatype GDT: Quantity. CharacteristicQuantityTypeCode is a coded representation of a characteristic type of quantity in which a product is measured, and may be based on datatype GDT: QuantityTypeCode, with a qualifier of Characteristic. A characteristic quantity type can be, for example, volume, weight, or length. CharacteristicQuantity is a factor of a unit of measurement for a characteristic quantity, and may be based on datatype GDT: Quantity, with a qualifier of Characteristic. ValuePrecisionCode is a coded representation of an accuracy of a size, and may be based on datatype GDT: ValuePrecisionCode. QuantityOriginCode is a coded representation of a manner in which a quantity is determined, for example, manually or automatically, and may be based on datatype GDT: QuantityOriginCode.

In some implementations, each combination of QuantityTypeCode and CharacteristicQuantityTypeCode is unique. In some implementations, if Quantity is maintained, UnitCode and QuantityTypeCode are also maintained. In some implementations, QuantityTypeCode and CharacteristicQuantityTypeCode are marked as “summable” in a Quantity Conversion. In some implementations, QuantityTypeCode and CharacteristicQuantityTypeCode are not marked as “blocked” in a Quantity Conversion. In some implementations, QuantityTypeCode are marked as “process-relevant” in a Quantity Conversion. In some implementations, CharacteristicQuantityTypeCode is marked as “characteristic” in a Quantity Conversion. In some implementations, QuantityTypeCode is compatible with a UnitCode of a Quantity. For example, a quantity unit of “meters” can be compatible with a quantity type of “length” but might not be compatible with a quantity type of “area.” In some implementations, if CharacteristicQuantity is maintained, UnitCode and CharacteristicQuantityTypeCode are also maintained. In some implementations, CharacteristicQuantityTypeCode is compatible with a UnitCode of the CharacteristicQuantity.

In some implementations, if conversions exist between a QuantityTypeCode and the CharacteristicQuantityTypeCode for “net weight” and between a same QuantityTypeCode and the CharacteristicQuantityTypeCode for “gross weight,” then the CharacteristicQuantity for “net weight” is less than or equal to the CharacteristicQuantity for “gross weight.” For example, a combination of the conversions “1 EACH=1 KILOGRAMS net weight” and “1 EACH=900 GRAMS gross weight” can be considered to be invalid because the net weight is larger than the gross weight.

In some implementations, if conversions exist between a QuantityTypeCode and the CharacteristicQuantityTypeCode for “net volume” and between a same QuantityTypeCode and the CharacteristicQuantityTypeCode for “gross volume,” then the CharacteristicQuantity for “net volume” is less than or equal to the CharacteristicQuantity for “gross volume.” For example, a combination of the conversions “1 EACH=2 LITERS net volume” and “1 EACH=1000 CUBIC METERS gross volume” can be considered to be valid because the net volume is larger than the gross volume.

Tax Classification is a country-specific or regional tax classification of a product. The elements located directly at the node Tax Classification are defined by the data type ProductTaxClassificationElements. These elements include: CountryCode, RegionCode, TaxTypeCode, TaxRateTypeCode, TaxExemptionReasonCode, and ServicePointTaxableIndicator.

CountryCode is a country in which taxes are levied, and may be based on datatype GDT: CountryCode. RegionCode may be optional, is a region in which taxes are levied, and may be based on datatype GDT: RegionCode. TaxTypeCode is a coded representation of a type of tax, and may be based on datatype GDT: TaxTypeCode. TaxRateTypeCode is a coded representation of s type of tax rate used for a legal classification of tax rates, for example, a standard sales tax rate or a reduced sales tax rate, and may be based on datatype GDT: TaxRateTypeCode. TaxExemptionReasonCode may be optional, is a coded representation of a reason for a tax exemption, and may be based on datatype GDT: TaxExemptionReasonCode. ServicePointTaxableIndicator indicates whether a service is taxable at a service point location, and may be based on datatype GDT: Indicator, with a qualifier of Taxable.

Deviant Tax Classification is a deviation from a standard country-specific or regional tax classification of a product. The elements located directly at the node Deviant Tax Classification are defined by the data type ProductDeviantTaxClassificationElements. These elements include: CountryCode, RegionCode, TaxTypeCode, TaxRateTypeCode, TaxExemptionReasonCode, and ServicePointTaxableIndicator. CountryCode is a country in which taxes are levied, and may be based on datatype GDT: CountryCode.

RegionCode may be optional, is a region in which taxes are levied, and may be based on datatype GDT: RegionCode. TaxTypeCode is a coded representation of a type of tax, and may be based on datatype GDT: TaxTypeCode. CountryCode and TaxTypeCode can become read-only after such elements are filled the first time. TaxRateTypeCode is a coded representation of a type of tax rate used for a legal classification of tax rates, for example, a standard sales tax rate or a reduced sales tax rate, and may be based on datatype GDT: TaxRateTypeCode. TaxExemptionReasonCode may be optional, is a coded representation of a reason for a tax exemption, and may be based on datatype GDT: TaxExemptionReasonCode. ServicePointTaxableIndicator is an indication that a service is taxable at a service point location, and may be based on datatype GDT: Indicator, with a qualifier of Taxable.

Customer Information is a reference to a business partner that is a customer for a product. A customer material number is an example of customer-specific information for a product. The elements located directly at the node Customer Information are defined by the data type ProductCustomerInformationElements. These elements include: CustomerUUID, CustomerID, and ProductCustomerID. CustomerUUID is a globally unique identifier for a customer, and may be based on datatype GDT: UUID. CustomerID is an alternative identifier for a customer, and may be based on datatype GDT: BusinessPartnerInternalID. ProductCustomerID is a customer-defined identifier for a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductPartyID. A Customer inbound aggregation relationship may exist from the business object Customer/node Customer, with a cardinality of 1:CN, which is an association from a customer of a product.

Supplier Information is a reference to a business partner that supplies a product. A supplier material number is an example of supplier-specific information for a product. The elements located directly at the node Supplier Information are defined by the data type ProductSupplierInformationElements. These elements include: SupplierUUID, SupplierID, and ProductSupplierID. SupplierUUID is a globally unique identifier for a supplier, and may be based on datatype GDT: UUID. SupplierID is an alternative identifier for a supplier, and may be based on datatype GDT: BusinessPartnerInternalID. ProductSupplierID is an identifier for a supplier's product, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductPartyID. A Supplier inbound aggregation relationship may exist from the business object Supplier/node Supplier, with a cardinality of 1:CN, which is an association from a supplier that is a product vendor. In some implementations, a supplier has a role of Vendor.

Own Product is a product with which a competitor product is competing. The elements located directly at the node Own Product are defined by the data type ProductOwnProductElements. These elements include: ProductUUID, ProductKey, ProductMainIndicator, CompetitorProductEvaluationResultCode. ProductUUID is a globally unique identifier for a competing own product, and may be based on datatype GDT: UUID. ProductKey is an alternative identifier for a competing own product, and may be based on datatype KDT: ProductKey. ProductKey may include ProductTypeCode, ProductidentifierTypeCode, and ProductID. ProductTypeCode is a coded representation of a product type, such as a material or service, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductTypeCode. ProductidentifierTypeCode is a coded representation of a product identifier type, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductidentifierTypeCode. ProductID is an identifier for a product, and may be based on datatype GDT: ProductID. ProductMainIndicator is an indication that a product is a main own product for a competitor product, and may be based on datatype GDT: Indicator, with a qualifier of Main. CompetitorProductEvaluationResultCode may be optional, is a coded representation of an evaluation between a competitor product and a competing own product, and may be based on datatype GDT: CompetitorProductEvaluationResultCode. In some implementations, the Own Product node is available only if the CompetitorProductIndicator is set at the Root node. In some implementations, ProductUUID and ProductID refer to a Product business object that does not have the CompetitorProductIndicator set at the Root node and the TypeCode at the Root node of the target business object is the same as the TypeCode at the Root node of the present business object. In some implementations, ProductMainIndicator can be set at only one OwnProduct node. Text Collection is a collection of textual descriptions of a product. Attachment Folder is a collection of all documents attached to a product.

FIGS. 33-1 through 33-3 collectively illustrate one example logical configuration of a Service Product Bundle Maintain Request Sync message 33000. Specifically, these figures depict the arrangement and hierarchy of various components such as one or more levels of packages, entities, and data types, shown here as 33002 through 33044. As described above, packages may be used to represent hierarchy levels, and different types of cardinality relationships among entities can be represented using different arrowhead styles. Entities are discrete business elements that are used during a business transaction. Data types are used to type object entities and interfaces with a structure. For example, the Service Product Bundle Maintain Request Sync message 33000 includes, among other things, the Service Product entity 33006. Accordingly, heterogeneous applications may communicate using this consistent message configured as such.

The message type Service Product Bundle Maintain Request_sync_V1 is derived from the business object Service Product as a leading object together with its operation signature. The message type Service Product Bundle Maintain Request_sync_V1 is a request to maintain a bundle of service products. The structure of the message type Service Product Bundle Maintain Request_sync_V1 is determined by the message data type ServiceProductMaintainRequestBundleMessage_sync_V1. The message data type ServiceProductMaintainRequestBundleMessage_sync_V1 is a message data type for service product maintain bundle request. The message data type ServiceProductMaintainRequestBundleMessage_sync_V1 includes the MessageHeader package and the ServiceProduct package. The package MessageHeader includes the entity BasicMessageHeader. BasicMessageHeader is typed by BusinessDocumentBasicMessageHeader.

The package ServiceProduct includes the sub-packages Description, Detail, QuantityConversion, Purchasing, Sales, DeviantTaxClassification, WithholdingTaxClassification, Valuation, CustomerInformation, SupplierInformation, and AttachmentFolder, and the entity ServiceProduct. ServiceProduct includes the following attributes: actionCode, descriptionListCompleteTransmissionIndicator, detailListCompleteTransmissionIndicator, quantityConversionListCompleteTransmissionIndicator, salesListCompleteTransmissionIndicator, deviantTaxClassificationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator, withholdingTaxClassificationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator, valuationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator, customerinformationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator, and supplierInformationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator.

The attribute actionCode may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ActionCode. The attribute descriptionListCompleteTransmissionIndicator may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:Indicator. The attribute detailListCompleteTransmissionIndicator may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:Indicator. The attribute quantityConversionListCompleteTransmissionIndicator may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:Indicator. The attribute salesListCompleteTransmissionIndicator may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:Indicator. The attribute deviantTaxClassificationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:Indicator. The attribute withholdingTaxClassificationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:Indicator. The attribute valuationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:Indicator. The attribute customerInformationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:Indicator. The attribute supplierInformationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:Indicator.

ServiceProduct includes the following non-node elements: ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID, ChangeStateID, InternalID, UUID, ProductCategoryID, BaseMeasureUnitCode, ValuationMeasureUnitCode, and ExpenseIndicator. ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID. ChangeStateID may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ChangeStateID. InternalID may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ProductInternalID. UUID may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:UUID. ProductCategoryID may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ProductCategoryInternalID. BaseMeasureUnitCode may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:MeasureUnitCode. ValuationMeasureUnitCode may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:MeasureUnitCode. ExpenseIndicator may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:Indicator.

ServiceProduct includes the following node elements: Description, in a 1:CN cardinality relationship; Detail, in a 1:CN cardinality relationship; QuantityConversion, in a 1:CN cardinality relationship; Purchasing, in a 1:C cardinality relationship; Sales, in a 1:CN cardinality relationship; DeviantTaxClassification, in a 1:CN cardinality relationship; WithholdingTaxClassification, in a 1:CN cardinality relationship; Valuation, in a 1:CN cardinality relationship; CustomerInformation, in a 1:CN cardinality relationship; SupplierInformation, in a 1:CN cardinality relationship; and AttachmentFolder, in a 1:C cardinality relationship.

The package ServiceProductDescription includes the entity Description. Description includes the actionCode attribute, which may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ActionCode. Description includes the following non-node elements: ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID and Description. ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID. Description may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:SHORT_Description.

The package ServiceProductDetail includes the entity Detail. Detail includes the actionCode attribute, which may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ActionCode. Detail includes the following non-node elements: ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID and ContentText. ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID. ContentText may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:Text.

The package ServiceProductQuantityConversion includes the entity QuantityConversion. QuantityConversion includes the actionCode attribute, which may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ActionCode. QuantityConversion includes the following non-node elements: ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID, Quantity, and CorrespondingQuantity. ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID. Quantity may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:Quantity. CorrespondingQuantity may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:Quantity.

