SAP NetWeaver BW 7.3 — Practical Guide (2nd Edition)

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H3277

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Product Details

ISBN:

978-1-59229-444-2

Author:

Amol Palekar, Bharat Patel, and Shiralkar Shreekant

Type:

Hardcover, 784 pages

Year:

2012

Product Description and Table of Contents

Learn the basic principles and concepts of BW
Get step-by-step instructions for performing BW tasks
Download sample data and recreate a real-life business scenario to get hands-on experience
2nd Edition Updated and Expanded

They say that the best way to learn is by doing. With this practical guide to SAP NetWeaver BW, put that theory to the test. Start with conceptual explanations and then dive straight into real-world application—all with the help of a case study that teaches you how to meet common business intelligence requirements. Whether you want to create objects, extract and transform data, or master the BEx tools, this book is all the help you need.

From Beginner to Expert
Start with the basics and move to the advanced—from InfoObjects to Open Hub, you’ll be guided every step of the way.

Hands-on Experience
Do more than learn what DSOs and InfoCubes are—use step-by-step instructions and hundreds of screenshots to actually create them yourself.

Practical Business Scenario
Get to know ABCD Corp., the fictional company that serves as the basis for your training. As you use SAP NetWeaver BW to meet its business requirements, you’ll learn essential skills for working in the system.

Changes in Release 7.3
Update your skills for the latest release. With information on graphical modeling, new types of InfoProviders, BW Workspaces, and SAP HANA, even experienced SAP NetWeaver BW users will find something new.

Data Files for Download
Download the bonus data files for ABCD Corp., which will give you everything you need to create the necessary objects and practice the tasks described in the book.

Highlights

InfoObjects
DataStore objects
InfoCubes
InfoProviders
MultiProviders
Process chains
Extraction, transformation, and loading
BEx tools
Planning applications
SAP BusinessObjects BI
Administration
Open Hub
SAP HANA

The Authors

Amol Palekar has worked on BI implementations for various Fortune 500 companies. He is currently Principal Consultant at TekLink International Inc., and focuses on institutionalizing the global delivery model and processes for BI application development and support engagements. He is also a trainer, author, and a regular speaker on the subject.

Bharat Patel is part of the regular faculty at SAP Partner academy and SAP Labs in India, and is a regular author of SAP NetWeaver BW material. He currently manages a large and complex SAP NetWeaver BW system at Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd., a Fortune 500 Oil company.

Shreekant W. Shiralkar’s SAP experience includes leadership positions with major IT consulting firms, as well as the design and development of a supply chain strategy for a Fortune 500 oil company. Currently, he is an advisor to SkillNet Solutions and Teklink international Inc. He has authored several books, and also holds patents on innovations.

