Table of Contents

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1 Introduction
15
1.1 Target Audience
17
1.2 Structure of the Book
18
1.3 How to Use This Book
20
1.4 Acknowledgments
21
2 Basic Principles of Data Modeling
23
2.1 SAP NetWeaver BW as a Data Warehouse (DWH) System
24
2.2 Conceptual, Logical, and Physical Data Model
26
2.3 Modeling Methods
27
2.3.1 ER Model
27
2.3.2 ADAPT Model
29
2.4 Conceptual Multidimensional Modeling
33
2.4.1 Dimensions
34
2.4.2 Key Figures
36
2.5 Logical Multidimensional Modeling
42
2.5.1 Flat Reporting Structure
42
2.5.2 Star Schema
44
2.5.3 Galaxies
46
2.5.4 Fact Constellation Schema
47
2.5.5 Snowflake Schema
48
2.5.6 BW Star Schema
49
2.5.7 Operational Data Store (ODS)
50
2.6 Physical Multidimensional Modeling
51
2.7 Conclusion
51
3 Overview of SAP NetWeaver BW and SAP BusinessObjects
53
3.1 SAP NetWeaver
53
3.1.1 Service Orientation
54
3.1.2 Key Areas of SAP NetWeaver
55
3.2 Overview of SAP NetWeaver BW 7.x
58
3.2.1 Administration and Metadata Management
60
3.2.2 Overview of Reporting and Analysis Using SAP NetWeaver BW
64
3.2.3 BEx Query Designer
66
3.2.4 BEx Web Analyzer
68
3.2.5 BEx Analyzer
69
3.2.6 BEx WAD
70
3.2.7 BEx Report Designer
71
3.2.8 BEx Broadcaster
73
3.2.9 SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer
73
3.3 SAP BusinessObjects
76
3.3.1 Web Intelligence
77
3.3.2 Crystal Reports
78
3.3.3 Xcelsius
79
3.3.4 SAP BusinessObjects Universes
80
3.3.5 SAP BusinessObjects Live Office
81
3.3.6 SAP BusinessObjects Explorer
81
3.4 Conclusion
82
4 Structure of a BW Data Model
85
4.1 InfoObjects
86
4.1.1 Characteristics
88
4.1.2 Key Figures
99
4.1.3 Currencies and Units
110
4.1.4 Times
112
4.2 Master Data in SAP NetWeaver BW
113
4.2.1 Texts
113
4.2.2 Attributes
116
4.2.3 External Hierarchies
120
4.3 DSOs
128
4.3.1 Creating DSOs
129
4.3.2 Standard DSO
131
4.3.3 Write-Optimized DSO
134
4.3.4 DSO for Direct Update
135
4.3.5 Summary Comparison of DSOs
136
4.4 InfoCubes
137
4.4.1 Physical Data Model
138
4.4.2 Modeling an InfoCube
139
4.5 Providers for Real-Time Data Access
141
4.5.1 Direct Access with VirtualProviders
142
4.5.2 RDA
145
4.6 Conclusion
148
5 Reference Architecture for Data Modeling
151
5.1 LSA
152
5.1.1 Procedure when Developing a Customer-Specific LSA
153
5.1.2 Layer Model of the Reference Architecture
154
5.1.3 Domains
167
5.1.4 LSA Assistant Building Blocks
170
5.1.5 LSA and Flexibility When Making Changes
172
5.2 Naming Conventions
175
5.3 Information Integration as a Prerequisite for Cross-Sectional Evaluations
180
5.4 Conclusion
183
6 Business Content
185
6.1 Basic Principles
186
6.2 Master Data in SAP NetWeaver BW
190
6.2.1 Customer
191
6.2.2 Material
192
6.2.3 Organizational Characteristics
193
6.2.4 Accounts
195
6.2.5 Employees
195
6.2.6 Time Characteristics
196
6.2.7 Currencies
198
6.3 SAP NetWeaver BW in FI
200
6.3.1 G/L Reporting
200
6.3.2 Accounts Receivable Reporting
201
6.3.3 Accounts Payable Reporting
202
6.3.4 Asset Accounting Reporting
203
6.3.5 Special Purpose Ledger Reporting
204
6.3.6 Travel Expense Reporting
205
6.4 SAP NetWeaver BW in CO
205
6.4.1 Cost Center Reporting and Overhead Cost Reporting
206
6.4.2 Product Cost Reporting
209
6.4.3 Profitability Analysis Reporting
210
6.4.4 Profit Center Reporting
212
6.5 SAP NetWeaver BW in SD
212
6.5.1 Quotation and Order Reporting (Application 11)
217
6.5.2 Delivery Reporting (Application 12)
219
6.5.3 Invoice Reporting (Application 13)
219
6.6 SAP NetWeaver BW in HR
220
6.6.1 Personnel Administration Reporting (0HR_PA*)
220
6.6.2 Time Management Reporting (0HR_PT*)
221
6.6.3 Payroll Reporting (0HR_PY*)
222
6.7 Classification Data
222
6.8 Activation and Enhancement
223
6.8.1 Activating Business Content in SAP ECC
223
6.8.2 Activating Business Content in SAP NetWeaver BW
224
6.8.3 Enhancing a DataSource
225
6.8.4 Reading Information in the BW Backend
226
6.9 Miscellaneous
229
6.10 Conclusion
229
7 Modeling the EDW
231
7.1 Reference Architecture for Staging Scenarios
232
7.2 Defining Inbound Interfaces
233
7.3 Delta Process
235
7.4 Modeling Data Storage
239
7.5 Transformations
241
7.5.1 Important Rule Types
244
7.5.2 Start, End, and Expert Routines
246
7.6 Domain Creation and Central Transformations
248
7.7 Process Chains
250
7.8 Load Control