The package ServiceProductPurchasing includes the entity Purchasing. Purchasing includes the following attributes: actionCode, internalNoteListCompleteTransmissionIndicator, and purchasingNoteListCompleteTransmissionIndicator. The attribute actionCode may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ActionCode. The attribute internalNoteListCompleteTransmissionIndicator may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:Indicator. The attribute purchasingNoteListCompleteTransmissionIndicator may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:Indicator. Purchasing includes the following non-node elements: ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID, LifeCycleStatusCode, and PurchasingMeasureUnitCode. ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID. LifeCycleStatusCode may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ProductProcessUsabilityLifeCycleStatusCode. PurchasingMeasureUnitCode may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:MeasureUnitCode. Purchasing includes the following node elements: InternalNote, in a 1:CN cardinality relationship; and PurchasingNote, in a 1:CN cardinality relationship.

The package ServiceProductPurchasing includes the entities InternalNote and PurchasingNote. InternalNote includes the following non-node elements: ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID and ContentText. ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID. ContentText may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:LANGUAGEINDEPENDENT_Text. PurchasingNote includes the actionCode attribute, which may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ActionCode. PurchasingNote includes the following non-node elements: ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID and ContentText. ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID. ContentText may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:Text.

The package ServiceProductSales includes the entity Sales. Sales includes the following attributes: actionCode, internalNoteListCompleteTransmissionIndicator, and salesNoteListCompleteTransmissionIndicator. The attribute actionCode may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ActionCode. The attribute internalNoteListCompleteTransmissionIndicator may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:Indicator. The attribute salesNoteListCompleteTransmissionIndicator may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:Indicator. Sales includes the following non-node elements: ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID, SalesOrganisationID, DistributionChannelCode, LifeCycleStatusCode, SalesMeasureUnitCode, MinimumOrderQuantityValue, ItemGroupCode, CashDiscountDeductibleIndicator, and ReferencePriceServicelnternalID. ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID. SalesOrganisationID may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:OrganisationalCentreID. DistributionChannelCode may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:DistributionChannelCode. LifeCycleStatusCode may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ProductProcessUsabilityLifeCycleStatusCode. SalesMeasureUnitCode may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:MeasureUnitCode. MinimumOrderQuantityValue may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:DecimalValue. ItemGroupCode may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:CustomerTransactionDocumentItemProcessingTypeDeterminationProductGroupCode. CashDiscountDeductibleIndicator may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:Indicator. ReferencePriceServicelnternalID may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ProductInternalID. Sales includes the following node elements: InternalNote, in a 1:CN cardinality relationship; and SalesNote, in a 1:CN cardinality relationship.

The package ServiceProductSales includes the entities InternalNote and SalesNote. InternalNote includes language-independent text of a message type for service product maintain bundle. InternalNote includes the following non-node elements: ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID and ContentText. ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID. ContentText may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:LANGUAGEINDEPENDENT_Text.

SalesNote includes the actionCode attribute, which may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ActionCode. SalesNote includes the following non-node elements: ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID and ContentText. ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID. ContentText may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:Text.

The package ServiceProductDeviantTaxClassification includes the entity DeviantTaxClassification. DeviantTaxClassification includes the actionCode attribute, which may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ActionCode. DeviantTaxClassification includes the following non-node elements: ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID, CountryCode, RegionCode, TaxTypeCode, TaxRateTypeCode, TaxExemptionReasonCode, and ServicePointTaxableIndicator. ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID. CountryCode may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:CountryCode. RegionCode may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:RegionCode. TaxTypeCode may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:TaxTypeCode. TaxRateTypeCode may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:TaxRateTypeCode. TaxExemptionReasonCode may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:TaxExemptionReasonCode. ServicePointTaxableIndicator may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:Indicator.

The package ServiceProductWithholdingTaxClassification includes the entity WithholdingTaxClassification. WithholdingTaxClassification includes the actionCode attribute, which may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ActionCode. WithholdingTaxClassification includes the following non-node elements: ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID, CountryCode, TaxTypeCode, and WithholdingTaxIncomeTypeCode. ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID. CountryCode may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:CountryCode. TaxTypeCode may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:TaxTypeCode. WithholdingTaxIncomeTypeCode may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:WithholdingTaxIncomeTypeCode.

The package ServiceProductValuation includes the entity Valuation. Valuation includes the actionCode attribute, which may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ActionCode. Valuation includes the following non-node elements: ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID, CompanyID, and LifeCycleStatusCode. ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID. CompanyID may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:OrganisationalCentreID. LifeCycleStatusCode may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ProductProcessUsabilityLifeCycleStatusCode.

The package ServiceProductCustomerInformation includes the entity CustomerInformation. CustomerInformation includes the actionCode attribute, which may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ActionCode. CustomerInformation includes the following non-node elements: ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID, CustomerInternalID, and ServiceCustomerID. ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID. CustomerInternalID may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:BusinessPartnerInternalID. ServiceCustomerID may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ProductPartyID.

The package ServiceProductSupplierInformation includes the entity SupplierInformation. SupplierInformation includes the actionCode attribute, which may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ActionCode. SupplierInformation includes the following non-node elements: ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID, SupplierInternalID, and ServiceSupplierID. ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID. SupplierInternalID may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:BusinessPartnerID. ServiceSupplierID may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ProductPartyID.

The package ServiceProductAttachmentFolder includes the entity AttachmentFolder. AttachmentFolder includes the following attributes: DocumentListCompleteTransmissionIndicator and ActionCode. DocumentListCompleteTransmissionIndicator may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:Indicator. ActionCode may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ActionCode. AttachmentFolder includes the following non-node elements: UUID. UUID may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:UUID. AttachmentFolder includes the following node elements: Document, in a 1:CN cardinality relationship.

The package ServiceProductAttachmentFolder includes the entity Document. Document includes the following attributes: PropertyListCompleteTransmissionIndicator and ActionCode. PropertyListCompleteTransmissionIndicator may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:Indicator. ActionCode may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ActionCode. Document includes the following non-node elements: UUID, LinkInternalIndicator, VisibleIndicator, CategoryCode, TypeCode, MIMECode, Name, AlternativeName, InternalLinkUUID, Description, and ExternalLinkWebURI. UUID may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:UUID. LinkInternalIndicator may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:Indicator. VisibleIndicator may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:Indicator. CategoryCode may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:DocumentCategoryCode. TypeCode may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:DocumentTypeCode. MIMECode may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:MIMECode. Name may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:LANGUAGEINDEPENDENT_Name. AlternativeName may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:LANGUAGEINDEPENDENT_Name. InternalLinkUUID may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:UUID. Description may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:Description. ExternalLinkWebURI may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:WebURI. Document includes the following node elements: Property, in a 1:CN cardinality relationship; and FileContent, in a 1:C cardinality relationship.

Property includes the following attributes: PropertyValueListCompleteTransmissionIndicator and ActionCode. PropertyValueListCompleteTransmissionIndicator may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:Indicator. ActionCode may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ActionCode. Property includes the following non-node elements: TechnicalID, Name, DataTypeFormatCode, VisibleIndicator, ChangeAllowedIndicator, MultipleValueIndicator, NamespaceURI, and Description. TechnicalID may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ObjectNodeTechnicalID. Name may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:LANGUAGEINDEPENDENT_Name. DataTypeFormatCode may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:PropertyDataTypeFormatCode. VisibleIndicator may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:Indicator. ChangeAllowedIndicator may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:Indicator. MultipleValueIndicator may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:Indicator. NamespaceURI may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:NamespaceURI. Description may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:Description. Property includes the following node elements: PropertyValue, in a 1:CN cardinality relationship.

PropertyValue includes the ActionCode attribute, which may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ActionCode. PropertyValue includes the following non-node elements: TechnicalID, Text, Indicator, DateTime, and IntegerValue. TechnicalID may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ObjectNodeTechnicalID. Text may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:LANGUAGEINDEPENDENT_Text. Indicator may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:Indicator. DateTime may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:GLOBAL_DateTime. IntegerValue may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:IntegerValue.

FileContent includes the ActionCode attribute, which may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ActionCode. FileContent includes the following non-node elements: TechnicalID and BinaryObject. TechnicalID may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ObjectNodeTechnicalID. BinaryObject may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:BinaryObject.

FIG. 34 illustrates one example logical configuration of a Service Product Bundle Maintain Confirmation Sync message 34000. Specifically, this figure depicts the arrangement and hierarchy of various components such as one or more levels of packages, entities, and data types, shown here as 34002 through 34006. As described above, packages may be used to represent hierarchy levels, and different types of cardinality relationships among entities can be represented using different arrowhead styles. Entities are discrete business elements that are used during a business transaction. Data types are used to type object entities and interfaces with a structure. For example, the Service Product Bundle Maintain Confirmation Sync message 34000 includes, among other things, the Service Product entity 34004. Accordingly, heterogeneous applications may communicate using this consistent message configured as such.

The message type Service Product Bundle Maintain Confirmation_sync_V1 is derived from the business object Service Product as a leading object together with its operation signature. The message type Service Product Bundle Maintain Confirmation_sync_V1 is a reply to a request to maintain a bundle of service products and includes individual replies to requests in a bundle, which can be positive or negative. The structure of the message type Service Product Bundle Maintain Confirmation_sync_V1 is determined by the message data type ServiceProductMaintainConfirmationBundleMessage_sync_V1. The message data type ServiceProductMaintainConfirmationBundleMessage_sync_V 1 includes the ServiceProduct package and the Log package. The package Log includes the entity Log. Log is typed by datatype Log.

The package ServiceProduct includes the entity ServiceProduct. ServiceProduct includes the following non-node elements: ReferenceObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID, ChangeStateID, InternalID, and UUID. ReferenceObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID. ChangeStateID may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ChangeStateID. InternalID may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ProductInternalID. UUID may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:UUID.

FIG. 35 illustrates one example logical configuration of Service Product Bundle Maintenance Check Request Sync message 35000. Specifically, this figure depicts the arrangement and hierarchy of various components such as one or more levels of packages, entities, and data types, shown here as 35002 through 35044. As described above, packages may be used to represent hierarchy levels, and different types of cardinality relationships among entities can be represented using different arrowhead styles. Entities are discrete business elements that are used during a business transaction. Data types are used to type object entities and interfaces with a structure. For example, the Service Product Bundle Maintenance Check Request Sync message 35000 includes, among other things, the Service Product entity 35006. Accordingly, heterogeneous applications may communicate using this consistent message configured as such.

The message type Service Product Bundle Maintenance Check Request_sync_V1 is derived from the business object Service Product as a leading object together with its operation signature. The message type Service Product Bundle Maintenance Check Request_sync_V1 is a request to check whether maintaining a bundle of service products is possible. The structure of the message type Service Product Bundle Maintenance Check Request_sync_V1 is determined by the message data type ServiceProductMaintainRequestBundleMessage_sync_V1. The message data type ServiceProductMaintainRequestBundleMessage_sync_V1 is a message data type for service product maintain bundle request. The message data type ServiceProductMaintainRequestBundleMessage_sync_V1 includes the MessageHeader package and the ServiceProduct package. The package MessageHeader includes the entity BasicMessageHeader. BasicMessageHeader is typed by BusinessDocumentBasicMessageHeader.

The package ServiceProduct includes the sub-packages Description, Detail, QuantityConversion, Purchasing, Sales, DeviantTaxClassification, WithholdingTaxClassification, Valuation, CustomerInformation, SupplierInformation, AttachmentFolder, and the entity ServiceProduct. ServiceProduct includes the following attributes: actionCode, descriptionListCompleteTransmissionIndicator, detailListCompleteTransmissionIndicator, quantityConversionListCompleteTransmissionIndicator, salesListCompleteTransmissionIndicator, deviantTaxClassificationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator, withholdingTaxClassificationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator, valuationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator, customerInformationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator, and supplierInformationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator.

PurchasingNote includes the actionCode attribute, which may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ActionCode. PurchasingNote includes the following non-node elements: ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID and ContentText. ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID. ContentText may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:Text.

Property includes the following attributes: PropertyValueListCompleteTransmissionIndicator and ActionCode. PropertyValueListCompleteTransmissionIndicator may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:Indicator. ActionCode may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ActionCode. Property includes the following non-node elements: TechnicalID, Name, DataTypeFormatCode, VisibleIndicator, ChangeAllowedIndicator, MultipleValueIndicator, NamespaceURI, and Description. TechnicalID may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:ObjectNodeTechnicalID. Name may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:LANGUAGEINDEPENDENTName. DataTypeFormatCode may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:PropertyDataTypeFormatCode. VisibleIndicator may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:Indicator. ChangeAllowedIndicator may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:Indicator. MultipleValueIndicator may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype CDT:Indicator. NamespaceURI may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:NamespaceURI. Description may have a multiplicity of 0 . . . 1 and may be based on datatype BGDT:Description. Property includes the following node elements: PropertyValue, in a 1:CN cardinality relationship.

