This book is intended to provide a comprehensive and practical understanding of SAP NetWeaver BW 7.0, utilizing a real-world, scenario-based approach to detail the core, fundamental components and features. You'll learn about the primary features and functions of SAP NetWeaver BW 7.0, including architecture, data modeling, data extraction, data staging, and more. Then, delve into the specifics of data modeling with SAP NetWeaver BW. Coverage includes InfoObjects, working with master data, InfoCubes, MultiProviders, and Infosets. The authors take an in-depth look at data sources in SAP NetWeaver BW 7.0, extracting data from flat files, working with generic extractors, and extracting data from SAP NetWeaver BW.

Plus, find out what's important regarding data transformation and staging. Topics covered include data transfer process, real-time data acquisition, typical staging architectures, etc. Finally, you'll explore an overview of administration and monitoring topics within SAP NetWeaver BW 7.0, including process chains, data upload monitoring, the BW administration cockpit, and working with aggregates.

Highlights

• An Overview of SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse (BW) 7.0
• Data Modeling
• Data Acquisition
• Data Transformation & Staging
• Reporting with BEx
• Business Planning with SAP NetWeaver BW 7.0
• Reporting with BusinessObjects
• Administration & Monitoring
• Remodeling
• Working with Open Hub
• Integrated Planning

About the Author(s)

Amol Palekar has more than 7 years of BI consulting experience and has trained many IT professionals in SAP NetWeaver BW. Bharat Patel is an SAP NetWeaver BW certified and ABAP consultant. Shreekant Shiralkar is a certified SAP BW and SAP R/3 consultant, with extensive experience in managing business functions.

Table of Contents

... Preface ... 17

... An Introduction to Business Intelligence ... 21

1 ... The Business Scenario: ABCD Corp. ... 27

1.1 ... ABCD Corp.: Company Overview ... 27
1.2 ... Marketing Network ... 28
1.3 ... The Sales and Billing Process ... 29
1.4 ... Business Intelligence Requirements ... 32
1.5 ... The Business Planning Scenario ... 33
1.6 ... Summary ... 34

2 ... SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse – Overview ... 35

2.1 ... Evolution of SAP NetWeaver BW ... 35
2.2 ... Layers of SAP NetWeaver BW ... 38
2.2.1 ... Extraction Layer ... 39
2.2.2 ... Staging Layer ... 40
2.2.3 ... Transformation Layer ... 40
2.2.4 ... Loading Layer ... 41
2.2.5 ... Reporting and Analysis Layer ... 41
2.2.6 ... Planning and Advanced Analytics Layer ... 41
2.3 ... Basic Navigation in SAP NetWeaver BW ... 43
2.3.1 ... Logging On to SAP NetWeaver BW ... 43
2.3.2 ... Screen Elements ... 45
2.3.3 ... Basic Navigation Functions ... 46
2.3.4 ... Hide/Unhide ... 48
2.4 ... Data Warehousing Workbench Functions ... 53
2.5 ... Activation of SAP Business Content ... 56
2.5.1 ... Grouping ... 60
2.5.2 ... Collection Mode ... 61
2.5.3 ... Display ... 61
2.5.4 ... Activating the InfoObject ... 61
2.6 ... Implementation/Architecture Options with SAP NetWeaver BW ... 64
2.6.1 ... Core Landscape ... 64
2.6.2 ... Peripheral Landscape ... 65
2.7 ... Avenues of SAP NetWeaver BW Learning ... 66
2.8 ... Summary ... 67

