0512 Tips and Tricks Using SAP BusinessObjects Web Intelligence 40 On Top of SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse Data

[
Tips and tricks using SAP BusinessObjects Web Intelligence 4.0 on top of SAP Netweaver Business Warehouse data. (#512) Gregory Botticchio / Patrice Le Bihan
[ Agenda
Selecting the Right SAP BusinessObjects BI Client
Why SAP BusinessObjects Web Intelligence ?
Implementation Best Practices for Web Intelligence on SAP NetWeaver BW
Real Experience. Real Advantage.
Selecting the Right SAP BusinessObjects BI Client
[ Selecting the Right SAP BusinessObjects BI Client

SAP BusinessObjects BI Client Portfolio SAP BusinessObjects BI solutions provide business users with access to unified information through a broad suite of BI tools for confident decision making and alignment across people and teams on a single, scalable BI platform
Reporting How do I access and transform corporate data into highly formatted reports for greater insight?
Dashboards and Visualization How do I visualize data for better decision making?
Interactive Reporting
How do I answer ad hoc questions and interact with information?
Analysis How do I determine trends from complex historical data and possibly make better forecasts? Analysis, Edition for Office & OLAP
Data Exploration How do I find immediate answers to business questions?
BI Application Design How can IT create centrally from simple to complex BI applications for a larger audience ?
Crystal Reports
Dashboards
Web Intelligence
Explorer
Analysis, Edition for Application Design

Different Needs Require Different Experience
Middle Management
Placeholder text
Placeholder Executive text
Information
Business Analyst
Placeholder text
Individual Contributor

SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards
Middle Management Analysis, edition for OLAP Analysis, edition for Microsoft Office SAP BusinessObjects Explorer
Executive
SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards
Crystal Reports Analysis, edition for OLAP
Business Analyst Web Intelligence Real Experience. Real Advantage. Analysis, edition for Microsoft Office
Individual Contributor Web Intelligence Analysis, edition for Microsoft Office

Your consumer is driving the business requirements

We will focus on the consumer of reports and analytics in this presentation IT will always play a role as part of your BI deployment to build the foundation
Setting up BEx Queries Setting up connections
Web Intelligence
Analysis
Setting up BEx Queries Creating pre-defined workbooks Building BI & Planning Applications
Crystal Reports
IT
Dashboards
Report Design
Dashboard Design
Why SAP BusinessObjects Web Intelligence ?
[ The Solution: Business Intelligence (BI)

Interact with formatted reports to explore and answer new questions
Other users access/personalize to their contexts inside/outside their work environment, Push and pull information Ask questions on existing analytic content or based on corporate and personal data sources
Format, layout add context
Placeholder Access text
Business User Information usage Life Cycle

Communicate content to a small or broad audience. Understand aggregates, details and relationships & interdependencies with other content
Share, distribute
Analyze
Users can start at any point in the cycle, interacting even with highly formatted content created & shared by others
[ Why Web Intelligence ?

Report Design Report Consumption Share and re-use
Web Intelligence 4.0 and SAP NetWeaver BW
[ Self-Service Access to Data
Empowers End Users to Do Their Own Reports and Analyses
User-defined Queries
Business Metadata
Access heterogeneous data sources
[ Streamlined access to all corporate data sources

Unique options for bringing BW and 3rd-party data together

Best access method for each specific data source: SAP, RDBMS, OLAP Multi-source universes with built-in data federation for SAP and RDBMS Dimensional universes for 3rd-party OLAP data sources
Reporting, dashboards, ad-hoc, data exploration

Universes (Unv) MDX Multi-Source Universes (Unx) SQL BAPI SQL BICS
Analysis
MDX
BEx Query
3rd-party
OLAP Server 3rd-party Data Warehouse InfoProviders
SAP NetWeaver BW
3rd-party OLAP Server
[ Access to heterogeneous data sources

Combine multiple data sources within a report
Synchronize different BEx queries with a common dimension. Merge BEx queries with other data provider such other RDBMS or Excel file
Merged dimensions for data synchronization

[ Common User Experience Across All Data Sources
Unified experience across all data sources with new semantic layer For OLAP sources: Query Stripping: Improved performance by automatically removing unused objects Integration of hierarchical concepts into query panel user experience
Selection in value-based hierarchies

[ Analysis Your Way
Interactive Analysis Combined with Free-Form Reporting
Analysis Your Way