FIG. 36 illustrates one example logical configuration of a Service Product Bundle Maintenance Check Confirmation Sync message 36000. Specifically, this figure depicts the arrangement and hierarchy of various components such as one or more levels of packages, entities, and data types, shown here as 36002 through 36008. As described above, packages may be used to represent hierarchy levels, and different types of cardinality relationships among entities can be represented using different arrowhead styles. Entities are discrete business elements that are used during a business transaction. Data types are used to type object entities and interfaces with a structure. For example, the Service Product Bundle Maintenance Check Confirmation Sync message 36000 includes, among other things, the Service Product entity 36004. Accordingly, heterogeneous applications may communicate using this consistent message configured as such.

The message type Service Product Bundle Maintenance Check Confirmation_sync_V1 is derived from the business object Service Product as a leading object together with its operation signature. The message type Service Product Bundle Maintenance Check Confirmation_sync_V1 is a reply to a request to check whether maintaining a bundle of service products is possible. The message type Service Product Bundle Maintenance Check Confirmation_sync_V1 includes individual replies to requests in the bundle, which can be positive or negative. The structure of the message type Service Product Bundle Maintenance Check Confirmation_sync_V1 is determined by the message data type ServiceProductMaintainConfirmationBundleMessage_sync_V1. The message data type ServiceProductMaintainConfirmationBundleMessage_sync_V1 includes the ServiceProduct package and the Log package. The package Log includes the entity Log, which may be typed by datatype Log.

FIGS. 37-1 through 37-25 show an example configuration of an Element Structure that includes a Service Product Bundle Maintain Request_sync 370000 package. Specifically, these figures depict the arrangement and hierarchy of various components such as one or more levels of packages, entities, and datatypes, shown here as 370000 through 370852. As described above, packages may be used to represent hierarchy levels. Entities are discrete business elements that are used during a business transaction. Data types are used to type object entities and interfaces with a structure. For example, the Service Product Bundle Maintain Request_sync 370000 includes, among other things, a Service Product Bundle Maintain Request_sync 370002. Accordingly, heterogeneous applications may communicate using this consistent message configured as such.

The Service Product Bundle Maintain Request_sync 370000 package is a ServiceProductMaintainRequestBundleMessage_sync 370004 data type. The Service Product Bundle Maintain Request_sync 370000 package includes a Service Product Bundle Maintain Request_sync 370002 entity. The Service Product Bundle Maintain Request_sync 370000 package includes various packages, namely a MessageHeader 370006 and a ServiceProduct 370014. The MessageHeader 370006 package is a BusinessDocumentBasicMessageHeader 370012 data type. The MessageHeader 370006 package includes a BasicMessageHeader 370008 entity. The BasicMessageHeader 370008 entity has a cardinality of 1 370010 meaning that for each instance of the MessageHeader 370006 package there is one BasicMessageHeader 370008 entity.

The ServiceProduct 370014 package is a ServiceProductMaintainRequestBundleServiceProduct_sync 370020 data type. The ServiceProduct 370014 package includes a ServiceProduct 370016 entity. The ServiceProduct 370014 package includes various packages, namely a Description 370130, a Detail 370156, a QuantityConversion 370182, a Purchasing 370214, a Sales 370300, a DeviantTaxClassification 370422, a WithholdingTaxClassification 370478, a Valuation 370516, a CustomerInformation 370548, a SupplierInformation 370580 and an AttachmentFolder 370612.

The ServiceProduct 370016 entity has a cardinality of 1 . . . N 370018 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 370014 package there is one or more ServiceProduct 370016 entity. The ServiceProduct 370016 entity includes various attributes, namely an actionCode 370022, a descriptionListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370028, a detailListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370034, a quantityConversionListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370040, a salesListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370046, a deviantTaxClassificationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370052, a withholdingTaxClassificationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370058, a valuationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370064, a customerInformationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370070, a supplierInformationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370076, an ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370082, a ChangeStateID 370088, an InternalID 370094, an UUID 370100, a ProductCategoryID 370106, a BaseMeasureUnitCode 370112, a ValuationMeasureUnitCode 370118 and an ExpenseIndicator 370124.

The actionCode 370022 attribute is an ActionCode 370026 data type. The actionCode 370022 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370024 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 370016 entity there may be one actionCode 370022 attribute. The descriptionListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370028 attribute is an Indicator 370032 data type. The descriptionListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370028 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370030 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 370016 entity there may be one descriptionListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370028 attribute.

The detailListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370034 attribute is an Indicator 370038 data type. The detailListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370034 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370036 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 370016 entity there may be one detailListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370034 attribute. The quantityConversionListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370040 attribute is an Indicator 370044 data type. The quantityConversionListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370040 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370042 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 370016 entity there may be one quantityConversionListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370040 attribute. The salesListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370046 attribute is an Indicator 370050 data type. The salesListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370046 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370048 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 370016 entity there may be one salesListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370046 attribute.

The deviantTaxClassificationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370052 attribute is an Indicator 370056 data type. The deviantTaxClassificationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370052 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370054 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 370016 entity there may be one deviantTaxClassificationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370052 attribute. The withholdingTaxClassificationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370058 attribute is an Indicator 370062 data type. The withholdingTaxClassificationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370058 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370060 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 370016 entity there may be one withholdingTaxClassificationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370058 attribute.

The valuationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370064 attribute is an Indicator 370068 data type. The valuationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370064 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370066 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 370016 entity there may be one valuationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370064 attribute. The customerInformationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370070 attribute is an Indicator 370074 data type. The customerInformationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370070 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370072 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 370016 entity there may be one customerInformationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370070 attribute.

The supplierInformationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370076 attribute is an Indicator 370080 data type. The supplierInformationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370076 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370078 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 370016 entity there may be one supplierInformationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370076 attribute. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370082 attribute is an ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID 370086 data type. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370082 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370084 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 370016 entity there may be one ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370082 attribute.

The ChangeStateID 370088 attribute is a ChangeStateID 370092 data type. The ChangeStateID 370088 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370090 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 370016 entity there may be one ChangeStateID 370088 attribute. The InternalID 370094 attribute is a ProductInternalID 370098 data type. The InternalID 370094 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370096 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 370016 entity there may be one InternalID 370094 attribute.

The UUID 370100 attribute is an UUID 370104 data type. The UUID 370100 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370102 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 370016 entity there may be one 370100 attribute. The ProductCategoryID 370106 attribute is a ProductCategoryInternalID 370110 data type. The ProductCategoryID 370106 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370108 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 370016 entity there may be one ProductCategoryID 370106 attribute.

The BaseMeasureUnitCode 370112 attribute is a MeasureUnitCode 370116 data type. The BaseMeasureUnitCode 370112 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370114 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 370016 entity there may be one BaseMeasureUnitCode 370112 attribute. The ValuationMeasureUnitCode 370118 attribute is a MeasureUnitCode 370122 data type. The ValuationMeasureUnitCode 370118 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370120 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 370016 entity there may be one ValuationMeasureUnitCode 370118 attribute. The ExpenseIndicator 370124 attribute is an Indicator 370128 data type. The ExpenseIndicator 370124 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370126 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 370016 entity there may be one ExpenseIndicator 370124 attribute.

The Description 370130 package is a ServiceProductMaintainRequestBundleDescription 370136 data type. The Description 370130 package includes a Description 370132 entity. The Description 370132 entity has a cardinality of 0 . . . N 370134 meaning that for each instance of the Description 370130 package there may be one or more Description 370132 entities. The Description 370132 entity includes various attributes, namely an actionCode 370138, an ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370144 and a Description 370150.

The actionCode 370138 attribute is an ActionCode 370142 data type. The actionCode 370138 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370140 meaning that for each instance of the Description 370132 entity there may be one actionCode 370138 attribute. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370144 attribute is an ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID 370148 data type. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370144 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370146 meaning that for each instance of the Description 370132 entity there may be one ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370144 attribute. The Description 370150 attribute is a SHORT_Description 370154 data type. The Description 370150 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370152 meaning that for each instance of the Description 370132 entity there may be one Description 370150 attribute.

The Detail 370156 package is a ServiceProductBundleMaintainRequestText 370162 data type. The Detail 370156 package includes a Detail 370158 entity. The Detail 370158 entity has a cardinality of 0 . . . N 370160 meaning that for each instance of the Detail 370156 package there may be one or more Detail 370158 entities. The Detail 370158 entity includes various attributes, namely an actionCode 370164, an ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370170 and a ContentText 370176.

The actionCode 370164 attribute is an ActionCode 370168 data type. The actionCode 370164 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370166 meaning that for each instance of the Detail 370158 entity there may be one actionCode 370164 attribute. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370170 attribute is an ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID 370174 data type. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370170 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370172 meaning that for each instance of the Detail 370158 entity there may be one ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370170 attribute. The ContentText 370176 attribute is a Text 370180 data type. The ContentText 370176 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370178 meaning that for each instance of the Detail 370158 entity there may be one ContentText 370176 attribute.

The QuantityConversion 370182 package is a ServiceProductMaintainRequestBundleQuantityConversion 370188 data type. The QuantityConversion 370182 package includes a QuantityConversion 370184 entity. The QuantityConversion 370184 entity has a cardinality of 0 . . . N 370186 meaning that for each instance of the QuantityConversion 370182 package there may be one or more QuantityConversion 370184 entities. The QuantityConversion 370184 entity includes various attributes, namely an actionCode 370190, an ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370196, a Quantity 370202 and a CorrespondingQuantity 370208.

The actionCode 370190 attribute is an ActionCode 370194 data type. The actionCode 370190 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370192 meaning that for each instance of the QuantityConversion 370184 entity there may be one actionCode 370190 attribute. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370196 attribute is an ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID 370200 data type. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370196 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370198 meaning that for each instance of the QuantityConversion 370184 entity there may be one ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370196 attribute.

The Quantity 370202 attribute is a Quantity 370206 data type. The Quantity 370202 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370204 meaning that for each instance of the QuantityConversion 370184 entity there may be one Quantity 370202 attribute. The CorrespondingQuantity 370208 attribute is a Quantity 370212 data type. The CorrespondingQuantity 370208 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370210 meaning that for each instance of the QuantityConversion 370184 entity there may be one CorrespondingQuantity 370208 attribute.

The Purchasing 370214 package is a ServiceProductMaintainRequestBundlePurchasing 370220 data type. The Purchasing 370214 package includes a Purchasing 370216 entity. The Purchasing 370216 entity has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370218 meaning that for each instance of the Purchasing 370214 package there may be one Purchasing 370216 entity. The Purchasing 370216 entity includes various attributes, namely an actionCode 370222, an internalNoteListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370228, a purchasingNoteListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370234, an ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370240, a LifeCycleStatusCode 370246 and a PurchasingMeasureUnitCode 370252. The Purchasing 370216 entity includes various subordinate entities, namely an InternalNote 370258 and a PurchasingNote 370276.

The actionCode 370222 attribute is an ActionCode 370226 data type. The actionCode 370222 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370224 meaning that for each instance of the Purchasing 370216 entity there may be one actionCode 370222 attribute. The internalNoteListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370228 attribute is an Indicator 370232 data type. The internalNoteListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370228 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370230 meaning that for each instance of the Purchasing 370216 entity there may be one internalNoteListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370228 attribute.

The purchasingNoteListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370234 attribute is an Indicator 370238 data type. The purchasingNoteListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370234 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370236 meaning that for each instance of the Purchasing 370216 entity there may be one purchasingNoteListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370234 attribute. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370240 attribute is an ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID 370244 data type. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370240 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370242 meaning that for each instance of the Purchasing 370216 entity there may be one ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370240 attribute.

The LifeCycleStatusCode 370246 attribute is a ProductProcessUsabilityLifeCycleStatusCode 370250 data type. The LifeCycleStatusCode 370246 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370248 meaning that for each instance of the Purchasing 370216 entity there may be one LifeCycleStatusCode 370246 attribute. The PurchasingMeasureUnitCode 370252 attribute is a MeasureUnitCode 370256 data type. The PurchasingMeasureUnitCode 370252 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370254 meaning that for each instance of the Purchasing 370216 entity there may be one PurchasingMeasureUnitCode 370252 attribute.

The InternalNote 370258 entity has a cardinality of 0 . . . N 370260 meaning that for each instance of the Purchasing 370216 entity there may be one or more InternalNote 370258 entities. The InternalNote 370258 entity includes various attributes, namely an ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370264 and a ContentText 370270.

The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370264 attribute is an ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID 370268 data type. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370264 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370266 meaning that for each instance of the InternalNote 370258 entity there may be one ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370264 attribute. The ContentText 370270 attribute is a LANGUAGEINDEPENDENT_Text 370274 data type. The ContentText 370270 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370272 meaning that for each instance of the InternalNote 370258 entity there may be one ContentText 370270 attribute.

