0303 Best Practices for Integrating SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.x with SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse (BW) and SAP ERP.pdf

Best Practices for Integrating SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.x with SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse (BW) and SAP ERP (Session Code : 0303)

Ingo Hilgefort, Director, Customer Engagement and Projects SAP BusinessObjects (Canada) (SAP Mentor)

© 2013 SAP AG. All rights reserved. 2Public

Disclaimer

This presentation outlines our general product direction and should not be relied on in making a purchase decision. This presentation is not subject to your license agreement or any other agreement with SAP. SAP has no obligation to pursue any course of business outlined in this presentation or to develop or release any functionality mentioned in this presentation. This presentation and SAP's strategy and possible future developments are subject to change and may be changed by SAP at any time for any reason without notice. This document is provided without a warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement. SAP assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in this document, except if such damages were caused by SAP intentionally or grossly negligent.


Agenda

SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.x & SAP ERP Data Connectivity and Meta-Data Support Performance Considerations

SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.x & SAP NetWeaver BW Supporting BEx Query Elements Prompting using SAP Variables Performance Considerations Hierarchical Reporting Capabilities Best Practices on BEx Query Design

Roadmap Update

SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.x & SAP ERPData Connectivity and Meta-Data Support



Semantic Layer Access to SAP ERP Classic InfoSets ABAP Functions ABAP Query

Direct Access to SAP ERPCrystal Reports 2011 InfoSets, ABAP Functions, Tables, and ABAP Queries

Transient Provider Leverage the local BI Client from your ERP System Allows to leverage classic InfoSets as data source Allows to leverage a BEx Query with direct access to

ERP data using the BICS interface



Semantic Layer Data Foundation ABAP Functions are grouped by Function Group Each Table and Export is shown as separate table in the Data

Foundation Input parameters from the ABAP Function are mapped to Input

Columns

InfoSets are grouped first by Global / Local area Entry INFOSET is listing all InfoSets All other entries represent User Groups listing the InfoSet queries Selections from the InfoSet which are not included in the

InfoSet fields will result in Input Columns


InfoSet in SAP ERP InfoSet in Universe



ABAP Function in SAP ERP ABAP Function in Universe



Crystal Reports & ABAP List Viewer (ALV) This integration becomes available with SAP Business Suite Innovation 2010 (ERP 6.0 EHP 05 / NW

7.02) You will be able to use Crystal Reports objects as layout option for Web Dynpro ALV and SAP GUI ALV

layouts You will be able to create Crystal Reports objects as templates for all users Crystal Reports objects become part of the software logistics of the ALV


SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.x & SAP ERPPerformance Considerations



Performance Considerations In cases where the required data is available via more than one ABAP Function or InfoSet, consider to

create one source = one new InfoSet or one new ABAP function, combining the data. Leverage scheduling from the SAP BusinessObjects BI platform to “off load” the work for those reports

that are not needed in “real time”

Current Limitation In cases where your source (InfoSet or ABAP Function) already contains input parameters or selections

creating List of Values becomes “difficult” You can leverage additional InfoSets or ABAP Functions to provide the list of values You can create new InfoSets or ABAP Functions without any input parameters and create the parameters

in the Universe


Business Users

Mfg

Sale s… HR

Fin

SAP Solutions

ETL Mappings

Reporting Content

Data Marts

SAP BusinessObjects Rapid Marts

+

+

SAP BusinessObjects Data Services

SAP BusinessObjects BI

Universes, Initial reports + Dashboards

DB schema + Data Models


Easily modifiable templates that combine domain knowledge and best practices in data extraction and data modeling to produce customizable reporting content for quick and easy SAP analytical implementations


SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.x & SAP HANA Analytics Foundation

Instantaneous transactions -results-to-actions

Empowerment for front-line employees

Unified view of operations without delay

Out-of-the-Box

Custom-built

Open Interface

Customer Extensions

Personalized Views

Personalized Views

Personalized Views

Private ViewsPrivate Views

Reuse ViewsReuse Views

Physical TablesPhysical Tables

SAP-delivered

Query Views

SAP HANA Analytics Foundation (VDM)

Multi-channel Unified User ExperienceMulti-channel Unified User Experience

SAP Business SuiteSAP Business Suite

SAP NetWeaver

SAP

Net

Wea

ver

BW

SAP

Net

Wea

ver

BW

New

SAP

App

sN

ew S

AP A

pps

Part

ner

Apps

Part

ner

Apps

SAP HANA PLATFORM

Database Services

Synchronizations Services

Application ServicesOperational Reporting


SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.x & SAP HANA Analytics Foundation

Immediate rollout with no integration challenges

Rapid Deployment Solutions

Easy extension and customization

Personalized Views

Personalized Views

Personalized Views

Private ViewsPrivate Views

Reuse ViewsReuse Views

Physical TablesPhysical Tables

SAP-delivered

Query Views

Customer Extensions

SAP HANA Analytics Foundation (VDM)

