Connect to SAP Ariba Source Data Using the Script Function in Claris FileMaker Pro

Claris FileMaker is a low-code database application development tool that enables users to create custom apps for managing and organizing data. It combines a powerful relational database engine with an intuitive interface, allowing both technical and non-technical users to design and deploy applications across desktop, web, and mobile platforms.

In this article, we'll explore how to use the CData ODBC Driver for SAP Ariba Source and FileMaker scripting to connect to SAP Ariba Source data.

Create an ODBC Data Source for SAP Ariba Source

If you have not already, first specify connection properties in an ODBC DSN (data source name). This is the last step of the driver installation. You can use the Microsoft ODBC Data Source Administrator to create and configure ODBC DSNs.

In order to connect with SAP Ariba Source, set the following:

• API: Specify which API you would like the provider to retrieve SAP Ariba data from. Select the Supplier, Sourcing Project Management, or Contract API based on your business role (possible values are SupplierDataAPIWithPaginationV4, SourcingProjectManagementAPIV2, or ContractAPIV1).
• DataCenter: The data center where your account's data is hosted.
• Realm: The name of the site you want to access.
• Environment: Indicate whether you are connecting to a test or production environment (possible values are TEST or PRODUCTION).

If you are connecting to the Supplier Data API or the Contract API, additionally set the following:

• User: Id of the user on whose behalf API calls are invoked.
• PasswordAdapter: The password associated with the authenticating User.

If you're connecting to the Supplier API, set ProjectId to the Id of the sourcing project you want to retrieve data from.

Authenticating with OAuth

After setting connection properties, you need to configure OAuth connectivity to authenticate.

• Set AuthScheme to OAuthClient.
• Register an application with the service to obtain the APIKey, OAuthClientId and OAuthClientSecret.

  For more information on creating an OAuth application, refer to the Help documentation.

Automatic OAuth

After setting the following, you are ready to connect:

APIKey: The Application key in your app settings. OAuthClientId: The OAuth Client Id in your app settings. OAuthClientSecret: The OAuth Secret in your app settings.

When you connect, the provider automatically completes the OAuth process:

1. The provider obtains an access token from SAP Ariba and uses it to request data.
2. The provider refreshes the access token automatically when it expires.
3. The OAuth values are saved in memory relative to the location specified in OAuthSettingsLocation.

When you configure the DSN, you may also want to set the Max Rows connection property. This will limit the number of rows returned, which is especially helpful for improving performance when designing reports and visualizations.

Connect and Sync SAP Ariba Source data with FileMaker Using Scripts

In this section, we walk through the steps to connect live SAP Ariba Source data to FileMaker using the CData ODBC Driver for SAP Ariba Source and the Script function. During the initial import, FileMaker brings in all data from the external data source. From the second import onward, it updates only the data that has changed in the external source (a differential update). You can also replace the data in the current record order and schedule these differential updates for automated syncing.

You can download and install the latest version of FileMaker Pro for your Mac/Windows/Linux systems from this link.

Connect and sync SAP Ariba Source data with FileMaker using scripts

Scripting in FileMaker automates complex tasks and workflows by running a sequence of actions with a single command. By using scripting to integrate with SAP Ariba Source, you can automatically connect to, import, update, and replace SAP Ariba Source data within your FileMaker applications, streamlining data management and improving efficiency.

First-time importing and adding SAP Ariba Source data using script

In this section, we'll use scripts to import SAP Ariba Source data into FileMaker by following these steps:

1. Open FileMaker Pro. Navigate to Create from the left panel and select Blank > Create.

2. Enter a filename of your choice and click Save.
3. In the Manage Database window, go to the Tables tab and create or rename the table where you want to display the SAP Ariba Source data.

4. In the Fields tab, create and add the fields you want to use in the table.

5. In the Relationships tab, add table relationships if there are multiple tables, then click OK.

6. To reopen and modify the table structure, go to File > Manage > Database.
7. Navigate to Scripts > Script Workspace.

8. Select New Script to open a new script workspace.
9. From the Steps panel on the right, select Records > Import Records > Insert into Script.

10. In the Specify Data Source dropdown, choose ODBC Data.
11. Select CData SAPAribaSource Sys from the Select ODBC Data Source window, and click Continue. Enter your SAP Ariba Source credentials and click OK.

12. In the Specify ODBC SQL Query dialog, enter the SQL query in the SQL text editor to import the desired SAP Ariba Source data.

13. Alternatively, select Query Builder to open the SQL Query Builder window. Choose the target table from the Tables section and relevant columns from the Columns section. Click Insert into SQL Query after each selection to auto-generate the query. You can also manually edit the query using WHERE and ORDER BY clauses or the designated tabs. Click OK to finalize the query.

14. Click OK.
15. In the Specify import order option, click Specify and enter the SAP Ariba Source credentials.

16. In the Specify Import Order window, define the import order for the target fields you added earlier. Select Add between the source and target fields to insert the SAP Ariba Source data as new records in the table. Click Import.

17. The script now appears in the workspace. Click Run to execute the script and process the import.

18. FileMaker imports the SAP Ariba Source data as a table.

Update or Replace Imported SAP Ariba Source data Using a Script

After importing the SAP Ariba Source data into FileMaker, use scripts to update or replace any changes made in SAP Ariba Source by following this process:

1. Go back to the Script Workspace by following the steps mentioned in the earlier section.
2. Select the existing script, click the settings button, choose Specify under Specify Import Order, and re-enter the SAP Ariba Source credentials to authenticate.

3. In the Specify Import Order window, choose Update between source and target to update the imported SAP Ariba Source data. This updates the target's found set with SAP Ariba Source data values from selected fields when the match fields have the same values. You must define at least one match field in the mapping and select the checkbox Add remaining data as new records. Click Import.

4. Alternatively, choose the Replace option instead of Update, based on your use case. This replaces the selected fields in the target's found set with SAP Ariba Source data in the current record order. Click Import.

5. FileMaker adds the script to the workspace. Click Run to execute the script and process the import query.
6. FileMaker imports the updated or replaced SAP Ariba Source data as a table.

Get Started Today

Download a free 30-day trial of CData ODBC Driver for SAP Ariba Source to integrate SAP Ariba Source data into Claris FileMaker and work with SAP Ariba Source data in your FileMaker applications.

Reach out to our Support Team if you have any questions.