The PurchasingNote 370276 entity has a cardinality of 0 . . . N 370278 meaning that for each instance of the Purchasing 370216 entity there may be one or more PurchasingNote 370276 entities. The PurchasingNote 370276 entity includes various attributes, namely an actionCode 370282, an ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370288 and a ContentText 370294.

The actionCode 370282 attribute is an ActionCode 370286 data type. The actionCode 370282 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370284 meaning that for each instance of the PurchasingNote 370276 entity there may be one actionCode 370282 attribute. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370288 attribute is an ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID 370292 data type. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370288 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370290 meaning that for each instance of the PurchasingNote 370276 entity there may be one ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370288 attribute. The ContentText 370294 attribute is a Text 370298 data type. The ContentText 370294 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370296 meaning that for each instance of the PurchasingNote 370276 entity there may be one ContentText 370294 attribute.

The Sales 370300 package is a ServiceProductMaintainRequestBundleSales 370306 data type. The Sales 370300 package includes a Sales 370302 entity. The Sales 370302 entity has a cardinality of 0 . . . N 370304 meaning that for each instance of the Sales 370300 package there may be one or more Sales 370302 entities. The Sales 370302 entity includes various attributes, namely an actionCode 370308, an internalNoteListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370314, a salesNoteListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370320, an ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370326, a SalesOrganisationID 370332, a DistributionChannelCode 370338, a LifeCycleStatusCode 370344, a SalesMeasureUnitCode 370350, a MinimumOrderQuantityValue 370356, an ItemGroupCode 370362, a CashDiscountDeductibleIndicator 370368 and a ReferencePriceServiceInternalID 370374. The Sales 370302 entity includes various subordinate entities, namely an InternalNote 370380 and a SalesNote 370398.

The actionCode 370308 attribute is an ActionCode 370312 data type. The actionCode 370308 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370310 meaning that for each instance of the Sales 370302 entity there may be one actionCode 370308 attribute. The internalNoteListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370314 attribute is an Indicator 370318 data type. The internalNoteListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370314 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370316 meaning that for each instance of the Sales 370302 entity there may be one internalNoteListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370314 attribute.

The salesNoteListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370320 attribute is an Indicator 370324 data type. The salesNoteListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370320 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370322 meaning that for each instance of the Sales 370302 entity there may be one salesNoteListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370320 attribute. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370326 attribute is an ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID 370330 data type. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370326 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370328 meaning that for each instance of the Sales 370302 entity there may be one ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370326 attribute.

The SalesOrganisationID 370332 attribute is an OrganisationalCentreID 370336 data type. The SalesOrganisationID 370332 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370334 meaning that for each instance of the Sales 370302 entity there may be one SalesOrganisationID 370332 attribute. The DistributionChannelCode 370338 attribute is a DistributionChannelCode 370342 data type. The DistributionChannelCode 370338 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370340 meaning that for each instance of the Sales 370302 entity there may be one DistributionChannelCode 370338 attribute.

The LifeCycleStatusCode 370344 attribute is a ProductProcessUsabilityLifeCycleStatusCode 370348 data type. The LifeCycleStatusCode 370344 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370346 meaning that for each instance of the Sales 370302 entity there may be one LifeCycleStatusCode 370344 attribute. The SalesMeasureUnitCode 370350 attribute is a MeasureUnitCode 370354 data type. The SalesMeasureUnitCode 370350 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370352 meaning that for each instance of the Sales 370302 entity there may be one SalesMeasureUnitCode 370350 attribute.

The MinimumOrderQuantityValue 370356 attribute is a DecimalValue 370360 data type. The MinimumOrderQuantityValue 370356 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370358 meaning that for each instance of the Sales 370302 entity there may be one MinimumOrderQuantityValue 370356 attribute. The ItemGroupCode 370362 attribute is a CustomerTransactionDocumentItemProcessingTypeDeterminationProductGroupCode 370366 data type. The ItemGroupCode 370362 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370364 meaning that for each instance of the Sales 370302 entity there may be one ItemGroupCode 370362 attribute.

The CashDiscountDeductibleIndicator 370368 attribute is an Indicator 370372 data type. The CashDiscountDeductibleIndicator 370368 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370370 meaning that for each instance of the Sales 370302 entity there may be one CashDiscountDeductibleIndicator 370368 attribute. The ReferencePriceServicelnternalID 370374 attribute is a ProductInternalID 370378 data type. The ReferencePriceServiceInternalID 370374 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370376 meaning that for each instance of the Sales 370302 entity there may be one ReferencePriceServiceInternalID 370374 attribute.

The InternalNote 370380 entity has a cardinality of 0 . . . N 370382 meaning that for each instance of the Sales 370302 entity there may be one or more InternalNote 370380 entities. The InternalNote 370380 entity includes various attributes, namely an ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370386 and a ContentText 370392.

The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370386 attribute is an ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID 370390 data type. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370386 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370388 meaning that for each instance of the InternalNote 370380 entity there may be one ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370386 attribute. The ContentText 370392 attribute is a LANGUAGEINDEPENDENT_Text 370396 data type. The ContentText 370392 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370394 meaning that for each instance of the InternalNote 370380 entity there may be one ContentText 370392 attribute.

The SalesNote 370398 entity has a cardinality of 0 . . . N 370400 meaning that for each instance of the Sales 370302 entity there may be one or more SalesNote 370398 entities. The SalesNote 370398 entity includes various attributes, namely an actionCode 370404, an ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370410 and a ContentText 370416.

The actionCode 370404 attribute is an ActionCode 370408 data type. The actionCode 370404 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370406 meaning that for each instance of the SalesNote 370398 entity there may be one actionCode 370404 attribute. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370410 attribute is an ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID 370414 data type. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370410 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370412 meaning that for each instance of the SalesNote 370398 entity there may be one ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370410 attribute. The ContentText 370416 attribute is a Text 370420 data type. The ContentText 370416 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370418 meaning that for each instance of the SalesNote 370398 entity there may be one ContentText 370416 attribute.

The DeviantTaxClassification 370422 package is a ServiceProductMaintainRequestBundleDeviantTaxClassification 370428 data type. The DeviantTaxClassification 370422 package includes a DeviantTaxClassification 370424 entity. The DeviantTaxClassification 370424 entity has a cardinality of 0 . . . N 370426 meaning that for each instance of the DeviantTaxClassification 370422 package there may be one or more DeviantTaxClassification 370424 entities. The DeviantTaxClassification 370424 entity includes various attributes, namely an actionCode 370430, an ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370436, a CountryCode 370442, a RegionCode 370448, a TaxTypeCode 370454, a TaxRateTypeCode 370460, a TaxExemptionReasonCode 370466 and a ServicePointTaxableIndicator 370472.

The actionCode 370430 attribute is an ActionCode 370434 data type. The actionCode 370430 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370432 meaning that for each instance of the DeviantTaxClassification 370424 entity there may be one actionCode 370430 attribute. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370436 attribute is an ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID 370440 data type. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370436 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370438 meaning that for each instance of the DeviantTaxClassification 370424 entity there may be one ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370436 attribute.

The CountryCode 370442 attribute is a CountryCode 370446 data type. The CountryCode 370442 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370444 meaning that for each instance of the DeviantTaxClassification 370424 entity there may be one CountryCode 370442 attribute. The RegionCode 370448 attribute is a RegionCode 370452 data type. The RegionCode 370448 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370450 meaning that for each instance of the DeviantTaxClassification 370424 entity there may be one RegionCode 370448 attribute. The TaxTypeCode 370454 attribute is a TaxTypeCode 370458 data type. The TaxTypeCode 370454 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370456 meaning that for each instance of the DeviantTaxClassification 370424 entity there may be one TaxTypeCode 370454 attribute.

The TaxRateTypeCode 370460 attribute is a TaxRateTypeCode 370464 data type. The TaxRateTypeCode 370460 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370462 meaning that for each instance of the DeviantTaxClassification 370424 entity there may be one TaxRateTypeCode 370460 attribute. The TaxExemptionReasonCode 370466 attribute is a TaxExemptionReasonCode 370470 data type. The TaxExemptionReasonCode 370466 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370468 meaning that for each instance of the DeviantTaxClassification 370424 entity there may be one TaxExemptionReasonCode 370466 attribute. The ServicePointTaxableIndicator 370472 attribute is an Indicator 370476 data type. The ServicePointTaxableIndicator 370472 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370474 meaning that for each instance of the DeviantTaxClassification 370424 entity there may be one ServicePointTaxableIndicator 370472 attribute.

The WithholdingTaxClassification 370478 package is a ServiceProductMaintainRequestBundleWithholdingTaxClassification 370484 data type. The WithholdingTaxClassification 370478 package includes a WithholdingTaxClassification 370480 entity. The WithholdingTaxClassification 370480 entity has a cardinality of 0 . . . N 370482 meaning that for each instance of the WithholdingTaxClassification 370478 package there may be one or more WithholdingTaxClassification 370480 entities. The WithholdingTaxClassification 370480 entity includes various attributes, namely an actionCode 370486, an ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370492, a CountryCode 370498, a TaxTypeCode 370504 and a WithholdingTaxIncomeTypeCode 370510.

The actionCode 370486 attribute is an ActionCode 370490 data type. The actionCode 370486 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370488 meaning that for each instance of the WithholdingTaxClassification 370480 entity there may be one actionCode 370486 attribute. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370492 attribute is an ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID 370496 data type. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370492 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370494 meaning that for each instance of the WithholdingTaxClassification 370480 entity there may be one ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370492 attribute.

The CountryCode 370498 attribute is a CountryCode 370502 data type. The CountryCode 370498 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370500 meaning that for each instance of the WithholdingTaxClassification 370480 entity there may be one CountryCode 370498 attribute. The TaxTypeCode 370504 attribute is a TaxTypeCode 370508 data type. The TaxTypeCode 370504 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370506 meaning that for each instance of the WithholdingTaxClassification 370480 entity there may be one TaxTypeCode 370504 attribute. The WithholdingTaxIncomeTypeCode 370510 attribute is a WithholdingTaxIncomeTypeCode 370514 data type. The WithholdingTaxIncomeTypeCode 370510 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370512 meaning that for each instance of the WithholdingTaxClassification 370480 entity there may be one WithholdingTaxIncomeTypeCode 370510 attribute.

The Valuation 370516 package is a ServiceProductMaintainRequestBundleValuation 370522 data type. The Valuation 370516 package includes a Valuation 370518 entity. The Valuation 370518 entity has a cardinality of 0 . . . N 370520 meaning that for each instance of the Valuation 370516 package there may be one or more Valuation 370518 entities. The Valuation 370518 entity includes various attributes, namely an actionCode 370524, an ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370530, a CompanyID 370536 and a LifeCycleStatusCode 370542.

The actionCode 370524 attribute is an ActionCode 370528 data type. The actionCode 370524 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370526 meaning that for each instance of the Valuation 370518 entity there may be one actionCode 370524 attribute. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370530 attribute is an ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID 370534 data type. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370530 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370532 meaning that for each instance of the Valuation 370518 entity there may be one ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370530 attribute.

The CompanyID 370536 attribute is an OrganisationalCentreID 370540 data type. The CompanyID 370536 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370538 meaning that for each instance of the Valuation 370518 entity there may be one CompanyID 370536 attribute. The LifeCycleStatusCode 370542 attribute is a ProductProcessUsabilityLifeCycleStatusCode 370546 data type. The LifeCycleStatusCode 370542 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370544 meaning that for each instance of the Valuation 370518 entity there may be one LifeCycleStatusCode 370542 attribute.

The CustomerInformation 370548 package is a ServiceProductMaintainRequestBundleCustomerInformation 370554 data type. The CustomerInformation 370548 package includes a CustomerInformation 370550 entity. The CustomerInformation 370550 entity has a cardinality of 0 . . . N 370552 meaning that for each instance of the CustomerInformation 370548 package there may be one or more CustomerInformation 370550 entities. The CustomerInformation 370550 entity includes various attributes, namely an actionCode 370556, an ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370562, a CustomerInternalID 370568 and a ServiceCustomerID 370574.

The actionCode 370556 attribute is an ActionCode 370560 data type. The actionCode 370556 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370558 meaning that for each instance of the CustomerInformation 370550 entity there may be one actionCode 370556 attribute. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370562 attribute is an ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID 370566 data type. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370562 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370564 meaning that for each instance of the CustomerInformation 370550 entity there may be one ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370562 attribute.

The CustomerInternalID 370568 attribute is a BusinessPartnerInternalID 370572 data type. The CustomerInternalID 370568 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370570 meaning that for each instance of the CustomerInformation 370550 entity there may be one CustomerInternalID 370568 attribute. The ServiceCustomerID 370574 attribute is a ProductPartyID 370578 data type. The ServiceCustomerID 370574 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370576 meaning that for each instance of the CustomerInformation 370550 entity there may be one ServiceCustomerID 370574 attribute.

