Architectural design for sell from stock application software

• US 8,321,250 B2
• Filed: 09/18/2008
• Issued: 11/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SAP SE
• Original Assignee: SAP AG (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Pachter, Nir, Bach, Thomas, Ude, Cordula, Yu, Tao, Adelmann, Stefan, Heun, Rainer, Kasteleiner, Katja, Sudbrack, Andrea, Hartig, Steffen, Reinke, Ralf, Breitling, Thomas, Boehringer, Sandra, Pascariu, Daniel, Zimmermann, Theo, Von Der Emde, Martin, Krueger, Frank, Huppert, Andreas, Bettin, Andreas, Colle, Renzo, Hirth, Jochen, Hoffmann, Thomas, Krasinskiy, Alexander, Kull, Irena, Reinelt, Klaus, Steinbach, Jochen, Hetzer, Stephan
• Primary Examiner(s): Loftis, Johnna
• Assistant Examiner(s): FEENEY, BRETT A
• Application Number:
  US12/233,417
• Publication Number:
  US 20100070317A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,531 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 705/7.11
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063 Operations research, analysis or management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063114 Status monitoring or status determination for a person or group
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/02 Banking, e.g. interest calculation or account maintenance credit or loans G06Q40/03

Abstract

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for implementing a software architecture design for a software application implementing sell from stock software useful to process quotations, capture orders, process delivery and invoice. The application is structured as multiple process components interacting with each other through service interfaces, and multiple service operations, each being implemented for a respective process component. The process components include an Accounting process component; a Financial Accounting Master Data Management process component; an Outbound Delivery Processing process component; a Site Logistics Processing process component; an Inventory Processing process component; a Customer Requirement Processing process component; a Supply and Demand Matching process component; a Logistics Execution Control process component; a Due Item Processing process component; a Balance of Foreign Payment Management process component; a Payment Processing process component; a Customer Invoice Processing process component; a Customer Quote Processing process component; and a Sales Order Processing process component.

Claims

1. A computer program product comprising instructions encoded on a non-transitory tangible machine-readable storage medium, the instructions being structured as process components interacting with each other through service interfaces, the instructions operable when executed by at least one processor to:

define a plurality of process components, each of the process components comprising a modular and application-independent package of reusable granular software implementing a respective and distinct business process, the business process comprising functionality exposed by the process component via a corresponding service interface, the plurality of process components including;

an accounting process component that records all relevant business transactions for valuation and profitability analysis;

a financial accounting master data management process component that is responsible for the management of financial accounting master data that is used both for accounting and costing purposes;

an outbound delivery processing process component that manages and processes the outbound delivery requirements for shipping goods to a product recipient;

a site logistics processing process component that combines tasks concerning the preparation, physical execution, and confirmation of logistics processes within a site;

an inventory processing process component that combines tasks required for the management of inventory and recording of inventory changes;

a customer requirement processing process component that combines the tasks required for controlling customer requirements in the supply chain;

a supply and demand matching process component that combines all the tasks necessary to ensure that sufficient material receipt elements exist to cover material demand, while taking available capacity into account;

a logistics execution control process component that creates, controls and monitors the supply chain execution activities necessary for the fulfillment of an order on a macro logistics level;

a due item processing process component that is used for the collection, management and monitoring of trade receivables or payables and corresponding sales or withholding tax;

a balance of foreign payment management process component that is used for the collection, processing, and reporting of receivables and payables according to foreign trade regulations that are required by the central banks to create the balance of payments of a country;

a payment processing process component that combines all the tasks necessary for the processing and management of all payments;

a customer invoice processing process component that is used for invoicing a customer for the delivery of goods or the provision of services;

a customer quote processing process component that is used to process quotes to customers offering the delivery of goods according to specific terms; and

a sales order processing process component that handles customers'"'"' requests to a seller for the delivery of goods on a specific date, for a specific quantity, and for a specific price; and

define a plurality of service interfaces, each service interface associated with exactly one process component and comprising at least one operation, each operation being implemented for exactly one process component, the operations comprising inbound and outbound operations, the outbound operation for a first process component being operable to send a message to a second process component of the plurality of process components, the second process component having an inbound operation for receiving the message, the sending and receiving of messages between an inbound and an outbound operation defining a message-based, pair-wise interaction between the respective process components of the respective operations, the pair-wise interactions between pairs of the process components including interactions between;

the payment processing process component and the accounting process component, where the pair-wise interaction between the payment processing process component and the accounting process component includes the transmission of;