SAP BusinessObjects BISAP BusinessObjects BI

SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.x & SAP NetWeaver BWSupport for BEx Query Elements across the BI Suite


Direct Access

SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.x & SAP NetWeaver BWData Connectivity Options

ReportingReporting

Authored Access

BI Consumer Services (BICS)

SAP NetWeaver BW

SAP HANA

InfoProvider

BEx Query

BI 4.x Relational Universe (UNX)XI 3.1 OLAP Universe (UNV)

Crystal ReportsCrystal Reports Web IntelligenceWeb Intelligence

BI4 Relational Universe (UNX) access to BEx Queries requires SAP BW 7.3x and SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.1


Direct Access


Authored Access


SAP NetWeaver BW

SAP HANA

InfoProvider

BEx Query

BI 4.x Relational Universe (UNX)XI 3.1 OLAP Universe (UNV)

Discovery and AnalysisDiscovery and Analysis

Visual IntelligenceVisual Intelligence ExplorerExplorer AnalysisAnalysis

JDBC


Planned as part of 4.1


Direct Access


Authored Access


SAP NetWeaver BW

SAP HANA

InfoProvider

BEx Query

BI 4.x Relational Universe (UNX)XI 3.1 Relational Universe (UNV)

Dashboards and AppsDashboards and Apps

DashboardsDashboardsDesign StudioDesign Studio




Direct dimensional access to your BEx Queries No need to create a Universe Support of hierarchies and dimensional metadata

Hierarchical query panel Member selector Hierarchical navigation Member functions

Hierarchical report output Hierarchical columns Fold unfold Level totals Hierarchical graphics Multi-data provider synchronization Hierarchical formulas on report



When should you use the direct connection to the BEx Query (BICS)? Invested in cube and query design and elements such as hierarchies, variables,

calculated/restricted key figures, …

When should you use the relational Universe option? Want to combine SAP BW with other sources (SAP or non SAP)

… and elements as hierarchies are not required Want to access DSO (fined grained reporting)


SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.x & SAP NetWeaver BWRelational Universe (UNX) vs Direct Access (BICS)

BEx Query Element Direct Access (BICS) Relational Universe

Calculated Key Figures Restricted Key Figures Variables Conditions Unit / Currency Conversion Display Attributes Hierarchies Custom Structures BI Authorizations (security) Time dependent objects



BEx Query Element Relational Universe Possible Workaround

Calculated Key Figures Define calculated measures as part of the Universe

Restricted Key Figures Define measures with filter as part of the Universe

Variables Define prompts as part of the Universes or Web Intelligence Query Panel.

Not possible for EXIT variables or variables filled through authorizations.

Conditions Define measures with filter as part of the Universe

Unit / Currency Conversion Possible with manual modeling of tables with conversion rates in the SAP BusinessObjects Universe Designer and joins in Data Federator.

Display Attributes Hierarchies No workaround possible

Custom Structures BI Authorizations (security) Time dependent objects No workaround possible



Functionality Direct Access (BICS) Relational Universe

Re-uses existing BEx queries (uses InfoProvider not BEx Query)

Support for ERP 6 Transient Provider (uses InfoProvider not BEx Query)

Connection is shared across BI Suite Crystal Reports for EnterpriseWeb Intelligence

Dashboards (Xcelsius)Explorer

Analysis, edition for Microsoft OfficeAnalysis, edition for OLAP

Design Studio

Crystal Reports for EnterpriseWeb Intelligence

Dashboards (Xcelsius)Explorer

Analysis, edition for Microsoft OfficeAnalysis, edition for OLAP

Design Studio

Connection can point to multiple BEx queries / InfoProvider

One Universe per InfoProvider or combination of InfoProvider

Allows customization of objects Only via BEx Query Designer Creation of custom objects Only via BEx Query Designer Creation of custom calculations Only via BEx Query Designer Combine several data sources


SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.x & SAP NetWeaver BWAdditional Options with SAP NetWeaver BW on SAP HANA options

The integration of SAP Visual Intelligence and SAP BusinessObjects Explorer with SAP NetWeaver BW on SAP HANA is based on the SAP HANA in-memory capabilities and leverages the– HANA views generated based on BW meta data and directly created on top of the underlying tables of

BW InfoProviders– HANA security model– HANA modeler for extension of generated views

By using HANA’s own repository, its modeling capabilities and security model the SAP NetWeaver BW on SAP HANA integration with SAP Visual Intelligence and SAP BusinessObjects Explorer maximizes the capabilities of the SAP HANA engine especially as the SAP HANA capabilities advance.



Current Limitations:Following features are not supported on the generated SAP HANA models: DSO without any key figure Authorization on Key Figures Currency and Unit of Measure Conversion NOTE: Only currency mapping is supported and not the conversion. Time dependent text and attributes Non-cumulative key figures Conversion routines in the BW system Exception aggregation like, average, counter, first value, last value, no aggregation, standard deviation is

not supported for generated measures.