3 ... InfoObjects and Master Data ... 69

3.1 ... Types of InfoObjects ... 70
3.2 ... Creating an InfoArea ... 71
3.3 ... Creating an InfoObject Catalog ... 73
3.4 ... Creating a Characteristic InfoObject ... 76
3.4.1 ... Reference Characteristic Field ... 77
3.4.2 ... Template Field ... 77
3.5 ... Configuring a Characteristic InfoObject ... 78
3.5.1 ... General Tab ... 78
3.5.2 ... Business Explorer Tab ... 80
3.5.3 ... Master Data/Texts Tab ... 82
3.5.4 ... Hierarchy Tab ... 87
3.5.5 ... Attributes Tab ... 92
3.5.6 ... Compounding Tab ... 97
3.6 ... Creating a Key Figure InfoObject ... 98
3.6.1 ... Template Field ... 99
3.6.2 ... Reference Key Figure Field ... 99
3.7 ... Configuring a Key Figure InfoObject ... 100
3.7.1 ... Type/Unit Tab ... 100
3.7.2 ... Aggregation Tab ... 105
3.7.3 ... Additional Properties Tab ... 110
3.8 ... Creating a Unit InfoObject ... 112
3.9 ... Summary ... 114

4 ... DataStore Objects ... 115

4.1 ... Introduction to DataStore Objects ... 115
4.1.1 ... Definition and Purpose ... 115
4.1.2 ... Types of DSOs ... 118
4.2 ... Architecture of the Standard DSO ... 119
4.2.1 ... Types of Tables ... 119
4.2.2 ... Activation Process for a Standard DSO ... 120
4.2.3 ... 0RECORDMODE ... 124
4.3 ... Designing a DSO ... 125
4.4 ... Configuration of the Standard DSO ... 128
4.4.1 ... Key Settings in a Standard DSO ... 128
4.4.2 ... Including InfoObjects in the DSO ... 129
4.4.3 ... Entering Data Fields ... 132
4.5 ... Configuration of Write-Optimized DSOs ... 135
4.6 ... Configuration of Direct Update DSOs ... 137
4.7 ... Usage Scenarios for DSOs ... 138
4.7.1 ... Data Staging ... 139
4.7.2 ... Temporary Storage Area ... 139
4.7.3 ... Analysis Process Designer ... 139
4.7.4 ... Pseudo-Delta ... 139
4.8 ... Summary ... 140

5 ... InfoCubes ... 141

5.1 ... Modeling InfoCubes ... 141
5.1.1 ... Key Terms ... 142
5.1.2 ... Assignment Tables for Characteristics and Key Figures ... 143
5.1.3 ... Create Bubble Models ... 143
5.1.4 ... Dimensions ... 145
5.1.5 ... Classic Star Schema ... 146
5.1.6 ... The Extended Star Schema ... 147
5.1.7 ... InfoCube Considerations ... 150
5.2 ... Types of InfoCubes ... 150
5.2.1 ... Standard InfoCube ... 151
5.2.2 ... Real-Time InfoCube ... 151
5.2.3 ... VirtualProvider InfoCube ... 151
5.3 ... Creating a Standard InfoCube ... 152
5.3.1 ... Initial Setup ... 152
5.3.2 ... Using Templates for InfoObject Selection ... 154
5.3.3 ... Editing Dimensions ... 156
5.3.4 ... Adding New Dimensions ... 160
5.3.5 ... Adding Characteristics to Dimensions ... 161
5.3.6 ... Adding Key Figures to an InfoCube ... 164
5.3.7 ... Selecting Navigation Attributes ... 166
5.3.8 ... Activating the InfoCube ... 167
5.4 ... Provider-Specific Properties ... 168
5.4.1 ... Setting Provider-Specific Properties for a Single InfoObject ... 169
5.4.2 ... Setting Provider-Specific Properties for Multiple InfoObjects ... 170
5.5 ... Summary ... 172

