SAP Web Page Composer

The latest generation SAP NetWeaver Portal offers a software component users have been waiting for: The Web Page Composer (WPC). WPC has been available for customers since late 2007. As a Special Expertise Partner SAP NetWeaver Portal, btexx has been thoroughly testing the new software component within the scope of a three-month internal project. 

The Web Page Composer is a very important addition to the existing range of functions available in the SAP Portal and, most importantly, offers solutions for creating, maintaining and providing web-based content and fast HTML pages. Creating and managing portal roles and user-specific applications, however, is still handled by the Portal Content Studio and is not expected to be supported until the next generation of the Web Page Composer.
 

WPC: Strengths and weaknesses at a glance

Advantages:
++	No additional license fees (SAP standard)
++	Excellent performance (WPC web pages are extremely streamlined websites; ideal for use in Internet scenarios)
+	Powerful XML framework
+	Web Features (RSS, Rendering Modes, Print View, Send E-mail, Forward, Backward in Browser, etc.)
+	Versioning/approval possible at the page level

Disadvantages:
--	Different user interfaces (page editing and structure editing)
--	Layout requirements cannot be met without a great deal of additional effort: In order to implement complex designs, forms must be programmed in XSL
-	In-depth knowledge of XSL required (programming knowledge) in order to create forms
-	XML Forms Editor can no longer be used; existing forms cannot be implemented anymore
-	SAP has already announced the second generation of WPC; the first version has only been on the market since late 2007
-	Additional costs for migration expenditure
-	Limited connection between portal roles, applications (in the PCD) and WPC web pages (in the KM)

Which solution makes the most sense for my business?

The Web Page Composer is a very important addition for portal projects whose main emphasis lies on the presentation via the Internet. It is also possible to use the solution for role-based portal projects, but editing work then needs to take place on two levels:

a) In the Portal Content Studio for managing the application iViews and portal roles (PCD)
b) In the Web Page Composer for managing the content modules

For editors who have very little knowledge of IT, this translates into a noticeable break in media with respect to user interfaces and storage concepts (PCD and KM).
btexx recommends performing a detailed analysis before migrating from btexx easyWCM to Web Page Composer: How much effort is required when migrating forms and content? How much time should be planned for transitioning the existing role and authorization concepts?  

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions concerning this topic!

Advantages of easyWCM at a glance

	Compared to many other WCMS solutions, the SAP NetWeaver Platform with easyWCM offers you a homogenous and integrated IT architecture without additional system expense. Here you can see a tabular overview on how to integrate easyWCM in the SAP Portal: easyWCM portal integration »

The easyWCM solution for effortless Web Content Management in the SAP NetWeaver Portal from btexx business technologies GmbH, first presented at the 2005 SAP NetWeaver Congress, is officially certified by SAP. Now customers have a product that closes the gaps between the SAP NetWeaver Portal and SAP Knowledge Management and makes more effective Portal Content Management possible in the enterprise portal.

“It has enabled us to create an attractive solution for companies who want to extend the SAP Enterprise Portal’s fields of use with a powerful WCMS,” says Christoph Schulz from btexx business technologies GmbH. easyWCM is a solutions approach with a very deep level of integration in the portal solution from SAP AG; no other runtime platform is required besides the SAP NetWeaver Portal.

Read the complete feature article from Stefan Bohlmann here: “Quo vadis: Web Content Management in the Enterprise Portal?”