A Complete Guide to Bi7.0 Reporting Tools

The Complete Guide to Reporting Tools in SAP NetWeaver & the BusinessObjects Portfolio - with performance optionsBjarne BergDirector SAP BI

Real Experience. Real Advantage.[

*This is a comprehensive guide to SAP NetWeaver Business Intelligence presentation toolsWe will take an overview tour of the Analysis Process Designer (APD), SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer (VC), Web Application Designer (WAD), Report Designer, Web publishing, Java Server pages (JSP) and the new SAP NetWeaver BI Query Designer & BEx Analyzer. We will look at the strengths and limitations of each tool and see how they can be used independently or collectively in a SAP BI environment. Leave this session with a good understanding of how to use SAP NetWeaver BI tools to make your system more flexible and adaptive to the needs of end users.

Learning Points


*AgendaThe SAP BI Tool RevolutionSAP NetWeaver BI Query Designer & BEx AnalyzerAnalysis Process Designer (APD), SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer (VC)Web Application Designer (WAD)Report DesignerWeb publishing Java Server pages (JSP) and the old Business Server Pages (BSP) The BOBJ Roadmap for front-end toolsEmpowering the users a mind shiftWho Should get accessWrap-up Bonus material: All SAP BOBJ tools


*The SAP BI Core ToolsetSAP BI is an enterprise-wide comprehensive decision support (DSS) system for analytical needs of an enterprise.

BI can also support some degree of operational reporting

The SAP BI tool set has many presentation tools and options for companies to leverage.




*BEx Query Designer gets a facelift in BI 7.xThe 3.5x BEx Query Designer The NWBI 7.0 BEx Query Designer The new 7.x Query designer was totally re-developed in MS-Visual Basic .NET

This new property pane makes it easier to format and control displays than in the past. BEx Ad-Hoc Query Designer functionality is replaced by BEx Web Analyzer in BI 7.0


*BEx Analyzer (Excel Workbooks)1. BEx Workbooks is Excel 'on steroids'.

2. BW queries can be opened in Excel

3. Queries can be refreshed and standard Excel functions can be used

This is a great tool for financial analysts and power users.To use this tool you need BEx installed


*BEx web Analyzer integrates ExcelThe Excel integration in the BEx analyzer is far better.

Unlike the old days of dynamic HTML, you can now use the BEx analyzer more like a real application without refreshing the whole page every time you click on something (this is due to the Java component in BI 7.0)

Source: SAP AG, 2008Important: BEx browser goes away in SAP BI 7.0 (so does BEx Download Scheduler)


*BEx Analyzer Design ModeApplication building in Excel (similar to WAD)New options for queries with two structuresExcel formulas allow access to any cell of the result setExcel formatting options can be fully leveraged for BEx workbooks (e.g., blank lines, fonts, etc.)Combining Excel formulas and Excel formatting allows the design of complex formatted workbooksIntegration of Business Planning is available To use this tool you need BEx installed Source: SAP, Zane Connally 2008




*Creating new data inside SAP BIIn Data warehousing v2.0 (Bill Immons new terminology), we are using BI applications to create new data that needs to be fed to the data warehouse, and /or the transactional system

Tools are now available to build association data sets that creates updates based on BI findings (i.e. customer segmentation, risk, profitability flagging etc).

Images: Bhanu Gupta, ASUG 2005 Illinois chapter


*Complex scenarios can be built for structured analysis such as risk modeling, customer segmentation, market basket analysis, predictive modeling and much moreAPD Analysis Process Designer and data miningNew data based on the findings can be loaded back into data targets and used by others for reporting i.e. CRM analysis.


*AgendaThe SAP BI Tool RevolutionSAP NetWeaver BI Query Designer & BEx AnalyzerAnalysis Process Designer (APD) SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer (VC)Web Application Designer (WAD)Report DesignerWeb publishing Java Server pages (JSP) and the old Business Server Pages (BSP) The BOBJ Roadmap for front-end toolsEmpowering the users a mind shiftWho Should get accessWrap-up Bonus material: All SAP BOBJ tools


*Visual ComposerA Visual Composer is a tool to visualize the data. It is a browser-based modeling and design tool for rapid application development & prototyping in a code-free development environment.


