Top 20 SAP PI and PO Interview Questions with Answers

Introduction

As the world is ruled by technology and the IT industry is booming with growth, giving birth to countless career opportunities. Out of the wide range of IT careers, there has been a remarkable expansion in SAP ERP. As the demand for SAP PI and PO is hot in the market, many reputed companies are currently on a hiring spree for SAP consultants.

So if you are a seasoned SAP analyst, be glad because you have made the right choice. And a note for beginners or someone who is looking for a transition from another field, let me shed some light on SAP PI and PO while also helping you to gear up for the Interview.

Insights as to why Choosing SAP as a career will be beneficial

SAP is an unquestionably well-paid and long-term career option. As per research the average salary for an SAP PI is 8,24,739 in India. The year 2021 witnessed an increasing diversified job in SAP. As we are getting acquainted post pandemic with what we call the new normal, many organizations are forced to agree that cloud-based services are profitable compared to on-premises.

 In 2020 projection, SAP PI 7.5 will continue to be on release until 2027 with maintenance extending up to 2030. It also projects successor to PI to be SAP Integration Suite (CPIS) that’s proof of an ongoing successful career.

Institutes to avail the courses

Many renowned institutes provide the option of online SAP PI/PO training. While Henry Harvin is one of the recognized institutes which provides SAP Training Course with a 100% money-back guarantee. It provides complete 360-degree coverage, with a globally accepted curriculum and the benefit of hands-on experience, over 1000 students have benefited. Multiple other renowned institutes also offer you SAP Training courses with the placement opportunity.

Top 20 Questions to Prepare for SAP PI/PO

As you gear up for exponential success in this field, enlisted below are the Top 20 Questions along with answers to guide you to be successful in the interview. However, a word of caution to the experienced SAP consultants, the questions make take shape based on the skills and projects you are currently working on. To check if you’re a fit for the position the company is filling, the interviewer will dig deep into your knowledge, expertise, and experience.

Q.1.  What is SAP PI/PO?

Ans.SAP PO (Process Orchestration) is the tool/application for the optimization and automation of business processes that are developed by SAP. It is a component of SAP PO, it provides integration between SAP and non-SAP serving as a diversified platform within and across the organization.

SAP PO is an advanced version with all the required applications for integration. These tools help in synchronizing data across various systems. PI is an essential part of NetWeaver, used to exchange information between the internal and external parts of the systems. That being said, the responsibility of  SAP PI/PO is to collaborate processes using SAP development tools thereby providing interfaces between SAP and non SAP systems.

 (Note – Developers and consultants with experience can relate to the projects you have worked on, relating to SAP PI/PO ensuring to stick to the context without deviating

(Key not – Gathering extensively information about the architecture and core concepts will help)

Q.2.  What is the functionality of SAP Netweaver?

Ans.SAP Netweaver is a programmed technology that serves the Enterprise to integrate data, provides application platforms, allows business processes, and much more from the diversified sources under one umbrella of SAP environments. It serves as a solid base for various SAP application landscapes.

Q.3.  Is SAP PI/PO useful, what is the need for it?

Ans.In the case of a large organization, SAP ERP contains many other systems and not just a single system. This system comprises various integrated systems like EWM, FICO, SAP CRM, etc. In order to manage such complex scenarios SAP released the Process Integration where SAP PI serves as a single point of the integrated platform across multiple systems without disturbing the complexities of the legacy system with respect to all the exchange of data and information.

This is a significant introduction of middleware by SAP which aims to provide a flawless end-to-end integration across SAP and non-SAP tools, both internal and external boundaries of the organization.

A few other advantages of SAP PI are that it supports business-to-business and also Application to Application transactions or exchanges, also supports the synchronous and asynchronous exchange of messages. SAP PI/PO has a built-in engine for designing and executing Integration Processes. 

Q.4.  Benefits of SAP PI/PO? Explain its key capabilities.

Ans. One of the uniqueness of SAP PI/PO is that it entitles cross-connections/interconnection between various segments through an Integral broker which is the central location. So unlike one-to-one or point-to-point connecting this serves the advantage of mediating connection across various systems.

