Generated by AI. Be sure to check for accuracy.
Meeting notes:
Integration Architecture: Ankit and Shriram discussed the integration
architecture, explaining that the clear add-on can directly communicate
with Clear APIs without the need for middleware, but middleware can be
used if required by the IT team.
o Direct Communication: Shriram explained that the clear add-on
can directly communicate with Clear APIs, eliminating the need for
middleware. This direct communication involves sending raw data
to Clear Cloud Storage, where all transformations occur, and the
business logic resides in Clear, not in the ERP.
o Middleware Option: Shriram mentioned that if the IT team
prefers, the integration can be routed through middleware. The add-
on is capable of directly calling APIs or using middleware as a pass-
through interface, depending on the IT team's requirements and
network configurations.
o Data Flow: The data flow involves the clear add-on sending raw
data such as billing and accounting documents to Clear Cloud
Storage. After transformation, the data is sent to the layer where
various registers like STSLGSTPPR and TDS payable are created in
Clear.
o Existing Integrations: Shriram highlighted that any existing
reports or registers in the ERP that are part of previous integrations
need to be disabled once the new integration goes live.
Middleware Requirement: Ankit and Girish discussed the need for
middleware, with Girish confirming that their system currently uses PIPO,
and Shriram explaining that the clear add-on can work with or without
middleware based on the IT team's decision.
o Current Middleware: Girish confirmed that their system currently
uses PIPO as middleware for integrations. This middleware is used
to transfer data between systems.
o Middleware Flexibility: Shriram explained that the clear add-on
can work with or without middleware. If the IT team decides to use
middleware, the add-on will create a pass-through interface in the
middleware. Otherwise, the add-on can directly call the APIs.
o Decision Requirement: Ankit emphasized the need for a decision
from the IT team on whether to use middleware or not. This decision
is crucial for planning the project timeline and development efforts.
API Structure: Girish and Shriram clarified that the clear add-on will
provide the necessary API structure, and the IT team will not need to build
anything additional unless middleware is used.
o API Provision: Shriram clarified that the clear add-on will provide
all necessary API structures required for the integration. The IT team
does not need to build any additional APIs unless middleware is
used.
o Middleware Impact: If middleware is used, the IT team will need
to create a pass-through interface in the middleware. This interface
will allow the add-on to communicate with Clear APIs through the
middleware.
Middleware Development Effort: Ankit and Shriram highlighted that
using middleware will require additional development effort and may
extend the project timeline, which needs to be considered in the project
plan.
o Additional Effort: Shriram and Ankit highlighted that using
middleware will require additional development effort. This includes
developing a pass-through interface in the middleware, which will
add to the project timeline.
o Project Timeline Impact: Ankit explained that the additional
development effort for middleware will extend the project timeline.
This needs to be considered in the project plan to ensure timely
delivery.
Project Stages and High-Level Plan: Samyuktha and Ankit outlined the
different project stages, including IT prerequisites, requirements gathering,
implementation, data validation, and go-live, with a detailed high-level
plan for each stage.
o IT Prerequisites: Samyuktha outlined the IT prerequisites phase,
which includes the installation of the clear add-on, whitelisting of
IPs, establishing RFC connections, and providing VPN and system
access.
o Requirements Gathering: In the requirements gathering phase, a
solution clarification meeting will be held to understand and freeze
the business requirements. A sign-off from the business team is
required to proceed to the next phase.
o Implementation Phase: During the implementation phase, the
data will be transformed, and clear registers for sales and purchase
will be developed based on the confirmed business requirements.
o Data Validation: In the data validation phase, observations will be
presented to the business team for alignment. A sign-off is required
at the end of this phase before making the project live.
o Go-Live and Support: After receiving the sign-off, the project will
go live, followed by a period of Hyper care support for 30 days to
ensure smooth operation and address any issues.
Requirement Gathering and Implementation: Ankit explained the
requirement gathering and implementation stages, emphasizing the need
for sign-offs and the involvement of the business team and SAP functional
team for successful project execution.
o Requirement Gathering: Ankit emphasized the importance of the
requirement gathering phase, where the business requirements are
clarified and confirmed. This phase involves multiple meetings with
the business team and SAP functional team to ensure all
requirements are captured accurately.
o Sign-Offs: Sign-offs are crucial at the end of the requirement
gathering phase to freeze the requirements and proceed to the
implementation phase. This ensures that the project is aligned with
the business needs.
o Implementation Activities: During the implementation phase,
the clear tax team will perform data transformation and develop the
necessary registers. This phase also includes unit testing and
validation of the developed solution.
o Business Team Involvement: The business team and SAP
functional team will be involved throughout the requirement
gathering and implementation phases to provide necessary inputs
and validate the developed solution.
IT Prerequisites: Ankit and Shriram discussed the IT prerequisites,
including the installation of the clear add-on, whitelisting of IPs,
establishing RFC connections, and providing VPN and system access to the
clear tax team.
o Clear Add-On Installation: The installation of the clear add-on in
the ERP system is a critical IT prerequisite. This add-on is SAP
certified and necessary for data extraction and integration.
o IP Whitelisting: Whitelisting of IPs is required to ensure secure
communication between the ERP system and Clear APIs. This
involves configuring network settings to allow access to specific IP
addresses.
o RFC Connections: Establishing RFC (Remote Function Call)
connections is essential for enabling communication between the
ERP system and Clear APIs. This involves configuring the necessary
parameters and ensuring network connectivity.
o VPN and System Access: Providing VPN and system access to the
clear tax team is necessary for them to perform the required
configurations and installations. This includes access to the
development and quality environments.
