Table of Contents

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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 Business Warehouse
31
2.1 Evolution of SAP BW
31
2.2 SAP BW Layers
35
2.2.1 Extraction Layer
36
2.2.2 Staging Layer
37
2.2.3 Transformation Layer
38
2.2.4 Loading Layer
38
2.2.5 Reporting and Analysis Layer
38
2.2.6 Planning and Advanced Analytics Layer
39
2.3 Basic Navigation
41
2.3.1 Logging On to SAP BW
41
2.3.2 Screen Elements
42
2.3.3 The Modeling View in the Database Warehousing Workbench
44
2.4 The Data Warehousing Workbench 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
60
2.5.4 Activating the InfoObject
60
2.6 Implementation and Architecture Options
63
2.6.1 Core Landscape
63
2.6.2 Peripheral Landscape
64
2.6.3 Layered Scalable Architecture (LSA)
66
2.6.4 Enhanced Layered Scalable Architecture [LSA++]
68
2.7 Additional Resources
69
2.8 Summary
70
3 InfoObjects and Master Data
71
3.1 Types of InfoObjects
72
3.2 Creating an InfoArea
74
3.3 Creating an InfoObject Catalog
76
3.4 Creating a Custom Characteristic InfoObject
79
3.4.1 Reference Characteristic Field
81
3.4.2 Template Field
81
3.5 Configuring a Characteristic InfoObject
82
3.5.1 General Tab
82
3.5.2 Business Explorer Tab
85
3.5.3 Master Data/Texts Tab
87
3.5.4 Hierarchy Tab
91
3.5.5 Attribute Tab
97
3.5.6 Compounding Tab
102
3.6 Creating a Key Figure InfoObject
103
3.7 Configuring a Key Figure InfoObject
105
3.7.1 Type/Unit Tab
105
3.7.2 Aggregation Tab
112
3.7.3 Additional Properties Tab
118
3.8 Creating a Unit InfoObject
120
3.9 Summary
122
4 DataStore Objects
123
4.1 Introduction to DSOs
123
4.1.1 Definition and Purpose
123
4.1.2 Types of DSOs
126
4.2 Architecture of the Standard DSO
127
4.2.1 Types of Tables
128
4.2.2 Activation Process for a Standard DSO
129
4.2.3 InfoObject 0RECORDMODE
132
4.3 Designing a DSO
134
4.4 Configuration of the Standard DSO
136
4.4.1 Key Settings in a Standard DSO
136
4.4.2 Including InfoObjects in the DSO
138
4.4.3 Entering Data Fields
141
4.5 Configuration of Write-Optimized DSOs
144
4.6 Configuration of Direct-Update DSOs
146
4.7 Usage Scenarios for DSOs
148
4.7.1 Data Staging
148
4.7.2 Temporary Storage Area
148
4.7.3 Analysis Process Designer
148
4.7.4 Pseudo-Delta
149
4.8 Summary
149
5 InfoCubes
151
5.1 Modeling InfoCubes
152
5.1.1 Key Terms
152
5.1.2 Drawing Assignment Tables for Characteristics and Key Figures
153
5.1.3 Creating Bubble Models
154
5.1.4 Identifying Dimensions
155
5.1.5 Converting a Bubble Model to a Classic Star Schema
156
5.1.6 Designing an Extended Star Schema
158
5.1.7 Additional InfoCube Considerations
161
5.2 Types of InfoCubes
162
5.2.1 Standard InfoCube
162
5.2.2 SAP HANA-Optimized InfoCube
162
5.2.3 Real-Time InfoCube
165
5.2.4 VirtualProvider InfoCube
166
5.3 Creating an InfoCube
166
5.3.1 Initial Setup
166
5.3.2 Using Templates for InfoObject Selection
171
5.3.3 Editing Dimensions
173
5.3.4 Adding New Dimensions
176
5.3.5 Adding Characteristics to Dimensions
179
5.3.6 Adding Key Figures to an InfoCube
182
5.3.7 Selecting Navigation Attributes
184
5.3.8 Activating the InfoCube
185
5.4 Provider-Specific Properties
186
5.4.1 Setting Provider-Specific Properties for a Single InfoObject
186
