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Deliver high-performing dashboards and cockpits with SAP NetWeaver Visual ComposerDr. BergComerit Inc. 2011 Wellesley Information Services. All rights reserved.

2In This Session ...You will learn all the essentials on how to build and deploy SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer models

We will take a quick overview of the environment followed by a step-by-step model build example

We will see a detailed demo of simple techniques and good design principles for building reports with SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer

Finally, we will look at performance tuning options and the future of SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer in the new SAP BusinessObjects landscape3What Well Cover SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer overviewBuilding an SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer model Demo A complete cockpit from scratchImproving performance tuningUpgrading SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer 7.0Looking at other optionsWrap-up

34SAP BI is an enterprise-wide comprehensive decision support system (DSS) for the 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. SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer is an extension of those tools.

The SAP NetWeaver BI Core Toolset5Visual Composer 7.0 is for SAP BI Development, 7.1 is for the Composite Environment (CE).

There are different SDN forums and blogs for each - This can be confusing!There are Two 'versions' of Visual Composer (VC)

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Visual Composer for DashboardsA 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.

7Visual Composer for Complex DashboardsModeling of BI applications using Visual Composer allows users to create analytical content. It integrates with infoproviders, views, BEx web applications, Xelsisus, PDF, APIs, and access to OLAP and relational data sources

8Visual Composer is Easy to LearnVisual Composer is a power user tool that is simple to learn for someone with a little bit of technical background i.e.

Image source: SAP designguildcontrollers, report writers and analysts.

No coding is required to create good-looking Web-based cockpits

Visual Composer Some Graphic Examples

It All Starts with a QueryThe BEx Query Designer The query is the core method for accessing BI data. You can use existing queries in your SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer modelsSAP NetWeaver 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 services

BI Extension Kit allows access to the following DataSourcesSAP NetWeaver BI 2004 (SAP BW 3.5 Support Package 14)SAP NetWeaver BW 7.0JDBCXMLA

Visual Composer Data ProvidersYou can use BI queries and views as Data Providers for SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer modelsYou also can use BI query functionalities for exceptions and variables along with SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer models

SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer allows access to BI history, favorites, and roles

13SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer 7.0 Portal PublishingSAP NetWeaver Visual Composer design-time deploys Visual Composer models directly as iviews to the Portal Content Catalog

You can then use SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer iviews in portal pages, roles, etc.

14SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer 7.0 Using BOBJ XcelsiusSAP NetWeaver Visual Composer 7.01 (or 7.02) SP5 or higher allows you to use existing Xcelsius UI controls and use them inside Visual Composer.You can also use any Flex component made by Adobe Flex Builder (Flex 2 SDK).You can download flash objects & 'how-to' on sdn.sap.com (by Sap's Amir Mimran)

15Details about Visual Composer CockpitsDelivered as part of SAP NetWeaver Portal in SAP NetWeaver BW 7.0 Usage Type (SP8 and higher)Different options available for rendering SAP NetWeaver VC outputFlashWeb DynPro (HTML)Flash provides high-end visualization of SAP NetWeaver VC models

You can pick your own rendering method in the menu: Tools Options

This is a great site for quickly getting started with SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer and for down loading a free demo-version There Are Many Resources at the SDN Community

Many of the beginner questions have already been answered in the expert forums on the SAP Community NetworkSAP NetWeaver Visual Composer And the SAP Community Network

You can also learn from others experiences by getting plugged-in to the community network blogs dedicated to SAP NetWeaver Visual ComposerSAP NetWeaver Visual Composer SDN Community Blogs19What Well Cover SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer overviewBuilding an SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer model Demo A complete cockpit from scratchImproving performance tuningUpgrading SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer 7.0Looking at other optionsWrap-up

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You can download a CE trial version on the SAP Community NetworkDownloading and Getting Started The Trial Version

However, to put it into production you must work with your SAP account executive for a license. It is normally not covered by a general SAP license.Remember that this is a power user task, so providing the group with some formal training (4-6 hrs) would be beneficial. Also, teach them your naming conventions.The first task is to create an overall model to store all your pages and iviews

The name cannot have blanks or special characters

You can organize your model in standard folder structuresCreating a Model

If you dont have Adobe SVG installed, you must go to their Web site and download it. It is a small file and it is free.The models are actually graphics rendered with Adobe SVG (vector graphics)The SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer Add-Ons

First you must make sure that your SAP NetWeaver VC environment is set up with connection back to your SAP environment(s).