Following features are not supported on generated analytic privileges: Exclude operator not supported Aggregated value operator ‘:’ is not supported Variables of type User exits are not supported Authorization on Key Figures are not supported Authorization on hierarchy node is not supported



Technical Pre-requisites: SAP Notes 1703061, 1759172, 1752384 and 1733519 have been implemented SAP HANA Modeler SP04 Revision 37 BW schema has been added in the SQL privileges for the Modeler user to import BW models

Further Details https://scn.sap.com/docs/DOC-32264

Walkthrough http://www.experiencesaphana.com/community/blogs/blog/2012/09/27/modeler-unplugged-episode-11--

importing-bw-models-as-native-hana-models http://www.experiencesaphana.com/community/blogs/blog/2012/10/04/modeler-unplugged-episode-12--

understanding-hana-models-imported-from-bw http://www.experiencesaphana.com/community/blogs/blog/2012/10/11/modeler-unplugged-episode-13--

exploring-data-for-hana-models-imported-from-bw


SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.x & SAP NetWeaver BWSupport for BEx Query Elements across the BI Suite

When should you use the direct connection to the BEx Query (BICS)? Invested in cube and query design and elements such as hierarchies, variables,

calculated/restricted key figures, …

When should you use the relational Universe option? Want to combine SAP BW with other sources (SAP or non SAP)

… and elements as hierarchies are not required Want to access DSO (fined grained reporting)


SAP BusinessObjects BI & SAP NetWeaver BWSupported meta-data & functionality

The following tables outline the level of support for BEx query elements and typical BEx query functionality for all BI client tools based on SAP BusinessObjects BI 4 Service Pack 05.

For SAP BusinessObjects Analysis, edition for Microsoft Office these slides evaluate version 1.3 of the product.

For SAP BusinessObjects Design Studio these slides evaluate version 1.0 of the product.



BEx Query Elements

Analysis, edition for Microsoft

Office

Analysis, edition for

OLAP

Crystal Reports for Enterprise

Web Intelligence

Dashboards(BICS in BIP)

Explorer(BW

Accelerator)

Relational Universe(BI4 UNX)

Design Studio

InfoProvider Dimension No No No No No No Yes No

Characteristics Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Key Figures Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Free Characteristics Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Restricted Key Figures Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes

Calculated Key Figures Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes

Display Attributes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes

Navigational Attributes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

BEx Query Filter Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes

Defaults (4) Yes Yes No No No No No Yes

(4) Defaults in this context refers to the Defaults area in the BEx Query Designer and not to default values for SAP variables in a BEx Query.



BEx Query Elements


Office


OLAP


Web Intelligence


Explorer(BW

Accelerator)


Design Studio

Custom Key Figure Structure Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes

Custom Characteristic Structure Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes

Hierarchical Custom Key Figure Structure Yes Yes No No No No No Yes

Hierarchical Custom Characteristic Structure Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes

Selection of elements of a custom structure in the report Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes

Support for 2 structures from BEx Query Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes

Compounded Characteristics Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes



BEx Query Elements


Office


OLAP


Web Intelligence


Explorer(BW

Accelerator)


Design Studio

Support for Characteristic Data Type NUMC Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Support for Characteristic Data Type CHAR Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Support for Characteristic Data Type DATS Yes Yes

Key Value as String.

Description Value as Date





Yes Yes Yes

Support for Characteristic Data Type TIMS Yes Yes As String

Value OnlyAs String

Value OnlyAs String

Value Only Yes Yes Yes

Support for Key Figures Data Type Amount / Quantity Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Support for Key Figures Data Type DATS Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Support for Key Figures Data Type TIMS Yes Yes As String

Value OnlyAs String

Value OnlyAs String

Value Only Yes Yes Yes

Information about configured Filters in the BEx Query Yes No No No No No No No

BEx Text Elements Yes No No No No No No Yes



Variable Type


Office


OLAP


Web Intelligence


Explorer(BW

Accelerator)


Design Studio

Optional Variables Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes

Mandatory Variables Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes NoNo

(only withDefault Values)

Characteristic Value Variables Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes

Formula Variables Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes

Hierarchy Variables Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes

Hierarchy Node Variables Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes

Hierarchy Version Variable Yes Yes No No No No No Yes

Key Date Variable Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes

Text Variables Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes



Variable Processing Type


Office


OLAP


Web Intelligence


Explorer(BW

Accelerator)


Design Studio

User Entry / Default Value Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes

Replacement Path Yes Yes Yes (3) Yes (3) Yes (3) Yes No Yes

Customer / SAP Exits Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes

Authorization Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes

(3) To be able to use BEx Queries with Crystal Reports for Enterprise, Web Intelligence, and SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards the BEx queries need to be configured to allow external access in the BEx Query Designer. For limits of BEx queries which are released for external access please also take a look at SAP Note 820925.In particular for the for the variable processing type Replacement Path:Variables with replacement from query result are not supported, if the query again has variables that are ready for input.