Interactive Analysis Combined with Free-form Reporting
Rich feature set
Organized tool bar
Analyze with few clicks
Drag and drop
Context related right click menu
Analyze with few clicks

[ Adaptability, Stunning Visualization

New look Tag Clouds
Heat maps, tree maps
Bubble charts
[ Navigate and Report Hierarchical Data

Navigate directly into the report hierarchies to find root causes Dimensional concepts integrated into rich reporting model Dimensional charting

Gain Business Insight with Interactive Reports and Analysis
[ Why Web intelligence ?
Online and Offline Analysis from New or Existing Reports
Mobilize Web Intelligence Content Make informed decisions with instant access to personalized information
Leverage existing BI investments & skills to quickly reach mobile users Ensure secure access to information across a range of devices Receive alerts on critical events Investigate problems and opportunities
Take immediate action

Share and Re-Use Web Intelligence reports across the suite
Export (PDF, XLS) via Scheduling or Report Bursting
Analysis, Edition for OLAP
BI Workspaces Web Intelligence
BI Mobile Analysis, Edition for Office

Web Intelligence 4.0 and SAP NetWeaver BW / Direct Access via BICS
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
Web Intelligence 4.0 and SAP NetWeaver BW / Multi-Source Universe (Relational)
Authored with the information design tool Create a data foundation and a business layer based on multiple SQL connections Create multi source joins and derived tables Source independence through SQL 92 and Data Federator functions, while keeping the ability to use native SQL when necessary Benefits Federate different databases: OLTP and DWH, SAP BW, SAS, flat files Lower TCO for integration projects (no complex ETL to put in place) May in some cases, remove the need for a consolidated DWH
Orange tables are from Microsoft SQL server Blue tables are from SAP BW
Web Intelligence 4.0 and SAP NetWeaver BW / What it is not
The Direct BEx Access does not derail Web Intelligence from its original value proposition. Web Intelligence is not an OLAP analysis tool. Prefer using Analysis, Editions for Office or OLAP for pure OLAP capabilities
BEx query + Web Intelligence = Interactive Analysis off BW

Interactive Analysis is focused on low-end analysis capabilities for the non-specialist on all data sources Ability to combine and merge BW and non BW data in the same report
BEx query + Analysis = OLAP Analysis off BW

Both editions of SBO Analysis are the OLAP analysis offerings in BI 4.0 Focused on high-end analysis workflow for OLAP sources as opposed to interactive analysis Comparable to BEx Analyzer in the BEx Suite for BW
Implementation Best Practices for Web Intelligence on SAP NetWeaver BW
[ Implementation Best Practices for Web Intelligence on SAP NetWeaver BW

BEx Query Design Consumption of BEx Queries Restrictions and Additional Information

Best 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 per report (. and not one BEx Query for all reports either) Focus the implementation strategy on limiting the number of BEx 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 Ensure the right audience has access to the right level of details; ad hoc reporting on very open BEx queries may lead to poor performance

Best Practices on BEx Query Design Allow External Access option has to be set in the properties of the BEx query Placement of Characteristics / Key Figures have no direct impact on 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 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 Limits the amount of cells a user will retrieve at one time

Best Practices on BEx Query Design 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 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

Best Practices on BEx Query Design OLAP Connections in SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.0 You can define an OLAP Connection that points to your SAP NetWeaver BW system your InfoProvider your BEx Query Consider how you are securing your BEx Queries today If already using BI Authorizations to restrict access BEx Queries and InfoProviders, a single connection to SAP NetWeaver BW is an option
also consider your report designers A single connection will mean to navigate the InfoArea > InfoProvider levels for each report design


Best Practices on BEx Query Consumption A number of restrictions can prevent the reusability of some BEx query features It is recommended to properly assess the BEx queries to be reused with Web Intelligence.
Be ready to build queries optimized for Web Intelligence

Those which fit Analysis may not fit Web Intelligence.