The Work Environment Getting Connected

You can also work with your technical team to set up connections to other non-SAP environments.

This tool bar allows you to zoom, access layers, insert grid lines for layout, and move objects.We can add items and see then from the highest level, or you can drill down on each item and configure them individuallyNavigation is provided as a toolbar and you can also zoom in on each item

The SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer Configure Toolbar

SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer has many tools that power users can play with

The fastest way to proficiency is to try the many featuresVery few things can break, and the undo button is always availableThe magnifying glass is helpful when the model is very complex and zooming in and out is cumbersome.

The Magnifying Glass

When you are developing very complex models, it is very helpful to add annotations (comments) to document your work.

Consider proposing standards within your company (i.e., dates, initials, and what needs to be documented).

The Annotation ToolVery large SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer cockpits can be hard to read

The Browse feature allows you to see the cockpit in a tree format that makes it easier to navigate

Graphical model displays can get hard to read once very complex dashboards are created.Getting an Overview Over Complex Models

The best way to create cockpits is to prototype it first, then ask for feedback. Since this is a discovery-oriented process, it is not a best practice to use functional specifications to create Web cockpits. Rapid Application Development (RAD) is the preferred methodology.Plan on spending serious time with users working on layout and Web page organization

P.S.! You can use the SAP delivered calendar for display, or for users to interact with your data set

Development Methodology

SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer uses the standard GUI Modeling Language (GML).

If you are familiar with this language, you can see the code page under the Source tab.The Back-End GML Code

We will build a dashboard based on 2 queries called country and customer view, and present this with tables and graphs as well as navigational links between them (passing variables between the queries)Our Target Dashboard

You can look at existing queries developed by others.In this example we will create a Web Cockpit based on two SAP NetWeaver BI queries.

More advanced developers can also call Business Application Programming Interfaces (BAPIs) that are delivered with SAP NetWeaver BI to build complex applications.Step 1 Find the Data You Want to Model

Step 2 Selecting the Queries and Defining a Starting Point

After the query is selected, the metadata is transferred to the model.

We select one query as the starting point and can require users to use a prompt (in this example we will leave this blank).

We add a table view and select the fields we want from the query.

We give the table view a meaningful business name.

Step 3 Adding a Table View Based on Query Data

Step 4 Adding a Chart view based on Query dataWe add a chart view based on the query data. We decide to make it a column chart. The fields that we want to graph are selected. We add animation to the column chart.

We select the fields we want to graph as different data series (columns).

We give each column a meaningful business name (this is what the users will see).

Step 5 Defining Graph and Assigning Meaningful Names

We can suppress the sum rows from the query, so that the graphs are more meaningful and the tables are less cluttered.Step 6 Suppressing Zero Values from the QueryWhen a user selects a row in the country table, we want to show all the customers in that country and their sales.

We link the output from the country table view to the customer query and map the country-key value between the two objects.Step 7 Adding Navigation: Linking Tables to Other Queries

We also want to give the users the option to click on a country in the graph and see all the customers sales.

Again, we link the output from the country graph to the customer query and map the country-key value between the objects.Step 8 Adding Navigation: Linking Graphs to Other Queries

Previously we added a table and a graph of country sales. Now we want to add similar views for customer sales. First we add a table view. We select the fields to be displayed from the query. We give the table a meaningful name.Step 9 Adding a Table View for Customer Sales Data

Now we add a pie chart.

First we add a graph view.

We select the pie chart type and the fields to be graphed.

We give the field a meaningful business name.Step 9 Adding a Table View for Customer Sales Data (cont.)

Again, we suppress the sum rows from the query, so that the graphs are more meaningful and the tables are less cluttered.Step 10 Suppressing Zero Values from the Query

In the layout section we arrange the objects and resize them so that they look good. We also compile the model and can now view it in the PortalStep 11 Layout and Compiling of Dashboard

All country sales are displayed based on the first queryThe Result: The Web Cockpit in SAP NetWeaver Portal

By clicking on the country in either of the top views, the bottom views display sales for those customers

The Result: Navigation Between the Graphs45What Well Cover SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer overviewBuilding an SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer model Demo A complete cockpit from scratchImproving performance tuningUpgrading SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer 7.0Looking at other optionsWrap-up

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Demo A complete cockpit from scratch46

External Web services such as email, stock quotes, news services, and weather maps can also be integrated into your SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer cockpit.