The SupplierInformation 370580 package is a ServiceProductMaintainRequestBundleSupplierInformation 370586 data type. The SupplierInformation 370580 package includes a SupplierInformation 370582 entity. The SupplierInformation 370582 entity has a cardinality of 0 . . . N 370584 meaning that for each instance of the SupplierInformation 370580 package there may be one or more SupplierInformation 370582 entities. The SupplierInformation 370582 entity includes various attributes, namely an actionCode 370588, an ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370594, a SupplierInternalID 370600 and a ServiceSupplierID 370606.

The actionCode 370588 attribute is an ActionCode 370592 data type. The actionCode 370588 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370590 meaning that for each instance of the SupplierInformation 370582 entity there may be one actionCode 370588 attribute. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370594 attribute is an ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID 370598 data type. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370594 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370596 meaning that for each instance of the SupplierInformation 370582 entity there may be one ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 370594 attribute.

The SupplierInternalID 370600 attribute is a BusinessPartnerID 370604 data type. The SupplierInternalID 370600 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370602 meaning that for each instance of the SupplierInformation 370582 entity there may be one SupplierInternalID 370600 attribute. The ServiceSupplierID 370606 attribute is a ProductPartyID 370610 data type. The ServiceSupplierID 370606 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370608 meaning that for each instance of the SupplierInformation 370582 entity there may be one ServiceSupplierID 370606 attribute.

The AttachmentFolder 370612 package is a MaintenanceAttachmentFolder 370618 data type. The AttachmentFolder 370612 package includes an AttachmentFolder 370614 entity. The AttachmentFolder 370614 entity has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370616 meaning that for each instance of the AttachmentFolder 370612 package there may be one AttachmentFolder 370614 entity. The AttachmentFolder 370614 entity includes various attributes, namely a DocumentListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370620, an ActionCode 370626 and an UUID 370632. The AttachmentFolder 370614 entity includes a Document 370638 subordinate entity.

The DocumentListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370620 attribute is an Indicator 370624 data type. The DocumentListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370620 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370622 meaning that for each instance of the AttachmentFolder 370614 entity there may be one DocumentListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370620 attribute. The ActionCode 370626 attribute is an ActionCode 370630 data type. The ActionCode 370626 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370628 meaning that for each instance of the AttachmentFolder 370614 entity there may be one ActionCode 370626 attribute. The UUID 370632 attribute is an UUID 370636 data type. The UUID 370632 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370634 meaning that for each instance of the AttachmentFolder 370614 entity there may be one UUID 370632 attribute.

The Document 370638 entity has a cardinality of 0 . . . N 370640 meaning that for each instance of the AttachmentFolder 370614 entity there may be one or more Document 370638 entities. The Document 370638 entity includes various attributes, namely a PropertyListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370644, an ActionCode 370650, an UUID 370656, a LinkInternalIndicator 370662, a VisibleIndicator 370668, a CategoryCode 370674, a TypeCode 370680, a MIMECode 370686, a Name 370692, an AlternativeName 370698, an InternalLinkUUID 370704, a Description 370710 and an ExternalLinkWebURI 370716. The Document 370638 entity includes various subordinate entities, namely a Property 370722 and a FileContent 370830.

The PropertyListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370644 attribute is an Indicator 370648 data type. The PropertyListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370644 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370646 meaning that for each instance of the Document 370638 entity there may be one PropertyListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370644 attribute. The ActionCode 370650 attribute is an ActionCode 370654 data type. The ActionCode 370650 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370652 meaning that for each instance of the Document 370638 entity there may be one ActionCode 370650 attribute.

The UUID 370656 attribute is an UUID 370660 data type. The UUID 370656 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370658 meaning that for each instance of the Document 370638 entity there may be one UUID 370656 attribute. The LinkInternalIndicator 370662 attribute is an Indicator 370666 data type. The LinkInternalIndicator 370662 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370664 meaning that for each instance of the Document 370638 entity there may be one LinkInternalIndicator 370662 attribute.

The VisibleIndicator 370668 attribute is an Indicator 370672 data type. The VisibleIndicator 370668 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370670 meaning that for each instance of the Document 370638 entity there may be one VisibleIndicator 370668 attribute. The CategoryCode 370674 attribute is a DocumentCategoryCode 370678 data type. The CategoryCode 370674 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370676 meaning that for each instance of the Document 370638 entity there may be one CategoryCode 370674 attribute.

The TypeCode 370680 attribute is a DocumentTypeCode 370684 data type. The TypeCode 370680 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370682 meaning that for each instance of the Document 370638 entity there may be one TypeCode 370680 attribute. The MIMECode 370686 attribute is a MIMECode 370690 data type. The MIMECode 370686 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370688 meaning that for each instance of the Document 370638 entity there may be one MIMECode 370686 attribute.

The Name 370692 attribute is a LANGUAGEINDEPENDENT_Name 370696 data type. The Name 370692 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370694 meaning that for each instance of the Document 370638 entity there may be one Name 370692 attribute. The AlternativeName 370698 attribute is a LANGUAGEINDEPENDENT_Name 370702 data type. The AlternativeName 370698 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370700 meaning that for each instance of the Document 370638 entity there may be one AlternativeName 370698 attribute.

The InternalLinkUUID 370704 attribute is an UUID 370708 data type. The InternalLinkUUID 370704 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370706 meaning that for each instance of the Document 370638 entity there may be one InternalLinkUUID 370704 attribute. The Description 370710 attribute is a Description 370714 data type. The Description 370710 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370712 meaning that for each instance of the Document 370638 entity there may be one Description 370710 attribute. The ExternalLinkWebURI 370716 attribute is a WebURI 370720 data type. The ExternalLinkWebURI 370716 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370718 meaning that for each instance of the Document 370638 entity there may be one ExternalLinkWebURI 370716 attribute.

The Property 370722 entity has a cardinality of 0 . . . N 370724 meaning that for each instance of the Document 370638 entity there may be one or more Property 370722 entities. The Property 370722 entity includes various attributes, namely a PropertyValueListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370728, an ActionCode 370734, a TechnicalID 370740, a Name 370746, a DataTypeFormatCode 370752, a VisibleIndicator 370758, a ChangeAllowedIndicator 370764, a MultipleValueIndicator 370770, a NamespaceURI 370776 and a Description 370782. The Property 370722 entity includes a PropertyValue 370788 subordinate entity.

The PropertyValueListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370728 attribute is an Indicator 370732 data type. The PropertyValueListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370728 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370730 meaning that for each instance of the Property 370722 entity there may be one PropertyValueListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 370728 attribute. The ActionCode 370734 attribute is an ActionCode 370738 data type. The ActionCode 370734 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370736 meaning that for each instance of the Property 370722 entity there may be one ActionCode 370734 attribute.

The TechnicalID 370740 attribute is an ObjectNodeTechnicalID 370744 data type. The TechnicalID 370740 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370742 meaning that for each instance of the Property 370722 entity there may be one TechnicalID 370740 attribute. The Name 370746 attribute is a LANGUAGEINDEPENDENT_Name 370750 data type. The Name 370746 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370748 meaning that for each instance of the Property 370722 entity there may be one Name 370746 attribute.

The DataTypeFormatCode 370752 attribute is a PropertyDataTypeFormatCode 370756 data type. The DataTypeFormatCode 370752 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370754 meaning that for each instance of the Property 370722 entity there may be one DataTypeFormatCode 370752 attribute. The VisibleIndicator 370758 attribute is an Indicator 370762 data type. The VisibleIndicator 370758 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370760 meaning that for each instance of the Property 370722 entity there may be one VisibleIndicator 370758 attribute.

The ChangeAllowedIndicator 370764 attribute is an Indicator 370768 data type. The ChangeAllowedIndicator 370764 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370766 meaning that for each instance of the Property 370722 entity there may be one ChangeAllowedIndicator 370764 attribute. The MultipleValueIndicator 370770 attribute is an Indicator 370774 data type. The MultipleValueIndicator 370770 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370772 meaning that for each instance of the Property 370722 entity there may be one MultipleValueIndicator 370770 attribute.

The NamespaceURI 370776 attribute is a NamespaceURI 370780 data type. The NamespaceURI 370776 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370778 meaning that for each instance of the Property 370722 entity there may be one NamespaceURI 370776 attribute. The Description 370782 attribute is a Description 370786 data type. The Description 370782 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370784 meaning that for each instance of the Property 370722 entity there may be one Description 370782 attribute.

The PropertyValue 370788 entity has a cardinality of 0 . . . N 370790 meaning that for each instance of the Property 370722 entity there may be one or more PropertyValue 370788 entities. The PropertyValue 370788 entity includes various attributes, namely an ActionCode 370794, a TechnicalID 370800, a Text 370806, an Indicator 370812, a DateTime 370818 and an IntegerValue 370824.

The ActionCode 370794 attribute is an ActionCode 370798 data type. The ActionCode 370794 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370796 meaning that for each instance of the PropertyValue 370788 entity there may be one ActionCode 370794 attribute. The TechnicalID 370800 attribute is an ObjectNodeTechnicalID 370804 data type. The TechnicalID 370800 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370802 meaning that for each instance of the PropertyValue 370788 entity there may be one TechnicalID 370800 attribute.

The Text 370806 attribute is a LANGUAGEINDEPENDENT_Text 370810 data type. The Text 370806 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370808 meaning that for each instance of the PropertyValue 370788 entity there may be one Text 370806 attribute. The Indicator 370812 attribute is an Indicator 370816 data type. The Indicator 370812 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370814 meaning that for each instance of the PropertyValue 370788 entity there may be one Indicator 370812 attribute.

The DateTime 370818 attribute is a GLOBAL_DateTime 370822 data type. The DateTime 370818 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370820 meaning that for each instance of the PropertyValue 370788 entity there may be one DateTime 370818 attribute. The IntegerValue 370824 attribute is an IntegerValue 370828 data type. The IntegerValue 370824 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370826 meaning that for each instance of the PropertyValue 370788 entity there may be one IntegerValue 370824 attribute.

The FileContent 370830 entity has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370832 meaning that for each instance of the Document 370638 entity there may be one FileContent 370830 entity. The FileContent 370830 entity includes various attributes, namely an ActionCode 370836, a TechnicalID 370842 and a BinaryObject 370848.

The ActionCode 370836 attribute is an ActionCode 370840 data type. The ActionCode 370836 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370838 meaning that for each instance of the FileContent 370830 entity there may be one ActionCode 370836 attribute. The TechnicalID 370842 attribute is an ObjectNodeTechnicalID 370846 data type. The TechnicalID 370842 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370844 meaning that for each instance of the FileContent 370830 entity there may be one TechnicalID 370842 attribute. The BinaryObject 370848 attribute is a BinaryObject 370852 data type. The BinaryObject 370848 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 370850 meaning that for each instance of the FileContent 370830 entity there may be one BinaryObject 370848 attribute.

FIGS. 38-1 through 38-2 show an example configuration of an Element Structure that includes a ServiceProductBundleMaintainConfirmation_sync 38000 package. Specifically, these figures depict the arrangement and hierarchy of various components such as one or more levels of packages, entities, and datatypes, shown here as 38000 through 38044. As described above, packages may be used to represent hierarchy levels. Entities are discrete business elements that are used during a business transaction. Data types are used to type object entities and interfaces with a structure. For example, the ServiceProductBundleMaintainConfirmation_sync 38000 includes, among other things, a ServiceProductBundleMaintainConfirmation_sync 38002. Accordingly, heterogeneous applications may communicate using this consistent message configured as such.

The ServiceProductBundleMaintainConfirmation_sync 38000 package is a ServiceProductMaintainConfirmationBundleMessage_sync 38004 data type. The ServiceProductBundleMaintainConfirmation_sync 38000 package includes a ServiceProductBundleMaintainConfirmation_sync 38002 entity. The ServiceProductBundleMaintainConfirmation_sync 38000 package includes various packages, namely a ServiceProduct 38006 and a Log 38038.

The ServiceProduct 38006 package is a ServiceProductMaintainConfirmationBundleMaterial_sync 38012 data type. The ServiceProduct 38006 package includes a ServiceProduct 38008 entity. The ServiceProduct 38008 entity has a cardinality of 0 . . . N 38010 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 38006 package there may be one or more ServiceProduct 38008 entities. The ServiceProduct 38008 entity includes various attributes, namely a ReferenceObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 38014, a ChangeStateID 38020, an InternalID 38026 and an UUID 38032.

The ReferenceObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 38014 attribute is an ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID 38018 data type. The ReferenceObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 38014 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 38016 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 38008 entity there may be one ReferenceObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 38014 attribute. The ChangeStateID 38020 attribute is a ChangeStateID 38024 data type. The ChangeStateID 38020 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 38022 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 38008 entity there may be one ChangeStateID 38020 attribute.

