Customer Reviews

SAP R/3 Handbook, Third Edition

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The author of any technical reference book faces the challenge of providing the reader with, on the one hand, enough detail to cover the topics adequately and on the other, the need to rein back on minutiae. At the same time, topics should be covered at a level of detail consistent with the subject. This is largely subjective but could mean the difference between a volume 2 to 3 inches thick and a volume 2 to 3 foot thick. Mr Hernandez has managed to keep his authoritative work to a manageable size yet maintain a level of detail beyond which only OSS, SAP Developers and possibly the SAP Help would answer your query.

In his second Edition of what has become a standard R/3 text for many SAP R/3 Basis Consultants, José Hernandez has updated terminology to suit versions up to 4.6 including the new features offered by the later versions. Although the bulk of the text covers the Basis R/3 system one of the most notable changes is the inclusion of Windows NT. Some of the new R/3 features covered are the Profile Generator, the new Object-based monitoring system, ASAP and the Transport Management System (TMS).

The first 5 chapters of the book cover the conceptual overview of the R/3 product including general product information, the software as a client-server system, in-memory and disk usage architecture, installation concepts, and some essential "using" information. Chapters 6 onwards, including the appendices each describe an R/3 topic in detail. A complete Table of Contents is likely to be available on many on-line book stores.

Typical of the material offered in the second edition is the excellent coverage of The SAP Printing System. The chapter covers a conceptual overview describing the Spooler's place in the architecture, its relationship to the operating system, how to set up additional spoolers, using the spooler and the various objects which contribute towards the printing system. José then traverses each of the screens and menu options associated with setting up printer devices, front end printing (SAPLPD), Temse, Fax and administration tasks . When describing how to set up a printer device, each field on each screen is described. Dropdown options are each described in detail. The chapter also includes many operational tips and examples.

Having used the first edition of R/3 Handbook for the past 2 years and being the primary text I used to pass the R/3 basis certification test, I obtained the second edition the moment it became available. I recommend it to anyone who needs a ready-to-hand comprehensive text for SAP R/3 Basis.

I have been doing R/3 Technical Consulting for two years and this is my one and only reference book. It explains the basics of the system architecture and covers major areas, such as user management, authorization profiles, spool system, background processing, basic system monitoring and database concepts (Oracle only).

The information presened in this book is well organized and very helpful on the day-to-day system management.

Don't buy this book if you are looking for detailed information on system installation, ABAP programming and performance tuning.

This edition appears to be about 1/3 the size of previous editions; and refers to a fairly old version of SAP... even though this was released in Dec 2005.
There is a great many things missing here. SPAM... I guess you do not need that any more.
Perhaps the publishers wanted a book for managers.

Anyway, if you are considering this, get the 2nd edition... or buy one of the many that are used, as I expect there will be many BASIS admins selling this back the day after they purchase it.
Sorry... I was hoping for an updated version of Edition 2.

I waited for the second edition to come out after having so many people recommend this author to me. Jose writes clearly and accurately, explaining the topics at hand well. In less than 1000 pages, he manages to cover all the basics of SAP R/3 Basis administration for Unix and NT systems alike. An excellent read for a technical manual. Highly recommended. I feel it is far better than the Liane Wills text on the same material.

One of my long standing complaints about computer software books is that they so often eliminate the first forty pages or so that explain just what this software is and what is supposed to do. This book (at 606 pages it's a lot more than forty pages) is essentially the front end description that explains what SAP ERP is and what it si supposed to do.

The subtitle of the book is 'Essential Skills for SAP Technical Consultants.' It appears to be aimed at the individual who is trying to decide what SAP can do for them. It's much less concerned with the detail of how to do it.

I found this to be of great help, as SAP is a huge software system. It has perhaps a thousand components (does anyone really know) from various vendors that can be tied together to handle most ERP problems. If you're going to use SAP, just which of all these components are you going to pull together to solve your particular set of problems.

After you know what you're trying to do, then there are other books and manuals that will give you the details about how to do it. So if at this point you are wondering just what is the difference between SAP R/3, and mySAP.com, and SAP Web Application Server, and SAP NetWeaver, this is the place to start. All in all, it's good to see such a book. I hope this is a trend getting started and that we can see other books coming on other big software packages that's more aimed at what can be done.

A great book after you have taken basic courses. It helps you to clarify concepts, it has all the important commands and the daily administrators functions. All the chapters have good tips and comments.

The author exhibits excellent command over SAP R/3 concepts and is well written as well.However the book does not go in details of many advanced features of ABAP like RFCs and other interface technologies offered by R/3 system, essential for any Technical Consultant.

New developments in SAP and the DB software make this book quasi obsolete

At 608 pages, this book will take you a while to get through it! However, it is worth the time spent, since it covers just about all of the topics in the R/3 Admin arena. I've found good general information on each topic I've needed to research, especially some that many books never seem to cover! Does not dwell on ABAP/4 as many SAP books do. Don't expect extensive in-depth coverage on any area in particular. The author would need two volumes to cover that much ground. Would recommend to potential R/3 Admins and ABAPers as well. Well worth the money spent!

This is an excellent book especally for SAP Basis administrators working with Oracle DB. I wish there was one for Informix. Also multiple installations on one system were ignored as was installation tips and tricks and heterogenous installations.But overall one of the BEST sap books I have read. Great going Jose'.