253
7.9 Master Data
256
7.9.1 Special Features When Loading Master Data
257
7.9.2 Integrating Multiple Sources
262
7.9.3 Staging Texts
268
7.9.4 Staging Hierarchies
270
7.9.5 SAP NetWeaver MDM
270
7.10 Data Timeliness and History Management
271
7.11 Conclusion
274
8 Data Modeling in the Reporting Layer
277
8.1 Architecture of the Reporting Layer
278
8.2 Modeling and Optimization of InfoCubes
282
8.2.1 Modeling
283
8.2.2 Aggregates
293
8.2.3 Compression
295
8.2.4 Partitioning
297
8.2.5 OLAP Cache
298
8.2.6 SAP NetWeaver BWA
299
8.3 Enhanced InfoCube Modeling
300
8.3.1 Virtual Key Figures and Characteristics
300
8.3.2 Exception Aggregation
304
8.3.3 Restricted and Calculated Key Figures
307
8.4 Virtual Layer
309
8.4.1 MultiProvider in the Virtual Layer
309
8.4.2 InfoSets in the Virtual Layer
319
8.5 Universes in SAP BusinessObjects
324
8.5.1 SAP BusinessObjects Universes on the Basis of SAP NetWeaver BW
325
8.5.2 Defining the Universe on a DataProvider or Query
326
8.5.3 Revising the Universe
332
8.6 Conclusion
336
9 Case Studies
337
9.1 Modeling According to LSA Principles
337
9.1.1 Introduction of the Application Case
338
9.1.2 Interface Description for the Source System
338
9.1.3 Formation of Layers and Data Storage
340
9.1.4 Domain Formation
343
9.1.5 Creating Application Components
345
9.1.6 Implementing Flat File DataSources
347
9.1.7 Defining Data Storage and InfoSources
348
9.1.8 Setting Up the Data Flow
349
9.1.9 Implementing Central Transformations with Characteristic Routines
351
9.1.10 Creating the Process Chain
353
9.1.11 Setting Up the Reporting and Virtual Layer
355
9.1.12 Conclusion
364
9.2 Case Study Using Business Content
365
9.2.1 Processes in Accounts Receivable Accounting
366
9.2.2 Aging Grid Analyses
371
9.2.3 Payment History
375
9.2.4 DSO Determination
376
9.2.5 Credit Management
383
9.2.6 Dunning History
384
9.2.7 Cash Reporting
386
9.2.8 Sales Reporting
393
9.2.9 Overall View of AR Reporting
400
9.3 Conclusion
401
10 Data Modeling for Planning Applications
403
10.1 Planning System and Control System Requirements
404
10.2 Overview of BW Integrated Planning
407
10.2.1 Components of a Planning Application
408
10.2.2 Diagram of a Planning Application
410
10.2.3 Modeling Alternatives
412
10.3 Case Study — Cost Planning on the Cost Center Level
414
10.3.1 Initial Situation
414
10.3.2 Transferring Actual Data
415
10.3.3 Modeling the Planning InfoCube
417
10.3.4 Creating the Integrated Plan/Actual View
417
10.3.5 Defining the Aggregation Level
419
10.3.6 Structure of an Input Layout
421
10.3.7 Extension – Data Formatting for Actual Data Transfer
423
10.4 Specific Modeling Issues
430
10.4.1 Key Figures and Account Model
430
10.4.2 Tracking Changes to a Plan
432
10.4.3 Status Management and Version Management
435
10.4.4 Retraction
437
10.4.5 Transferring Subplans
441
10.5 Conclusion
444
11 Optimizing Data Retention
447
11.1 ILM
448
11.1.1 Data Lifecycle in SAP NetWeaver BW
449
11.1.2 ILM for InfoCubes and DataStore Objects
451
11.1.3 ILM for Master Data
455
11.1.4 ILM for Change Log and Log Data
455
11.1.5 ILM and LSA
456
11.2 Optimizing the Data Model
457
11.2.1 Analyzing the Data Model
459
11.2.2 Changing the Fact Table
461
11.2.3 Changing the Dimension Model
463
11.2.4 Changing DSOs
464
11.2.5 Changing InfoObjects
465
11.2.6 Remodeling Function
467
11.2.7 Activation Programs
469
11.3 Conclusion
469
12 Specific Data Modeling Issues in BW Projects
471
12.1 General Conditions
471
12.2 The BW Functional Specification
473
12.2.1 Process Description and Business Issues
474
12.2.2 Functional Description of the Transformation of Characteristics
475
12.2.3 Functional Description of the Transformation of Key Figures
476
12.2.4 Data Model in the Functional Specification
477
12.2.5 Reporting/User Interface
478
12.2.6 Time Aspects of Data Load Processes and Data Retention
479
12.2.7 Authorization
481
12.2.8 Validation
484
12.3 Specifications of the IT Department
484
12.4 Conclusion
486
13 Summary and Outlook
487
Appendices
493
A Abbreviations
495
B Transactions
501
C Programs
509
D Function Modules and Includes
513
D.1 Function Modules
513
D.2 Includes
515
E Tables
517
F Delta Processes
519
G Posting Keys
521
H Glossary
527
I Literature
531
J The Authors
535
Index
537