1 Business Intelligence in the Enterprise

31

1.1 What is Business Intelligence?

31

1.2 Layer Model of the BI Architecture

33

1.3 User Groups in the Enterprise

35

1.4 Data Warehousing

36

1.4.1 What Is a Data Warehouse?

37

1.4.2 Architecture of a Data Warehouse

38

1.5 Data Staging

39

1.5.1 Data Acquisition Layer

40

1.5.2 Quality and Harmonization Layer

40

1.5.3 Data Propagation Layer

41

1.5.4 Business Transformation Layer

41

1.5.5 Reporting Layer

42

1.6 Online Analytical Processing

42

1.6.1 Multidimensional Dataspaces

43

1.6.2 Extended Star Schema in SAP NetWeaver BW

47

1.6.3 Structure Anomalies

48

1.6.4 Data Retention

50

1.6.5 Usage Areas of Multidimensional Data Structures

51

1.6.6 Presentation and Navigation

51

1.7 Business Reporting

52

1.7.1 Report System Types

53

1.7.2 Periodic Reporting

54

1.7.3 Aperiodic Reporting

55

1.7.4 Ad-Hoc Reporting

56

1.7.5 Report Design

56

2 Overview of SAP NetWeaver BW 7.3 and SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.0

59

2.1 Overview

60

2.2 Main BI Terms

61

2.2.1 Business Intelligence

63

2.2.2 Data Warehousing

67

2.2.3 Enterprise Performance Management

68

2.2.4 Enterprise Information Management

70

2.2.5 Comparison of Former and New Terms

72

2.3 New Features in SAP NetWeaver BW 7.3

73

2.3.1 InfoObjects

74

2.3.2 DataStore Object

74

2.3.3 InfoProviders

75

2.3.4 Nearline Storage

75

2.3.5 Data Flow

75

2.3.6 Extraction

76

2.3.7 Authorizations

76

2.3.8 BW Integrated Planning

77

2.3.9 SAP NetWeaver BW Accelerator and SAP HANA

77

2.4 New Features in SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.0

78

2.4.1 New Semantic Layer

78

2.4.2 SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards

79

2.4.3 SAP Crystal Reports

79

2.4.4 SAP BusinessObjects Web Intelligence

80

2.5 Using SAP NetWeaver BW 7.3 and SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.0 Together

80

2.6 Data Modeling

82

2.6.1 Data Warehousing Workbench

83

2.6.2 DataStore Objects

88

2.6.3 InfoProviders

90

2.6.4 Aggregates

94

2.6.5 SAP NetWeaver BW Accelerator

95

2.7 Data Staging

96

2.7.1 Creating DataSources

97

2.7.2 Creating Data Flows

97

2.7.3 Transformations

98

2.7.4 InfoPackages

99

2.7.5 Data Transfer Process

99

2.8 Extraction

99

2.8.1 Source Systems

100

2.8.2 Extraction from Systems of the SAP Business Suite

101

2.8.3 Extraction from Non-SAP Systems

101

2.8.4 SAP BusinessObjects Data Services as an ETL Tool

102

2.9 Administration of the BW System

103

2.9.1 Process Chains

103

2.9.2 Monitoring

103

2.9.3 Transport System

104

2.9.4 Analysis Process Designer

104

2.9.5 BW Administration Cockpit

105

2.10 Analyses (Reporting)

105

2.10.1 Which Tool Should I Use, and When?

106

2.10.2 BEx Query Designer

107

2.10.3 SAP BusinessObjects BI Platform

107

2.10.4 Excel-Based Analysis

108

2.10.5 Web-Based Analyses

109

2.10.6 Formatted Reporting

110

2.10.7 Dashboards and Office Integration

111

2.10.8 Mobile Applications

112

2.10.9 Roadmap for SAP NetWeaver BW 3.x and 7.x Users

114

2.11 Planning with BW Integrated Planning

116

2.11.1 Modeling Planning Applications

116

2.11.2 Designing the Planning Frontend

118

2.12 Outlook

120

2.12.1 SAP BusinessObjects

120

2.12.2 SAP HANA

122

3 Data Modeling

127

3.1 Data Warehousing Workbench

128

3.1.1 Structure of the Work Area

128

3.1.2 Functions of the Task Area

130

3.1.3 Data Modeling Using the Data Warehousing Workbench

140

3.1.4 Best Practices for Data Modeling

144

3.1.5 Naming Conventions

151

3.2 InfoObjects

155

3.2.1 Creating Characteristics and Key Figures

155

3.2.2 General Settings for the Characteristic

158