a payment accounting notification message from the payment processing process component to the accounting process component, the payment accounting notification message comprising a request to notify accounting of cash receipts and disbursements; and

a payment cancellation accounting notification message from the payment processing process component to the accounting process component, the payment cancellation accounting notification message comprising a request to notify accounting about cancellation of cash receipts and disbursements;

the due item processing process component and the accounting process component, where the pair-wise interaction between the due item processing process component and the accounting process component includes the transmission of;

a payment accounting notification message from the due item processing process component to the accounting process component, the payment accounting notification message comprising a notification for accounting of payments or clearings of trade and tax receivables or payables; and

a payment cancellation accounting notification message from the due item processing process component to the accounting process component, the payment cancellation accounting notification message comprising a notification for accounting of payment or clearing cancellation for trade and tax receivables or payables;

the logistics execution control process component and the outbound delivery processing process component, where the pair-wise interaction between the logistics execution control process component and the outbound delivery processing process component includes the transmission of;

a delivery request fulfillment request message from the logistics execution control process component to the outbound delivery processing process component, the delivery request fulfillment request message comprising a request associated with controlling, triggering, or monitoring a logistic process on a macro logistics level to fulfill an order; and

a delivery request fulfillment confirmation message from the outbound delivery processing process component to the logistics execution control process component, the delivery request fulfillment confirmation message comprising a confirmation of data upon receipt of an inbound delivery request;

the outbound delivery processing process component and the customer invoice processing process component, where the pair-wise interaction between the outbound delivery processing process component and the customer invoice processing process component includes the transmission of;

a customer invoice request message from the outbound delivery processing process component to the customer invoice processing process component, the customer invoice request message comprising a message sending a billing due notification to the customer invoice processing process component;

the sales order processing process component and the customer invoice processing process component, where the pair-wise interaction between the sales order processing process component and the customer invoice processing process component includes the transmission of;

a customer invoice request message from the sales order processing process component to the customer invoice processing process component, the customer invoice request message comprising a request to create, update, or cancel an invoice from the customer invoice processing process component; and

a customer invoice issued confirmation message from the customer invoice processing process component to the sales order processing process component, the customer invoice issued confirmation message comprising a confirmation of the creation, update, or cancellation of the corresponding invoice;

the customer invoice processing process component and the accounting process component, where the pair-wise interaction between the customer invoice processing process component and the accounting process component includes the transmission of;

an invoice accounting notification message from the customer invoice processing process component to the accounting process component, the invoice accounting notification message comprising a notification for accounting of existence of a customer invoice;

an invoice cancellation accounting notification message from the customer invoice processing process component to the accounting process component, the invoice cancellation accounting notification message comprising a notification for accounting of cancellation of a particular customer invoice;

the sales order processing process component and the accounting process component, where the pair-wise interaction between the sales order processing process component and the accounting process component includes the transmission of;

a sales and purchasing accounting notification message from the sales order processing process component to the accounting process component, the sales and purchasing accounting notification message comprising a notification for the accounting process component of creation, change, or cancellation of a sales order;

the payment processing process component and the due item processing process component, where the pair-wise interaction between the payment processing process component and the due item processing process component includes the transmission of;

a clearing request message from the payment processing process component to the due item processing process component, the clearing request message comprising a request to set a payment allocation status of a payment to cancelled;

a clearing cancellation request message from the payment processing process component to the due item processing process component, the clearing cancellation request message comprising a request cancelling a previously sent clearing request by reference; and

a clearing confirmation message from the due item processing process component to the payment processing process component, the clearing confirmation message comprising a confirmation or rejection of a clearing request;

the logistics execution control process component and the site logistics processing process component, where the pair-wise interaction between the logistics execution control process component and the site logistics processing process component includes the transmission of;

a site logistics request message from the logistics execution control process component to the site logistics processing process component, the site logistics request message comprising a request to execute a site logistics process for a certain quantity of material by a certain time;

a site logistics request confirmation message from the site logistics processing process component to the logistics execution control process component, the site logistics request confirmation message comprising a confirmation of receipt of a corresponding request to execute a site logistics process and acknowledgement of the request'"'"'s quantities and delivery dates; and

a site logistics request confirmation reconciliation notification message from the site logistics processing process component to the logistics execution control process component, the site logistics request confirmation reconciliation notification message comprising a notification to the logistics execution control process component of a reconciliation of a site logistics request confirmation;