The InternalID 38026 attribute is a ProductInternalID 38030 data type. The InternalID 38026 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 38028 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 38008 entity there may be one InternalID 38026 attribute. The UUID 38032 attribute is an UUID 38036 data type. The UUID 38032 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 38034 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 38008 entity there may be one UUID 38032 attribute.

The Log 38038 package is a Log 38044 data type. The Log 38038 package includes a Log 38040 entity. The Log 38040 entity has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 38042 meaning that for each instance of the Log 38038 package there may be one Log 38040 entity.

FIGS. 39-1 through 39-25 show an example configuration of an Element Structure that includes a Service Product Bundle Maintenance Check Request_sync 390000 package. Specifically, these figures depict the arrangement and hierarchy of various components such as one or more levels of packages, entities, and datatypes, shown here as 390000 through 390852. As described above, packages may be used to represent hierarchy levels. Entities are discrete business elements that are used during a business transaction. Data types are used to type object entities and interfaces with a structure. For example, the Service Product Bundle Maintenance Check Request_sync 390000 includes, among other things, a Service Product Bundle Maintenance Check Request_sync 390002. Accordingly, heterogeneous applications may communicate using this consistent message configured as such.

The Service Product Bundle Maintenance Check Request_sync 390000 package is a ServiceProductMaintainRequestBundleMessage_sync 390004 data type. The Service Product Bundle Maintenance Check Request_sync 390000 package includes a Service Product Bundle Maintenance Check Request_sync 390002 entity. The Service Product Bundle Maintenance Check Request_sync 390000 package includes various packages, namely a MessageHeader 390006 and a ServiceProduct 390014. The MessageHeader 390006 package is a BusinessDocumentBasicMessageHeader 390012 data type. The MessageHeader 390006 package includes a BasicMessageHeader 390008 entity. The BasicMessageHeader 390008 entity has a cardinality of 1 390010 meaning that for each instance of the MessageHeader 390006 package there is one BasicMessageHeader 390008 entity.

The ServiceProduct 390014 package is a ServiceProductMaintainRequestBundleServiceProduct_sync 390020 data type. The ServiceProduct 390014 package includes a ServiceProduct 390016 entity. The ServiceProduct 390014 package includes various packages, namely a Description 390130, a Detail 390156, a QuantityConversion 390182, a Purchasing 390214, a Sales 390300, a DeviantTaxClassification 390422, a WithholdingTaxClassification 390478, a Valuation 390516, a CustomerInformation 390548, a SupplierInformation 390580 and an AttachmentFolder 390612. The ServiceProduct 390016 entity has a cardinality of 1 . . . N 390018 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 390014 package there may be one or moreServiceProduct 390016 entities. The ServiceProduct 390016 entity includes various attributes, namely an actionCode 390022, a descriptionListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390028, a detailListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390034, a quantityConversionListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390040, a salesListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390046, a deviantTaxClassificationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390052, a withholdingTaxClassificationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390058, a valuationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390064, a customerinformationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390070, a supplierInformationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390076, an ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390082, a ChangeStateID 390088, an InternalID 390094, an UUID 390100, a ProductCategoryID 390106, a BaseMeasureUnitCode 390112, a ValuationMeasureUnitCode 390118 and an ExpenseIndicator 390124.

The actionCode 390022 attribute is an ActionCode 390026 data type. The actionCode 390022 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390024 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 390016 entity there may be one actionCode 390022 attribute. The descriptionListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390028 attribute is an Indicator 390032 data type. The descriptionListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390028 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390030 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 390016 entity there may be one descriptionListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390028 attribute.

The detailListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390034 attribute is an Indicator 390038 data type. The detailListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390034 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390036 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 390016 entity there may be one detailListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390034 attribute. The quantityConversionListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390040 attribute is an Indicator 390044 data type. The quantityConversionListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390040 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390042 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 390016 entity there may be one quantityConversionListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390040 attribute.

The salesListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390046 attribute is an Indicator 390050 data type. The salesListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390046 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390048 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 390016 entity there may be one salesListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390046 attribute. The deviantTaxClassificationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390052 attribute is an Indicator 390056 data type. The deviantTaxClassificationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390052 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390054 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 390016 entity there may be one deviantTaxClassificationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390052 attribute.

The withholdingTaxClassificationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390058 attribute is an Indicator 390062 data type. The withholdingTaxClassificationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390058 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390060 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 390016 entity there may be one withholdingTaxClassificationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390058 attribute. The valuationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390064 attribute is an Indicator 390068 data type. The valuationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390064 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390066 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 390016 entity there may be one valuationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390064 attribute.

The customerInformationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390070 attribute is an Indicator 390074 data type. The customerInformationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390070 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390072 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 390016 entity there may be one customerInformationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390070 attribute. The supplierInformationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390076 attribute is an Indicator 390080 data type. The supplierInformationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390076 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390078 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 390016 entity there may be one supplierInformationListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390076 attribute.

The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390082 attribute is an ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID 390086 data type. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390082 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390084 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 390016 entity there may be one ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390082 attribute. The ChangeStateID 390088 attribute is a ChangeStateID 390092 data type. The ChangeStateID 390088 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390090 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 390016 entity there may be one ChangeStateID 390088 attribute.

The InternalID 390094 attribute is a ProductInternalID 390098 data type. The InternalID 390094 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390096 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 390016 entity there may be one InternalID 390094 attribute. The UUID 390100 attribute is an UUID 390104 data type. The UUID 390100 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390102 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 390016 entity there may be one UUID 390100 attribute.

The ProductCategoryID 390106 attribute is a ProductCategoryInternalID 390110 data type. The ProductCategoryID 390106 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390108 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 390016 entity there may be one ProductCategoryID 390106 attribute. The BaseMeasureUnitCode 390112 attribute is a MeasureUnitCode 390116 data type. The BaseMeasureUnitCode 390112 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390114 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 390016 entity there may be one BaseMeasureUnitCode 390112 attribute.

The ValuationMeasureUnitCode 390118 attribute is a MeasureUnitCode 390122 data type. The ValuationMeasureUnitCode 390118 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390120 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 390016 entity there may be one ValuationMeasureUnitCode 390118 attribute. The ExpenseIndicator 390124 attribute is an Indicator 390128 data type. The ExpenseIndicator 390124 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390126 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 390016 entity there may be one ExpenseIndicator 390124 attribute.

The Description 390130 package is a ServiceProductMaintainRequestBundleDescription 390136 data type. The Description 390130 package includes a Description 390132 entity. The Description 390132 entity has a cardinality of 0 . . . N 390134 meaning that for each instance of the Description 390130 package there may be one or moreDescription 390132 entities. The Description 390132 entity includes various attributes, namely an actionCode 390138, an ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390144 and a Description 390150.

The actionCode 390138 attribute is an ActionCode 390142 data type. The actionCode 390138 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390140 meaning that for each instance of the Description 390132 entity there may be one actionCode 390138 attribute. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390144 attribute is an ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID 390148 data type. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390144 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390146 meaning that for each instance of the Description 390132 entity there may be one ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390144 attribute. The Description 390150 attribute is a SHORT_Description 390154 data type. The Description 390150 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390152 meaning that for each instance of the Description 390132 entity there may be one Description 390150 attribute.

The Detail 390156 package is a ServiceProductBundleMaintainRequestText 390162 data type. The Detail 390156 package includes a Detail 390158 entity. The Detail 390158 entity has a cardinality of 0 . . . N 390160 meaning that for each instance of the Detail 390156 package there may be one or moreDetail 390158 entities. The Detail 390158 entity includes various attributes, namely an actionCode 390164, an ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390170 and a ContentText 390176.

The actionCode 390164 attribute is an ActionCode 390168 data type. The actionCode 390164 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390166 meaning that for each instance of the Detail 390158 entity there may be one actionCode 390164 attribute. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390170 attribute is an ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID 390174 data type. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390170 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390172 meaning that for each instance of the Detail 390158 entity there may be one ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390170 attribute. The ContentText 390176 attribute is a Text 390180 data type. The ContentText 390176 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390178 meaning that for each instance of the Detail 390158 entity there may be one ContentText 390176 attribute.

The QuantityConversion 390182 package is a ServiceProductMaintainRequestBundleQuantityConversion 390188 data type. The QuantityConversion 390182 package includes a QuantityConversion 390184 entity. The QuantityConversion 390184 entity has a cardinality of 0 . . . N 390186 meaning that for each instance of the QuantityConversion 390182 package there may be one or moreQuantityConversion 390184 entities. The QuantityConversion 390184 entity includes various attributes, namely an actionCode 390190, an ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390196, a Quantity 390202 and a CorrespondingQuantity 390208.

The actionCode 390190 attribute is an ActionCode 390194 data type. The actionCode 390190 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390192 meaning that for each instance of the QuantityConversion 390184 entity there may be one actionCode 390190 attribute. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390196 attribute is an ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID 390200 data type. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390196 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390198 meaning that for each instance of the QuantityConversion 390184 entity there may be one ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390196 attribute.

The Quantity 390202 attribute is a Quantity 390206 data type. The Quantity 390202 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390204 meaning that for each instance of the QuantityConversion 390184 entity there may be one Quantity 390202 attribute. The CorrespondingQuantity 390208 attribute is a Quantity 390212 data type. The CorrespondingQuantity 390208 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390210 meaning that for each instance of the QuantityConversion 390184 entity there may be one CorrespondingQuantity 390208 attribute.

The Purchasing 390214 package is a ServiceProductMaintainRequestBundlePurchasing 390220 data type. The Purchasing 390214 package includes a Purchasing 390216 entity. The Purchasing 390216 entity has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390218 meaning that for each instance of the Purchasing 390214 package there may be one Purchasing 390216 entity. The Purchasing 390216 entity includes various attributes, namely an actionCode 390222, an internalNoteListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390228, a purchasingNoteListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390234, an ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390240, a LifeCycleStatusCode 390246 and a PurchasingMeasureUnitCode 390252. The Purchasing 390216 entity includes various subordinate entities, namely an InternalNote 390258 and a PurchasingNote 390276.

The actionCode 390222 attribute is an ActionCode 390226 data type. The actionCode 390222 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390224 meaning that for each instance of the Purchasing 390216 entity there may be one actionCode 390222 attribute. The internalNoteListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390228 attribute is an Indicator 390232 data type. The internalNoteListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390228 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390230 meaning that for each instance of the Purchasing 390216 entity there may be one internalNoteListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390228 attribute.

The purchasingNoteListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390234 attribute is an Indicator 390238 data type. The purchasingNoteListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390234 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390236 meaning that for each instance of the Purchasing 390216 entity there may be one purchasingNoteListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390234 attribute. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390240 attribute is an ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID 390244 data type. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390240 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390242 meaning that for each instance of the Purchasing 390216 entity there may be one ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390240 attribute.

The LifeCycleStatusCode 390246 attribute is a ProductProcessUsabilityLifeCycleStatusCode 390250 data type. The LifeCycleStatusCode 390246 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390248 meaning that for each instance of the Purchasing 390216 entity there may be one LifeCycleStatusCode 390246 attribute. The PurchasingMeasureUnitCode 390252 attribute is a MeasureUnitCode 390256 data type. The PurchasingMeasureUnitCode 390252 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390254 meaning that for each instance of the Purchasing 390216 entity there may be one PurchasingMeasureUnitCode 390252 attribute.

The InternalNote 390258 entity has a cardinality of 0 . . . N 390260 meaning that for each instance of the Purchasing 390216 entity there may be one or moreInternalNote 390258 entities. The InternalNote 390258 entity includes various attributes, namely an ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390264 and a ContentText 390270.

The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390264 attribute is an ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID 390268 data type. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390264 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390266 meaning that for each instance of the InternalNote 390258 entity there may be one ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390264 attribute. The ContentText 390270 attribute is a LANGUAGEINDEPENDENT_Text 390274 data type. The ContentText 390270 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390272 meaning that for each instance of the InternalNote 390258 entity there may be one ContentText 390270 attribute.

The PurchasingNote 390276 entity has a cardinality of 0 . . . N 390278 meaning that for each instance of the Purchasing 390216 entity there may be one or more PurchasingNote 390276 entities. The PurchasingNote 390276 entity includes various attributes, namely an actionCode 390282, an ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390288 and a ContentText 390294.

The actionCode 390282 attribute is an ActionCode 390286 data type. The actionCode 390282 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390284 meaning that for each instance of the PurchasingNote 390276 entity there may be one actionCode 390282 attribute. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390288 attribute is an ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID 390292 data type. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390288 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390290 meaning that for each instance of the PurchasingNote 390276 entity there may be one ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390288 attribute. The ContentText 390294 attribute is a Text 390298 data type. The ContentText 390294 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390296 meaning that for each instance of the PurchasingNote 390276 entity there may be one ContentText 390294 attribute.