Variable Presentation


Office


OLAP


Web Intelligence


Explorer(BW

Accelerator)


Design Studio

Single Value Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes (6)

Multiple Single Value Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes (6)

Interval / Range Value Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes No Yes (6)

Selection Option Yes Yes Limited Support (2)

Limited Support (2)

Limited Support (2) Yes No Yes (6)

Selection Option Operator Functionality (except Contains Pattern)

Yes Yes Limited Support (2)

Limited Support (2)

Limited Support (2) Yes No Yes (6)

Selection Option Operator Functionality - Contains Pattern No No Limited

Support (2)Limited

Support (2)Limited

Support (2) Yes No No

Selection Option Include / Exclude Functionality Yes Yes Limited

Support (2)Limited

Support (2)Limited

Support (2) Yes No Yes (6)

PreCalculated Value Set Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes (6)

(2) Crystal Reports for Enterprise, Web Intelligence, and SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards are creating range variables for a selection option variable from a BEx Query. In addition the option to include or exclude values and to select an operator is not supported.(6) Design Studio 1.0 does not support the prompting.. Nevertheless designer can set the variable value per scripting.



Variable Functionality


Office


OLAP


Web Intelligence


Explorer(BW

Accelerator)


Design Studio

Support for manual entry of values Yes Yes Planned for

release 4.1Planned for release 4.1

Planned for release 4.1 Yes - NA - Yes

Support for Variables in Defaults Area of BEx Query Yes Yes No No No No No Yes

Support for single Key Date Variable Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes

Support for multiple Key Date Variables in single BEx Query Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes No Yes

Support for Hierarchy / Hierarchy Node Variable dependency

Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No Yes

Support for cascading variables for Compounded Characteristics Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No - NA - Yes

Support for Variable Default Values Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes



Variable Functionality


Office


OLAP


Web Intelligence


Explorer(BW

Accelerator)


Design Studio

Copy / Paste variable values from clipboard Yes No No No No No - NA - Planned for

release 1.1

Filling variable values from Microsoft Excel File

Planned for release 1.4 No No No No No - NA - No

Merge / Unmerge Variables Yes Planned for release 4.1 No Yes No No - NA - Planned for

release 1.1

Defining Variable Sequence in the report No No Yes Planned for

release 4.1 No No - NA - No

Variable Sequence based on BEx Query Designer Yes Yes Yes Yes No No - NA - Planned for

release 1.1

Support for validating values before executing the report Yes Yes No No No No - NA - Planned for

release 1.1

Read Mode for list of values (master data, InfoCube) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No - NA - Planned for

release 1.1



BEx Query Elements


Office


OLAP


Web Intelligence


Explorer(BW

Accelerator)


Design Studio

Currency / Unit Conversion defined in BEx Query Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes

Currency / Unit Conversion (Runtime) Yes No No No No No Possible with

manual modeling No

Condition in Rows (from BEx Query) Yes Yes

NoNot planned for future release



YesNo

Not planned for future release

Yes

Condition in Columns (from BEx Query) Yes Yes




YesNo


Yes

Conditions for fixed set of characteristics (from BEx Query) Yes Yes




YesNo


Yes

Condition for independent characteristics (from BEx Query) Yes Yes




YesNo


Yes

Defining Conditions in the report Yes Yes Yes (5) Yes (5) Yes (5) No - NA - No

Exceptions (from BEx Query) Yes Planned for release 4.1




- NA -No


Planned for release1.1

Defining Exceptions in the report Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes - NA - - NA - No

Constant Selection Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes - NA - Yes

(5) the BI clients are able to create condition type of filters (for example, Top N) in the report but these filters are applied after the data has been retrieved from SAP NetWeaver BW



Variable Type


Office


OLAP


Web Intelligence


Explorer(BW

Accelerator)


Design Studio

Cell Editor Calculation Yes Yes Limited Support (6)

Limited Support (6)

Limited Support (6) No No Yes

Local calculations (defined in BEx Query) Yes Yes No No No Yes No Yes

Defining Calculations in the report (at run time) Yes Yes No Yes No Yes - NA - No

Exception Aggregation Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes

Zero Suppression Yes Yes No No No Yes No Yes

Read Mode for characteristics (master data, InfoCube) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

(6) Crystal Reports for Enterprise, Web Intelligence, and SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards to support BEx queries with two structures and cell definitions created with the cell editor but in cases where the cell definition combines different data types, the resulting output in these BI clients will be a string value instead of a numeric value.



BEx Query Elements


Office


OLAP


Web Intelligence


Explorer(BW

Accelerator)


Design Studio

Scaling Factor Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes - NA - Yes (7)

Reverse Sign (+/-) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes - NA - Yes (7)

Number of Decimals Yes YesNo





- NA - Yes (7)

Hide / Show the Element Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes - NA - Yes (7)

Sort Characteristics Yes Yes No No No Yes - NA - Yes (7)

Display Options for characteristics (Key, Key & Text, Text)

Yes Yes

Elements can be included as

part of the report design





Yes - NA - Yes (7)

Result Rows (Show, Suppress) Yes Yes No No No No - NA - Yes (7)

Placement of subtotal (above / below nodes) Yes Yes No No No No - NA - Yes (7)