Introducing SAP PI/PO has enabled adopting it for complex and compound processes. SAP PI/PO comprises Java-based AAE(Advanced Adapter Engine) and an integrated engine for routing which is an integral part of the central server.

If the same has to be explained in the form of the diagram the point-to-point connection would more likely look like a spider web. However, the integrated broker or Integrated Server will look crisscrossed, where each integration can connect to various systems. SAP ERP organizations consist of numerous systems like SAP Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) Financial Controlling and Accounting (FICO) PI serves as a single Integrated Server.

Three main key capabilities of SAP PI/PO are:

Connectivity: capacity to connect to many applications/software irrespective of being within SAP or an external system. Due to the connecting structure, it facilitates many adapters allowing connectivity to various applications.

Routing or Co-ordinating: Ensures that accurate delivery of communication takes place from the derived source to the estimated destination.

Mapping: It can interpret the files into any format irrespective of being an internal file or B2B integrated application.

Q.5.  List a few new features in SAP PI?

Ans.Some new features in SAP PI are:

• In ESR It has a user-specific perspective
• Huge file-to-file transfer
• Routing based on message split on Advanced adapter engine (AAE)
• Features of HTTP adapters and Intermediate Document (IDOC) in AAE
• Central Monitoring
• Configuration of Time out based on per transmission channel
• User-specific search criteria is enabled
• We can also take into account some add-on features like Secure connection – SGTP adapter / PGP, Business to Business perse – OFTP protocol adapter, EDI XML converter, etc

Q.6.  Give a brief about SAP PI architecture and various components present in the PI system.

Ans. SAP PI architecture comprises numerous components which are used at the time of design, configuration, and runtime. This involves three sources or systems i.e the sender known as the source, the receiver who is known as the target system, and the architect known as Hub and Spoke structure. To connect with an external system, Spoke is used whereas Hub is to exchange messages.

PI system classifies into the following components:

• Integration Server
• Integration Builder
• SLD-System Landscape Directory
• Monitoring and Configuration

Q.7.  Mention a few differences between proxies and adapters.

     Ans. Proxies can be used for higher or equal SAP WAS 6.20 whereas adapters can be used for any lower versions, may it be SAP or non-SAP systems.

•  Proxy is used by the system/application in order to receive connectivity from external sources like Industry solutions. Whereas adapters are used when the diversified current application has to be incorporated.
• Locations of proxies and adapters are invariably different. Server proxy and Client proxy are the two types of proxies, the location of server proxy is in destination, and Client proxy is located in the source. However Adapter is located in the XI box, that’s the middleware.

We can further classify the difference on a pros and cons basis.

• Like say, depending on the size of a file – using a proxy for transferring a huge file to ECC would be ideal comparatively.
• On the contrary, proxy requires intensive custom coding
• RFC adapters look to be unchallenging but come with a huge cost when compared to the proxy.

Q.8.  Name the various options through which the SAP PI system can be installed in various options, and mention them. How?

Ans. While installing SAP PI, one or more runtime engines will be installed on the host system. There are many options SAP PI provides for installation, with each offering various options for setting up the runtime engine.

Installation of SAP Netweaver PI is based on AS ABAP and Java.

•  Integration Engine
•  Adapter Engine
•  Business Process Engine

 Installation steps:

• Select Plan a new system
• In the next screen, select Plan
• Click on System type as Java ( you must install the JAVA system) and input the SID
• Will have to install the SAP NetWeaver system, click on SAP NETWEAVER 7.5 which is the latest, and select next.
•  Next, click on the component object and confirm the selection
• With the new installation, you would want to click on Add Ons, next select Confirm Selection
• Click every required component for the new installations then select Next
• Click on Kernel, SAP Host agent, SAP IGS, SAP JVM, SWPM, and SUM. (Note: We need to keep in mind to select all the right OS and DB as these are specific to OS and Database)

• Select Confirm Selection and double-check if the components we checked/selected are the right ones and then click Next.
• Now click on the “Download Stack XML file” option and select the Option Push for downloading the basket.
• We reach the last step, where we can download the file from the SAP Download Manager.         

Q.9.  Mention the SAP PI user interface tools.