The Sales 390300 package is a ServiceProductMaintainRequestBundleSales 390306 data type. The Sales 390300 package includes a Sales 390302 entity. The Sales 390302 entity has a cardinality of 0 . . . N 390304 meaning that for each instance of the Sales 390300 package there may be one or more Sales 390302 entities. The Sales 390302 entity includes various attributes, namely an actionCode 390308, an internalNoteListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390314, a salesNoteListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390320, an ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390326, a SalesOrganisationID 390332, a DistributionChannelCode 390338, a LifeCycleStatusCode 390344, a SalesMeasureUnitCode 390350, a MinimumOrderQuantityValue 390356, an ItemGroupCode 390362, a CashDiscountDeductibleIndicator 390368 and a ReferencePriceServiceInternalID 390374. The Sales 390302 entity includes various subordinate entities, namely an InternalNote 390380 and a SalesNote 390398.

The actionCode 390308 attribute is an ActionCode 390312 data type. The actionCode 390308 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390310 meaning that for each instance of the Sales 390302 entity there may be one actionCode 390308 attribute. The internalNoteListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390314 attribute is an Indicator 390318 data type. The internalNoteListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390314 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390316 meaning that for each instance of the Sales 390302 entity there may be one internalNoteListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390314 attribute.

The salesNoteListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390320 attribute is an Indicator 390324 data type. The salesNoteListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390320 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390322 meaning that for each instance of the Sales 390302 entity there may be one salesNoteListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390320 attribute. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390326 attribute is an ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID 390330 data type. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390326 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390328 meaning that for each instance of the Sales 390302 entity there may be one ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390326 attribute.

The SalesOrganisationID 390332 attribute is an OrganisationalCentreID 390336 data type. The SalesOrganisationID 390332 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390334 meaning that for each instance of the Sales 390302 entity there may be one SalesOrganisationID 390332 attribute. The DistributionChannelCode 390338 attribute is a DistributionChannelCode 390342 data type. The DistributionChannelCode 390338 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390340 meaning that for each instance of the Sales 390302 entity there may be one DistributionChannelCode 390338 attribute.

The LifeCycleStatusCode 390344 attribute is a ProductProcessUsabilityLifeCycleStatusCode 390348 data type. The LifeCycleStatusCode 390344 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390346 meaning that for each instance of the Sales 390302 entity there may be one LifeCycleStatusCode 390344 attribute. The SalesMeasureUnitCode 390350 attribute is a MeasureUnitCode 390354 data type. The SalesMeasureUnitCode 390350 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390352 meaning that for each instance of the Sales 390302 entity there may be one SalesMeasureUnitCode 390350 attribute.

The MinimumOrderQuantityValue 390356 attribute is a DecimalValue 390360 data type. The MinimumOrderQuantityValue 390356 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390358 meaning that for each instance of the Sales 390302 entity there may be one MinimumOrderQuantityValue 390356 attribute. The ItemGroupCode 390362 attribute is a CustomerTransactionDocumentItemProcessingTypeDeterminationProductGroupCode 390366 data type. The ItemGroupCode 390362 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390364 meaning that for each instance of the Sales 390302 entity there may be one ItemGroupCode 390362 attribute.

The CashDiscountDeductibleIndicator 390368 attribute is an Indicator 390372 data type. The CashDiscountDeductibleIndicator 390368 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390370 meaning that for each instance of the Sales 390302 entity there may be one CashDiscountDeductibleIndicator 390368 attribute. The ReferencePriceServicelnternalID 390374 attribute is a ProductInternalID 390378 data type. The ReferencePriceServicelnternalID 390374 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390376 meaning that for each instance of the Sales 390302 entity there may be one ReferencePriceServicelnternalID 390374 attribute.

The InternalNote 390380 entity has a cardinality of 0 . . . N 390382 meaning that for each instance of the Sales 390302 entity there may be one or more InternalNote 390380 entities. The InternalNote 390380 entity includes various attributes, namely an ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390386 and a ContentText 390392.

The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390386 attribute is an ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID 390390 data type. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390386 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390388 meaning that for each instance of the InternalNote 390380 entity there may be one ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390386 attribute. The ContentText 390392 attribute is a LANGUAGEINDEPENDENT_Text 390396 data type. The ContentText 390392 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390394 meaning that for each instance of the InternalNote 390380 entity there may be one ContentText 390392 attribute.

The SalesNote 390398 entity has a cardinality of 0 . . . N 390400 meaning that for each instance of the Sales 390302 entity there may be one or more SalesNote 390398 entities. The SalesNote 390398 entity includes various attributes, namely an actionCode 390404, an ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390410 and a ContentText 390416.

The actionCode 390404 attribute is an ActionCode 390408 data type. The actionCode 390404 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390406 meaning that for each instance of the SalesNote 390398 entity there may be one actionCode 390404 attribute. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390410 attribute is an ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID 390414 data type. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390410 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390412 meaning that for each instance of the SalesNote 390398 entity there may be one ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390410 attribute. The ContentText 390416 attribute is a Text 390420 data type. The ContentText 390416 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390418 meaning that for each instance of the SalesNote 390398 entity there may be one ContentText 390416 attribute.

The DeviantTaxClassification 390422 package is a ServiceProductMaintainRequestBundleDeviantTaxClassification 390428 data type. The DeviantTaxClassification 390422 package includes a DeviantTaxClassification 390424 entity. The DeviantTaxClassification 390424 entity has a cardinality of 0 . . . N 390426 meaning that for each instance of the DeviantTaxClassification 390422 package there may be one or more DeviantTaxClassification 390424 entities. The DeviantTaxClassification 390424 entity includes various attributes, namely an actionCode 390430, an ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390436, a CountryCode 390442, a RegionCode 390448, a TaxTypeCode 390454, a TaxRateTypeCode 390460, a TaxExemptionReasonCode 390466 and a ServicePointTaxableIndicator 390472.

The actionCode 390430 attribute is an ActionCode 390434 data type. The actionCode 390430 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390432 meaning that for each instance of the DeviantTaxClassification 390424 entity there may be one actionCode 390430 attribute. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390436 attribute is an ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID 390440 data type. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390436 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390438 meaning that for each instance of the DeviantTaxClassification 390424 entity there may be one ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390436 attribute.

The CountryCode 390442 attribute is a CountryCode 390446 data type. The CountryCode 390442 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390444 meaning that for each instance of the DeviantTaxClassification 390424 entity there may be one CountryCode 390442 attribute. The RegionCode 390448 attribute is a RegionCode 390452 data type. The RegionCode 390448 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390450 meaning that for each instance of the DeviantTaxClassification 390424 entity there may be one RegionCode 390448 attribute.

The TaxTypeCode 390454 attribute is a TaxTypeCode 390458 data type. The TaxTypeCode 390454 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390456 meaning that for each instance of the DeviantTaxClassification 390424 entity there may be one TaxTypeCode 390454 attribute. The TaxRateTypeCode 390460 attribute is a TaxRateTypeCode 390464 data type. The TaxRateTypeCode 390460 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390462 meaning that for each instance of the DeviantTaxClassification 390424 entity there may be one TaxRateTypeCode 390460 attribute.

The TaxExemptionReasonCode 390466 attribute is a TaxExemptionReasonCode 390470 data type. The TaxExemptionReasonCode 390466 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390468 meaning that for each instance of the DeviantTaxClassification 390424 entity there may be one TaxExemptionReasonCode 390466 attribute. The ServicePointTaxableIndicator 390472 attribute is an Indicator 390476 data type. The ServicePointTaxableIndicator 390472 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390474 meaning that for each instance of the DeviantTaxClassification 390424 entity there may be one ServicePointTaxableIndicator 390472 attribute.

The WithholdingTaxClassification 390478 package is a ServiceProductMaintainRequestBundleWithholdingTaxClassification 390484 data type. The WithholdingTaxClassification 390478 package includes a WithholdingTaxClassification 390480 entity. The WithholdingTaxClassification 390480 entity has a cardinality of 0 . . . N 390482 meaning that for each instance of the WithholdingTaxClassification 390478 package there may be one or more WithholdingTaxClassification 390480 entities. The WithholdingTaxClassification 390480 entity includes various attributes, namely an actionCode 390486, an ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390492, a CountryCode 390498, a TaxTypeCode 390504 and a WithholdingTaxIncomeTypeCode 390510.

The actionCode 390486 attribute is an ActionCode 390490 data type. The actionCode 390486 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390488 meaning that for each instance of the WithholdingTaxClassification 390480 entity there may be one actionCode 390486 attribute. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390492 attribute is an ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID 390496 data type. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390492 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390494 meaning that for each instance of the WithholdingTaxClassification 390480 entity there may be one ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390492 attribute.

The CountryCode 390498 attribute is a CountryCode 390502 data type. The CountryCode 390498 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390500 meaning that for each instance of the WithholdingTaxClassification 390480 entity there may be one CountryCode 390498 attribute. The TaxTypeCode 390504 attribute is a TaxTypeCode 390508 data type. The TaxTypeCode 390504 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390506 meaning that for each instance of the WithholdingTaxClassification 390480 entity there may be one TaxTypeCode 390504 attribute. The WithholdingTaxIncomeTypeCode 390510 attribute is a WithholdingTaxIncomeTypeCode 390514 data type. The WithholdingTaxIncomeTypeCode 390510 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390512 meaning that for each instance of the WithholdingTaxClassification 390480 entity there may be one WithholdingTaxIncomeTypeCode 390510 attribute.

The Valuation 390516 package is a ServiceProductMaintainRequestBundleValuation 390522 data type. The Valuation 390516 package includes a Valuation 390518 entity. The Valuation 390518 entity has a cardinality of 0 . . . N 390520 meaning that for each instance of the Valuation 390516 package there may be one or more Valuation 390518 entities. The Valuation 390518 entity includes various attributes, namely an actionCode 390524, an ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390530, a CompanyID 390536 and a LifeCycleStatusCode 390542.

The actionCode 390524 attribute is an ActionCode 390528 data type. The actionCode 390524 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390526 meaning that for each instance of the Valuation 390518 entity there may be one actionCode 390524 attribute. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390530 attribute is an ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID 390534 data type. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390530 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390532 meaning that for each instance of the Valuation 390518 entity there may be one ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390530 attribute.

The CompanyID 390536 attribute is an OrganisationalCentreID 390540 data type. The CompanyID 390536 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390538 meaning that for each instance of the Valuation 390518 entity there may be one CompanyID 390536 attribute. The LifeCycleStatusCode 390542 attribute is a ProductProcessUsabilityLifeCycleStatusCode 390546 data type. The LifeCycleStatusCode 390542 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390544 meaning that for each instance of the Valuation 390518 entity there may be one LifeCycleStatusCode 390542 attribute.

The CustomerInformation 390548 package is a ServiceProductMaintainRequestBundleCustomerInformation 390554 data type. The CustomerInformation 390548 package includes a CustomerInformation 390550 entity. The CustomerInformation 390550 entity has a cardinality of 0 . . . N 390552 meaning that for each instance of the CustomerInformation 390548 package there may be one or more CustomerInformation 390550 entities. The CustomerInformation 390550 entity includes various attributes, namely an actionCode 390556, an ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390562, a CustomerInternalID 390568 and a ServiceCustomerID 390574.

The actionCode 390556 attribute is an ActionCode 390560 data type. The actionCode 390556 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390558 meaning that for each instance of the CustomerInformation 390550 entity there may be one actionCode 390556 attribute. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390562 attribute is an ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID 390566 data type. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390562 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390564 meaning that for each instance of the CustomerInformation 390550 entity there may be one ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390562 attribute.

The CustomerInternalID 390568 attribute is a BusinessPartnerInternalID 390572 data type. The CustomerInternalID 390568 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390570 meaning that for each instance of the CustomerInformation 390550 entity there may be one CustomerInternalID 390568 attribute. The ServiceCustomerID 390574 attribute is a ProductPartyID 390578 data type. The ServiceCustomerID 390574 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390576 meaning that for each instance of the CustomerInformation 390550 entity there may be one ServiceCustomerID 390574 attribute.

The SupplierInformation 390580 package is a ServiceProductMaintainRequestBundleSupplierInformation 390586 data type. The SupplierInformation 390580 package includes a SupplierInformation 390582 entity. The SupplierInformation 390582 entity has a cardinality of 0 . . . N 390584 meaning that for each instance of the SupplierInformation 390580 package there may be one or more SupplierInformation 390582 entities. The SupplierInformation 390582 entity includes various attributes, namely an actionCode 390588, an ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390594, a SupplierInternalID 390600 and a ServiceSupplierID 390606.

The actionCode 390588 attribute is an ActionCode 390592 data type. The actionCode 390588 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390590 meaning that for each instance of the SupplierInformation 390582 entity there may be one actionCode 390588 attribute. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390594 attribute is an ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID 390598 data type. The ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390594 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390596 meaning that for each instance of the SupplierInformation 390582 entity there may be one ObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 390594 attribute.