(7) Design Studio: possible to define it in design time. But it‘s not possible to define/change it in ad-hoc manner in run time with Design Studio 1.0



BEx Query Elements


Office


OLAP


Web Intelligence


Explorer(BW

Accelerator)


Design Studio

Schedule a document Planned for 1.4 (BI 4.1) No Yes Yes No - NA - - NA - No

Create a Publication (= Broadcasting)

Planned for 1.4 (BI 4.1) No Yes Yes No - NA - - NA - No

Support for Variable Variants Yes Planned for release 4.1 No No No No - NA - Planned for

future release

Support for Variable Personalization

Planned for version 1.4 No No No No No - NA - Planned for

future release

Support for Report ReportInterface as Sender Yes Planned for

release 4.1 Yes No Yes No - NA - Planned forfuture release

Support for Report ReportInterface as Receiver

Planned for version 1.4 No No No No No - NA - Planned for

future release

SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.x & SAP NetWeaver BWPrompting using BEx Query Variables


SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.x & SAP NetWeaver BWPrompting using SAP Variables

Optional and Mandatory parameters Mandatory prompts will load the list of values When possible consider using optional parameters for large list of values Behavior has been changed with SAP BusinessObjects BI4 SP04 Patch 1 so that prompts

are not loading list of values automatically

Selection Option Variable Currently only Analysis, edition for Microsoft Office and Analysis, edition for OLAP fully

support the Selection Option variable (operators, include / exclude) Crystal Reports, Web Intelligence, and Dashboards are creating an interval / range prompt

without the option to select an include / exclude operator

Using OpenDocument with Variables When using OpenDocument with Variables, ensure the Key values are used as part of the

OpenDocument URL (not the description values)



Display Attributes As part of the definition of Display Attributes in SAP NetWeaver BW it is also possible to

configure if the Display Attribute should be displayed as part of the F4 Help / List of Values for a BEx Variable. As large list of values can consume a lot memory, you should consider carefully if those

Display Attributes are really needed as part of the list of values and in case they are not needed you should remove them from the list of value by changing the configuration in SAP NetWeaver BW.



Restrictions All the BI tools have options to restrict the volume of values for parameters

– Analysis, edition for OLAP : Property of the MDAS Server– Analysis, edition for Microsoft Office : Settings in the tool– Crystal Reports for Enterprise: Property for the Crystal Reports Application (CMC > Applications)– Web Intelligence: Property of the Processing Server

Additional Option: Starting with SAP NetWeaver BW 7.01 Support Package 09 / SAP NetWeaver BW 7.30

Support Package 3 customers can use the BAdI RSR_VARIABLE_F4_RESTRICT_BADI to use a set of criteria to restrict the list of members for an input screen. For more information, see F1 help for this BAdI (transaction SE18, enhancement spot RSR_VARIABLE_F4_RESTRICT). See Note 1416952



Variable Variants and Variable Personalization Variable Variants for SAP BusinessObjects Analysis, edition for Microsoft Office is planned

for the version 1.3 Variable Variants for SAP BusinessObjects Analysis, edition for OLAP is planned for the 4.1

release Variable Variants for Crystal Reports, Web Intelligence, and Dashboards is planned for the

release after 4.1 Support for Variable Personalization is planned for the release after the 4.1 release

SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.x & SAP NetWeaver BWPerformance Considerations



BEx Query Design considerations Currently the meta-data retrieval for the “design” of a report is based on the BEx Query Try to create a compromise between “access to available data” and “performance” Configure the BEx Query to “read data while navigation” (not in a single run) in transaction

RSRT Monitor your SAP BW Statistics for Aggregates

Data Volume Remember that SAP BW is a multi-dimensional engine (and not a “data pump”) Try to leverage BI clients together, for example navigate from Analysis to Web Intelligence or

Crystal Reports In case really large volumes of data are needed, consider also a DSO Layer with a relational

Universe



BI Platform sizing Leverage the Sizing guide especially for the DSL Bridge server and create separate APS

with larger JVM configuration

http://sap.com/bisizing

Service Pack 04 Performance improvements Browsing of BEx Queries “Refresh” of reports (Crystal Reports, Web Intelligence, and Dashboards)

Planned 4.1 Performance improvements Additional enhancements for the “run time” “Refresh” of reports Performance improvements on the “Design Time” of reports

SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.x & SAP NetWeaver BW

Hierarchical Reporting Capabilities



BEx Query Elements


Office


OLAP


Web Intelligence


Explorer(BW

Accelerator)


Design Studio

Support for Hierarchies with Linked Nodes Yes Yes Planned for

release 4.1Planned for release 4.1

Planned for release 4.1 Yes No Yes

Support for time-dependent Hierarchies Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes

Support for time-dependent Hierarchy Structures Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes

Support for Hierarchies with Temp Join Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes

Support for Hierarchy Versions (without usage of Variables) No Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No



BEx Query Elements


Office


OLAP


Web Intelligence


Explorer(BW

Accelerator)


Design Studio

Hierarchical Member selection (nodes and leafs) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

(only as filter) No Yes (8)