5.4.2 Setting Provider-Specific Properties for Multiple InfoObjects
188
5.5 Summary
190
6 InfoProviders
191
6.1 MultiProviders
192
6.1.1 Introduction to MultiProviders
192
6.1.2 Designing MultiProviders
194
6.2 InfoSets
208
6.2.1 Type of Joins
209
6.2.2 Transitive Attribute Reporting
214
6.2.3 Designing InfoSets
215
6.2.4 Additional Navigation Capabilities
225
6.2.5 Global Properties
229
6.3 VirtualProviders
232
6.4 Semantically Partitioned Objects (SPOs)
233
6.4.1 Creating SPOs
234
6.4.2 Defining SPOs
236
6.5 HybridProvider
249
6.5.1 Real-Time Data Acquisition (RDA)
251
6.5.2 Creating a HybridProvider
253
6.6 Transient Providers
257
6.7 Analytical Index
259
6.8 CompositeProvider
259
6.8.1 Creating a CompositeProvider
260
6.8.2 Defining CompositeProviders
261
6.9 Open ODS View
267
6.9.1 Creating an Open ODS View
268
6.9.2 Adding Key Figures
276
6.9.3 Activating the Design
277
6.9.4 Viewing Data with an Open ODS View
280
6.10 Summary
281
7 Extraction, Transformation, and Loading
283
7.1 Introduction to ETL
283
7.1.1 Elements in the ETL Process
284
7.1.2 Data Acquisition Interfaces
286
7.1.3 Transformation
288
7.1.4 Loading
289
7.2 Loading Master Data from a Flat File to an InfoObject
290
7.2.1 Creating a Flat File Source System
290
7.2.2 Creating a DataSource
292
7.2.3 Creating and Activating a Transformation
306
7.2.4 Creating a DTP for Loading Master Data
312
7.2.5 Creating an InfoPackage and Starting Data Extraction
318
7.2.6 Monitoring Data Extraction to the PSA
324
7.2.7 Monitoring the DTP
330
7.2.8 Maintaining Master Data
333
7.3 Loading Transaction Data from a Flat File to a DSO
335
7.3.1 Creating a Transaction DataSource
336
7.3.2 Creating a Transformation between a DataSource and a DSO
341
7.4 Loading Data from a DSO to an InfoCube
354
7.4.1 Time Conversion Transformation
357
7.4.2 Routine
357
7.5 Query as DataSource
361
7.6 Temporary Storage Areas and Error Stacks
364
7.6.1 Temporary Storage
365
7.6.2 Configuring Integrity Checks and Viewing Errors in Temporary Storage
366
7.6.3 Creating and Monitoring the Error DTP
370
7.7 Graphical Modeling
372
7.7.1 Creating a Data Flow Template
373
7.7.2 Creating a Data Flow
377
7.8 Special Topics for SAP HANA
383
7.8.1 SAP HANA-Optimized Transformation
383
7.8.2 Optimizing Custom ABAP Routines on SAP HANA
386
7.9 Summary
391
8 Data Extraction from Source Systems
393
8.1 Configuring an SAP Source System for Extraction
393
8.2 Using SAP Business Content for Extraction: Logistics DataSources
395
8.2.1 Initialization
397
8.2.2 Delta Loads
398
8.2.3 Data Extraction
399
8.3 Using Generic DataSources for Extraction
400
8.3.1 Settings for Generic DataSources
403
8.3.2 Creating Generic DataSources
405
8.3.3 Making Generic DataSources Delta-Capable
408
8.3.4 Testing DataSources Using the Extractor Checker
411
8.4 Data Extraction from Non-SAP Systems
413
8.4.1 DB Connect
414
8.4.2 UD Connect
415
8.5 Introduction to Operational Data Provisioning/Operational Delta Queue
416
8.5.1 Creating a DataSource Using the ODP Source System
417
8.5.2 Activating the DataSource
419
8.5.3 Source Data
420
8.5.4 Activating and Executing the DTP
422
8.5.5 Operational Delta Queue
423
8.6 SAP LT Replication Server for SAP BW
425
8.7 Summary
426