6 ... InfoProviders ... 173

6.1 ... Introduction to MultiProvider ... 173
6.2 ... Designing a MultiProvider ... 175
6.3 ... InfoSets ... 188
6.3.1 ... Usage ... 188
6.4 ... Creating an InfoSet ... 191
6.5 ... Additional Navigation Capabilities ... 199
6.5.1 ... Auto Arrange ... 200
6.5.2 ... Navigator ... 200
6.5.3 ... Link Maintenance ... 202
6.6 ... Global Properties ... 203
6.6.1 ... Join Is Time-Dependent ... 204
6.6.2 ... Most Recent Reporting for InfoObjects ... 204
6.6.3 ... Left Outer Join: Add Filter Value to On-Condition ... 206
6.6.4 ... Temporal Join ... 206
6.6.5 ... Changing the InfoSet Visual Setting ... 207
6.7 ... Left Outer Join in an InfoSet ... 208
6.8 ... Introduction to VirtualProviders ... 210
6.9 ... Summary ... 211

7 ... Extraction, Transformation, and Loading ... 213

7.1 ... Introduction to ETL ... 213
7.1.1 ... Elements in the ETL Process ... 213
7.1.2 ... Data Acquisition Interfaces ... 216
7.1.3 ... Transformation ... 217
7.1.4 ... Loading ... 218
7.2 ... Loading Master Data from a Flat File Source System to an InfoObject ... 219
7.2.1 ... Creating a Flat File Source System ... 219
7.2.2 ... Creating a DataSource ... 221
7.2.3 ... Creating and Activating a Transformation ... 234
7.2.4 ... Creating a DTP for Loading Master Data ... 239
7.2.5 ... Creating an InfoPackage and Starting Data Extraction ... 245
7.2.6 ... Monitoring Data Extraction to the PSA ... 250
7.2.7 ... Monitoring the Data Transfer Process (DTP) ... 255
7.2.8 ... Maintaining Master Data ... 258
7.3 ... Loading Transaction Data from a Source System to a DSO ... 260
7.3.1 ... Step 2: Creating a Transaction DataSource ... 261
7.3.2 ... Step 3: Creating a Transformation ... 265
7.4 ... Loading Data from a DSO to an InfoCube ... 279
7.4.1 ... Time Conversion Transformation ... 281
7.4.2 ... Routine ... 282
7.5 ... Temporary Storage Areas and Error Stacks ... 286
7.6 ... Data Extraction from Non-SAP systems ... 293
7.6.1 ... DB Connect ... 294
7.6.2 ... UD Connect ... 295
7.7 ... Summary ... 296

8 ... Extraction from an SAP Source System ... 297

8.1 ... Settings in SAP ERP ... 298
8.2 ... Activating Business Content DataSources ... 298
8.3 ... Data Extraction Using the Logistic Cockpit ... 299
8.3.1 ... Initialization/Full Upload ... 300
8.3.2 ... Delta Loads ... 301
8.3.3 ... Data Extraction ... 302
8.4 ... Generic DataSources ... 304
8.4.1 ... Settings for a Generic DataSource ... 306
8.4.2 ... Creating a Generic DataSource ... 308
8.5 ... Making Generic DataSources Delta Capable ... 311
8.5.1 ... Delta-Specific Field Area ... 312
8.5.2 ... Settings Area ... 312
8.6 ... Extractor Checker ... 314
8.7 ... Summary ... 316

