Pacemaker Cluster works with SAP HANA System Replication (SAP HSR).

SUSE developed in collaboration with SAP the SAPHanaSR solution and released it as part of SLES for SAP Applications. This solution is based on Pacemaker Cluster that is automating failovers between two SAP HANA databases that are mirroring each other. This solution was later adopted by RedHat and is now jointly developed by both companies. Therefore, this whole blog is equally applicable to both Operating Systems.

Pacemaker Cluster with SAP HANA System Replication as visualized below is based on two identical servers (VMs) each having one SAP HANA database. Both servers are bundled together by SUSE Pacemaker Cluster.

Pacemaker Cluster for SAP HANA Architecture

SAP HANA database on primary server is replicating information to SAP HANA database running on secondary server. Replication method is based on Synchronous SAP HANA System Replication – this is to ensure that no data is lost during failover. Both databases are running at the same time, however only primary database can support customer workloads. Secondary database is either completely passive or can be active in read-only mode (since SAP HANA 2.0).

Failure of primary SAP HANA database is automatically detected by Pacemaker Cluster. The cluster will automatically shutdown primary database (if still partially running) and will activate secondary database. It will also relocate virtual IP to ensure that all applications using the database can reconnect to new primary SAP HANA database. Since all the data is already pre-loaded in memory of new primary database this failover is very fast.

Architecture of SAP NFE.

SAP Electronic Invoicing for Brazil (SAP Nota Fiscal Eletrônica, SAP NFE) utilizes different components to meet government requirements, all while enabling a high degree of flexibility to ensure your business benefits. The following graphic shows all the components included in the NFE application-shipment that you need in addition to the business processes in SAP ERP.

Figure 1: Architecture of SAP Nota Fiscal Eletrônica

• SAP Nota Fiscal Eletrônica

  The NFE application contains the administration and monitor workplaces for the outbound scenario, and the fiscal and logistic workplace for the inbound scenario.

• SAP NetWeaver Process Integration (SAP NetWeaver PI)

  If you already use SAP NetWeaver PI to communicate between different systems, you can easily implement the additional content required to communicate with the authorities without changing your existing setup. SAP NetWeaver PI offers you all the technological and messaging capabilities you need to send NF-es and all other NF-e related messages in a compliant manner (including HTTPS and SOAP).

Integration

Inbound and Outbound Integration

Based on your existing system landscape, you can connect one or several logistics systems as back-end systems to send and receive NF-es for SAP NFE, and to use SAP NFE as the central communication platform for your NF-e processes. The back-end systems can be either SAP ERP or any legacy system that provides the billing data and tax-related information that the authorities require. The interface implementation necessary to connect SAP ERP to NFE is part of the standard delivery.

RISE with SAP (Joule AI)

If you’re wondering whether you move to RISE with SAP, you’ll be interested to know that Joule AI will be available to RISE with SAP users. Joule AI is a AI copilot, part of a broader AI Architecture from SAP, that is integrated into SAP applications. It is intended to improve productivity, streamline business processes, and improve the user experience.

How AI is Changing Business

There’s no doubt that AI is changing how many aspects of today’s businesses are operating. According to PWC, 73% of US businesses have adopted AI in some areas of business, with generative AI applications being the most frequently used.

Generative AI chatbots such as ChatGPT and Bard have found their way into many organizations. It is changing how people perform administrative tasks, and human resources departments are using it to screen applications. And those are only a couple of the ways AI is being used. Most people view AI as an enhancement to help employees do their work more efficiently and with better results.

What is Joule AI?

Unlike other standalone generative AI tools, Joule integrates with the applications in RISE with SAP. In fact, Joule is integrated with SAP backend systems upon implementation. Joule can access a large data pool that relates to SAP allowing it to provide intelligent and context-aware responses to questions posed by users. Because Joule understands the business context of SAP’s systems, it provides a very tailored copilot experience.

Benefits of Using Joule AI

Joule will revolutionize the way users interact with their SAP systems. With its knowledge of SAP applications and simple interface, companies using RISE with SAP and Joule will see many benefits.

• Ease of Use: Joule’s user interface is simple and efficient. Users interact with the copilot using natural language communication. As a result, the user doesn’t need to navigate complicated menus. Users will find it much easier to get the information they need.

• Streamlined Business Processes: Users won’t need to gather information from various resources manually, or even know where that information resides. Joule will quickly answer a question by gathering the required information regardless of its location and presenting the result in a clear and concise response.

• Better Decision Making: Joule can assist in data analysis because it will retrieve data from multiple systems and connect that data to provide in-depth answers and insights to the user.

• Data Privacy: Joule is compliant with AI ethics, GDPR, privacy controls, and SOC-II. Since Joule works with your company-controlled data, privacy will never be an issue.

Joule AI Use Cases

There are a multitude of applications that Joule AI facilitates as a copilot. SAP has committed to investing heavily in developing more use cases, but below are some of the initial ones available:

• Human Resources: Joule is improving the employee experience by making it easier and faster for employees to find information, get answers to questions and complete HR-related tasks, such as approving or rejecting time-off requests; changing names, locations or personal pronouns; and more. More functionalities will be available in early 2024, such as clocking in and out, viewing pay statements and writing unbiased job descriptions.

• Joule with SAP Product Enablement Content: Product users can now get quick and seamless access to SAP Help Portal content when they ask a question in Joule, without ever having to leave the application they are working in. This generative AI-powered feature will be available in all SAP cloud solutions, starting with SAP SuccessFactors and SAP Start.

• SAP Code Development: These are just a few examples of how Joule AI is going to make a difference in the productivity and data analysis capabilities of RISE with SAP users.

• Joule AI Can Increase Innovation Capabilities for RISE with SAP Users: Adding the Joule copilot capabilities to RISE with SAP will allow users to work faster, decide quicker, and get better results. They will also stay in control of their data since Joule is embedded in SAP applications that are controlled by the company.