What is Elster Adapter in SAP CPI? #sapcpi #sap #elster

Summary

This video introduces the Elster Adapter, essential for integrating SAP and non-SAP applications with German tax authorities for secure and compliant tax reporting. It supports both sender and receiver communication, utilizing the Elster Library for tax documentation exchange. The adapter is compatible with SAP HANA, SAP SuccessFactors, and other applications via SAP CPI. It advises on authentication with OAuth, scheduling with a poller, and warns against using it for non-German tax reporting or real-time applications. Configuration involves specifying OAuth credentials and tax document operations. Known issues include lack of support for test tools, local initiation, and error handling.

Takeaways

• 🔌 The Elster Adapter is used for integrating SAP and non-SAP applications with German tax authorities for tax management.
• 🇩🇪 It is specifically designed for the Electronic Tax Administration system used by German tax authorities, known as the Elster system.
• 📄 This adapter facilitates the exchange of tax documentation such as sales tax, purchase tax, and employment tax decisions.
• 💼 It utilizes the Elster Library provided by the tax authorities for both sender-side and receiver-side communication.
• 🔄 The Elster Adapter supports integration with SAP systems like SAP HANA and SAP SuccessFactors, as well as non-SAP applications via SAP CPI.
• 🔐 Use the OAuth credential name feature to authenticate your Elster account with SAP CPI for secure communication.
• ⏰ Utilize the scheduler feature to manage the polling interval of the sender adapter for efficient data processing.
• 🚫 Avoid using the Elster Adapter for tax reporting outside of Germany or for real-time or streaming applications as it does not support these scenarios.
• ⚙️ Configuration parameters for the Elster Adapter include specifying the OAuth credential name and the type of tax document operation.
• ⚠️ Known issues with the Elster Adapter include lack of support for Elster operations in the test tool, local initiation process, and error handling process.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of the Elster Adapter?

The Elster Adapter is used to integrate SAP and non-SAP applications with German government authorities for tax management, specifically with the Electronic Tax Administration system known as Elster.

What kind of tax documentation can be managed with the Elster Adapter?

The Elster Adapter allows for the management of tax documentation such as tax on sales and purchases, employment tax decisions, and other tax-related documents.

Which library does the Elster Adapter utilize for its functions?

The Elster Adapter uses the Elster Library, which is provided by the German tax authorities.

Does the Elster Adapter support both sending and receiving tax documentation?

Yes, the Elster Adapter supports both sender-side and receiver-side communication for tax documentation.

What types of SAP systems can be integrated with the Elster Adapter?

The Elster Adapter can integrate with SAP systems like SAP HANA and SAP SuccessFactors, and it also supports non-SAP applications through SAP CPI.

What is the recommended use case for the Elster Adapter?

The Elster Adapter should be used for scenarios that require secure, reliable, and compliant tax reporting to the German tax authorities.

How can one authenticate their Elster account with SAP CPI?

One can authenticate their Elster account with SAP CPI using the OAuth credential name feature.

Why should one not use the Elster Adapter for tax reporting to other countries?

The Elster Adapter should not be used for tax reporting to other countries or regions because it only supports the German Tax Administration system.

What are the configuration parameters required for the Elster Adapter?

In the Elster Adapter, one needs to configure the OAuth credential name in the connections parameter and specify the operation type in the processing section.

What are some known issues with the Elster Adapter?

Known issues with the Elster Adapter include lack of support for Elster operations in the test tool, local initiation process, and error handling process.

What is the Elster Adapter's stance on integrating streaming or real-time applications?

The Elster Adapter does not support integration with streaming or real-time applications as it is designed for scheduled or batch data processing.

Outlines

00:00

🔗 Introduction to Elster Adapter

The video introduces the Elster Adapter, which is used for integrating SAP and non-SAP applications with the German tax authorities for tax management. It explains that the Elster system is an Electronic Tax Administration system utilized by German tax authorities, and the Elster Adapter facilitates the exchange of tax documentation such as sales tax, purchase tax, and employment tax decisions. The adapter uses the Elster Library provided by the tax authorities and supports both sending and receiving communications. It can integrate with SAP systems like SAP HANA and SAP SuccessFactors, as well as non-SAP applications through SAP CPI.

Keywords

💡Elster Adapter

The Elster Adapter is a middleware tool designed for integrating SAP and non-SAP applications with the German tax authorities, specifically for tax management purposes. It facilitates the exchange of tax documentation such as sales tax, purchase tax, and employment tax decisions. In the video, the Elster Adapter is the central theme, as it is the tool discussed for connecting applications with the Elster system, which is the electronic tax administration system in Germany.

💡SAP

SAP is an enterprise software company that provides a suite of ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and other business software solutions. In the context of the video, SAP systems like SAP HANA and SAP SuccessFactors are mentioned as examples of applications that can be integrated with the Elster Adapter for tax documentation purposes. This integration is crucial for companies operating in Germany to ensure compliance with tax reporting regulations.

💡German tax authorities

The German tax authorities are the government bodies responsible for tax collection and management in Germany. The video discusses the need for businesses to integrate their applications with these authorities using the Elster Adapter to ensure secure and compliant tax reporting. This integration is essential for businesses to meet their tax obligations and maintain good standing with the German government.

💡Electronic Tax Administration

The Electronic Tax Administration, or Elster system, is a system used by the German tax authorities for managing tax-related documentation and processes electronically. The Elster Adapter is used to connect business applications to this system, enabling the automated submission and retrieval of tax documents. The video emphasizes the importance of this system for businesses operating in Germany to streamline their tax reporting processes.

