When deinstalling old systems, IT and development departments can face the challenge of avoiding complex and manual

data import processes into SAP.

Re-importing may also be required for routine tasks, e.g. when CAD or Office documents are processed by external desig-

ners or suppliers. Problems then often arise regarding version and change management within different PLM/PDM systems.

Manual data import – without the support of effective software such as CIDEON Import PDM for SAP – not only costs time,

but also carries risks to data quality, especially in large assemblies with many individual components or reference points.

Consistent (re-)import of CAD original files, non-CAD originals and directory structures into SAP

Data consistency can be ensured with controlled import and re-import procedures. A project-based rental solution from

CIDEON makes it easy. By using CIDEON Import PDM for SAP, the transfer to SAP of data originating from any directory

location and/or databases, generally with multiple links to each other, is performed automatically.

A (re-)import function in CIDEON Export PDM* also provides an option to collaboratively include external employees

without interrupting media continuity during design, e.g. in change processes.

A range of configuration options for setting up the solution, and integrated analysis features guarantee maximum flexibi-

lity and user-friendliness. The use of CIDEON Import PDM for SAP significantly reduces time-consuming manual tasks

and avoids the transfer of redundant or incomplete data into SAP.

* Available as an extension for specific projects.

CIDEON – efficient engineering.

CIDEON Import PDM for SAP

CIDEON Import PDM for SAP

Fully automated import procedures

Fig.: The CIDEON Import PDM for SAP interface offers a simple, adjustable overview of data, e.g with hierarchical or tabular displays as well as

statuses and filters.

CIDEON Import PDM for SAP automatically performs mass data imports into SAP. Original CAD files and/or non-CAD

originals such as Office files, PDF, TIF, as well as directory structures, can be imported to specific projects, with a SAP

document info record (DIR) being created for each file or directory. Multiple documents can optionally be assigned to a

single SAP document info record, e.g. a CAD drawing and its neutral format conversion.

Automated import using this software also enables data consistency checks of the imported data into SAP via detailed

plausibility and existence checks. User-defined configuration rules can be defined to optimise preliminary checking of the

data. When problems with the files to be imported are detected during data analysis, a data overview in CIDEON Import

PDM for SAP provides extensive assistance in establishing solutions.

CIDEON Import PDM for SAP can be used as standard for AutoCAD, Inventor, Solid Edge,

SOLIDWORKS and Office documents. Features specific to CAD such as SOLIDWORKS

configurations, external references (AutoCAD, SOLIDWORKS) or interpart relationships

(Solid Edge) can also be determined via CIDEON Import PDM for SAP and reproduced in SAP.

Please ask us about extensions for Catia V5 and MicroStation for specific projects.

CIDEON Import PDM for SAP

Optimal support for imports/re-imports

Fully automated procedures for importing and exporting your CAD data to SAP

For AutoCAD and MicroStation drawings, document hierarchies are created by recognising external references. For Catia V5,

Inventor, Solid Edge and SOLIDWORKS this is performed based on the model structure. The document structure is automati-

cally created in SAP from the hierarchy data. In accordance with „concurrent engineering“, the files can be renamed according

to a unique naming convention and then stored in the SAP Content Server using the Knowledge Provider (KPro) function.

When using CAD systems, metadata for the SAP DIR can be taken from the title block or, if the data is unavailable from a

legacy system during import, from the file properties. In the SAP Document Management System (DMS), the metadata can

also be assigned to a document classification’s attributes. During re-import, the documents in SAP are first checked that they

exist and are up-to-date and amended or recreated where necessary.

The object links between the generated document info records and, for example, assigned material master records and

functional locations, can also be created automatically. The created or changed document info records are also processed

through the assigned status network. In this way, released and verified documents in the target system can automatically

receive a corresponding „release status“ when required.

Fig.: After specifying the data, manual

corrections and additions can be made to

selected data prior to import.

CIDEON Import PDM for SAP

Overview of features I

SAP document info records (SAP DIR)

�Loading of core and classification data, as well as short

and long texts

�Creation of object links for: DIR, material master, debitor,

creditor, equipment, architectural object, WBS element,

functional location, sales document item, purchase order

item, invoice, delivery item, service notification

�Automatic creation and modification of SAP DIR

�Updating title headers/file properties with SAP information

�Assignment and check-in of originals (incl. optional rena-

ming with unique naming convention)

�Assignment and check-in of additional originals (e.g. neut-

ral formats such as TIFF/PDF/JPG, exchange formats

such as DXF, STEP, STL, and web formats such as 3D PDF,

DWF, RH etc.)

�Amendment of final status in configurable target status

�Sources of metadata:

��� From an ASCII file, e.g. after export from the

legacysystem (export text file)

� Title blocks/blocks of AutoCAD/MicroStation

documents

� File properties from Inventor, Solid Edge and

SOLIDWORKS

� From file-naming convention

� Configurable fields in the user interface

Re-Import

�Overwriting the original

�Creating a new document version in accordance with

parameters

�Creating new document data with and without a file

�Updating document structures

Your advantages

Automatic import procedures for

user-friendliness

No time-consuming, recurring manual tasks

Fast error analysis through control and test

functions

Simple expansion options and maximum

flexibility

!

Document hierarchies

�Recognition and exchange of structures based on:

��Referenced files within AutoCAD and MicroStation

�References within Inventor, Solid Edge and SOLID-

WORKS

��Creating/amending document structures based on CAD

structures

��Updating CAD model references when renaming

Configuration

�Easy setup using the CIDEON Application Configurator

�Integrated scripts and macros (including conditions) to

provide high flexibility

�Enhancement option for customer-specific creation/

amendment of documents using BAdIs

Additional features

�Import database included to identify already imported files

Parallel import of detailed data material by multiple clients

Data determination and user-defined rules for pre-checking

data

Support for the standard part concept in direct integration

Attachment of multiple extra files of the same type to a

document info record

Enhancement option to utilise already existing SAP infor-

mation when creating the document info record

Autodesk Inventor: using the Frame Generator, Tube &

Piping, Cable & Harness

Autodesk AutoCAD: detection of data links and underlays

Option to ignore selected reference types (according to

CAD system)

Export of source data to generate the metadata file

Import of directory structures (EasyDM structures) from

Windows folders

Additional status information in the user interface

Performing external programs, e.g. CIDEON PDF Editor for

checking PDF/A

Object link to other DIR with direction identification on both

documents

CIDEON Import PDM for SAP

Overview of features II

Registration options for our free webinars:

www.cideon.com

CIDEON Software & Services GmbH & Co. KG

Lochhamer Schlag 11 · D-82166 Gräfelfing

Tel. +49(0)89 909003-0 · Fax +49(0)89 909003-250

E-mail: info@cideon.com · www.cideon.com

09.2

019

Consultancy you can trust

In addition to extensive software expertise in CAD

and engineering environments, we also offer a

full portfolio of consultancy and best practices for

successful SAP PLM projects:

�Implementation of SAP PLM products and add-

on tools, e.g. CAD Release Migrator, neutral

format generation, naming catalog/search

enhancement

�SAP Engineering Control Center interfaces

�Support with SAP EHP release upgrades or

when switching to S/4HANA

CIDEON export/collaboration import

(Re-)import after export using the export database in SAP,

and external processing for collaborative scenarios in ac-

cordance with status networks and export status

System requirements

�SAP ECC 6.0 EhP 5 and later or S/4HANA

SAP GUI 7.50 and later

Windows 10