the sales order processing process component and the customer requirement processing process component, where the pair-wise interaction between the sales order processing process component and the customer requirement process component includes the transmission of;

a product available to promise check request message from the sales order processing process component to the customer requirement processing process component, the product available to promise check request message comprising a binding request to check the availability of specified amounts of specified materials at specified dates and to reply with a binding statement concerning which amounts of which materials are available at which dates;

a product available to promise check confirmation message from the customer requirement processing process component to the sales order processing process component, the product available to promise check confirmation message comprising a confirmation of the availability of certain amounts of certain products at certain dates in response to the product available to promise check request message;

a provisional customer requirement delete notification message from the sales order processing process component to the customer requirement processing process component, the provisional customer requirement delete notification message comprising a notification to delete provisional customer requirements at the customer requirement processing process component;

a customer requirement fulfillment request message from the sales order processing process component to the customer requirement processing process component, the customer requirement fulfillment request message comprising a request to fulfill a sales order or the material flow-relevant parts of a service order;

a product available to promise update notification message from the customer requirement processing process component to the sales order processing process component, the product available to promise update notification message comprising a notification to a creator of a customer requirement about an updated availability situation for products requested within the customer requirement;

a customer requirement fulfillment confirmation message from the customer requirement processing process component to the sales order processing process component, the customer requirement fulfillment confirmation message comprising a confirmation partial or complete fulfillment of a customer requirement to a creator of the customer requirement;

the site logistics processing process component and the accounting process component, where the pair-wise interaction between the site logistics processing process component and the accounting process component includes the transmission of;

an inventory change and activity confirmation accounting notification message from the site logistics processing process component to the accounting process component, the inventory change and activity confirmation accounting notification message comprising a notification of at least one confirmed logistic process change which results from the execution of a site logistics process at a specific time to cause the accounting process component to create at least one corresponding accounting document; and

an inventory change and activity confirmation cancellation accounting notification from the site logistics processing process component to the accounting process component, the inventory change and activity confirmation cancellation accounting notification comprising notification of at least one cancelled logistic process change for the accounting process component;

the customer quote processing process component and the customer requirement processing process component, where the pair-wise interaction between the customer quote processing process component and the customer requirement processing process component includes the transmission of;

a product availability query message from the customer quote processing process component to the customer requirement processing process component, the product availability query message comprising a request for product availability information for customer quote items; and

a product availability response message from the customer requirement processing process component to the customer quote processing process component, the product availability response message comprising a non-binding response as to which amounts of products are available at which dates in response to a product availability query message;

the due item processing process component and the payment processing process component, where the pair-wise interaction between due item processing process component and the payment processing process component includes the transmission of;

a payment order reservation request message from the due item processing process component to the payment processing process component, the payment order reservation request message comprising a request for payment information associated with a provisional reservation of money;

a payment order reservation confirmation message from the payment processing process component to the due item processing process component, the payment order reservation confirmation message comprising a confirmation of a payment order reservation request;

a payment order reservation change request message from the due item processing process component to the payment processing process component, the payment order reservation change request message comprising a request to change a reservation of payment;

a payment order reservation change confirmation message from the payment processing process component to the due item processing process component, the payment order reservation change confirmation message comprising a confirmation of a change to a payment order reservation in response to a payment order reservation change request;

a payment order reservation change cancellation notification message from the due item processing process component to the payment processing process component, the payment order reservation change cancellation notification message comprising a request to change a reservation of payment;

a payment order request message from the due item processing process component to the payment processing process component, the payment order request message comprising a request for creation of a request for payment;

a payment order cancellation request message from the due item processing process component to the payment processing process component, the payment order cancellation request message comprising a request for cancellation of a request for payment;

a payment order confirmation message from the payment processing process component to the due item processing process component, the payment order confirmation message comprising a confirmation of execution of a payment request or a payment cancellation request;

the customer invoice processing process component and the due item processing process component, where the pair-wise interaction between customer invoice processing process component and the due item processing process component includes the transmission of;

a receivables payables notification message from the customer invoice processing process component to the due item processing process component, the receivables payables notification message comprising a notification to the due item processing process component of an invoice in order to derive payment due data; and

a receivables payables cancellation request message from the customer invoice processing process component to the due item processing process component, the receivables payables cancellation request message comprising notification of cancellation of an invoice to cancel the corresponding payment due data;

