Definition
An Internet Transaction Server (ITS) is a server technology utilized to connect web applications with traditional mainframe systems, enabling the exchange of data between web interfaces and back-end systems. Developed by SAP, ITS facilitates real-time communication, allowing users to access information and perform transactions using web-based applications. The primary objective of ITS is to create an interaction between users and SAP applications through popular web browsers, ensuring secure, efficient, and seamless data transfer.
Phonetic
The phonetic pronunciation for the keyword “Internet Transaction Server” is:- Internet: /ˈɪn.tÉ™r.net/- Transaction: /trænˈzæk.ʃən/- Server: /ˈsÉœr.vÉ™r/
Key Takeaways
- Internet Transaction Server (ITS) acts as a communication interface between the SAP system and the internet, providing seamless connectivity and allowing users to access SAP applications via their web browser.
- ITS consists of a server component and service components, which together handle the conversion of data between the various formats required by SAP and internet protocols. This allows developers to create web-based applications using SAP technologies without needing in-depth knowledge of web technologies.
- While ITS used to play a central role in providing web access to SAP systems, its importance has decreased since the introduction of SAP NetWeaver platform and the Web Application Server, which now offer integrated web and application server functionalities. However, ITS is still relevant for certain legacy systems and applications.
Importance
The term “Internet Transaction Server (ITS)” is important because it is a crucial component in the world of technology and e-commerce, enabling seamless interactions between web applications, servers, and users.
ITS serves as a bridge that connects various web interfaces with backend systems, ensuring real-time processing and secure exchange of information.
This not only simplifies online transactions but also enhances the overall user experience by providing a fast and efficient platform for communication.
Moreover, ITS plays a pivotal role in promoting digitization and modernization of businesses, enabling them to cater to a global audience, reduce operational costs, and streamline workflow for improved productivity.
Ultimately, Internet Transaction Server has become an indispensable aspect of our increasingly connected world, empowering users and businesses to engage in online transactions effortlessly and securely.
Explanation
The primary purpose of an Internet Transaction Server (ITS) revolves around enabling seamless communication between web clients, such as web browsers, and enterprise applications, particularly those in SAP environments. Fundamentally, ITS serves as a bridge between both worlds, ensuring smooth transactions and helping companies transition into the digital sphere while retaining their legacy business applications.
As an added advantage, the organizations make use of the internet for enhancing their operations, automating manual processes, and conducting transactions, thus improving their efficiencies. At its core, an Internet Transaction Server manages user requests transmitted from web-based clients and subsequently interacts with the appropriate enterprise applications to cater to those requests.
Acting as a vital intermediary, ITS is responsible for converting the information and documents (like messages, HTML files, and SAP transactions) shared across the platform so that both the client and enterprise application understand the received information, ensuring efficient and error-free data exchange. The ITS thereby ensures that digital transactions are carried out securely, accurately, and promptly, making the whole business process optimized and reliable in the ever-growing digital landscape.
Examples of Internet Transaction Server
Online Banking: Internet Transaction Servers play a significant role in online banking, where customers can access financial services, including checking account balance, transferring funds, and paying bills, securely through their bank’s website or mobile application. Banks utilize these servers to reduce transaction processing time, handle high volumes of requests, and ensure the security of sensitive financial information.
E-Commerce Websites: Websites like Amazon, eBay, and Alibaba utilize Internet Transaction Servers to manage and process millions of online purchases and sales daily. These servers efficiently handle transactions, manage inventory, track shipping statuses, and maintain secure payment processing systems, guaranteeing a smooth and secure user experience for both buyers and sellers.
Online Booking Systems: Travel agencies, hotels, and airlines use Internet Transaction Servers to manage their online booking and reservation systems. These servers enable customers to book flights, hotel rooms, or rental cars in real-time while ensuring that the systems can accommodate high volumes of requests and process transactions securely.
Internet Transaction Server FAQ
What is an Internet Transaction Server (ITS)?
An Internet Transaction Server (ITS) is a software component that enables efficient communication between SAP R/3 applications and the internet. ITS serves as the bridge between the SAP system and web browsers, allowing users to access SAP functionality through their web browsers.
How does ITS work?
ITS works as a middleware between the SAP system and the web browser. It transforms the SAP proprietary data format (called Dynpro) into a widely accepted data format (HTML) that can be rendered and displayed by any web browser. ITS processes user input and actions in the web browser and sends them back to the SAP R/3 system for processing and displaying the respective output in the browser.
What are the main components of ITS?
The main components of ITS are:
1. W-Gate (Web Gateway): It handles the communication between the web browser and the ITS.
2. A-Gate (Application Gateway): It is responsible for communication between ITS and the SAP system.
3. IAC (Internet Application Components): These are pre-built web applications in the ITS for the most common SAP transactions.
4. SAP GUI HTML Control: The control responsible for rendering SAP interface elements in the browser (buttons, lists, etc.).
What are the benefits of using ITS?
Some of the benefits of using ITS include:
1. Access to SAP R/3 applications through a web browser, without any additional client-side software installation.
2. Improved usability and user experience by incorporating web-based user interfaces.
3. Simplified system landscape, as ITS can be directly integrated with the SAP Web Application Server.
4. Faster development cycles and easier maintenance, as changes made in the SAP system are directly reflected in the web-based applications.
5. Enhanced security through the use of standard internet security protocols like SSL and SNC.
What is the difference between the Classic ITS and Integrated ITS?
The Classic ITS, also known as Standalone ITS, is a separate server from the SAP system that provides web enablement features. The Integrated ITS is a component within the SAP Web Application Server (SAP WAS), which directly connects to the SAP system. The advantages of Integrated ITS over Classic ITS include simplified system landscape, improved performance, and increased reliability, as it runs within the SAP application server framework.
Related Technology Terms
- Web Application Server
- Secure Electronic Transaction (SET)
- Online Payment Gateway
- SSL Encryption
- Internet Protocol Suite