The SupplierInternalID 390600 attribute is a BusinessPartnerID 390604 data type. The SupplierInternalID 390600 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390602 meaning that for each instance of the SupplierInformation 390582 entity there may be one SupplierInternalID 390600 attribute. The ServiceSupplierID 390606 attribute is a ProductPartyID 390610 data type. The ServiceSupplierID 390606 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390608 meaning that for each instance of the SupplierInformation 390582 entity there may be one ServiceSupplierID 390606 attribute.

The AttachmentFolder 390612 package is a MaintenanceAttachmentFolder 390618 data type. The AttachmentFolder 390612 package includes an AttachmentFolder 390614 entity. The AttachmentFolder 390614 entity has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390616 meaning that for each instance of the AttachmentFolder 390612 package there may be one AttachmentFolder 390614 entity. The AttachmentFolder 390614 entity includes various attributes, namely a DocumentListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390620, an ActionCode 390626 and an UUID 390632. The AttachmentFolder 390614 entity includes a Document 390638 subordinate entity.

The DocumentListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390620 attribute is an Indicator 390624 data type. The DocumentListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390620 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390622 meaning that for each instance of the AttachmentFolder 390614 entity there may be one DocumentListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390620 attribute. The ActionCode 390626 attribute is an ActionCode 390630 data type. The ActionCode 390626 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390628 meaning that for each instance of the AttachmentFolder 390614 entity there may be one ActionCode 390626 attribute. The UUID 390632 attribute is an UUID 390636 data type. The UUID 390632 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390634 meaning that for each instance of the AttachmentFolder 390614 entity there may be one UUID 390632 attribute.

The Document 390638 entity has a cardinality of 0 . . . N 390640 meaning that for each instance of the AttachmentFolder 390614 entity there may be one or more Document 390638 entities. The Document 390638 entity includes various attributes, namely a PropertyListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390644, an ActionCode 390650, an UUID 390656, a LinkInternalIndicator 390662, a VisibleIndicator 390668, a CategoryCode 390674, a TypeCode 390680, a MIMECode 390686, a Name 390692, an AlternativeName 390698, an InternalLinkUUID 390704, a Description 390710 and an ExternalLinkWebURI 390716. The Document 390638 entity includes various subordinate entities, namely a Property 390722 and a FileContent 390830.

The PropertyListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390644 attribute is an Indicator 390648 data type. The PropertyListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390644 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390646 meaning that for each instance of the Document 390638 entity there may be one PropertyListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390644 attribute. The ActionCode 390650 attribute is an ActionCode 390654 data type. The ActionCode 390650 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390652 meaning that for each instance of the Document 390638 entity there may be one ActionCode 390650 attribute.

The UUID 390656 attribute is an UUID 390660 data type. The UUID 390656 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390658 meaning that for each instance of the Document 390638 entity there may be one UUID 390656 attribute. The LinkInternalIndicator 390662 attribute is an Indicator 390666 data type. The LinkInternalIndicator 390662 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390664 meaning that for each instance of the Document 390638 entity there may be one LinkInternalIndicator 390662 attribute.

The VisibleIndicator 390668 attribute is an Indicator 390672 data type. The VisibleIndicator 390668 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390670 meaning that for each instance of the Document 390638 entity there may be one VisibleIndicator 390668 attribute. The CategoryCode 390674 attribute is a DocumentCategoryCode 390678 data type. The CategoryCode 390674 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390676 meaning that for each instance of the Document 390638 entity there may be one CategoryCode 390674 attribute.

The TypeCode 390680 attribute is a DocumentTypeCode 390684 data type. The TypeCode 390680 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390682 meaning that for each instance of the Document 390638 entity there may be one TypeCode 390680 attribute. The MIMECode 390686 attribute is a MIMECode 390690 data type. The MIMECode 390686 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390688 meaning that for each instance of the Document 390638 entity there may be one MIMECode 390686 attribute.

The Name 390692 attribute is a LANGUAGEINDEPENDENT_Name 390696 data type. The Name 390692 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390694 meaning that for each instance of the Document 390638 entity there may be one Name 390692 attribute. The AlternativeName 390698 attribute is a LANGUAGEINDEPENDENT_Name 390702 data type. The AlternativeName 390698 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390700 meaning that for each instance of the Document 390638 entity there may be one AlternativeName 390698 attribute.

The InternalLinkUUID 390704 attribute is an UUID 390708 data type. The InternalLinkUUID 390704 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390706 meaning that for each instance of the Document 390638 entity there may be one InternalLinkUUID 390704 attribute. The Description 390710 attribute is a Description 390714 data type. The Description 390710 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390712 meaning that for each instance of the Document 390638 entity there may be one Description 390710 attribute. The ExternalLinkWebURI 390716 attribute is a WebURI 390720 data type. The ExternalLinkWebURI 390716 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390718 meaning that for each instance of the Document 390638 entity there may be one ExternalLinkWebURI 390716 attribute.

The Property 390722 entity has a cardinality of 0 . . . N 390724 meaning that for each instance of the Document 390638 entity there may be one or more Property 390722 entities. The Property 390722 entity includes various attributes, namely a PropertyValueListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390728, an ActionCode 390734, a TechnicalID 390740, a Name 390746, a DataTypeFormatCode 390752, a VisibleIndicator 390758, a ChangeAllowedIndicator 390764, a MultipleValueIndicator 390770, a NamespaceURI 390776 and a Description 390782. The Property 390722 entity includes a PropertyValue 390788 subordinate entity.

The PropertyValueListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390728 attribute is an Indicator 390732 data type. The PropertyValueListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390728 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390730 meaning that for each instance of the Property 390722 entity there may be one PropertyValueListCompleteTransmissionIndicator 390728 attribute. The ActionCode 390734 attribute is an ActionCode 390738 data type. The ActionCode 390734 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390736 meaning that for each instance of the Property 390722 entity there may be one ActionCode 390734 attribute.

The TechnicalID 390740 attribute is an ObjectNodeTechnicalID 390744 data type. The TechnicalID 390740 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390742 meaning that for each instance of the Property 390722 entity there may be one TechnicalID 390740 attribute. The Name 390746 attribute is a LANGUAGEINDEPENDENT_Name 390750 data type. The Name 390746 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390748 meaning that for each instance of the Property 390722 entity there may be one Name 390746 attribute.

The DataTypeFormatCode 390752 attribute is a PropertyDataTypeFormatCode 390756 data type. The DataTypeFormatCode 390752 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390754 meaning that for each instance of the Property 390722 entity there may be one DataTypeFormatCode 390752 attribute. The VisibleIndicator 390758 attribute is an Indicator 390762 data type. The VisibleIndicator 390758 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390760 meaning that for each instance of the Property 390722 entity there may be one VisibleIndicator 390758 attribute.

The ChangeAllowedIndicator 390764 attribute is an Indicator 390768 data type. The ChangeAllowedIndicator 390764 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390766 meaning that for each instance of the Property 390722 entity there may be one ChangeAllowedIndicator 390764 attribute. The MultipleValueIndicator 390770 attribute is an Indicator 390774 data type. The MultipleValueIndicator 390770 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390772 meaning that for each instance of the Property 390722 entity there may be one MultipleValueIndicator 390770 attribute.

The NamespaceURI 390776 attribute is a NamespaceURI 390780 data type. The NamespaceURI 390776 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390778 meaning that for each instance of the Property 390722 entity there may be one NamespaceURI 390776 attribute. The Description 390782 attribute is a Description 390786 data type. The Description 390782 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390784 meaning that for each instance of the Property 390722 entity there may be one Description 390782 attribute.

The PropertyValue 390788 entity has a cardinality of 0 . . . N 390790 meaning that for each instance of the Property 390722 entity there may be one or more PropertyValue 390788 entities. The PropertyValue 390788 entity includes various attributes, namely an ActionCode 390794, a TechnicalID 390800, a Text 390806, an Indicator 390812, a DateTime 390818 and an IntegerValue 390824.

The ActionCode 390794 attribute is an ActionCode 390798 data type. The ActionCode 390794 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390796 meaning that for each instance of the PropertyValue 390788 entity there may be one ActionCode 390794 attribute. The TechnicalID 390800 attribute is an ObjectNodeTechnicalID 390804 data type. The TechnicalID 390800 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390802 meaning that for each instance of the PropertyValue 390788 entity there may be one TechnicalID 390800 attribute.

The Text 390806 attribute is a LANGUAGEINDEPENDENT_Text 390810 data type. The Text 390806 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390808 meaning that for each instance of the PropertyValue 390788 entity there may be one Text 390806 attribute. The Indicator 390812 attribute is an Indicator 390816 data type. The Indicator 390812 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390814 meaning that for each instance of the PropertyValue 390788 entity there may be one Indicator 390812 attribute.

The DateTime 390818 attribute is a GLOBAL_DateTime 390822 data type. The DateTime 390818 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390820 meaning that for each instance of the PropertyValue 390788 entity there may be one DateTime 390818 attribute. The IntegerValue 390824 attribute is an IntegerValue 390828 data type. The IntegerValue 390824 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390826 meaning that for each instance of the PropertyValue 390788 entity there may be one IntegerValue 390824 attribute.

The FileContent 390830 entity has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390832 meaning that for each instance of the Document 390638 entity there may be one FileContent 390830 entity. The FileContent 390830 entity includes various attributes, namely an ActionCode 390836, a TechnicalID 390842 and a BinaryObject 390848.

The ActionCode 390836 attribute is an ActionCode 390840 data type. The ActionCode 390836 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390838 meaning that for each instance of the FileContent 390830 entity there may be one ActionCode 390836 attribute. The TechnicalID 390842 attribute is an ObjectNodeTechnicalID 390846 data type. The TechnicalID 390842 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390844 meaning that for each instance of the FileContent 390830 entity there may be one TechnicalID 390842 attribute. The BinaryObject 390848 attribute is a BinaryObject 390852 data type. The BinaryObject 390848 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 390850 meaning that for each instance of the FileContent 390830 entity there may be one BinaryObject 390848 attribute.

FIGS. 40-1 through 40-2 show an example configuration of an Element Structure that includes a ServiceProductBundleMaintenanceCheckConfirmation_sync 40000 package. Specifically, these figures depict the arrangement and hierarchy of various components such as one or more levels of packages, entities, and datatypes, shown here as 40000 through 40044. As described above, packages may be used to represent hierarchy levels. Entities are discrete business elements that are used during a business transaction. Data types are used to type object entities and interfaces with a structure. For example, the ServiceProductBundleMaintenanceCheckConfirmation_sync 40000 includes, among other things, a ServiceProductBundleMaintenanceCheckConfirmation_sync 40002. Accordingly, heterogeneous applications may communicate using this consistent message configured as such.

The ServiceProductBundleMaintenanceCheckConfirmation_sync 40000 package is a ServiceProductMaintainConfirmationBundleMessage_sync 40004 data type. The ServiceProductBundleMaintenanceCheckConfirmation_sync 40000 package includes a ServiceProductBundleMaintenanceCheckConfirmation_sync 40002 entity. The ServiceProductBundleMaintenanceCheckConfirmation_sync 40000 package includes various packages, namely a ServiceProduct 40006 and a Log 40038.

The ServiceProduct 40006 package is a ServiceProductMaintainConfirmationBundleMaterial_sync 40012 data type. The ServiceProduct 40006 package includes a ServiceProduct 40008 entity. The ServiceProduct 40008 entity has a cardinality of 0 . . . N 40010 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 40006 package there may be one or more ServiceProduct 40008 entities. The ServiceProduct 40008 entity includes various attributes, namely a ReferenceObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 40014, a ChangeStateID 40020, an InternalID 40026 and an UUID 40032.

The ReferenceObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 40014 attribute is an ObjectNodePartyTechnicalID 40018 data type. The ReferenceObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 40014 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 40016 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 40008 entity there may be one ReferenceObjectNodeSenderTechnicalID 40014 attribute. The ChangeStateID 40020 attribute is a ChangeStateID 40024 data type. The ChangeStateID 40020 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 40022 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 40008 entity there may be one ChangeStateID 40020 attribute.

The InternalID 40026 attribute is a ProductInternalID 40030 data type. The InternalID 40026 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 40028 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 40008 entity there may be one InternalID 40026 attribute. The UUID 40032 attribute is an UUID 40036 data type. The UUID 40032 attribute has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 40034 meaning that for each instance of the ServiceProduct 40008 entity there may be one UUID 40032 attribute.

The Log 40038 package is a Log 40044 data type. The Log 40038 package includes a Log 40040 entity. The Log 40040 entity has a cardinality of 0 . . . 1 40042 meaning that for each instance of the Log 40038 package there may be one Log 40040 entity.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

CONSISTENT INTERFACE FOR SERVICE PRODUCT

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