the sales order processing process component and the financial accounting master data management process component, where the pair-wise interaction between due item processing process component and the payment processing process component includes the transmission of;

a product and resource valuation query message from the sales order processing process component to the financial accounting master data management process component, the product and resource valuation query message comprising a request for a product valuation price of one or more goods or services included in an agreement between a seller and a buyer for delivery on a specific data, for a specific quantity, and for a specific price; and

a product and valuation response message from the financial accounting master data management process component to the sales order processing process component, the product and valuation response message comprising a response to the request product and resource valuation query message including valuations for the one or more goods or services included in the agreement;

the inventory processing process component and the supply and demand matching process component, where the pair-wise interaction between the inventory processing process component and the supply and demand matching process component includes the transmission of;

a planning view of inventory reconciliation notification message from the inventory processing process component to the supply and demand matching process component, the planning view of inventory reconciliation notification message comprising a request for an inventory reconciliation at the supply and demand matching process component;

the customer quote processing process component and the financial accounting master data management process component, where the pair-wise interaction between the customer quote processing process component and the financial accounting master data management process component includes the transmission of;

a product and resource valuation query message from the customer quote processing process component to the financial accounting master data management process component, the product and resource valuation query message comprising a request for a product valuation of one or more goods or services included in an offer associated with a customer quote; and

a product and resource valuation response message from the financial accounting master data management process component to the customer quote processing process component, the product and resource valuation response comprising a response to the product and resource valuation response message including valuations for the one or more goods or services included in the offer associated with the customer quote;

the site logistics processing process component and the site logistics processing process component;

the customer invoice processing process component and the balance of foreign payment management process component, where the pair-wise interaction between the customer invoice processing process component and the balance of foreign payment management process component includes the transmission of;

a foreign receivable payable notification message from the customer invoice processing process component to the balance of foreign payment management process component, the foreign receivable payable notification message comprising a notification of an invoice in order to track a receivable form, or a payable to, a non-resident business partner, where the balance of foreign payment management process component can create a corresponding foreign receivable or payable; and

a foreign receivable payable cancellation request message from the customer invoice processing process component to the balance of foreign payment management process component, the foreign receivable payable cancellation request message comprising a notification of an invoice in order to cancel information about a receivable from, or a payable to, a non-resident business partner, and where the balance of foreign payment management process component can cancel a foreign receivable or payable; and

the due item processing process component and the accounting process component, where the pair-wise interaction between customer quote processing process component and the financial accounting master data management process component includes the transmission of;

an invoice accounting notification from the due item processing process component to the accounting process component, the invoice accounting notification comprising a notification about the creation of a new supplier invoice or a change to an existing supplier invoice; and

an invoice cancellation accounting notification from the due item processing process component to the accounting process component, the invoice cancellation accounting notification comprising a notification about cancellation of a supplier invoice; and

store the defined process components and service interfaces in memory.

2. The product of claim 1, wherein:

the plurality of process components further includes;

a pricing engine process component that processes price and tax calculations; and

a payment authorization process component that represents a reusable service that is used to process the authorization request for a payment made using a payment card at the clearing house; and

the pair-wise interactions between pairs of the process components further include interactions between;

a bank statement creation at bank process component and the payment processing process component;

the customer quote processing process component and an RFQ processing at customer process component;

the customer invoice processing process component and a supplier invoice processing at customer process component;

the payment processing process component and a payment processing at business partner process component;

the payment processing process component and a payment order processing at house bank process component;

the outbound delivery processing process component and an inbound delivery processing at customer process component;

a purchase order processing at customer process component and the sales order processing process component;

the payment authorization process component and a settlement processing at clearing house process component;

the due item processing process component and the settlement processing at clearing house process component;

the pricing engine process component and an external tax calculation process component;

the payment processing process component and the payment processing at business partner process component; and

the outbound delivery processing process component and the inbound delivery processing at customer process component.

3. The product of claim 1, wherein:

each of the plurality of process components is assigned to exactly one deployment unit among multiple deployment units, and each deployment unit is deployable on a separate computer hardware platform independent of every other deployment unit; and

all interaction between a process component in one deployment unit and any other process component in any other deployment unit takes place through the respective service interfaces of the two process components.