Member Selection based on hierarchy levels Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes (8)

Show specific Hierarchy Levels Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No - NA - Yes (8)

Skip levels of a hierarchy Yes Yes No No No No - NA - Yes (8)

Show Leaf Members only Yes Yes No No No No - NA - Yes (8)

Ranking Data along a hierarchy Yes Yes No No No No - NA - No

Exchange of hierarchies in the BI client tool Yes Yes No No No No No No

Expand to Level Functionality (BEx Query Designer) Yes Yes No No No No - NA - Yes (8)

Expand to Level Functionality (Run Time) Yes Planned for 4.1 No No No No - NA - No




BEx Query Elements


Office


OLAP


Web Intelligence


Explorer(BW

Accelerator)


Design Studio

Compact Axis in the Rows (Display as hierarchy) Yes Yes





- NA - Yes(8)

Compact Axis in the Columns (Display as hierarchy) Yes Yes





- NA - Yes(8)

Hierarchical Report Design Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No - NA - Yes(8)

Hierarchical charting No Yes Yes Yes Yes No - NA - No



Best Practices on BEx Query Design


SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.x & SAP NetWeaver BWBest Practices on BEx Query Design

Overall recommendation BEx Queries are recommended as data sources for all the SAP BusinessObjects BI

products BEx Queries offer significant functionality to create customized data sources that meet end-

user requirements, such as Calculated Key figures, Restricted Key figures and SAP Variables.

You do NOT want one BEx Query for one report

(…. And not one BEx Query for all reports either) Focus the implementation strategy on limiting the number of BI Queries by sharing common

elements The BI Client tool and report definition is the primary influence factor on how much data is

being retrieved from SAP NetWeaver BW In some situations extremely large queries and universes can adversely affect performance



“Allow External Access” option has to be set in the properties of the BEx query

Placement of Characteristics / Key Figures have no direct impact for the BI tools

For large sets of key figures, use the option - “Use Selection of Structure Members” in transaction RSRT (Query Monitor) as part of the Query Properties

Query Read Mode should be configured to read data while navigate (Transaction RSRT, Query Monitor)

Leverage the capabilities of the Restricted Key and Calculated Key Figures

Leverage SAP Variables as part of the BEx Query– Can be shared across queries, minimizing development downstream– List of Values are being generated automatically


Time based structures / calculations– Leverage EXIT Variables as part of the BEx query

Data Level Security & SAP NetWeaver BW– Use BI authorizations for data level security

Items not supported via direct InfoCube access:– Variables (e.g. Authorization Variables)– Restricted or calculated Key figures– Filters – Custom structures– Navigational attributes



Remember… there is no Universe on top of your BEx Query All changes to descriptions need to be part of your BEx Query All variables / prompts need to be part of your BEx Query

– Report based filters can not be shared across All necessary calculations should become part of your BEx Query

– Performance Consideration– Allows sharing across multiple BEx Queries and reports



OLAP Connections in SAP BusinessObjects 4.xYou can define an OLAP Connection pointing to … your SAP NetWeaver BW system … your InfoProvider … your BEx Query

Consider how you are securing your BEx Queries today Are you already using authorization objects to limit the number of BEx Queries and

InfoProviders ?>> A single connection to SAP NetWeaver BW could be an option

… also consider your report designers>> A single connection will means to navigate the InfoArea > InfoProvider levels for

each report design



Roadmap Update


PLANNED INNOVATIONS Future DirectionToday

Integration of the BI Suite with SAP BW and SAP ERPProduct road map overview - key themes and capabilities

This is the current state of planning and may be changed by SAP at any time.

(Release 4.0)*

* Up to 4.0 SP5, including FP3

Data connectivity Consistent data access to SAP BW Universe data access to SAP ERP

User experience Run time performance improvement Compounded characteristics support Level based hierarchy selection Prompting enhancements Variable Variants support for Analysis

Office SAP BW workspaces integration for

Analysis Office Conversion of BEx workbooks for

Analysis Office

Platform integration BI platform and Mobile BI integration for

Design Studio

Interoperability Design Studio interoperability with

Analysis Office

Data connectivity Authored universe on limited set of

BEx queries

User experience Design time performance

improvement Prompting enhancements Variable Variants support for Analysis

OLAP, and Design Studio

Platform integration Scheduling and publication

capabilities for Analysis Office SAP NetWeaver Identity

Management integration

Interoperability Product interoperability

enhancements for Analysis OLAP, and Design Studio

Data connectivity Connectivity enhancements to SAP

ERP Multi-source access for relational and

OLAP data sources

User experience Manual entry for BEx variable

prompts across the suite Variable Variants and Personalization

across the suite

Interoperability Report-report interface support

across the suite


Integration of the BI Suite with SAP BW and SAP ERPPlanned Innovations

PLANNED INNOVATIONS

Authored universes on BEx queries Authored relational universe on limited set of BEx queries for SAP Crystal Reports for Enterprise, Web Intelligence, Dashboards, and Explorer SAP BW 7.3 is required

Design time performance Performance improvement in the design time user experience for reporting on top of SAP BW in SAP Crystal Reports for Enterprise, and Web

Intelligence

Prompting Merge prompts from multiple SAP BW queries into one prompt list so prompt values are entered once, in Analysis OLAP

Variable Variants Save and use public and private stored prompt values collection in Analysis OLAP and Design Studio

Scheduling and publications Broadcast and publish of Analysis Office workbooks via the SAP BusinessObjects BI platform

SAP NetWeaver identity management integration Centrally create and manage user accounts from SAP NetWeaver identity management across SAP to simplify user management and promote

consistency

This is the current state of planning and may be changed by SAP at any time.