... Acknowledgments ... 17
... Introduction ... 19
1 ... The Business Scenario: ABCD Corp. ... 23
1.1 ... Marketing Network ... 24
1.2 ... The Sales and Billing Process ... 25
1.3 ... Business Intelligence Requirements ... 28
1.4 ... The Business Planning Scenario ... 29
1.5 ... Summary ... 30
2 ... Overview of SAP NetWeaver BW ... 31
2.1 ... Evolution of SAP NetWeaver BW ... 31
2.2 ... Layers of SAP NetWeaver BW ... 35
2.2.1 ... Extraction Layer ... 36
2.2.2 ... Staging Layer ... 37
2.2.3 ... Transformation Layer ... 37
2.2.4 ... Loading Layer ... 38
2.2.5 ... Reporting and Analysis Layer ... 38
2.2.6 ... Planning and Advanced Analytics Layer ... 38
2.2.7 ... SAP NetWeaver BW Accelerator (BWA) ... 40
2.3 ... Basic Navigation in SAP NetWeaver BW ... 41
2.3.1 ... Logging On to SAP NetWeaver BW ... 41
2.3.2 ... Screen Elements ... 43
2.3.3 ... The Modeling View in the DWW ... 44
2.4 ... The DWW Functions ... 53
2.5 ... Activation of SAP Business Content ... 55
2.5.1 ... Grouping ... 59
2.5.2 ... Collection Mode ... 60
2.5.3 ... Display ... 61
2.5.4 ... Activating the InfoObject ... 61
2.6 ... Implementation and Architecture Options for SAP NetWeaver BW ... 64
2.6.1 ... Core Landscape ... 64
2.6.2 ... Peripheral Landscape ... 65
2.7 ... Additional Resources for SAP NetWeaver BW ... 66
2.8 ... Summary ... 67
3 ... InfoObjects and Master Data ... 69
3.1 ... Types of InfoObjects ... 70
3.2 ... Creating an InfoArea ... 72
3.3 ... Creating an InfoObject Catalog ... 74
3.4 ... Creating a Custom Characteristic InfoObject ... 77
3.4.1 ... Reference Characteristic Field ... 78
3.4.2 ... Template Field ... 79
3.5 ... Configuring a Characteristic InfoObject ... 79
3.5.1 ... General Tab ... 80
3.5.2 ... Business Explorer Tab ... 82
3.5.3 ... Master Data/Texts Tab ... 84
3.5.4 ... Hierarchy Tab ... 89
3.5.5 ... Attribute Tab ... 95
3.5.6 ... Compounding Tab ... 100
3.6 ... Creating a Key Figure InfoObject ... 101
3.6.1 ... Template Field ... 102
3.6.2 ... Reference Key Figure Field ... 103
3.7 ... Configuring a Key Figure InfoObject ... 103
3.7.1 ... Type/Unit Tab ... 104
3.7.2 ... Aggregation Tab ... 110
3.7.3 ... Additional Properties Tab ... 116
3.8 ... Creating a Unit InfoObject ... 118
3.9 ... Summary ... 120
4 ... DataStore Objects ... 121
4.1 ... Introduction to DSOs ... 121
4.1.1 ... Definition and Purpose ... 121
4.1.2 ... Types of DSOs ... 124
4.2 ... Architecture of the Standard DSO ... 126
4.2.1 ... Types of Tables ... 127
4.2.2 ... Activation Process for a Standard DSO ... 128
4.2.3 ... 0RECORDMODE ... 132
4.3 ... Designing a DSO ... 133
4.4 ... Configuration of the Standard DSO ... 135
4.4.1 ... Key Settings in a Standard DSO ... 135
4.4.2 ... Including InfoObjects in the DSO ... 137
4.4.3 ... Entering Data Fields ... 140
4.5 ... Configuration of Write-Optimized DSOs ... 143
4.6 ... Configuration of Direct-Update DSOs ... 145
4.7 ... Usage Scenarios for DSOs ... 146
4.7.1 ... Data Staging ... 146
4.7.2 ... Temporary Storage Area ... 147
4.7.3 ... APD ... 147
4.7.4 ... Pseudo-Delta ... 147
4.8 ... Summary ... 148
5 ... InfoCubes ... 149
5.1 ... Modeling InfoCubes ... 149
5.1.1 ... Key Terms ... 150
5.1.2 ... Drawing Assignment Tables for Characteristics and Key Figures ... 151
5.1.3 ... Creating Bubble Models ... 152
5.1.4 ... Identifying Dimensions ... 153
5.1.5 ... Converting a Bubble Model to a Classic Star Schema ... 154
5.1.6 ... Designing an Extended Star Schema ... 156
5.1.7 ... Additional InfoCube Considerations ... 159
5.2 ... Types of InfoCubes ... 160
5.2.1 ... Standard InfoCube ... 160
5.2.2 ... Real-Time InfoCube ... 160
5.2.3 ... VirtualProvider InfoCube ... 160
5.3 ... Creating an InfoCube ... 161
5.3.1 ... Initial Setup ... 161
5.3.2 ... Using Templates for InfoObject Selection ... 165
5.3.3 ... Editing Dimensions ... 167
5.3.4 ... Adding New Dimensions ... 170
5.3.5 ... Adding Characteristics to Dimensions ... 173
5.3.6 ... Adding Key Figures to an InfoCube ... 176
5.3.7 ... Selecting Navigation Attributes ... 178