9 ... BEx Query Designer ... 317

9.1 ... BEx Tools Landscape ... 317
9.2 ... Example Scenario ... 319
9.3 ... BEx Query Designer ... 320
9.3.1 ... BEx Query Designer Screen Layout ... 320
9.3.2 ... BEx Query Designer Menu Bar ... 323
9.4 ... Create a Simple BEx Query ... 324
9.4.1 ... Define Filter ... 326
9.4.2 ... Define Rows/Columns ... 328
9.4.3 ... Execute the Query and Analyze Data ... 330
9.5 ... OLAP Variables ... 333
9.5.1 ... Types of Variables ... 334
9.5.2 ... Processing Types of Variables ... 335
9.6 ... Variable Editor ... 338
9.6.1 ... Characteristic Variables (Manual Entry/Default Value) ... 339
9.6.2 ... Characteristic Variables (Replacement Path) ... 345
9.6.3 ... Characteristic Variables (Customer Exit) ... 345
9.6.4 ... Formula Variables ... 348
9.6.5 ... Text Variables ... 350
9.7 ... Filters — Selection Objects ... 351
9.8 ... Structures ... 356
9.8.1 ... Key Figure Structures ... 356
9.8.2 ... Characteristic Structures ... 357
9.8.3 ... Reusing Structures ... 358
9.9 ... Selections and Formulas ... 360
9.9.1 ... Selection ... 361
9.9.2 ... Formula ... 364
9.10 ... Restricted Key Figures ... 368
9.11 ... Calculated Key Figures ... 370
9.12 ... Properties of Query Elements ... 372
9.12.1 ... Set Properties of Characteristic Query Elements ... 372
9.12.2 ... Set Properties of Key Figure Query Elements ... 376
9.12.3 ... Query Properties ... 381
9.13 ... Conditions ... 384
9.14 ... Exceptions ... 388
9.15 ... Report-to-Report Interface ... 393
9.16 ... Summary ... 397

10 ... Reporting and Analysis ... 399

10.1 ... Running Queries in BEx analyzer ... 399
10.1.1 ... Execute a Query in BEx analyzer ... 401
10.1.2 ... BEx Analysis Functions ... 405
10.2 ... Performing Information Analysis in BEx analyzer ... 407
10.2.1 ... Applying Filters ... 407
10.2.2 ... Navigation Options ... 408
10.3 ... Local Properties and Formulas in BEx analyzer ... 411
10.3.1 ... Local Properties of a Characteristic ... 411
10.3.2 ... Local Properties of a Key Figure ... 413
10.3.3 ... Local Query Properties ... 414
10.3.4 ... Local Formula ... 416
10.4 ... Saving and Reusing Workbooks in BEx Analyzer ... 418
10.5 ... Building an Analysis Application in BEx analyzer ... 420
10.5.1 ... BEx Design Functions ... 420
10.5.2 ... Build a Simple Analysis Application ... 422
10.6 ... Running Queries in BEx Web Analyzer ... 431
10.6.1 ... Create a New Analysis with BEx Web Analyzer ... 432
10.6.2 ... BEx Web Analyzer Functions ... 434
10.7 ... Performing Information Analysis in BEx Web Analyzer ... 436
10.8 ... Analysis Filters and Settings in BEx Web Analyzer ... 441
10.9 ... Information Broadcasting ... 444
10.9.1 ... Information Broadcasting in BEx Web Analyzer ... 444
10.9.2 ... Maintain Broadcasting Settings on Different BEx Objects ... 448
10.9.3 ... Create a New Setting in BEx Broadcaster ... 449
10.10 ... Summary ... 452

11 ... Web Application Designer ... 453

11.1 ... Web Application Designer Overview ... 453
11.1.1 ... Starting the Web Application Designer ... 454
11.1.2 ... Different Screen Areas of Web Application Designer ... 455
11.2 ... Create a Simple Web Application ... 457
11.2.1 ... Create a Data Provider ... 457
11.2.2 ... Using an Analysis Web Item ... 459
11.2.3 ... Using a Dropdown Box ... 460
11.2.4 ... Creating Charts ... 463
11.2.5 ... Adding a Command Button ... 464
11.2.6 ... Arrange Web Items ... 468
11.2.7 ... Validate and Save the Web Template ... 470
11.2.8 ... Execute Web Template ... 471
11.3 ... Web Items ... 473
11.3.1 ... Standard Web Items ... 473
11.3.2 ... Advanced ... 480
11.3.3 ... Miscellaneous ... 483
11.4 ... Working with Commands ... 486
11.4.1 ... Commands for Data Providers ... 488
11.4.2 ... Commands for Planning Applications ... 491
11.4.3 ... Commands for Web Items ... 492
11.4.4 ... Commands for Web Templates ... 492
11.5 ... Web Template Properties ... 493
11.6 ... Summary ... 494