9 Creating Queries Using BEx Query Designer
427
9.1 BEx Tools Landscape
428
9.2 Introduction to BEx Query Designer
430
9.2.1 BEx Query Designer Screen Layout
431
9.2.2 BEx Query Designer Menu Bar
433
9.3 Creating a Simple BEx Query
435
9.3.1 Defining Filters
437
9.3.2 Defining Rows and Columns
439
9.3.3 Executing Queries and Analyzing Data
441
9.4 Introduction to OLAP Variables
445
9.4.1 Types of Variables
445
9.4.2 Processing Types of Variables
447
9.5 Creating OLAP Variables Using the Variable Editor
450
9.5.1 Characteristic Variables: Manual Entry/Default Value
450
9.5.2 Characteristic Variables: Replacement Path
456
9.5.3 Characteristic Variables: Customer Exit
457
9.5.4 Formula Variables
460
9.5.5 Text Variables
461
9.6 Creating Filters
463
9.7 Creating Structures
467
9.7.1 Key Figure Structures
468
9.7.2 Characteristic Structures
468
9.7.3 Reusing Structures
470
9.8 Creating Selections and Formulas
471
9.8.1 Selections
472
9.8.2 Formula
476
9.9 Creating Key Figures
479
9.9.1 Restricted Key Figures
479
9.9.2 Calculated Key Figures
482
9.10 Properties of Query Elements
483
9.10.1 Setting Properties of Characteristic Query Elements
484
9.10.2 Setting Properties of Key Figure Query Elements
487
9.10.3 Query Properties
492
9.11 Creating Conditions
496
9.12 Creating Exceptions
500
9.13 Configuring Report-to-Report Interfaces
504
9.14 Summary
508
10 Reporting and Analysis Tools
511
10.1 Running Queries in BEx Analyzer
512
10.1.1 Executing a Query in BEx Analyzer
513
10.1.2 BEx Analyzer Analysis Functions
517
10.2 Performing Information Analysis in BEx Analyzer
519
10.2.1 Applying Filters
519
10.2.2 Navigation Options
520
10.3 Local Properties and Formulas in BEx Analyzer
524
10.3.1 Local Properties of a Characteristic
524
10.3.2 Local Properties of a Key Figure
525
10.3.3 Local Query Properties
527
10.3.4 Local Formula
529
10.4 Saving and Reusing Workbooks in BEx Analyzer
530
10.5 Building an Analysis Application in BEx Analyzer
532
10.5.1 BEx Analyzer Design Functions
532
10.5.2 Building a Simple Analysis Application
535
10.6 Running Queries in BEx Web Analyzer
543
10.6.1 Creating a New Analysis with BEx Web Analyzer
544
10.6.2 BEx Web Analyzer Functions
546
10.7 Performing Information Analysis in BEx Web Analyzer
548
10.8 Analysis Filters and Settings in BEx Web Analyzer
553
10.9 Information Broadcasting Using BEx Web Analyzer
556
10.9.1 Information Broadcasting in BEx Web Analyzer
556
10.9.2 Maintaining Broadcasting Settings on Different BEx Objects
559
10.9.3 Creating a New Setting in BEx Broadcaster
560
10.10 BW Workspaces
563
10.10.1 Defining BW Workspaces
564
10.10.2 Creating a Composite Provider
567
10.11 Summary
575
11 Creating Applications Using BEx Web Application Designer
577
11.1 BEx Web Application Designer Overview
577
11.1.1 Starting BEx Web Application Designer
578
11.1.2 Different Screen Areas of BEx Web Application Designer
579
11.2 Creating a Simple Web Application
581
11.2.1 Creating a Data Provider
582
11.2.2 Using an Analysis Web Item
583
11.2.3 Using a Dropdown Box
585
11.2.4 Creating Charts
587
11.2.5 Adding a Command Button
589
11.2.6 Arranging Web Items
592
11.2.7 Validating and Saving the Web Template
594
11.2.8 Executing the Web Template
595