*Visual Composer for Complex cockpitsModeling of BI applications using the BI kit of the Visual Composer allows business users to create analytical content for SAP portal. It offers the integration with BI infoproviders, views, BEx web applications, PDF and more via WEB API as access to other data sources such as OLAP and relational data sources) via Java connectorsImage source: Cubeserv


*Visual Composer Data MethodsCan integrate data from multiple data sources, including SAP and non-SAP systems, into one modelDifferent options available for data access include:BI Extension Kit Remote Function Call (RFC)Web servicesBI Extension Kit allows access to the following DataSourcesSAP NetWeaver 2004 BI (BW 3.5 Support Package 14)SAP NetWeaver BI 7.0JDBCXMLA


*Visual Composer is Easy for Power Users to LearnVisual Composer is a power user tool that is simple to learn for someone with a little bit of technical background (i.e. controllers, report writers, analysts).

Source: SAPTake advantage of prebuilt analytic business packagesNo coding required to create great-looking Web-based cockpits


*The future of Visual ComposerComposition Environment including Visual Composer continues to be the go-to product for creating composite applications (SAP, 2008)Source: SAP, July 2008




*BEx Web Application Designer (WAD)OLAP ProcessorBEx Web Application DesignerBEx Analyzer/Query DesignerWeb ServiceCharting EngineWeb BrowserHTLM TemplatesInfoProviderWAD is an intuitive tool to build powerful web applications and to interact with portals and custom templates.

BW queries can be manipulated in WAD for better display


*New Features of SAP NetWeaver SAP BI 7.0 Web ADWeb Items: Tab Pages, Button, Script Item (in SAP BI 7.0 Support Package Stack 7)Drag and drop using Analysis itemNew chart types (heat map, Gantt, milestone trend analysis)Export BI Web applications in PDF formatCommand Wizard for generating Web API commandsIntegration with SAP NetWeaver BI 7.0 BEx Report Designer for formatted reports

NEW: User can change the XHTML source code of any web template either directly, or the ABAP program RS_TEMPLATE_MAINTAIN_70, or in any external XHTML editor.


*Command Wizard and JavaScript You can use Command Wizard for generating JavaScript code for the Script Item to use in custom cockpit applications


Source: SAP 20009Product Directions for BI Solutions

And Much MoreEnterprise Data Warehousing & BI PlatformAdvancedAnalysisEnterprise ReportingDashboards, VisualizationAd-hoc Query & Reporting


Source: SAP 20009Product Directions for BI Solutions

Enterprise Data Warehousing & BI PlatformAdvancedAnalysisEnterprise ReportingDashboards, VisualizationAd-hoc Query & Reporting


*BI Web Application Designer RoadmapInfoView /SAP NetWeaver PortalSAP BOE PlatformSAP NW BWBEx Web TemplatesPioneer Web ServerWorkspacePIO Web TabBEx Web Tab

BI Consumer ServicesBEx Queries/ InfoProvidersPioneer Web Client BEx Web App DesignerSAP BOE PlatformPioneer Web ServerWorkspacePIO Web TabBEx Web Tab

BI Consumer ServicesPioneer Web Client Pioneer Designer/ SDKSAP NW BWBEx Web TemplatesBEx Queries/ InfoProvidersBEx Web App DesignerMigration options via Pioneer SDKInfoView /SAP NetWeaver Portalplanned 2010future




*The BEx Report DesignerThis new tool was created to simplify the formatting of reports and fix many of the printing issues in previous versions of BW.

Source: SAP AGWe now get color control, header-footer control and many new features such as location control of cells and integration of pictures, charts and fixed text.


*BEx Report Designer is new in BI 7.0Customizable font styles (i.e. bold, italic), colors, etc.Group-level changes with individual formattingLayout options, e.g.: Height of rows, width of columnsMulti-line column headersFlexible field positioningMerging cellsSupport for hierarchiesRules for the presentation of special characteristic valuesIntegration of text, pictures, and chartsHeader & footer for reportsNews: BEx Report Designer 7.1, (last release in 2008) will be available under maximum maintenance until 2016 and will be replaced with the Crystal Base product.


*Crystal Report is still available (also in SAP BW 3.x)With BW you get access to Crystal reports. In fact you have many pre-developed reports that comes with SAP-BW. Currently, you can modify, or develop and deploy a few Crystal reports without additional licensing cost.Crystal is a great tool for batch reporting of "pixel controlled' formatted reports.




*Web Cockpits in the PortalYou can integrate queries and Web applications into the portal through publishing, broadcasting, or Web calls

The portal can either receive designed pages passively or actively create communities, Web pages, collaboration rooms, or cockpits

BroadcastingPublishing




*BI Java SDK-Based Applications in SAP BI 7.xBI Java SDK can be used for custom applications based on SAP BI and non-SAP data.BI Java SDK provides access to relational and OLAP data sources using JDBC, XMLA, ODBO etc.Access to 200+ data sources using the JDBC drivers.Source: SAP AG, 2008Java programmers will recognize the standard development kit's (SDK) main libraries such as the abstract windowing toolkit (AWT) and the GUI-oriented Swing object library as well


*BI Java SDK-Based Cockpits (cont.)SAP NetWeaver Developer Studio can develop BI Java SDK-based applicationsCan use along with SAP Java Web DynproInterested developers should familiarize themselves with SAP NetWeaver Developer Studio




*SAPs Premium OfferingsSAP Acquired Business Objects in 2007/2008 and is working on integrating BOBJ into the core SAP BI offerings.