5.3.8 ... Activating the InfoCube ... 179
5.4 ... Provider-Specific Properties ... 180
5.4.1 ... Setting Provider-Specific Properties for a Single InfoObject ... 180
5.4.2 ... Setting Provider-Specific Properties for Multiple InfoObjects ... 182
5.5 ... Summary ... 183
6 ... InfoProviders ... 185
6.1 ... MultiProviders ... 186
6.1.1 ... Introduction to MultiProviders ... 186
6.1.2 ... Designing MultiProviders ... 188
6.2 ... InfoSets ... 202
6.2.1 ... Type of Joins ... 203
6.2.2 ... Transitive Attribute Reporting ... 209
6.2.3 ... Designing InfoSets ... 210
6.2.4 ... Additional Navigation Capabilities ... 219
6.2.5 ... Global Properties ... 224
6.3 ... VirtualProviders ... 227
6.4 ... Semantically Partitioned Objects (SPOs) ... 228
6.4.1 ... Creating SPOs ... 229
6.4.2 ... Defining SPOs ... 231
6.5 ... Hybrid Provider ... 244
6.5.1 ... Real-Time Data Acquisition (RDA) ... 246
6.5.2 ... Creating a Hybrid Provider ... 248
6.6 ... Transient Providers ... 252
6.7 ... Analytical Index ... 254
6.8 ... Composite Provider ... 254
6.9 ... Summary ... 255
7 ... Extraction, Transformation, and Loading ... 257
7.1 ... Introduction to ETL ... 257
7.1.1 ... Elements in the ETL Process ... 258
7.1.2 ... Data Acquisition Interfaces ... 260
7.1.3 ... Transformation ... 262
7.1.4 ... Loading ... 263
7.2 ... Loading Master Data from a Flat File to an InfoObject ... 264
7.2.1 ... Creating a Flat File Source System ... 264
7.2.2 ... Creating a DataSource ... 266
7.2.3 ... Creating and Activating a Transformation ... 280
7.2.4 ... Creating a DTP for Loading Master Data ... 286
7.2.5 ... Creating an InfoPackage and Starting Data Extraction ... 292
7.2.6 ... Monitoring Data Extraction to the PSA ... 297
7.2.7 ... Monitoring the DTP ... 303
7.2.8 ... Maintaining Master Data ... 306
7.3 ... Loading Transaction Data from a Flat File to a DSO ... 309
7.3.1 ... Creating a Transaction DataSource ... 310
7.3.2 ... Creating a Transformation Between a DataSource and a DSO ... 315
7.4 ... Loading Data from a DSO to an InfoCube ... 329
7.4.1 ... Time Conversion Transformation ... 331
7.4.2 ... Routine ... 332
7.5 ... Temporary Storage Areas and Error Stacks ... 336
7.5.1 ... Temporary Storage ... 337
7.5.2 ... Configuring Integrity Checks and Viewing Errors in Temporary Storage ... 338
7.5.3 ... Creating and Monitoring the Error DTP ... 342
7.6 ... Graphical Modeling ... 344
7.6.1 ... Creating a Data Flow Template ... 345
7.6.2 ... Creating a Data Flow ... 349
7.7 ... Summary ... 355
8 ... Data Extraction from Source Systems ... 357
8.1 ... Configuring an SAP Source System for Extraction ... 357
8.2 ... Using SAP Business Content for Extraction: Logistics DataSources ... 359
8.2.1 ... Initialization ... 360
8.2.2 ... Delta Loads ... 362
8.2.3 ... Data Extraction ... 363
8.3 ... Using Generic DataSources for Extraction ... 364
8.3.1 ... Settings for Generic DataSources ... 366
8.3.2 ... Creating Generic DataSources ... 368
8.3.3 ... Making Generic DataSources Delta-Capable ... 372
8.3.4 ... Testing DataSources Using the Extractor Checker ... 375
8.4 ... Data Extraction from Non-SAP Systems ... 377
8.4.1 ... DB Connect ... 377
8.4.2 ... UD Connect ... 379
8.5 ... Summary ... 379
9 ... Creating Queries Using BEx Query Designer ... 381
9.1 ... BEx Tools Landscape ... 382
9.2 ... Introduction to BEx Query Designer ... 384
9.2.1 ... BEx Query Designer Screen Layout ... 385
9.2.2 ... BEx Query Designer Menu Bar ... 387
9.3 ... Creating a Simple BEx Query ... 389
9.3.1 ... Defining Filters ... 391
9.3.2 ... Defining Rows and Columns ... 393
9.3.3 ... Executing Queries and Analyzing Data ... 395
9.4 ... Introduction to OLAP Variables ... 398
9.4.1 ... Types of Variables ... 399
9.4.2 ... Processing Types of Variables ... 400
9.5 ... Creating OLAP Variables Using the Variable Editor ... 404
9.5.1 ... Characteristic Variables (Manual Entry/Default Value) ... 404
9.5.2 ... Characteristic Variables (Replacement Path) ... 410