External Web Services

Each Web service may require different input, so you have to spend some time trying out what works for your site and how to format it.

External Data Providers Web Services49What Well Cover SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer overviewBuilding an SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer model Demo A complete cockpit from scratchImproving performance tuningUpgrading SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer 7.0Looking at other optionsWrap-up

49Performance Tips: BIA and Summary Cubes1) If your cockpits are at a higher level such as weekly or monthly, consider the use of summary cubes to reduce the data accessed (also take a look at building aggregates).

2) For high volume or high number of users, you should seriously consider the BW Accelerator Solution. This compresses the data and stores the data in memory (no disk access when queries are run).

This is hyper fast

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Making Cockpits Fast Using the Cache as a Data ProviderIt is very beneficial to use the cache as the method for data service retrievalThis makes the cockpits faster by relying on previously accessed data stored in-memoryYou can also use broadcasting to cache as a method to pre-populate the cache as well

Since a cockpit may have many different DataSources (queries), it can take quite some time to execute them if the memory cache is not used consistentlyLeverage the OLAP and the MDX cache to speed up the initial loading of the web page. Consider using jump-to and drill down links to more detailed information.Performance Tips: Using jump-to and drill down query linksIf you pre-run the underlying queries using BEx Broadcaster, and cache the results, you can make the VC cockpits open much faster.

You can then also use Web Application Designer to provide links to the underlying queries for more detailed information.

When user click the link, the query will not be run again (already in cache).

53What Well Cover SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer overviewBuilding an SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer model Demo A complete cockpit from scratchImproving performance tuningUpgrading SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer 7.0Looking at other optionsWrap-up

5354Upgrade Options are Limited so pick the right versionThere are no automated upgrade paths from Netweaver VC 7.0 to Netweaver VC 7.1 or 7.2.

Customers who want to use Netweaver VC 7.2 will have to keep both running and migrate the content from 7.0 to 7.2 manually.

Plan carefully how you want to use Visual Composer and pick the version you want: 7.0 for SAP BI focus and 7.2 for BPM and composite applications.55What Well Cover SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer overviewBuilding an SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer model Demo A complete cockpit from scratchImproving performance tuningUpgrading SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer 7.0Looking at other optionsWrap-up

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In the Tools Options section, you can control items such as auto save, display levels, formats, highlights, and more.These preferences are stored for each user and can be personalized.SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer Options57Who gets to use the SAP Visual Composer?There is a temptation for the IT community of wanting to keep the Visual Composer tool under their domain That is a mistake

- Spend time teaching Super Users VC58What Well Cover SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer overviewBuilding an SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer model Demo A complete cockpit from scratchImproving performance tuningUpgrading SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer 7.0Looking at other optionsWrap-up

5859What tool to selectAll SAP tools have strength and weaknesses. This is a subjective summary of each of the major tools.

60ResourcesVisual Composer - ppt download with more dashboard option detailshttp://www.comeritinc.com/UserFiles/file/Jumpstart_Building_or_optimizing_cockpits_or_dashboards_v9.pdf

Visual Composer Reference Guidehttp://help.sap.com/saphelp_nwce10/helpdata/en/7c/0feaee0d214b5e9f2e890e0668a833/content.htm

SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer Mario Herger

The Developer's Guide to the SAP NetWeaver Composition EnvironmentJan Rauscher and Volker Stiehl.

Integrating VC and WAD objects - a How-To Guidehttp://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/scn/go/portal/prtroot/docs/library/uuid/ad182ac7-0a01-0010-4fb8-8a4d217b19c1?QuickLink=index&overridelayout=true

617 Key Points to Take HomeSAP NetWeaver Visual Composer is a tool that is easy to learnThe tool is intended for power users Not primarily ITSAP NetWeaver Visual Composer is not going away You should provide individual training to each of the power usersSpend serious time performance tuning the back-end queries and data storesPlan for SAP NetWeaver BW Accelerator if you have many users of the SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer modelsSeek advise of best practices and plan on integrating data across systems, Web services, and other non-SAP sources62Your Turn!How to contact me:Dr. BergBberg@ComeritInc.com

63DisclaimerSAP, R/3, mySAP, mySAP.com, SAP NetWeaver, Duet, PartnerEdge, and other SAP products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP AG in Germany and in several other countries all over the world. All other product and service names mentioned are the trademarks of their respective companies. Wellesley Information Services is neither owned nor controlled by SAP.