3.2.3 Business Explorer Settings for the Characteristic

160

3.2.4 Characteristic Settings for Master Data and Texts

165

3.2.5 Attributes in Characteristics

169

3.2.6 Hierarchies in Characteristics

171

3.2.7 Time Dependency

179

3.2.8 Compounding

181

3.2.9 Document Storage

183

3.2.10 Geo-Coding for Preparing Map Presentations

183

3.2.11 Characteristics as InfoProviders

185

3.2.12 General Settings for the Key Figure

186

3.2.13 Aggregation of Key Figures

187

3.2.14 Additional Settings for Key Figures

192

3.2.15 Special InfoObjects: Units and Time

193

3.2.16 Best Practices for Maintaining InfoObjects

195

3.3 DataStore Objects

198

3.3.1 DataStore Objects in the Data Warehousing Architecture

198

3.3.2 Standard DSOs

202

3.3.3 Write-Optimized DSOs

209

3.3.4 DSOs for Direct Update

211

3.3.5 Semantic DSOs

212

3.3.6 Administration and Performance

217

3.4 InfoCubes

221

3.4.1 InfoCubes in the Data Warehousing Architecture

221

3.4.2 Standard InfoCube

224

3.4.3 Real Time-Enabled InfoCube

230

3.4.4 Semantic InfoCube

232

3.4.5 Performance and Administration

233

3.4.6 Remodeling Tool

235

3.4.7 (Re)partitioning and (Re)clustering

239

3.5 Special InfoProviders

240

3.5.1 Special Data Targets in the Data Warehousing Architecture

240

3.5.2 MultiProviders

242

3.5.3 InfoSet

247

3.5.4 VirtualProviders

253

3.5.5 HybridProviders

256

3.6 Aggregates and BW Accelerator

259

3.6.1 Aggregates in the Data Warehousing Architecture

259

3.6.2 Creating Aggregates

260

3.6.3 Using Aggregates

264

3.6.4 BW Accelerator

265

3.7 Data Flow

267

3.7.1 Procedure Model for Data Flow Generation

267

3.7.2 DataSources

273

3.7.3 InfoSources

279

3.7.4 Open Hub Destinations

280

3.7.5 Transformations

281

3.7.6 Programming Transformation Routines

290

3.7.7 Migrating Data Flows from 3.x Systems

294

3.8 Load Processes

296

3.8.1 InfoPackages and PSA

296

3.8.2 Data Transfer Processes

303

3.8.3 Process Chains

309

3.9 Report-Report Interface

310

4 Extraction

315

4.1 DataSource

316

4.2 Extraction from SAP Source Systems

317

4.2.1 Extraction of Business Content

319

4.2.2 Generic Extraction from SAP Systems

324

4.3 Extraction from Non-SAP Systems

327

4.3.1 DB Connect

327

4.3.2 Universal Data Integration

329

4.3.3 Web Service

331

4.4 Extraction with SAP BusinessObjects Data Services

334

4.4.1 Overview

334

4.4.2 Graphic Modeling of Data Flows

335

4.4.3 Data Sources

336

4.4.4 Transformations

337

4.5 Integration of SAP NetWeaver BW and SAP BusinessObjects Data Services

339

4.6 Delta Capability

341

4.6.1 Delta Queue

343

4.6.2 Delta Procedure, Delta Mode, and Update Mode

344

4.6.3 Delta Processing in the BW System

346

5 Administration

349

5.1 Data Supply

349

5.2 InfoPackages

353

5.3 Process Chains

356

5.3.1 Overview

357

5.3.2 Creating Process Chains

358

5.3.3 Process Types in a Process Chain

359

5.3.4 Process Categories

361

5.4 System Monitoring

364

5.4.1 BW CCMS

365

5.4.2 Data Load Monitor

365

5.4.3 Attribute Change Run Monitor

369

5.4.4 System Load Monitor

370

5.5 Transport System

372

5.5.1 BW Object Version Management

372

5.5.2 General Transport Procedure in BW

373

5.5.3 Transport Connection in the Data Warehousing Workbench

375

5.5.4 Special Features of BEx Elements

379

6 Authorizations

381

6.1 Transaction Authorizations

382

6.1.1 Separation of Backend and Reporting

382

6.1.2 New Objects in SAP NetWeaver BW 7.30

383

6.1.3 Roles in BW

383

6.2 Analysis Authorizations

384

6.2.1 Fundamentals

385

6.2.2 Barrier Principle

386

6.2.3 Authorization Management

387

6.2.4 Authorization Maintenance

387

6.2.5 Assignment to Users: Transactions RSU01 and SU01

393

