Carrier shipping for SAP S/4HANA^® Public Cloud via your SAP BTP

Q: What is a BTP labeling app?

A BTP labeling app is an application running on the SAP Business Technology Platform that processes SAP shipping data and manages label printing along with other shipping actions. To this end, the consolut BTP labeling app connects SAP S/4HANA Cloud with AEB Carrier Cloud and the SAP printing infrastructure.

Q: How are parcel services connected to SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud?

SAP S/4HANA Cloud transfers the necessary delivery and handling unit data to the BTP app, which orchestrates the transmission to AEB Carrier Cloud. AEB then communicates with the respective parcel service or forwarder using the carrier-specific format and provides the required shipping label.

Q: Does the app run on AEB's BTP or on our own BTP?

The consolut BTP labeling app runs on the customer's SAP Business Technology Platform. Carrier communication takes place via AEB's cloud-based multi-carrier platform.

Q: Is the integration Clean-Core-compliant?

Yes. The custom business logic runs outside the SAP core on the SAP BTP. The connection to SAP is established via designated interfaces or events.

Q: Is the app only suitable for SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition?

SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition is the primary deployment scenario. Depending on the system architecture, the solution can also be connected to SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud or on-premises systems.

Q: Can all carriers be used immediately without any additional setup?

AEB Carrier Cloud provides technical connections to more than 300 parcel services and forwarders. However, the specific activation depends on the transport contracts, the carrier services used, and the required process data. There is no need to develop a completely new SAP interface for this purpose.

Q: Can we customize the user interface ourselves?

The app is designed to be individually extensible. Custom fields, process steps, checks, and UI functions can be added within the scope of the agreed architecture.

Q: How are shipping labels printed?

The label data generated by AEB is returned to the BTP app. Output can be routed to the designated printing infrastructure via the SAP Print Service and the Cloud Print Manager.

Manage shipping, label printing, and carrier communication with AEB Carrier Cloud for SAP in an individually extensible BTP app. Use this solution to connect your SAP processes with more than 300 parcel services and forwarders.

Discover BTP carrier integration

Carrier connection for SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud via your SAP BTP

Multi-carrier connection to SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud

With the AEB extension Carrier Cloud for SAP and the BTP labeling app, you have access to a shipping application with more than 300 connected carriers for SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition. The BTP labeling app – developed by AEB partner consolut – runs on your company's SAP Business Technology Platform.

The app connects your SAP shipping and packing processes to the multi-carrier platform AEB Carrier Cloud for SAP. It provides a central shipping interface, retrieves delivery and handling unit data from SAP, and manages communication with the parcel services and forwarders used.

Shipping labels can be generated directly within the SAP process and printed using the SAP Print Service and the Cloud Print Manager. Actions such as cancellations and goods issue postings can also be handled in the app.

The custom business logic remains outside the SAP core. As a result, the solution supports a Clean-Core-compliant SAP architecture.

What problem does the BTP labeling app solve?

The standard processes in SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition do not cover every company-specific shipping requirement. Additional requirements arise, especially when multiple transport service providers are involved:

Carrier-specific data formats must be supported
Shipping labels must be generated in the correct format
SAP, carrier, and printing processes must work together
Individual process logic must be taken into account
Disruptions and special cases must be handled
Adding new carriers should not require a new SAP interface every time

The BTP labeling app maps the custom process control and user interface to your SAP BTP. AEB Carrier Cloud manages the technical communication with the transport service providers.

This creates a centralized shipping architecture without transferring carrier-specific logic into the SAP core.

How does the carrier connection work in SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud?

1. Access delivery in BTP app

Employees enter the delivery number in the central shipping interface or access the shipping process from the designated SAP workflow.

2. Load delivery and handling unit data

The app retrieves the relevant delivery and handling unit data from SAP. This may include, for example, consignee, packages, weights, dimensions, and other shipping information.

3. Execute shipping process

Based on the defined processes, the consignment is prepared for the required parcel service or forwarder. Individual rules, additional fields, or company-specific process steps can be taken into account in the BTP app.

4. Transmit shipping data to AEB Carrier Cloud

The BTP app orchestrates the data exchange between SAP S/4HANA Cloud and AEB Carrier Cloud for SAP. The necessary shipping information is transmitted to the carrier platform via API or on an event-driven basis.

5. Generate carrier order and shipping label

AEB prepares the data in the required carrier-specific format and communicates with the selected transport service provider. The shipping label is generated in the required format and returned to the BTP app or the connected printing infrastructure.

6. Print labels via SAP

Printing is handled via the SAP Print Service and the Cloud Print Manager. This allows the shipping labels to be printed at the designated packing or shipping workstation.

7. Perform follow-up actions

Other shipping actions, such as cancellations or goods issue postings, can be performed from within the same app. The specific functional scope is adapted to the respective business process.

What functionality do the BTP app and AEB Carrier Cloud offer for shipping?

Central shipping interface

Shipping staff are provided with a centralized user interface for the necessary process steps. They do not have to switch between multiple applications and carrier portals.

Automatic transfer of SAP data

Delivery and handling unit data is transferred directly from SAP. This reduces manual duplicate data entry and the associated sources of error.