4. The product of claim 3, wherein the deployment units comprise:

a financial accounting deployment unit that includes the accounting process component and the financial accounting master data management process component;

a production and site logistics execution deployment unit that includes the outbound delivery processing process component, the site logistics processing process component, and the inventory processing process component;

a supply chain control deployment unit that includes the customer requirement processing process component, the supply and demand matching process component, and the logistics execution control process component;

a due item management deployment unit that includes the balance of foreign payment management process component and the due item processing process component;

a payment deployment unit that includes the payment processing process component;

a customer invoicing deployment unit that includes the customer invoice processing process component; and

a customer relationship management deployment unit that includes the customer quote processing process component and the sales order processing process component.

5. The product of claim 1, wherein:

each of the process components includes one or more business objects; and

none of the business objects of any one of the process components interacts directly with any of the business objects included in any of the other process components.

6. The product of claim 5, wherein the business objects comprise a business process object.

7. The product of claim 5, wherein none of the business objects included in any one of the process components is included in any of the other process components.

8. The product of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of process agents, each process agent being either an inbound process agent or an outbound process agent, an inbound process agent being operable to receive a message from an inbound operation, an outbound process agent being operable to cause an outbound operation to send a message and each process agent being associated with exactly one process component.

9. The product of claim 8, wherein the inbound process agents comprise a first inbound process agent operable to start the execution of a business process step requested in a first inbound message by creating or updating one or more business object instances.

10. The product of claim 8, wherein the outbound process agents comprise a first asynchronous outbound process agent that is called after a business object that is associated with the first outbound process agent changes.

11. The product of claim 1, wherein the operations comprise synchronous and asynchronous operations.

12. A system, comprising:

a computer system comprising at least one hardware platform for executing computer instructions, the computer instructions structured as a plurality of process components interacting with each other through service interfaces, each hardware platform including at least one processor for executing the computer instructions;

memory storing a plurality of process components executable by the respective processor of the particular hardware platform, each of the process components comprising a modular and application-independent package of reusable, granular software implementing a respective and distinct business process, the business process comprising functionality exposed by the process component via at least one service interface, the plurality of process components including;

an accounting process component that records all relevant business transactions for valuation and profitability analysis;

a financial accounting master data management process component that is responsible for the management of financial accounting master data that is used both for accounting and costing purposes;

an outbound delivery processing process component that manages and processes the outbound delivery requirements for shipping goods to a product recipient;

a site logistics processing process component that combines tasks concerning the preparation, physical execution, and confirmation of logistics processes within a site;

an inventory processing process component that combines tasks required for the management of inventory and recording of inventory changes;

a customer requirement processing process component that combines the tasks required for controlling customer requirements in the supply chain;

a supply and demand matching process component that combines all the tasks necessary to ensure that sufficient material receipt elements exist to cover material demand, while taking available capacity into account;

a logistics execution control process component that creates, controls and monitors the supply chain execution activities necessary for the fulfillment of an order on a macro logistics level;

a due item processing process component that is used for the collection, management and monitoring of trade receivables or payables and corresponding sales or withholding tax;

a balance of foreign payment management process component that is used for the collection, processing, and reporting of receivables and payables according to foreign trade regulations that are required by the central banks to create the balance of payments of a country;

a payment processing process component that combines all the tasks necessary for the processing and management of all payments;

a customer invoice processing process component that is used for invoicing a customer for the delivery of goods or the provision of services;

a customer quote processing process component that is used to process quotes to customers offering the delivery of goods according to specific terms; and

a sales order processing process component that handles customers'"'"' requests to a seller for the delivery of goods on a specific date, for a specific quantity, and for a specific price; and

the memory further storing a plurality of service interfaces, each service interface associated with exactly one process component and comprising at least one operation, each being implemented for exactly one process component, the operations comprising inbound and outbound operations, the outbound operation for a first process component being operable to send a message to a second process component of the plurality of process components, the second process component having an inbound operation for receiving the message, the sending and receiving of messages between an inbound and an outbound operation defining a message-based, pair-wise interaction between the respective process components of the respective operations, the pair-wise interactions between pairs of the process components including interactions between;

the payment processing process component and the accounting process component, where the pair-wise interaction between the payment processing process component and the accounting process component includes the transmission of;

a payment accounting notification message from the payment processing process component to the accounting process component, the payment accounting notification message comprising a request to notify accounting of cash receipts and disbursements; and

a payment cancellation accounting notification message from the payment processing process component to the accounting process component, the payment cancellation accounting notification message comprising a request to notify accounting about cancellation of cash receipts and disbursements;

the due item processing process component and the accounting process component, where the pair-wise interaction between the due item processing process component and the accounting process component includes the transmission of;