Your BI Strategy should start with the business requirements, not with the DWH

Key Points to Take Home

SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.x allows you to re-use your existing BEx queries, but make sure you understand the limitations per BI client

The direct connection to SAP NetWeaver BW removes the need for the Universe, but make sure you have everything in the BEx queries


Additional Resources

Reporting and Analysis with SAP BusinessObjects (2nd Edition)(SAP Press, 2012)

Integrating SAP BusinessObjects BI Platform 4.x with SAP NetWeaver(SAP Press, 2011)

Mastering SAP BusinessObjects Analysis, edition for OLAP with SAP NetWeaver BW

Interactive eBook:

Kindle Edition

Best Practices for integration SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.x with SAP NetWeaver BW

Kindle Edition

Thank you

Contact information:

Contact details:[email protected] : @ihilgefortBlog : www.mastering-sap-and-businessobjects.com


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Appendix



The following tables outline the level of support for BEx query elements and typical BEx query functionality by comparing the available meta-data and functionality of SAP BusinessObjects BI 4 Service Pack 05 compared to XI 3.1 OLAP Universes.

The comparison is solely done for Web Intelligence and SAP BusinessObjects Explorer, as XI 3.1 OLAP Universes are only supported using Web Intelligence and SAP BusinessObjects Explorer.



BEx Query Elements Web Intelligence 4.x using Direct BICS Connectivity

Web Intelligence 4.x using Relational Universe (BI4 UNX)

Web Intelligence 4.x using XI 3.1 OLAP Universe (UNV)

InfoProvider Dimension No No Yes

Characteristics Yes Yes Yes

Key Figures Yes Yes Yes

Free Characteristics Yes Yes Yes

Restricted Key Figures Yes No Yes

Calculated Key Figures Yes No Yes

Display Attributes Yes Yes Yes

Navigational Attributes Yes Yes Yes

BEx Query Filter Yes No Yes

Defaults (1) No No No

(1) Defaults in this context refers to the Defaults area in the BEx Query Designer and not to default values for SAP variables in a BEx Query.






Custom Key Figure Structure Yes No Yes

Custom Characteristic Structure Yes No Yes

Hierarchical Custom Key Figure Structure No No No

Hierarchical Custom Characteristic Structure Yes No No

Selection of elements of a custom structure in the report Yes No No

Support for 2 structures from BEx Query Yes No Yes

Compounded Characteristics Yes Yes No






Support for Characteristic Data Type NUMC Yes Yes Yes

Support for Characteristic Data Type CHAR Yes Yes Yes

Support for Characteristic Data Type DATS Key Value as String.Description Value as Date Yes Key Value as String.


Support for Characteristic Data Type TIMS As String Value Only Yes As String Value Only

Support for Key Figures Data Type Amount / Quantity Yes Yes Yes

Support for Key Figures Data Type DATS Yes Yes Yes

Support for Key Figures Data Type TIMS As String Value Only Yes As String Value Only

Information about configured Filters in the BEx Query No No No

BEx Text Elements No No No



Variables Web Intelligence 4.x using Direct BICS Connectivity



Optional Variables Yes No Yes

Mandatory Variables Yes No Yes

Characteristic Value Variables Yes No Yes

Formula Variables Yes No Yes

Hierarchy Variables Yes No Yes

Hierarchy Node Variables Yes No Yes

Hierarchy Version Variable No No No

Key Date Variable Yes No Yes

Text Variables Yes No No



Variables Processing Type Web Intelligence 4.x using Direct BICS Connectivity



User Entry / Default Value Yes No Yes

Replacement Path Yes (2) No Yes (2)

Customer / SAP Exits Yes No Yes

Authorization Yes No Yes

(2) To be able to use BEx Queries with Crystal Reports for Enterprise, Web Intelligence, and SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards the BEx queries need to be configured to allow external access in the BEx Query Designer. For limits of BEx queries which are released for external access please also take a look at SAP Note 820925.In particular for the for the variable processing type Replacement Path:Variables with replacement from query result are not supported, if the query again has variables that are ready for input.