6.2.6 Mass Maintenance Transaction RSECSY

397

6.2.7 Analysis of Authorization Checks and Authorization Log

400

6.2.8 Generating Authorizations

403

6.2.9 Migrating from Release BW 3.x to BW 7.x

405

6.2.10 Migrating from Release BW 7.0 to BW 7.30

406

6.3 Conclusion

407

7 SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence Platform

409

7.1 Structure and Architecture

410

7.1.1 BI Launchpad: UI for End Users

416

7.1.2 Administration: Central Management Console

417

7.1.3 Transports with the Lifecycle Management Console

421

7.1.4 Transports with the Upgrade Management Tool

422

7.2 Data Providers—Common Semantic Layer and BICS

423

7.2.1 Universe Design Tool

424

7.2.2 Information Design Tool

427

7.2.3 Query as a Web Service Designer

432

7.2.4 SAP BusinessObjects Live Office

433

7.2.5 Business View Manager

436

7.3 Queries in the Clients

437

7.3.1 Result Objects

439

7.3.2 Query Filter

440

7.3.3 Data Preview

442

8 BEx Query Designer

445

8.1 SAP Business Explorer Suite

445

8.1.1 Tools

445

8.1.2 Interaction between BEx Components

447

8.2 BW Query

447

8.3 Structure of the BEx Query Designer

449

8.3.1 InfoProviders

450

8.3.2 Work Area

451

8.3.3 Menu and Toolbar

456

8.3.4 Properties

459

8.4 Getting Started

471

8.5 Filters

478

8.6 Structure Definition

482

8.7 Structures

483

8.8 Selection

486

8.9 Formulas

489

8.10 Calculated and Restricted Key Figures

493

8.11 Designing Variable BW Queries

494

8.11.1 BEx Variables

494

8.11.2 Pre-Queries

501

8.12 Special Functions

503

8.12.1 Local versus Global Objects

503

8.12.2 Conditions

504

8.12.3 Exceptions

507

8.12.4 Cell Definitions

509

8.12.5 Constant Selection

512

8.12.6 External Access to BW Queries

513

8.12.7 OLAP Processor

516

8.12.8 Query Monitor

517

9 General Query Navigation

521

9.1 Restricting the Value Range of a Report

522

9.1.1 Variants

524

9.1.2 Personalization

526

9.2 Navigation Options

527

9.2.1 Changing Filter Values

527

9.2.2 Filtering Key Figures

530

9.2.3 Modifying the Drilldown

530

9.2.4 Back Navigation

531

9.2.5 Saving Navigation States

531

9.3 Modifying the Display of a BEx Report

531

9.3.1 Global Settings

532

9.3.2 Settings for Characteristics

534

9.3.3 Settings for Key Figures

535

9.3.4 Saving Settings

535

10 BEx Analyzer

537

10.1 Overview

537

10.1.1 General

538

10.1.2 Architecture

540

10.1.3 Operation

541

10.1.4 Saving the Workbook

543

10.1.5 Specifying the Default Workbook

543

10.1.6 Working with Pivot Tables

544

10.1.7 Tools

545

10.2 Analysis Mode

546

10.2.1 Variable Dialog

548

10.2.2 Navigating

549

10.2.3 Adapting the Presentation

551

10.3 Design Mode

552

10.3.1 DataProvider

553

10.3.2 Design Items

554

10.3.3 Interfaces

558

10.3.4 Layout

559

11 SAP BusinessObjects Analysis

561

11.1 Overview

561

11.1.1 Report Types

562

11.1.2 Data Sources

562

11.2 Getting Started

563

11.2.1 Interface

563

11.2.2 Inserting Data

565

11.3 Functions

568

11.3.1 Prompts

568

11.3.2 Filtering

569

11.3.3 Sorting

571

11.3.4 Hierarchy

572

11.3.5 Calculations

573

11.3.6 Conditional Formatting

574

11.3.7 Members, Measures, and Totals

575

11.3.8 Charts

576

11.4 Settings

577

11.4.1 Styles

577

11.4.2 Info Fields

578

11.4.3 Macros

579

11.5 Presentation in Microsoft PowerPoint

580

11.5.1 Creating a Slide from Microsoft Excel

580

11.5.2 Creating a Slide in Microsoft PowerPoint

581

12 BEx Web Analyzer

583

12.1 Overview

583

12.2 Integration with SAP NetWeaver Portal

585

12.3 Functions

586

12.3.1 Table and Graphical Display

586

12.3.2 Exceptions and Conditions

587

12.3.3 Information

591

12.3.4 Changing Variable Assignments

591