9.5.3 ... Characteristic Variables (Customer Exit) ... 410
9.5.4 ... Formula Variables ... 413
9.5.5 ... Text Variables ... 415
9.6 ... Creating Filters ... 416
9.7 ... Creating Structures ... 421
9.7.1 ... Key Figure Structures ... 421
9.7.2 ... Characteristic Structures ... 422
9.7.3 ... Reusing Structures ... 423
9.8 ... Creating Selections and Formulas ... 425
9.8.1 ... Selections ... 425
9.8.2 ... Formula ... 429
9.9 ... Creating Key Figures ... 433
9.9.1 ... Restricted Key Figures ... 433
9.9.2 ... Calculated Key Figures ... 435
9.10 ... Properties of Query Elements ... 437
9.10.1 ... Set Properties of Characteristic Query Elements ... 437
9.10.2 ... Set Properties of Key Figure Query Elements ... 441
9.10.3 ... Query Properties ... 446
9.11 ... Creating Conditions ... 449
9.12 ... Creating Exceptions ... 453
9.13 ... Configuring Report-to-Report Interfaces ... 457
9.14 ... Summary ... 462
10 ... Reporting and Analysis Tools ... 463
10.1 ... Running Queries in BEx Analyzer ... 464
10.1.1 ... Executing a Query in BEx Analyzer ... 466
10.1.2 ... BEx Analyzer Analysis Functions ... 469
10.2 ... Performing Information Analysis in BEx Analyzer ... 471
10.2.1 ... Applying Filters ... 471
10.2.2 ... Navigation Options ... 472
10.3 ... Local Properties and Formulas in BEx Analyzer ... 476
10.3.1 ... Local Properties of a Characteristic ... 476
10.3.2 ... Local Properties of a Key Figure ... 477
10.3.3 ... Local Query Properties ... 479
10.3.4 ... Local Formula ... 480
10.4 ... Saving and Reusing Workbooks in BEx Analyzer ... 482
10.5 ... Building an Analysis Application in BEx Analyzer ... 484
10.5.1 ... BEx Analyzer Design Functions ... 484
10.5.2 ... Building a Simple Analysis Application ... 487
10.6 ... Running Queries in BEx Web Analyzer ... 495
10.6.1 ... Creating a New Analysis with BEx Web Analyzer ... 496
10.6.2 ... BEx Web Analyzer Functions ... 498
10.7 ... Performing Information Analysis in BEx Web Analyzer ... 500
10.8 ... Analysis Filters and Settings in BEx Web Analyzer ... 505
10.9 ... Information Broadcasting Using BEx Web Analyzer ... 507
10.9.1 ... Information Broadcasting in BEx Web Analyzer ... 508
10.9.2 ... Maintaining Broadcasting Settings on Different BEx Objects ... 511
10.9.3 ... Creating a New Setting in BEx Broadcaster ... 512
10.10 ... BW Workspaces ... 515
10.10.1 ... Defining BW Workspaces ... 516
10.10.2 ... Creating a Composite Provider ... 519
10.11 ... Summary ... 527
11 ... Creating Applications Using BEx Web Application Designer ... 529
11.1 ... BEx Web Application Designer Overview ... 529
11.1.1 ... Starting BEx Web Application Designer ... 530
11.1.2 ... Different Screen Areas of BEx Web Application Designer ... 531
11.2 ... Creating a Simple Web Application ... 533
11.2.1 ... Creating a Data Provider ... 534
11.2.2 ... Using an Analysis Web Item ... 535
11.2.3 ... Using a Dropdown Box ... 537
11.2.4 ... Creating Charts ... 539
11.2.5 ... Adding a Command Button ... 541
11.2.6 ... Arranging Web Items ... 544
11.2.7 ... Validating and Saving the Web Template ... 546
11.2.8 ... Executing the Web Template ... 548
11.3 ... Web Items ... 549
11.3.1 ... Standard Web Items ... 550
11.3.2 ... Advanced Web Items ... 558
11.3.3 ... Miscellaneous Web Items ... 561
11.4 ... Working with Commands ... 563
11.4.1 ... Commands for Data Providers ... 565
11.4.2 ... Commands for Planning Applications ... 569
11.4.3 ... Commands for Web Items ... 569
11.4.4 ... Commands for Web Templates ... 570
11.5 ... Web Template Properties ... 571
11.6 ... Summary ... 572
12 ... Creating Planning Applications ... 573
12.1 ... Introduction to the Integrated Planning Component and Planning Applications ... 574
12.2 ... Elements of a Planning Application ... 577
12.2.1 ... Creating a Real-Time InfoCube ... 580
12.2.2 ... Defining Characteristic Relationships ... 583
12.2.3 ... Defining Data Slices ... 590
12.2.4 ... Defining Aggregation Levels ... 594
12.2.5 ... Creating Planning Filters ... 598
12.2.6 ... Creating Planning Functions ... 602