Variables Presentation Option Web Intelligence 4.x using Direct BICS Connectivity



Single Value Yes No Yes

Multiple Single Value Yes No Yes

Interval / Range Value Yes No Yes

Selection Option Limited Support (3) No Limited Support (3)

Selection Option Operator Functionality (except Contains Pattern) Limited Support (3) No Limited Support (3)

Selection Option Operator Functionality -Contains Pattern Limited Support (3) No Limited Support (3)

Selection Option Include / Exclude Functionality Limited Support (3) No Limited Support (3)

PreCalculated Value Set Yes No No

(3) Crystal Reports for Enterprise, Web Intelligence, and SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards are creating range variables for a selection option variable from a BEx Query. In addition the option to include or exclude values and to select an operator is not supported.



Variables Presentation Option Web Intelligence 4.x using Direct BICS Connectivity



Support for manual entry of values No - NA - Yes

Support for Variables in Defaults Area of BEx Query No No No

Support for single Key Date Variable Yes No Only Limited support

Support for multiple Key Date Variables in single BEx Query No No No

Support for Hierarchy / Hierarchy Node Variable dependency Yes No Yes

Support for cascading variables for Compounded Characteristics Yes - NA - No

Support for Variable Default Values Yes No Yes



Variable Functionality Web Intelligence 4.x using Direct BICS Connectivity



Copy / Paste variable values from clipboard No - NA - No

Filling variable values from Microsoft Excel File No - NA - No

Merge / Unmerge Variables Yes - NA - No

Defining Variable Sequence in the report Planned for release 4.1 - NA - No

Variable Sequence based on BEx Query Designer Yes - NA - No

Support for validating values before executing the report No - NA - No

Read Mode for list of values (master data, InfoCube) Yes - NA - Yes






Currency / Unit Conversion defined in BEx Query Yes No Yes

Currency / Unit Conversion (Runtime) No Possible with manual modeling No

Condition in Rows (from BEx Query)




Condition in Columns (from BEx Query)




Conditions for fixed set of characteristics (from BEx Query)




Condition for independent characteristics (from BEx Query)




Defining Conditions in the report Yes (4) - NA - Yes (4)

Exceptions (from BEx Query) NoNot planned for future release



Defining Exceptions in the report Yes - NA - Yes

Constant Selection Yes - NA - Yes

(4) the BI clients are able to create condition type of filters (for example, Top N) in the report but these filters are applied after the data has been retrieved from SAP NetWeaver BW






Cell Editor Calculation Limited Support (5) No Limited Support (5)

Local calculations (defined in BEx Query) No No No

Defining Calculations in the report (at run time) Yes - NA - Yes

Exception Aggregation Yes No Yes

Zero Suppression No No No

Read Mode for characteristics (master data, InfoCube) Yes Yes Yes

(5) Crystal Reports for Enterprise, Web Intelligence, and SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards to support BEx queries with two structures and cell definitions created with the cell editor but in cases where the cell definition combines different data types, the resulting output in these BI clients will be a string value instead of a numeric value.






Scaling Factor Yes - NA - No

Reverse Sign (+/-) Yes - NA - No

Number of Decimals NoNot planned for future release - NA - No


Hide / Show the Element Yes - NA - Yes

Sort Characteristics No - NA - No

Display Options for characteristics (Key, Key & Text, Text)

Elements can be included as part of the report design - NA - Elements can be included as


Result Rows (Show, Suppress) No - NA - No

Placement of subtotal (above / below nodes) No - NA - No






Support for Hierarchies with Linked Nodes No No No

Support for time-dependent Hierarchies Yes No Limited (6)

Support for time-dependent Hierarchy Structures Yes No Limited (6)

Support for Hierarchies with Temp Join Yes No Yes

Support for Hierarchy Versions (without usage of Variables) Yes No No

(6) SAP BusinessObjects XI 3.1 OLAP Universes are created using the Universe Design Tool and there is no option available to configure a key date when authoring the XI 3.1 OLAP Universe. Based on this situation the XI 3.1 OLAP Universe will always be authored based on the system date and the authored Universe will only consider meta-data for time-dependent objects based on the system date.






Hierarchical Member selection (nodes and leafs) Yes No Yes

Member Selection based on hierarchy levels Yes No No

Show specific Hierarchy Levels Yes - NA - No

Skip levels of a hierarchy No - NA - No

Show Leaf Members only No - NA - No

Ranking Data along a hierarchy No - NA - No

Exchange of hierarchies in the BI client tool No No No

Expand to Level Functionality (BEx Query Designer) No - NA - No

Expand to Level Functionality (Run Time) No - NA - No






Compact Axis in the Rows (Display as hierarchy)

NoNot planned for future release - NA - No


Compact Axis in the Columns (Display as hierarchy)

NoNot planned for future release - NA - No


Hierarchical Report Design Yes - NA - No

Hierarchical charting Yes - NA - No







Schedule a document Yes - NA - Yes

Create a Publication (= Broadcasting) Yes - NA - Yes

Support for Variable Variants No - NA - No

Support for Variable Personalization No - NA - No

Support for Report Report Interface as Sender No - NA - No

Support for Report Report Interface as Receiver No - NA - No

Documents

0303 Best Practices for Integrating SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.x with SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse (BW) and SAP ERP.pdf