11.3 Web Items
597
11.3.1 Standard Web Items
597
11.3.2 Advanced Web Items
606
11.3.3 Miscellaneous Web Items
609
11.4 Working with Commands
611
11.4.1 Commands for Data Providers
613
11.4.2 Commands for Planning Applications
616
11.4.3 Commands for Web Items
617
11.4.4 Commands for Web Templates
617
11.5 Web Template Properties
618
11.6 Summary
620
12 Creating Planning Applications
621
12.1 Introduction to the Integrated Planning Component and Planning Applications
622
12.2 Elements of a Planning Application
625
12.2.1 Creating a Real-Time InfoCube
628
12.2.2 Defining Characteristic Relationships
632
12.2.3 Defining Data Slices
639
12.2.4 Defining Aggregation Levels
643
12.2.5 Creating Planning Filters
647
12.2.6 Creating Planning Functions
651
12.2.7 Defining Planning Sequences
670
12.2.8 Input-Ready Query
673
12.3 Building Planning Applications
679
12.3.1 Excel-Based Planning Applications
679
12.3.2 Web-Based Planning Applications
686
12.4 Planning Locks
698
12.5 Changes to Data in Real-Time InfoCubes
700
12.6 Summary
701
13 Reporting with the SAP BusinessObjects BI Suite
703
13.1 Overview of SAP BusinessObjects BI Products
704
13.2 The Unified Semantic Layer and the Information Design Tool
706
13.3 SAP Crystal Reports
710
13.4 SAP BusinessObjects Web Intelligence
712
13.5 SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards
715
13.6 SAP BusinessObjects Analysis
717
13.6.1 SAP BusinessObjects Analysis, Edition for Microsoft Office
717
13.6.2 SAP BusinessObjects Analysis, Edition for OLAP
718
13.7 SAP BusinessObjects Design Studio
719
13.8 SAP BusinessObjects Explorer
720
13.9 SAP Lumira
722
13.10 SAP BusinessObjects BI Launch Pad
722
13.11 Summary
723
14 Administration and Monitoring
725
14.1 DataStore Object Administration and Maintenance
726
14.1.1 Manage InfoProvider Screen Tasks
726
14.1.2 Performance Improvement Tasks
733
14.2 InfoCube Administration and Maintenance
735
14.2.1 Manage InfoProvider Screen Tasks
736
14.2.2 Performance Improvement Tasks
743
14.3 Aggregates
744
14.4 Compression
751
14.5 Process Chains
753
14.5.1 Creating a Process Chain
755
14.5.2 Setting Email Alerts
760
14.6 Analysis Authorizations
762
14.6.1 Step 1: Define the InfoObject
764
14.6.2 Step 2: Create an Authorization Object
765
14.6.3 Step 3: Assign a User ID
768
14.7 Other Administration and Maintenance Tasks
770
14.7.1 Executing an Attribute Hierarchy Change Run
770
14.7.2 Deleting Extra Aggregates
771
14.7.3 Deleting PSA Data
771
14.7.4 Deleting DTP Temporary Storage
771
14.7.5 Using Report SAP_INFOCUBE_DESIGNS
772
14.7.6 Checking Data Consistency
772
14.7.7 Early Unload Concept for SAP BW Powered by SAP HANA
772
14.8 Summary
776
15 Advanced Features
777
15.1 Open Hub
777
15.2 Analysis Process Designer
780
15.2.1 Analysis Workbench
780
15.2.2 Creating Analysis Processes
782
15.2.3 Creating Analytical Indexes
786
15.3 Remodeling
795
15.4 SAP HANA Analysis Process (HAP)
799
15.4.1 SAP HANA Analysis Process Inputs
799
15.4.2 Creating SAP HANA Analysis Process
803
15.5 Summary
809
Appendices
811
A ABCD Corp. Case Study Data
813
B Definitions of Additional InfoObjects for ABCD Corp.
823
C Important Transaction Codes
827
D Important SAP Notes
831
E The Authors
833
Index
835