13.7    Summary

In this chapter, we provided an overview of the business background and purpose of business rules inside the enterprise. We saw how business rules are applied to enforce organization policies and business constraints across business processes. You should now be able to recognize the disadvantages of managing your rules using conventional implementation methods and/or limited levels of rules automation.

We then looked to the advantages offered by automated business rules, especially when modeled and maintained using a BRMS platform such as the one provided by SAP. You’re now aware of the different functional and technical areas where you can apply business rules. We also explored what SAP BRM has to offer in the gamut of tools and how to work with simple if-then rules and more complex flow rulesets combining distinct types of rule objects, such as rule flows, rule scripts, and, of course, powerful decision tables. Finally, this chapter ended with a list of best practices and design principles to gear you up for the big rules game out there.

In the next chapter, we’ll explain the concept of Java proxies and how you can use them in combination with composite applications.