a payment accounting notification message from the due item processing process component to the accounting process component, the payment accounting notification message comprising a notification for accounting of payments or clearings of trade and tax receivables or payables; and

a payment cancellation accounting notification message from the due item processing process component to the accounting process component, the payment cancellation accounting notification message comprising a notification for accounting of payment or clearing cancellation for trade and tax receivables or payables;

the logistics execution control process component and the outbound delivery processing process component, where the pair-wise interaction between the logistics execution control process component and the outbound delivery processing process component includes the transmission of;

a delivery request fulfillment request message from the logistics execution control process component to the outbound delivery processing process component, the delivery request fulfillment request message comprising a request associated with controlling, triggering, or monitoring a logistic process on a macro logistics level to fulfill an order; and

a delivery request fulfillment confirmation message from the outbound delivery processing process component to the logistics execution control process component, the delivery request fulfillment confirmation message comprising a confirmation of data upon receipt of an inbound delivery request;

the outbound delivery processing process component and the customer invoice processing process component, where the pair-wise interaction between the outbound delivery processing process component and the customer invoice processing process component includes the transmission of;

a customer invoice request message from the outbound delivery processing process component to the customer invoice processing process component, the customer invoice request message comprising a message sending a billing due notification to the customer invoice processing process component;

the sales order processing process component and the customer invoice processing process component, where the pair-wise interaction between the sales order processing process component and the customer invoice processing process component includes the transmission of;

a customer invoice request message from the sales order processing process component to the customer invoice processing process component, the customer invoice request message comprising a request to create, update, or cancel an invoice from the customer invoice processing process component; and

a customer invoice issued confirmation message from the customer invoice processing process component to the sales order processing process component, the customer invoice issued confirmation message comprising a confirmation of the creation, update, or cancellation of the corresponding invoice;

the customer invoice processing process component and the accounting process component, where the pair-wise interaction between the customer invoice processing process component and the accounting process component includes the transmission of;

an invoice accounting notification message from the customer invoice processing process component to the accounting process component, the invoice accounting notification message comprising a notification for accounting of existence of a customer invoice;

an invoice cancellation accounting notification message from the customer invoice processing process component to the accounting process component, the invoice cancellation accounting notification message comprising a notification for accounting of cancellation of a particular customer invoice;

the sales order processing process component and the accounting process component, where the pair-wise interaction between the sales order processing process component and the accounting process component includes the transmission of;

a sales and purchasing accounting notification message from the sales order processing process component to the accounting process component, the sales and purchasing accounting notification message comprising a notification for the accounting process component of creation, change, or cancellation of a sales order;

the payment processing process component and the due item processing process component, where the pair-wise interaction between the payment processing process component and the due item processing process component includes the transmission of;

a clearing request message from the payment processing process component to the due item processing process component, the clearing request message comprising a request to set a payment allocation status of a payment to cancelled;

a clearing cancellation request message from the payment processing process component to the due item processing process component, the clearing cancellation request message comprising a request cancelling a previously sent clearing request by reference; and

a clearing confirmation message from the due item processing process component to the payment processing process component, the clearing confirmation message comprising a confirmation or rejection of a clearing request;

the logistics execution control process component and the site logistics processing process component, where the pair-wise interaction between the logistics execution control process component and the site logistics processing process component includes the transmission of;

a site logistics request message from the logistics execution control process component to the site logistics processing process component, the site logistics request message comprising a request to execute a site logistics process for a certain quantity of material by a certain time;

a site logistics request confirmation message from the site logistics processing process component to the logistics execution control process component, the site logistics request confirmation message comprising a confirmation of receipt of a corresponding request to execute a site logistics process and acknowledgement of the request'"'"'s quantities and delivery dates; and

a site logistics request confirmation reconciliation notification message from the site logistics processing process component to the logistics execution control process component, the site logistics request confirmation reconciliation notification message comprising a notification to the logistics execution control process component of a reconciliation of a site logistics request confirmation;

the sales order processing process component and the customer requirement processing process component, where the pair-wise interaction between the sales order processing process component and the customer requirement process component includes the transmission of;

a product available to promise check request message from the sales order processing process component to the customer requirement processing process component, the product available to promise check request message comprising a binding request to check the availability of specified amounts of specified materials at specified dates and to reply with a binding statement concerning which amounts of which materials are available at which dates;

a product available to promise check confirmation message from the customer requirement processing process component to the sales order processing process component, the product available to promise check confirmation message comprising a confirmation of the availability of certain amounts of certain products at certain dates in response to the product available to promise check request message;