Ans. Multiple components of the SAP PI system can be accessed using various SAP PI interface tools. However, the most commonly used ones are:

• ES Builder – Enables the Java user interface for working in ESR (Enterprise Service Repository)
• SAP NW Developer Studio – This Java eclipse-based tool is used for editing some objects as well as viewing in ESR
• Integration Builder- assists the Java user working interface to work on the Integration Directory 

Q.10.  Name a few Node function types & give a brief note about them.

• Ans. UseOneAsMany- It’s part of the graphical mapping of SAP PI/PO. Helps to replicate a particular value from the main source to various targeted sections.
•  splitByVAlue-While we choose to change a context with relevance to a change in value, depending on the value of input the output is separated or classified.
•  collapseContext-As the name suggests obtains the first value of every context from input to out.
• CopyValue()-allows you to copy the value of a position from the structure of the source and enables the same to the repeatedly occurring source.
• Createif- Whenever you want to create a node based on a condition or an input value, createif can be used.

Q.11.  Explain briefly how the Adapter Framework works.

   The process of how the Adapter Framework functions is mentioned below:

Ans.      Firstly the message or data is received through the wire with the use of a listening mechanism directed to a particular targeted address.

• On receiving the data from the destination, a message is dispersed once the adapter receives it which then formulates a BizTalk message that is connected to various data.
• Metadata if any in addition is added to the receiver end and moves to the next process
• Through the engine of the message, the Delivery of data takes place while also converting it into an XML file format.
• Authenticated data is received and decrypted.
• The message engines route the data to the Message box, hence the message box receives this data.
• Orchestration or the send port receives the message from the messaging engine. 

Q.12. Highlight a few activities in SAP post-go-live knowledge management.

          Ans. Process organization within roles

• Analyzing the processes of individuals and identifying the gap
• Creating and Updating the documents
• Updates Transmission
• A gap in following the protocol, actual listed instructions, and procedures executed
• Adaptation to the management changes as well as Knowledge management
• Identifying the user role as per the module 

Q.13.   What is an Adapter Engine? Mention the use of Adapter engine AAE in the SAP PI system.

Ans. The Adapter Engine (Java SE) enables or connects between Integrated service and multiple systems/third-party systems. It’s a software component that must be installed.  With the availability of various adapters present in the Adapter Engine, data based on XML and HTTP can be converted to a specific format and type and vice versa is also possible.

Uses of Adapter Engine AAE in SAP PI systems are:

The runtime engines of SAP PI are enabled by the adapters to connect with multiple systems. Secondly, since Integrated engines are in XML and SOAP format, in case the organization’s system doesn’t have the format in a specific protocol, the Adapters are used to transmit or convert the message format essential for the integrated engine.

Q.14.   Define/Answer in a sentence:

• Ans.Synchronous message – defined as the messages which consist of both the request and the response.
•  Asynchronous- defined as the messages that contain either only the request or only the response.
•  Runtime Workbench – It’s a tool that is used to impart central monitoring of PI data and components.
•  Single stack system SAP PI shifted to a single stack system at the time of the latest release, both the ABAP adapters were also shifted to the Java stack adapters, and AAdvancedAdapter Engine (AAE) was known as the new engine.
•  Enterprise Service Repository-Objects like mapping, interface, process definitions, etc which are the design-time repository objects in the  PI system are stored in the Enterprise Service Repository.

Q.15.   Explain Synchronous communication under SAP PI. Highlight a few advantages and disadvantages.

Ans. Under synchronous communication, it is derived by the request and response transaction and the output is processed and delivered immediately after the transaction. In layman’s language, if a sender sends a request to the targeted receiver/destination and waits for a reply, in case there’s an error that occurs on the receiver’s part, the sender application is responsible for resending the request again.

This timely resending of the message or duplicate message in PI is known as BE Best Effort.

Advantages:

• Configuration of response message routing is needless
• Needless to correlate the response to a particular request
• Response to a request is received quickly

Disadvantages:

• In case of disruptions or failure, the message has to be resent again by the sender
• In order to check for any duplication of messages, the receiving system should be configured· 
• Until a response is received or a time-out error occurs the sender application is blocked.
• Configurations of multiple receivers are not possible.

Q.16.   Explain asynchronous communication under SAP PI. Highlight a few advantages and disadvantages.