12.2.7 ... Defining Planning Sequences ... 621
12.2.8 ... Input-Ready Query ... 625
12.3 ... Building Planning Applications ... 629
12.3.1 ... Excel-Based Planning Applications ... 630
12.3.2 ... Web-Based Planning Applications ... 637
12.4 ... Planning Locks ... 649
12.5 ... Changes to Data in Real-Time InfoCubes ... 651
12.6 ... Summary ... 652
13 ... Reporting with the SAP BusinessObjects BI Suite ... 653
13.1 ... Overview of SAP BusinessObjects BI Products ... 654
13.2 ... The Unified Semantic Layer and the Information Design Tool ... 656
13.3 ... SAP Crystal Reports ... 660
13.4 ... SAP BusinessObjects Web Intelligence ... 662
13.5 ... SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards ... 665
13.6 ... SAP BusinessObjects Analysis ... 667
13.6.1 ... SAP BusinessObjects Analysis, Edition for Microsoft Office ... 667
13.6.2 ... SAP BusinessObjects Analysis, Edition for OLAP ... 669
13.6.3 ... SAP BusinessObjects Design Studio ... 670
13.7 ... SAP BusinessObjects Explorer ... 670
13.8 ... BI Launch Pad ... 672
13.9 ... Summary ... 673
14 ... Administration and Monitoring ... 675
14.1 ... DSO Administration and Maintenance ... 676
14.1.1 ... InfoProvider Administration Screen Tasks ... 676
14.1.2 ... Performance Improvement Tasks ... 682
14.2 ... InfoCube Administration and Maintenance ... 684
14.2.1 ... InfoProvider Administration Screen Tasks ... 684
14.2.2 ... Performance Improvement Tasks ... 692
14.3 ... Aggregates ... 693
14.4 ... Compression ... 700
14.5 ... Process Chains ... 702
14.5.1 ... Creating a Process Chain ... 703
14.5.2 ... Setting Email Alerts ... 708
14.6 ... Analysis Authorizations ... 711
14.6.1 ... Step 1: Define the InfoObject ... 713
14.6.2 ... Step 2: Create an Authorization Object ... 714
14.6.3 ... Step 3: Assign a User ID ... 717
14.7 ... Other Administration and Maintenance Tasks ... 718
14.7.1 ... Executing an Attribute Hierarchy Change Run ... 718
14.7.2 ... Deleting Extra Aggregates ... 719
14.7.3 ... Deleting PSA Data ... 720
14.7.4 ... Deleting DTP Temporary Storage ... 720
14.7.5 ... Using Report SAP_INFOCUBE_DESIGNS ... 720
14.7.6 ... Checking Data Consistency ... 721
14.8 ... Summary ... 721
15 ... Advanced Features ... 723
15.1 ... Open Hub ... 723
15.2 ... Analysis Process Designer ... 726
15.2.1 ... Analysis Workbench ... 726
15.2.2 ... Creating Analysis Processes ... 728
15.2.3 ... Creating Analytical Indexes ... 731
15.3 ... Remodeling ... 740
15.4 ... Summary ... 742
... Appendices ... 743
A ... An Introduction to SAP HANA and SAP NetWeaver BW ... 745
A.1 ... Architecture ... 745
A.2 ... Data Storage ... 747
A.3 ... SAP HANA Scenarios for SAP NetWeaver BW ... 748
A.4 ... SAP HANA Roadmap ... 750
A.5 ... Summary ... 751
B ... ABCD Corp. Case Study Data ... 753
C ... Definitions of Additional InfoObjects for ABCD Corp. ... 765
D ... Important Transaction Codes ... 769
E ... Important SAP Notes ... 773
F ... The Authors ... 775
... Index ... 777

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Product Reviews

Showing reviews 1-4 of 15 | Next

Just the right book for BI

Posted by Anonymous on May 24th, 2013

Just began reading the book. Before took 2 SAP courses BW310 and BW305. The book explains a lot from those courses and helps to understand them more thoroughly and in detail.
This book is a must have book for everyone who is engaged in woking with enterprise reporting and analysis.
Helpful

Posted by sapelk on Apr 26th, 2013

Its a joy to read; layout is fantastic and very clear. I'll recommend this book to any SAP BW consultant.
Good book for beginner

Posted by Anonymous on Apr 24th, 2013

I think this book is very helpful for the beginner. It has roadmap to know all concept of SAP BW and you can practice step by step to familiar with it.
really great book

Posted by Hui on Apr 19th, 2013

got a lot of helps from this book, highly recommended!

Showing reviews 1-4 of 15 | Next

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