a provisional customer requirement delete notification message from the sales order processing process component to the customer requirement processing process component, the provisional customer requirement delete notification message comprising a notification to delete provisional customer requirements at the customer requirement processing process component;

a customer requirement fulfillment request message from the sales order processing process component to the customer requirement processing process component, the customer requirement fulfillment request message comprising a request to fulfill a sales order or the material flow-relevant parts of a service order;

a product available to promise update notification message from the customer requirement processing process component to the sales order processing process component, the product available to promise update notification message comprising a notification to a creator of a customer requirement about an updated availability situation for products requested within the customer requirement;

a customer requirement fulfillment confirmation message from the customer requirement processing process component to the sales order processing process component, the customer requirement fulfillment confirmation message comprising a confirmation partial or complete fulfillment of a customer requirement to a creator of the customer requirement;

the site logistics processing process component and the accounting process component, where the pair-wise interaction between the site logistics processing process component and the accounting process component includes the transmission of;

an inventory change and activity confirmation accounting notification message from the site logistics processing process component to the accounting process component, the inventory change and activity confirmation accounting notification message comprising a notification of at least one confirmed logistic process change which results from the execution of a site logistics process at a specific time to cause the accounting process component to create at least one corresponding accounting document; and

an inventory change and activity confirmation cancellation accounting notification from the site logistics processing process component to the accounting process component, the inventory change and activity confirmation cancellation accounting notification comprising notification of at least one cancelled logistic process change for the accounting process component;

the customer quote processing process component and the customer requirement processing process component, where the pair-wise interaction between the customer quote processing process component and the customer requirement processing process component includes the transmission of;

a product availability query message from the customer quote processing process component to the customer requirement processing process component, the product availability query message comprising a request for product availability information for customer quote items; and

a product availability response message from the customer requirement processing process component to the customer quote processing process component, the product availability response message comprising a non-binding response as to which amounts of products are available at which dates in response to a product availability query message;

the due item processing process component and the payment processing process component, where the pair-wise interaction between due item processing process component and the payment processing process component includes the transmission of;

a payment order reservation request message from the due item processing process component to the payment processing process component, the payment order reservation request message comprising a request for payment information associated with a provisional reservation of money;

a payment order reservation confirmation message from the payment processing process component to the due item processing process component, the payment order reservation confirmation message comprising a confirmation of a payment order reservation request;

a payment order reservation change request message from the due item processing process component to the payment processing process component, the payment order reservation change request message comprising a request to change a reservation of payment;

a payment order reservation change confirmation message from the payment processing process component to the due item processing process component, the payment order reservation change confirmation message comprising a confirmation of a change to a payment order reservation in response to a payment order reservation change request;

a payment order reservation change cancellation notification message from the due item processing process component to the payment processing process component, the payment order reservation change cancellation notification message comprising a request to change a reservation of payment;

a payment order request message from the due item processing process component to the payment processing process component, the payment order request message comprising a request for creation of a request for payment;

a payment order cancellation request message from the due item processing process component to the payment processing process component, the payment order cancellation request message comprising a request for cancellation of a request for payment;

a payment order confirmation message from the payment processing process component to the due item processing process component, the payment order confirmation message comprising a confirmation of execution of a payment request or a payment cancellation request;

the customer invoice processing process component and the due item processing process component, where the pair-wise interaction between customer invoice processing process component and the due item processing process component includes the transmission of;

a receivables payables notification message from the customer invoice processing process component to the due item processing process component, the receivables payables notification message comprising a notification to the due item processing process component of an invoice in order to derive payment due data; and

a receivables payables cancellation request message from the customer invoice processing process component to the due item processing process component, the receivables payables cancellation request message comprising notification of cancellation of an invoice to cancel the corresponding payment due data;

the sales order processing process component and the financial accounting master data management process component, where the pair-wise interaction between due item processing process component and the payment processing process component includes the transmission of;

a product and resource valuation query message from the sales order processing process component to the financial accounting master data management process component, the product and resource valuation query message comprising a request for a product valuation price of one or more goods or services included in an agreement between a seller and a buyer for delivery on a specific data, for a specific quantity, and for a specific price; and

a product and valuation response message from the financial accounting master data management process component to the sales order processing process component, the product and valuation response message comprising a response to the request product and resource valuation query message including valuations for the one or more goods or services included in the agreement;