Basis Team Activities: Shriram and P Sanjeeva discussed the major
activities for the basis team, including ensuring connectivity, verifying ICM
parameters, and installing the necessary certificates and add-ons.
o Connectivity: The basis team needs to ensure connectivity by
verifying network configurations and whitelisting the necessary IP
addresses. This is crucial for enabling communication between the
ERP system and Clear APIs.
o ICM Parameters: Verifying ICM (Internet Communication Manager)
parameters is essential for secure communication. The basis team
needs to ensure that these parameters are correctly configured in
the ERP system.
o Certificates Installation: The basis team is responsible for
installing the necessary certificates, including DLS (Data Link
Security) certificates, to ensure secure data transmission between
the ERP system and Clear APIs.
Project Timeline: Ankit presented the project timeline, targeting 45 days
for sales and purchase registers and 54 days for TDS, with specific dates
for each stage and the importance of timely support from the Arvind
Lifestyle team.
Onsite Visit: Girish and Ankit agreed to plan an onsite visit to Arvind
Lifestyle's office to discuss and clarify any remaining queries and
challenges, with Ankit and the ERP developer visiting the next day.
Communication Plan: Ankit outlined the communication plan, including
daily internal huddles, weekly reports, and governance meetings with
decision-makers to ensure the project stays on track.
Post-Go-Live Support: Ankit and Bishwadeep explained the post-go-live
support model, with clear tax providing hyper care support for 30 days and
ongoing support through the customer success manager.
Follow-up tasks:
Middleware Requirement Confirmation: Confirm if middleware is
required for the integration with ClearTax. (Harisha)
Share TS and FS Documents: Share the TS and FS documents with the
IT team for clarity on the Clear add-on. (Shriram)
Project Plan Update: Add the middleware development effort to the
project plan. (Ankit)
Provide System Access: Provide VPN and SAP access to ClearTax's ABAP
consultants. (Arvind Lifestyle IT Team)
QA Refresh: Perform a QA refresh with recent data from production.
(Arvind Lifestyle IT Team)
Onsite Visit: Plan an onsite visit to Arvind Lifestyle's office to discuss and
clarify integration details. (Ankit)
Share FSTS Document: Reshare the FSTS document with the Arvind
Lifestyle team for internal discussion. (Ankit)
Weekly Governance Meetings: Schedule weekly governance meetings
to ensure project timelines are met. (Anubhav)
ClearTax Compliance Add-on 1.0 Achieves SAP® Certified Integration
with SAP NetWeaver®
Wednesday, June 1, 2022 11:42AM IST (6:12AM GMT)
By integrating with SAP NetWeaver®, Clear’s software delivers speed,
accuracy, and real-time compliance
Bangalore, Karnataka, India: Clear (formerly ClearTax), India’s largest fintech
SaaS company, today announced that its ClearTax Compliance Add-on 1.0
interface is certified by SAP® as integrated with SAP NetWeaver®. The software
will enable integration of SAP ERP workloads with Clear’s GST, E-Invoicing, E-
WayBill, MaxITC, B2C QR Code, and GSTIN verification modules, meeting all
recommended technical deployment requirements and processes.
“We are serving some of the largest enterprises in India, and SAP is a dominant
player in the ERP space. This certification helps us double down on serving these
enterprises enabling them achieve unified finance processes. We have built
tremendous expertise in SAP integrations. Our go live velocity is now 2x for such
enterprises,” said Archit Gupta, Founder and CEO of Clear.
Many large enterprises use SAP ERPs for their business operations. Custom
integrations across lines of business are a major pain area for enterprises as they
require substantial time and effort. With Clear’s SAP-certified compliance add-on,
the integration process is standardized, offering enterprises a cohesive
environment between SAP ERP and Clear’s platform across various product
modules. This integration allows data flow between enterprises, Clear, and
government systems, ensuring speed, accuracy, and eventually continuous real-
time compliance.
Clear’s ability to provision auto reconciliation and block payments for non-
compliant vendors from SAP ERP has been a key success factor in serving
businesses that use SAP technology. With this integration, Clear will help ease
enterprises’ journey to digitally transform their tax compliance process, from E-
Invoicing and GST Filing to claiming ITC.
Clear recently launched an invoice discounting platform after acquiring a supply
chain financing firm called Xpedize. In October 2021, Clear raised $75 million in
Series C funding led by Kora Capital, Stripe, Alua Capital, Think Investments, and
existing investors for its expansion into B2B credit and payments, apart from
spreading to international markets.
SAP Integration and Certification Center (SAP ICC) has certified that the
integration software for ClearTax Compliance Add-on 1.0 integrates with SAP
NetWeaver. Technology or infrastructure products that have SAP-certified
integration with SAP NetWeaver has proven to interoperate with the technology
platform.
About Clear
Defmacro Software Private Limited, doing business as Clear (formerly ClearTax),
is India’s leading fintech SaaS company with the mission of simplifying finances
for Indian businesses and individuals. We are trusted by over 5 million Indian
taxpayers, more than a million tax practitioners, 600,000 small businesses, and
2,000 large businesses and brands. For small and large businesses, our product
suite covers invoicing, GST, and a range of managed services and credit. For tax
professionals, we offer comprehensive GST compliance, ITR, and TDS filing
solutions. For individuals, we offer tax compliance and wealth management.
Clear has raised $140 million in equity capital investment since its inception. The
company was incubated in Y Combinator and is funded by Silicon Valley
investors, including PayPal co-founders Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund, Max Levchin,
and Scott Banister. Clear’s investors include Composite Capital, Sequoia Capital,
and SAIF Partners. Please visit – Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook,
and YouTube for the latest updates on Clear.
SAP and other SAP products and services mentioned herein as well as their
respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP SE in Germany
and other countries. Please see https://www.sap.com/copyright for additional
trademark information and notices. All other product and service names
mentioned are the trademarks of their respective companies.