Multi-carrier communication

AEB Carrier Cloud provides connections to more than 300 parcel services and forwarders. As a result, the BTP app does not require a separate SAP interface for each transport service provider.

Carrier-specific label printing

The shipping labels are generated in the required format and output via the SAP printing infrastructure.

Cancellation and goods issue posting

In addition to label printing, other operational shipping actions can be integrated into the central process.

Custom process logic

Company-specific rules, checks, user interfaces, and integrations can be added to your own BTP.

Cross-system orchestration

The app coordinates workflows between SAP S/4HANA Cloud, AEB Carrier Cloud, and the printing infrastructure.

What are the benefits of carrier integration via SAP BTP?

Clean-Core-compliant extension

The custom shipping logic runs outside the SAP core on the SAP Business Technology Platform. This allows company-specific requirements to be implemented without placing unnecessary strain on the digital SAP core through traditional modifications.

Operation on your own SAP BTP

The BTP labeling app runs in your own BTP environment and can use your existing BTP services. You thus retain control over the individual application, its extensions, and its integration into the SAP architecture.

Customizable shipping processes

The app can be adapted to your company's workflows. For example, this could include additional checks, custom process logic, customer-specific fields, or additional system integrations.

One connection to numerous carriers

Communication with the transport service providers takes place via AEB Carrier Cloud. This means that each new carrier does not require a completely new integration into SAP S/4HANA Cloud.

Consistent user experience

Shipping transactions are consolidated within a central interface tailored to the company's processes.

Use of existing SAP technologies

The architecture may include, among other things, SAP BTP, SAPUI5, SAP HANA, SAP Build Work Zone, SAP Print Service, and Cloud Print Manager.

Which companies is the BTP labeling app suitable for?

The solution is designed for industrial and commercial companies that use SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition and want to map their multi-carrier shipping processes individually. The app is particularly suitable for companies that:

Need to connect multiple parcel services and forwarders
Have custom shipping processes that are not fully covered by a standard integration
Already have a strategic SAP BTP architecture in place
Require their own user interfaces or process logic
Want to use their BTP investments for operational logistics processes
Are looking for a Clean-Core-compliant extension
Want to centrally orchestrate SAP, carrier, and printing processes
Want to retain control over the individual application and its further development

The primary area of application is SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition. Depending on the system landscape, this approach can also be integrated with SAP S/4HANA private cloud or on-premise systems.

How is the BTP labeling app implemented?

The implementation typically requires minimal IT resources and follows a tried-and-tested rollout process:

1. Review requirements and architecture

AEB and consolut analyze the SAP landscape, the existing BTP services, the shipping processes, and the required carriers.

2. Define process scope

The functions to be provided by the app are determined jointly. This may include data transfer, carrier selection, label printing, cancellation, goods issue posting, and other custom steps.

3. Connect systems

SAP S/4HANA Cloud, the BTP app, AEB Carrier Cloud, and the printing infrastructure are interconnected.

4. Configure and extend the app

The user interface and process logic are adapted to the company's specific requirements.

5. Perform carrier and process tests

Data transfer, carrier communication, label printing, and follow-up processes are tested using realistic shipping scenarios.

6. Start production operations

Upon successful acceptance, the app is rolled out for production use at the designated locations and for the intended user groups.

What is the technical structure of the solution?

Primary target system	SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition
App operating environment	The customer's SAP Business Technology Platform
User interface	Customizable SAPUI5 application, optionally integrated via SAP Build Work Zone
Data storage and application logic	SAP BTP services, such as SAP HANA
Integration with SAP	API- or event-based data exchange
Carrier communication	AEB Carrier Cloud for SAP
Label printing	SAP Print Service and Cloud Print Manager
Architectural principle	Side-by-side extension with business logic outside the SAP core
Clean Core	Designed to be Clean-Core-compliant

Talk with our experts to learn more about multi-carrier shipping directly in SAP BTP

Andrej Grohar, expert for multi-carrier shipping directly from SAP^®

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Frequently asked questions about carrier connection via SAP BTP

What is a BTP labeling app?

What sets AEB and consolut apart when it comes to carrier integration for SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud?

BTP-based carrier integration requires two distinct areas of expertise: SAP and BTP know-how, as well as shipping and multi-carrier competence:

consolut develops and implements the BTP labeling app. This includes the user interface, custom process logic, and integration with SAP S/4HANA Cloud and the printing infrastructure.
AEB provides the multi-carrier platform and handles technical communication with the connected parcel services and forwarders.

This provides companies with a coordinated solution comprising SAP integration, the BTP app, shipping logic, carrier communication, and label printing.

How are parcel services connected to SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud?

Does the app run on AEB's BTP or on our own BTP?

Is the integration Clean-Core-compliant?

Is the app only suitable for SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition?

Can all carriers be used immediately without any additional setup?

Can we customize the user interface ourselves?

How are shipping labels printed?

What is the difference compared to the carrier integration for SAP Logistics Management?

This BTP labeling app is primarily intended for companies that manage their shipping processes from SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition and want to use an individually extensible application on their own SAP BTP for this purpose.

In contrast, the carrier integration for SAP Logistics Management integrates AEB Carrier Cloud directly into the processes and the packing work center of SAP LGM.

Which solution is appropriate depends on the SAP target system being used.