*BOBJ capabilities Dashboards and ReportsCrystal Reports for pixel formatted reports has been available with SAP BI/BW since 2002. This tool can be integrated into your tool portfolio using existing SAP NetWeaver BI queries

(NOTE: Crystal & Crystal Base will be the core tools for formatted reports starting 2010)Dashboards can be built using Xcelsius. Xcelsius+ will be launched in 2009, and will be the flagship product for data visualization & dashboardsSource SAP AG, 2009


*BOBJ capabilities Analysis, Ad-hoc & WidgetsThe Web Intelligence tool from BOBJ is a tool for ad-hoc web based reporting, query & analysis. It is intended for end users and can leverage queries to both relational and OLAP sources.It will be the core offering for ad-hoc end user analysis starting 2009.With the current offering of BOBJ you can also use Desktop Widgets to place BI content direct onto a PC desktop and monitor reports and KPIs.Source SAP AG, June 2008


*New Tools RoadmapSource SAP


*The Move towards PioneerPioneer (for 1st Quarter 2010 release) provides a superset of the capabilities in BEx Analyzer (Excel), BEx Analyzer (Web), and Business Objects Voyager.

Voyager customers migrate to Pioneer.

BEx Analyzer & BEx Web Analyzer customers migrate to Pioneer. (Note: BEx is planned to go into regular maintenance)WebbasedExcel basedSource SAP, April, 2009


What can be Done in 2009- Implementations


The two types of UniversesThere are currently 2 ways to get at the SAP BI data.

If you implement this year, you need to make conscious decisions about which method you select. There are pros and cons of each*


Overview: Options for Universe-Based Access to BW 7.0BW

Data FederatorRDBMSAnalytic EngineOLAP BAPIODBOXMLAUniversesQTODASQL AccessMDX AccessWebIXcelsius

QaaWSBIA


*Overview: Options for Universe-Based Access to BW 7.01BW

DF FascadeData FederatorRDBMSAnalytic EngineOLAP BAPIODBOXMLAUniversesQTODASQL AccessMDX AccessWebIXcelsius

QaaWSBWA


Comparison= fully supported = limited support / workaround

BW Server FeatureMDXSQLBW HierarchiesRestricted and Calculated Key FiguresSecurityBW VariablesCurrency and Unit ConversionExceptions, ConditionsSUM, MIN, MAX AggregationsAVG, COUNT, COUNT DISTINCT, AggregationsOLAP CacheNavigational AttributesMass Data EnabledFederation (e.g. BW RDBMS, BW BW)


What can be Done in 2009- Take a Look atPolestar is an interesting technology that companies may start a prototype with and see how it can help them access BI data from a variety of sources (NW and others)

XcelsiusPolestar


What can be Done in 2009- PrototypeConsider building a Xcelsius Prototype to get used to really interactive dashboards and what-if analysis.XcelsiusImage source: Adobe, 2009


What can be Done in 2009- Keep doingThere are many classical SAP NetWeaver tools that should still be used by companies that are planning go-lives in 2009.

Integrated planning is still supported.Pioneer is still 12 months awayWAD will continue to be the development environment for 2009.


Stop As soon as possibleIf you need Formatted Reports in 2009, you should seriously consider Crystal Reports. The current roadmap calls for moving Report Designer into regular maintenance at the end of 2009, and stop further development of this tool.

Looking forward to Xcelsius and Pioneer, it may be advisable to limit further custom development in JSP unless it is not intended to be migrated at a future date.


Training SAP Business Objects for SAP NetWeaver BWfutureNew 2 day course offering from SAP Education for training on Business Objects integration with SAP NetWeaver BWTwo dates are currently scheduled in June for virtual course deliveryJune 1 2, 2009June 25 26, 2009See the following link to the Course Description for more detailed information on the content coveredhttp://www.sap.com/usa/services/education/usacourse.epx?context=%5b%5b|SAPBO||1|091|US|%5d%5d|


*AgendaThe SAP BI Tool RevolutionSAP NetWeaver BI Query Designer & BEx AnalyzerAnalysis Process Designer (APD), SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer (VC)Web Application Designer (WAD)Report DesignerWeb publishing Java Server pages (JSP) and the old Business Server Pages (BSP)