💡Elster Library

The Elster Library is a software library provided by the German tax authorities that the Elster Adapter uses to communicate with the Elster system. It contains the necessary functions and protocols required for data exchange with the tax authorities. The video mentions this library as a foundational component of the Elster Adapter, highlighting its role in facilitating the secure and compliant exchange of tax documents.

💡OAuth

OAuth is an open standard for access delegation, commonly used as a way for Internet users to grant websites or applications access to their information on other websites without giving them the passwords. In the video, OAuth is mentioned as a method for authenticating the Elster account with SAP CPI, ensuring secure access to the Elster Adapter for tax reporting purposes.

💡SAP CPI

SAP Cloud Platform Integration (CPI) is a suite of integration services that enable businesses to connect and extend their applications in the cloud. The video discusses how the Elster Adapter supports integration with SAP CPI, allowing for the mediation of data between SAP and non-SAP applications for tax documentation with the German tax authorities.

💡Tax documentation

Tax documentation refers to the various records and reports that are required for tax reporting purposes. The Elster Adapter is designed to handle the exchange of such documents, including sales tax, purchase tax, and employment tax decisions. The video emphasizes the importance of accurate and compliant tax documentation for businesses operating in Germany.

💡Scheduler feature

The scheduler feature mentioned in the video refers to the ability to set up a polling interval for the sender adapter, which is part of the Elster Adapter. This feature allows businesses to automate the process of sending tax documents to the German tax authorities at specified intervals, streamlining the tax reporting process.

💡Known issues

Known issues are problems or limitations that have been identified with a product or service. In the context of the Elster Adapter, the video lists several known issues, such as the lack of support for Elster operations in the test tool, local initiation process, and error handling process. These known issues are important for potential users to consider when evaluating the Elster Adapter for their tax reporting needs.

Highlights

Introduction to Elster Adapter for integrating SAP and non-SAP applications with German tax authorities.

Explanation of the Elster system used by German tax authorities for Electronic Tax Administration.

Elster Adapter's capability to send and receive tax documentations such as sales tax and employment tax decisions.

Utilization of Elster Library provided by tax authorities within the adapter.

Support for both sender-side and receiver-side communication via Elster Adapter.

Integration possibilities with SAP systems like SAP HANA and SAP SuccessFactors.

Support for non-SAP applications through SAP CPI mediation.

Guidelines on using Elster Adapter for secure, reliable, and compliant tax reporting to German tax authorities.

Recommendation to use OAuth credential name feature for Elster account authentication with SAP CPI.

Advantage of using a scheduler feature to manage the polling interval of the sender adapter.

Caution against using Elster Adapter for tax reporting outside of Germany.

Warning against using Elster Adapter for streaming or real-time applications.

Configuration parameters needed for Elster Adapter, including OAuth credential name and tax documentation operation.

Known issues with Elster Adapter, such as lack of support for operations in test tools and local initiation process.

Elster Adapter's limitations in error handling processes.

Personal insight from the presenter on the potential of working with Elster Adapter in German customer scenarios.

Call to action for viewers to like, share, and subscribe for more informative content.

Transcripts

[Music] Hey, guys! Welcome to  another video. In this video,  

I'm going to talk about our next adapter,  which is Elster Adapter. Let's begin.

What is Elster Adapter? We use Elster Adapter  when you have a requirement to integrate SAP  

and non-SAP applications with German government  authorities who take care of tax management.  

Basically, in Germany, German tax authorities  have a system called Electronic Tax Administration  

system, which is Elster system. If you want to  integrate your applications with this government  

body, you have to use Elster Adapter. This adapter  allows you to send and receive tax documentations,  

such as tax on sales and purchases and  employment tax decisions. This adapter  

uses a library called Elster Library,  which is provided by tax authorities.  

This adapter supports both sender-side  communication and receiver-side communication.

Let's talk about what are the different  applications that we can integrate by using  

this adapter. As I mentioned earlier, this is  mainly used for exchanging tax documentation.  

We can use the adapter to integrate SAP  systems like SAP HANA, SAP SuccessFactors,  

and of course, it also supports other non-SAP  applications because we are mediating via SAP CPI.

Let's talk about the dos and don'ts of using this  Elster Adapter. Use Elster Adapter for scenarios  

that require secure, reliable, and compliant  tax reporting to the German tax authorities.  

Use OAuth credential name feature to  authenticate your Elster account with  

SAP CPI. Use a scheduler feature to schedule  the polling interval of the sender adapter.

Now, let's talk about the don'ts of using Elster  Adapter. Don't use Elster Adapter for scenarios  

that require tax reporting to other countries or  other regions because this adapter only supports  

the German Tax Administration system. Do not use  Elster Adapter to integrate streaming applications  

or real-time applications because Elster Adapter  supports only scheduling or batch data processing.

Let's talk about the parameters that you need to  configure an Elster Adapter. In Elster Adapter,  

in the connections parameter, you need to mention  the OAuth credential name. In the processing,  

you need to indicate what kind of tax  documentation operation you're trying  

to perform. In the processing section,  you need to specify the operation,  

which is the type of tax document operation to  be performed with Elster server. For example,  

it can be send tax document or  receive tax document or statistic.

Let's talk about the known issues  using Elster Adapter. At the moment,  

Elster Adapter does not support  Elster operations in the test  

tool. This adapter does not support Elster  operations in local initiation process.  

Elster Adapter does not support Elster  operation in error handling process.

That's it about Elster Adapter. Personally, I  have not worked with Elster Adapter in any of  

integrations. If you're working with a German  customer, I'm sure you'll get a chance to work  

with this adapter. If you like the video or if you  find this video useful, consider giving a like,  

share the video, and subscribe to my  channel. Thank you very much for watching.