12 ... Integrated Planning ... 495

12.1 ... An Overview of Planning ... 496
12.2 ... Planning Requirements in ABCD Corp ... 498
12.3 ... SAP NetWeaver BW Integrated Planning Components ... 499
12.3.1 ... Planning Modeler and Planning Wizard ... 501
12.3.2 ... Real-Time InfoCube ... 504
12.3.3 ... Characteristic Relationships ... 507
12.3.4 ... Data Slices ... 514
12.3.5 ... Aggregation Level ... 517
12.3.6 ... Planning Filter ... 521
12.3.7 ... Planning Functions ... 526
12.3.8 ... Planning Sequence ... 542
12.3.9 ... Input-Ready Query ... 545
12.4 ... Planning Applications ... 550
12.4.1 ... Excel-Based Planning Application ... 550
12.4.2 ... Web-Based Planning Applications ... 557
12.5 ... Planning Locks ... 569
12.6 ... Changes to Data in Real-Time InfoCubes ... 571
12.7 ... Summary ... 572

13 ... Reporting with SAP BusinessObjects ... 573

13.1 ... Basic Elements of a SAP BusinessObjects Universe ... 574
13.2 ... Creating a Universe ... 577
13.2.1 ... Based on an InfoCube ... 577
13.2.2 ... Based on a BEx Query ... 585
13.3 ... Web Intelligence ... 588
13.3.1 ... Creating a Web Intelligence Report Based on a Universe ... 589
13.3.2 ... Editing and Formatting Web Intelligence Documents ... 595
13.3.3 ... Performing Local Calculations in a WebI Document ... 599
13.4 ... Summary ... 604

14 ... Administration and Monitoring ... 605

14.1 ... DSO Administration and Maintenance ... 605
14.1.1 ... InfoProvider Administration Screen Tasks — DSO ... 606
14.1.2 ... Performance Improvement Tasks ... 614
14.2 ... InfoCube Administration and Maintenance ... 616
14.2.1 ... InfoProvider Administration Screen Tasks — InfoCube ... 616
14.2.2 ... Performance Improvement Tasks ... 624
14.3 ... Aggregates ... 625
14.4 ... Compression ... 633
14.5 ... Process Chain ... 634
14.5.1 ... Creating a Process Chain ... 635
14.5.2 ... Setting Email Alerts ... 641
14.6 ... Analysis Authorizations ... 644
14.6.1 ... Step 1: Define the InfoObject ... 645
14.6.2 ... Step 2: Create an Authorization Object ... 646
14.6.3 ... Step 3: Assign a User ID ... 649
14.7 ... Other Administration and Maintenance Tasks ... 650
14.7.1 ... Executing an Attribute Hierarchy Change Run ... 650
14.7.2 ... Deleting Extra Aggregates ... 651
14.7.3 ... Deleting PSA Data ... 652
14.7.4 ... Deleting DTP Temporary Storage ... 652
14.7.5 ... Using Report SAP_INFOCUBE_DESIGNS ... 652
14.7.6 ... Checking Data Consistency ... 652
14.8 ... Summary ... 653
15 ... Advanced Features ... 655
15.1 ... Open Hub ... 655
15.1.1 ... The Open Hub Concept ... 655
15.1.2 ... Creating an Open Hub Destination ... 655
15.2 ... Analysis Process Designer ... 658
15.2.1 ... Analysis Workbench ... 658
15.2.2 ... Creating an Analysis Process ... 660
15.3 ... Remodeling ... 663
15.3.1 ... Need for Remodeling ... 663
15.3.2 ... Creating Remodeling Rules ... 664
15.4 ... Summary ... 665

... Appendices ... 667

A ... Case Study: ABCD Corp ... 669
B ... Glossary ... 679
C ... Important OSS Notes ... 685
D ... The Authors ... 687

... Index ... 689