the inventory processing process component and the supply and demand matching process component, where the pair-wise interaction between the inventory processing process component and the supply and demand matching process component includes the transmission of;

a planning view of inventory reconciliation notification message from the inventory processing process component to the supply and demand matching process component, the planning view of inventory reconciliation notification message comprising a request for an inventory reconciliation at the supply and demand matching process component;

the customer quote processing process component and the financial accounting master data management process component, where the pair-wise interaction between the customer quote processing process component and the financial accounting master data management process component includes the transmission of;

a product and resource valuation query message from the customer quote processing process component to the financial accounting master data management process component, the product and resource valuation query message comprising a request for a product valuation of one or more goods or services included in an offer associated with a customer quote; and

a product and resource valuation response message from the financial accounting master data management process component to the customer quote processing process component, the product and resource valuation response comprising a response to the product and resource valuation response message including valuations for the one or more goods or services included in the offer associated with the customer quote;

the site logistics processing process component and the site logistics processing process component;

the customer invoice processing process component and the balance of foreign payment management process component, where the pair-wise interaction between the customer invoice processing process component and the balance of foreign payment management process component includes the transmission of;

a foreign receivable payable notification message from the customer invoice processing process component to the balance of foreign payment management process component, the foreign receivable payable notification message comprising a notification of an invoice in order to track a receivable form, or a payable to, a non-resident business partner, where the balance of foreign payment management process component can create a corresponding foreign receivable or payable; and

a foreign receivable payable cancellation request message from the customer invoice processing process component to the balance of foreign payment management process component, the foreign receivable payable cancellation request message comprising a notification of an invoice in order to cancel information about a receivable from, or a payable to, a non-resident business partner, and where the balance of foreign payment management process component can cancel a foreign receivable or payable; and

the due item processing process component and the accounting process component, where the pair-wise interaction between customer quote processing process component and the financial accounting master data management process component includes the transmission of;

an invoice accounting notification from the due item processing process component to the accounting process component, the invoice accounting notification comprising a notification about the creation of a new supplier invoice or a change to an existing supplier invoice; and

an invoice cancellation accounting notification from the due item processing process component to the accounting process component, the invoice cancellation accounting notification comprising a notification about cancellation of a supplier invoice.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein:

the plurality of process components further includes;

a pricing engine process component that processes price and tax calculations; and

a payment authorization process component that represents a reusable service that is used to process the authorization request for a payment made using a payment card at the clearing house; and

the pair-wise interactions between pairs of the process components include interactions between;

a bank statement creation at bank process component and the payment processing process component;

the customer quote processing process component and an RFQ processing at customer process component;

the customer invoice processing process component and a supplier invoice processing at customer process component;

the payment processing process component and a payment processing at business partner process component;

the payment processing process component and a payment order processing at house bank process component;

the outbound delivery processing process component and an inbound delivery processing at customer process component;

a purchase order processing at customer process component and the sales order processing process component;

the payment authorization process component and a settlement processing at clearing house process component;

the due item processing process component and the settlement processing at clearing house process component;

the pricing engine process component and an external tax calculation process component;

the payment processing process component and the payment processing at business partner process component; and

the outbound delivery processing process component and the inbound delivery processing at customer process component.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein:

each of the process components includes one or more business objects; and

none of the business objects of any one of the process components interacts directly with any of the business objects included in any of the other process components.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein none of the business objects included in any one of the process components is included in any of the other process components.

16. The system of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of process agents, each process agent being either an inbound process agent or an outbound process agent, an inbound process agent being operable to receive a message from an inbound operation, an outbound process agent being operable to cause an outbound operation to send a message and each process agent being associated with exactly one process component.

17. The system of claim 12, the system comprising multiple hardware platforms, wherein:

the accounting process component and the financial accounting master data management process component are deployed on a first hardware platform;

the outbound delivery processing process component, the site logistics processing process component, and the inventory processing process component are deployed on a second hardware platform;

the customer requirement processing process component, the supply and demand matching process component, and the logistics execution control process component are deployed on a third hardware platform;

the balance of foreign payment management process component and the due item processing process component are deployed on a fourth hardware platform;

the payment processing process component is deployed on a fifth hardware platform;

the customer invoice processing process component is deployed on a sixth hardware platform; and

the customer quote processing process component and the sales order processing process component are deployed on a seventh hardware platform.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein each of the first through the seventh hardware platforms are distinct and separate from each other.