The BOBJ Roadmap for front-end toolsEmpowering the users a mind shiftWho Should get accessWrap-up Bonus material: All SAP BOBJ tools


Why BI-A? Disk speed is growing slower than other HW componentsIn-memory data stores

Multi-channel UI, high event volume, cross industry value chains

Application-aware and intelligent data managementDisk based data storage

Simple consumption of apps (Fat client UI, EDI)

General-purpose, application-agnostic database19902009Architectural Drivers Improvement20091990216 Addressable Memory425x8.51MB/$0.02MB/$Memory166x8.30MIPS/$0.05MIPS/$CPUTechnology Drivers 400MBPS5MBPSDisk Data Transfer 80x100 x10Gbps100MbpsNetwork Speed264 248x Source: 1990 numbers SAP AG 2009 numbers Dr. BergPhysical hard drive speeds only grew by 80 times since 1990. All other hardware components grew faster.


BI Accelerator Works by Indexing InfoCubes in Hardware memoryBI Accelerator has been simple to install and operate for established SAP BI teams

You use process chains to maintain the BI-A engine after each data loadIBM, Sun, HP & Fujitsu have standard solutions ranging from $32K to $300K+ that can be installed and tested in as little as 2-4 weeks (+ SAP license fees)32 GB Blades are certified by SAP


BI Analytical Engines Query executing prioritiesQuery Execution Without BI AcceleratorQuery Execution With BI AcceleratorInformation Broadcasting / PrecalculationQuery CacheAggregatesInfoProviderInformation Broadcasting / PrecalculationQuery CacheSAP NetWeaver BI AcceleratorAggregates can be replaced with BI-A, while the memory cache is still useful.


BIA Currently reads data from InfoCubes. DSOs & InfoObjects are still read from base/physical tables (even when the InfoObject is indexed as part of master data).Performance is Near-Linear: BenchmarksBIAs strength resides in its near-linear scalability

Performance is measured in terms of: BI-A index creation time Multi-user throughput per hour Average report response time Average number of records touched by each report


Many companies, have spent 2-5 days in BIA training (total for 1-2 administrators) and a work through a single interface: RSDDBIAMON (Checks available at: RSRV) Most customers have found BIA Admin to be minimalThe training & admin to run BI Accelerator has proven to be minimal. Training is included in the SAP courses: BW310, BW360 and in the online course BW361

In the past, SAP has also offered a 2 day workshop called BI Upgrade & Accelerator (WNABIA)


Once you exceed a few hundred critical users and/or 3-4 TB of data you should seriously consider SAP BIABIA is becoming mainstreamBIA is no longer something exotic.

Many of the large BI systems have already implemented BIA and many more projects are under way in Europe and in the Americas.Some of SAP reference clients


*Who gets to do what?The major decision for a SAP BI driven enterprise is to determine who gets access to each tool.There is often a temptation for the IT community of wanting to keep the tools under their domain That is a mistakeThe IT community should actively work with the power and casual users to improve human capabilities and thereby teach them to become more productive employees. Chinese Proverb


*AgendaThe SAP BI Tool RevolutionSAP NetWeaver BI Query Designer & BEx AnalyzerAnalysis Process Designer (APD), SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer (VC)Web Application Designer (WAD)Report DesignerWeb publishing Java Server pages (JSP) and the old Business Server Pages (BSP)The BOBJ Roadmap for front-end toolsEmpowering the users a mind shiftWho Should get accessWrap-up Bonus material: All SAP BOBJ tools


*Resources COMERIT (Presentations, guides and accelerators) www.comeritinc.com

SAP Documents - Interfaces for Enterprise Reporting, Query, and Analysishttps://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/servlet/prt/portal/prtroot/docs/library/uuid/f52e9cc1-0d01-0010-d88b-d808b69391a4

SAP Business Intelligence (BI) by Norbert Egger, Jean-Marie Fiechter, Sebastian Kramer, Ralf-Patrick Sawicki, and Stephan Weber. Galio Press - Hardcover, 653 pages, ISBN 978-1-59229-082-6


*Key Learnings


*Questions and AnswersHow to contact me:

Dr. Bjarne [email protected]


*Bonus Material The total BOBJ toolset Source: SAP March, 2009This Bonus Material Include all SAP BOBJ tools, not just tools for the SAP market


*Bonus Material The total BOBJ toolset Source: SAP March, 2009This Bonus Material Include all SAP BOBJ tools, not just tools for the SAP market


*Bonus Material The total BOBJ toolset This Bonus Material Include all SAP BOBJ tools, not just tools for the SAP marketSource: SAP March, 2009





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