Business Rule Framework (BRF)

Use
The BRF is an event-controlled runtime environment in which the system processes certain rules. You can assign
any number of rules to each event, whereby a rule normally consists of a Boolean expression and an action (for
information about exceptions, see Rule, in the 'Structure' section). If the expression returns the value TRUE, the
system executes the action.
The BRF also contains a maintenance environment in which you can edit and configure BRF objects. You can
configure both technically oriented as well as business process oriented rules. This means that you configure the
rules in the maintenance environment, and the system processes the rules in the runtime environment.
The BRF is object-oriented and therefore offers appropriate enhancement mechanisms that are modification-free and
upgrade-independent.
Implementation Considerations
The following situations are possible:
You want to integrate the BRF with an application for the first time.
In this case, we recommend that you first read First Steps Towards Your Own BRF
Application.
You want to make a BRF-related enhancement to an application that already uses the BRF.
You want to configure rules for an application that is already linked to the BRF.
Integration
Every application that wants to use the BRF must be registered under a unique application class in the BRF.
In the application you define how a context is implemented.
The application must call BRF events in its coding. The system processes the rules that are assigned to the
event.
Example
You can use the BRF to check whether the entry of an address in the application is complete:
In the BRF you can specify that address data is complete if at least the street and postal code have been stated. If this
data is not specified, the system executes a certain action.
Possible expression (Address is incomplete):
(street = initial) OR (postal code = initial), in other words, if one of the two fields is initial, the value of the
expression is TRUE.
Possible actions ('Complete Address'):
The system displays a message that the address is incomplete
Normally the system would calculate the expression 'Address Is Incomplete'. If this expression delivers the value
TRUE, the system would execute the action 'Complete Address'.
What is important here is as follows:
You can configure the expression to define yourself what an incomplete address is, without having to change
the code of the application or perform any programming.
In the configuration, you can determine yourself what the consequence should be if the expression returns the
value TRUE.
Other Examples
The following table provides further examples from the SAP Claims Management insurance solution.
Event Rule Expression Action
Event After Change
to Subclaim Status
If the subclaim has been opened,
create the log entrySubclaim has been
opened.
Expression: Subclaim opened
If the current subclaim status is Subclaim
Opened, the expression delivers the value
TRUE.
Action: Subclaim opened
The action creates the log
entry Subclaim Has Been
Opened.
If the subclaim has been closed, then
create the log entry Subclaim has
been closed.
Expression Subclaim closed:
If the current subclaim status is Subclaim
Closed, the expression delivers the value
TRUE.
Action: Subclaim closed:
The action creates the log
entry Subclaim has been
closed.
Event Change to
Data on Damaged
Vehicle
If it has been stated that the damaged
vehicle is on the road but is not
roadworthy, then offer to provide a
towing service.
Expression1: Vehicle is on the road.
Expression 2: Vehicle is not
roadworthy.
Expression 3: Expression 1 AND
Expression 2.
Expression 3 is TRUE if it has been stated
that the damaged vehicle is on the road and is
not roadworthy.
Action: Offer External
Service:
The action creates a task that
prompts the agent to offer a
towing service.