Ans. Adding a middleware or an intermediate system in between two systems is known as Asynchronous communication. Unlike synchronous, in this case, the Receiving application doesn’t wait for the response when the Sender application request is sent. For some reason an error occurs, the middleware is responsible for the message to be resent. If need be, the receiving system reverts a response to the sender in the form of a separate asynchronous call.

Advantages:

• Even in times of errors or failures, the SAP PI system guarantees to deliver the message by resending the message
•  Needless to have many configurations for checking on the duplicate messages
• It is possible to configure multiple receivers
• Both the system (Sender & receiver) being online is not required
• All the messages sent are documented by PI

Disadvantages:

• Correlating the response to the request automatically by the sender is required
• Routing and implementation of response messages separately is needed
• Lacks immediate response 

Q.17.   What is Global Container & its uses in SAP XI?

Ans. Global Container enables you to cache the values that you prefer to re-read the next time you want to call on any of the functions that are user-defined in the same network of message mapping.

A few use to mention are:

• Visibility is available across systems
• Currently, it’s possible to use a global variable but before this, it was used to store objects in mapping
• Aids to cache the value that you would prefer to re-read at a later point 

Q.18.   List the various adapters in the Advanced Adapter Engine and Integration engine in the PI system also mention when they are used.

• Ans.RFC Adapter – for communicating with various other SAP systems
•  HTTP Adapter/HTTP AAE Adapter – enables data exchange with the help of HTTP connection in a simple format, also allowing the application system the choice to communicate with AAE
•  JDBC – enables database access with the help of JDBC
• File/File Adapter – With the help of the FTP server or a file interface data exchange is made possible with external systems.
•  Mail Adapter – assists in enabling the connection between e-mail servers to the Integrated Engine
• IDoc Adapter – aids in exchanging IDocs.
•  XI Adapter  – enables transaction or communication using a proxy.
• WS Adapter – According to the Web Services Reliable Messaging (WS-RM), this adapter enables the WS providers and WS consumers. 

Q.19.   List down the components you can monitor under Configuration and Monitoring options.

Under the Configuration and Monitoring option, the following components can be configured and monitored:

• Ans.Component Monitoring – monitoring of SAP PI and ABAP components
• Message Monitoring – status monitoring of the message that’s being processed in the SAP PI component
• Performance Monitoring – With the use of a runtime workbench you can monitor various performance measures SAP PI system as well as create multiple reports
• End-to-End Monitoring – Monitoring the end in the SAP PI system for a particular process
• Message Index search – Many searches can be performed using the message index, including index-based searches and adapter-specific searches
• Alert Inbox – Viewing alerts as per configuration.
• Alert Configuration – Assists in logging or reporting all the errors while processing in ABAP and Java. A special feature of Alert Configuration that defines the policy for reporting and analyzing errors is the ability to determine whether or not an error should be reported.
• Visibility of Runtime cache monitoring- runtime cache.

Q.20.   Navigate through the steps to view the payload of archived PI messages.

• Ans.Transaction code SARA is a tool, an administration tool that assists in writing, deleting, and managing all data archives in the SAP system. Open the SARA tool.
• Key in the achieving file or the search details
• Select the Read button
• Click on the Execute on the next screen
• Select the archived object or the file that you wish to view the payload
• Choose the particular message that you want to view
• It opens another similar screen where it lets you view the payload.

Conclusion

A few other pointers to bear in mind while you aim for a successful interview is preparing for a good Self Introduction. Besides sharing your qualifications, you should demonstrate your technical skills and experience for the position you are applying. Mentioning the complex project experience and highlighting the multiple interfaces you have built will be an added advantage. 

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FAQ’s

Q.1. Is SAP a Database?

Ans. NO, SAP is not a database. SAP is an application that uses other databases offered by other vendors like Oracles, SQL servers, etc. 

Q.2. How many SAP sessions can you work for a particular client at a particular time?

Ans. You can work only on 6 sessions max at any given time for a particular client. 

Q.3. What does SAP terminology mean in a transaction?

Ans. It means a series of logically connected dialog steps.

Q.4. Meaning of datasets in SAP?

Ans. Datasets are sequential files that are processed on a particular application server, these are used for file handling in SAP.