Portal Implementation Guide - Get Started

New Installations

1. Prepare for Installation

Before installation can begin, Prepare to install Portals by confirming server hardware and software prerequisites.

2. Install B1WebAPI

B1WebAPI provides Portals access to SAP Business One data. Install B1WebAPI for Portal product installation.

3. Install InterConnect Server Tools

InterConnect Server Tools enables licensing and meta-data deployment. Install InterConnect Server Tools for Portal product installation.

4. Apply Licenses

Request and Install a License using InterConnect Server Tools. Applying a license will install meta-data and permit InterConnect Manager Add-On to run.

HANA Only: Install Hana Functions

As of version 93.1, additional Hana SQL functions are required to fully support Portal features. Due to a known bug in SAP Hana, these functions cannot currently be installed through metadata.

Once licenses are applied, on Hana systems only, Manually install Hana functions contained in the install package: /Setup Files/2 - Server Tools/Hana_Install-functions-manually.sql. Using Hana Studio, Open SQL Console for the desired company database, then run the SQL installation scripts in the provided file.

5. Install InterConnect Manager Add-On

InterConnect Manager Add-On is the add-on component for SAP Business One. It enables configuration and query management. Install InterConnect Manager Add-On for every Portal product implementation.

6. Install Portal Websites and Configure Basic Settings

• Install Customer Portal - This is necessary before implementing B2B Marketplace or Order Pad for Customer Portal.
• Install Employee Portal - This is necessary before implementing Sales User or Expense User features for Employee Portal.
• Install Vendor Portal.
• Install Workflow Portal - This is necessary before implementing workflows with Interconnect.

Alternatively, you may wish to manually install a website: Install Portal Website Files Manually.

7. Configure Logging

Logging is recommended for the Portals, so each Portal includes Log4Net logging. Log4Net logs error information when issues arise in the Portals or their supporting services. Configure Logging for all Portal products.

Upgrades

Upgrades require additional work versus a new install, otherwise, existing configuration and data may be corrupted. To avoid issues during an upgrade, review the steps below.

Upgrade Version Chart

Versions prior to 93.2 require an upgrade of all components. For versions higher than 93.2, refer to the chart below to determine which components need to be upgraded.

For a full list of older version components, see Technical Reference: Upgrade Chart for All Versions.

SAP Business One 10 is only supported by Portals version 100 and higher. B1 9.3 or B1 9.2 are not supported by Portals version 100.

SAP Business One 9.3 and 9.2 are supported by Portals version 93. B1 10 is not supported by Portals version 93.

1. Prepare for an Upgrade

Prepare for an Upgrade. Review all relevant components before proceeding with the upgrade. Each product has its own notes.

2. Upgrade B1WebAPI

B1WebAPI does not always require an upgrade. If you are starting on version prior to 93.2, B1WebAPI must be upgraded. If you are on a later version, review the Upgrade Version Chart above to determine whether B1WebAPI must be upgraded.

If an upgrade is required, follow the instructions for Installing B1WebAPI.

3. Install or Upgrade InterConnect Server Tools

If you are upgrading from Service Pack 3 for B1 9.1 (version 91.3) or earlier, InterConnect Server Tools is a new component that requires a new installation.

For later versions, review the Upgrade Version Chart to determine whether InterConnect Server Tools must be upgraded.

If installation or upgrade is required, see Installing InterConnect Server Tools

4. Upgrade Meta-Data and Confirm Licensing

After an upgrade, licensing may need to be re-applied using InterConnect Server Tools.

Meta-data updates may be required. This can be identified in InterConnect Server Tools. Use InterConnect Server Tools to load the most recent meta-data and confirm licensing.

See Requesting and Installing a License.

HANA Only: Install Hana Functions

As of version 93.1, additional Hana SQL functions are required to fully support Portal features. Due to a known bug in SAP Hana, these functions cannot currently be installed through metadata.

Once metadata is installed, on Hana systems only, Manually install Hana functions contained in the install package: /Setup Files/2 - Server Tools/Hana_Install-functions-manually.sql. Using Hana Studio, Open SQL Console for the desired company database, then run the SQL installation scripts in the provided file.

5. Upgrade InterConnect Manager Add-On

When upgrading InterConnect Manager Add-On, follow the instructions for Installing InterConnect Manager Add-On. InterConnect Manager Add-On may optionally be uninstalled before following installation instructions, otherwise the add-on will simply be upgraded in-place.

6. Upgrade the Portal Websites and Configure Basic Settings

Prior to upgrading the Portal Websites ensure you have reviewed the preparation step 1 above (Prepare to Upgrade Portals). Follow those steps to avoid data corruption.

• Upgrade Customer Portal. Choose the install option to install “zed B1 Customer Portal”, then follow the instructions for Installing Customer Portal. This is necessary for upgrades of base Customer Portal, B2B Marketplace or Order Pad.
• Upgrade Employee Portal. Choose the install option to install “Employee Portal”, then follow the instructions for Installing Employee Portal. This is necessary before upgrades to base Employee Portal, Sales User or Expense User.
• Upgrade Vendor Portal only as required, and follow the instructions for Installing Vendor Portal. Verify whether your version requires an upgrade before proceeding.
• Upgrade Workflow Portal as required, and follow the instructions for Installing Workflow Portal. This is necessary to upgrade workflows for Interconnect.

Alternatively, you may wish to manually install website files prior to upgrade. To do this, follow the installation instructions: Install Portal Website Files Manually.

7. Configure Logging

Logging is recommended for the Portals, so each Portal includes Log4Net logging. Log4Net logs error information when issues arise in the Portals or their supporting services. Configure Logging for all Portal products.