12.3.5 Export, Printing, and Broadcasting

591

12.3.6 Saving and Using Report Results

592

12.3.7 Document Functions and Comments

594

12.3.8 Modifying the Standard Web Template

595

13 BEx Web Application Designer

597

13.1 Overview

597

13.1.1 General

598

13.1.2 Architecture of a Web Template

600

13.1.3 BICS Structure

602

13.2 Structure of the BEx Web Application Designer

603

13.2.1 Operating the BEx Web Application Designer

605

13.2.2 Design Area

606

13.2.3 Web Items

608

13.2.4 Properties

611

13.3 Creating Web Templates

612

13.3.1 Layout Design

613

13.3.2 Creating the Web Template

614

13.3.3 Testing the Function of a Web Template

616

13.4 Advanced Functions

617

13.4.1 Language-Dependent Texts

617

13.4.2 Web Design API

619

13.4.3 JavaScript

620

13.4.4 Integration with SAP NetWeaver Portal

621

14 SAP BusinessObjects Web Intelligence

623

14.1 Structure

623

14.2 Getting Started

628

14.3 Functions

630

14.3.1 Report Elements

630

14.3.2 Sections

634

14.3.3 Variables/Formula Fields

634

14.3.4 Filter Bar

636

14.4 Ad-Hoc Analysis

637

15 SAP Crystal Reports

639

15.1 Interface Structure

640

15.2 Getting Started

643

15.3 Filters and Parameters

644

15.3.1 Dynamic Parameters

646

15.3.2 Static Parameters

647

15.3.3 BEx Variables

648

15.4 Groupings

649

15.5 Charts

653

15.6 Subreports

657

15.7 Modified Functions

660

15.7.1 Formula Workshop

660

15.7.2 Conditional Formatting

661

15.7.3 Document Settings

662

16 SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards

665

16.1 Structure and Functions

665

16.2 Getting Started

671

16.3 Integration with SAP NetWeaver BW

679

16.3.1 Overview

679

16.3.2 Access to BW Queries

679

16.4 Components and Their Properties

682

16.4.1 Tables

682

16.4.2 Tabs

683

16.4.3 Charts

684

16.4.4 Maps

686

16.4.5 Buttons and Other Input Items

687

17 SAP BusinessObjects Explorer

689

17.1 Structure

689

17.2 Getting Started

691

17.2.1 Search

691

17.2.2 Analysis

691

17.2.3 Calculated Measures

692

17.2.4 Filtering and Sorting

693

17.2.5 Changing the Analysis Details

694

17.2.6 Table Display

694

17.2.7 Analysis Types

695

17.2.8 Export Options

697

17.3 Administration

698

17.3.1 Roles

699

17.3.2 Creating and Maintaining Information Spaces

699

18 BW Integrated Planning

703

18.1 Overview of the Planning Process

704

18.2 Modeling of Data Retention

706

18.3 Planning Modeling in ABAP or Java

707

18.3.1 Selecting Real Time-Enabled InfoProviders

708

18.3.2 Aggregation Levels

709

18.3.3 Restricting Aggregation Levels with a Filter

711

18.3.4 Planning Functions

712

18.3.5 Planning Sequences

714

18.4 BW Query: Creating Input Masks with the BEx Query Designer

714

19 SAP SEM-BCS

717

19.1 Overview of SAP Consolidation Solutions

717

19.2 Fields of Implementation for SAP SEM-BCS

719

19.2.1 Benefits of a Consolidated Financial Statement

719

19.2.2 Preparations for the Creation of a Financial Statement

720

19.2.3 Consolidation

720

19.3 The Concept of SAP SEM-BCS

722

19.3.1 Architecture of SAP SEM-BCS

722

19.3.2 Structure of SAP SEM-BCS

723

19.3.3 Data Model

725

19.3.4 Reporting

727

19.4 Process of Creating a Financial Statement

727

19.4.1 Supply of Company Data

727

19.4.2 Currency Translation

728

19.4.3 Consolidation Functions

729

19.5 Summary

733

Appendices

735

A Abbreviations

737

B Glossary

741

C Bibliography

753

D Tables

755

E Transactions

759

F SAP Notes

765

F.1 Extraction

765

F.2 Modeling

766

F.3 VirtualProviders

766

F.4 Business Content

766

F.5 Reporting

767

F.6 BW Integrated Planning

767

F.7 SAP BusinessObjects

767

F.8 SAP NetWeaver BW in Production

768

G The Authors

769