Best Practices on BEx Query Consumption Hierarchical Reporting
Support for hierarchical member selection Support for hierarchical parameters Support for hierarchies in charts and crosstab
Support for delegated measures Support for hierarchical report design Switching between hierarchies on the fly Level based member selection
Showing Leaves only / Lowest Level of the hierarchy Expand to Level as a configuration option
Skipping Levels of a hierarchy Ranking data along hierarchies Support of hierarchical chart

Best Practices on BEx Query Consumption Variables
Single Value Variable Multi Single Value Variable Internal Variable Selection Option Variable Hierarchy Version Variable Text Variable Exit Variable
Single Key Date Variable

Multiple Key Date Variable Formula Variable
Mandatory Values for Variables

Default Values for Variables Variable Dependency Hierarchy Variable Hierarchy Node Variable

Best Practices on BEx Query Consumption Member selector
Member Selection Multi Member Selection Prompts on member selection Level based member selection
Showing Leaves only / Lowest Level of the hierarchy

Expand to Level as a configuration option Skipping Levels of a hierarchy


Restrictions you need to know
Features Saved Variant Description Some organizations have popularized the use of saved variant. The consequence is that queries are highly parametized (lots of variables) Top N/Bottom N, KeyFigures > #, etc Recommendation Build specific queries and make reports highly interactive to reduce the need for saved variant.
Query Condition
Removed the condition from the query. Result is different. Alternative is to put the condition in the WebI query if possible.
Local Calculation
Result Row/Column & Sub-Total are computed differently in Web Intelligence

Calculation will be different in webi. Can lead to mis-interpretation of the data
No need to rebuild the BEx query. Webi will ignore the calculation. Alternative is to calculate locally in WebI.
Avoid such function, do not publish a query when such function is found. Alternative is to calculate in WebI.
%GT, %RT, %CT, SUMGT, SUMRT, SUMCT, LEAF
Refer to the Web Intelligence documentation for all the details: http://help.sap.com/businessobject/product_guides/boexir4/en/xi4_ia_en.pdf (section Building reports on Bex
queries)

Restrictions you need to know when using hierarchies in blocks
Features Sorting & hierarchy Description Sorting a hierarchy is based on the order of the member in the underlying system. Sorting on a measure does not preserve the order of member within a hierarchy in the same table. For this reason the system is showing the hierarchy flattened in a table where the sort is applied on a measure. A report/table filter where there is a hierarchy may remove rows without respecting the hierarchy structure. For this reason, a filter can remove a parent node currently expanded and keep leaves or nodes collapsed. To avoid returning an empty table in this case the system automatically expands the hierarchy in the block to shows the resulting members. A ranking on a table where there is hierarchy is not taking in account the hierarchy structure of the data. For this reason, any hierarchy in a table where the user defines a ranking becomes flat. A break is always associated with sort on the object where it is applied. For this reason in that case, any hierarchy in the table the break applies the hierarchy becomes flat. The user can remove the break on the underlying object to restore the hierarchy. Delegated measure returns #TOREFRESH when the required agregation is not available in the query. User has to refresh to get the new level of agregation. Delegated measure returns #UNAVAILABLE if it is asked in a context of formula on a dimension, not in the context of the agregation of the measure. It is recommanded to create a variable on top of this formula, as a detail of the original dimensionand include (but hidden) the original dimension in the block.
Filter on Hierarchy
Ranking & hierarchy
Break on measures or details #TOREFRESH for the measure #UNAVAILABLE for the measure

Additional BW Integration Bex scalling factor support Merge dimension by details Delegated measures which aggregates with sum function, will aggregate locally in sum in WebI Zero suppression (not specific to BEx queries) Disable member selection when Hierarchy Node variable exists to prevent data inconsistency Prefix Key and Name attributes with parent name Hierarchy variable exists: remove hierarchies from query panel other than default hierarchy Enhance change source from a OLAP BW universe (UNV) to BICS Enable free mapping between source universe (UNV) objects and target BEx objects Some mapping constraints are maintained: filters from source can only map to filters in the target source
Thank you for participating.

Please remember to complete and return your evaluation form following this session. For ongoing education on this area of focus, visit the Year-Round Community page at www.asug.com/yrc
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SESSION CODE: 512
Gregory Botticchio gregory.botticchio@sap.com Patrice Le Bihan: patrice.le.bihan@sap.com @PatriceAtSAP
[ Appendix
For additional information : Session #4412: Strategies for Selecting the Right BI Client Product Based on Your Own Requirements SAP BusinessObjects BI Solution Architecture :
www.sdn.sap.com/irj/boc/bi-solution-architecture
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[ SAP BusinessObjects 4.x Connectivity for SAP NetWeaver BW

Meta-Data Support for BEx Queries
Web Intelligence (BICS) BEx Query Element Analysis, edition for MS Office & OLAP Universe (Relational)
InfoProvider Dimension Characteristic Hierarchies Custom Structures Navigational Attribute Display Attribute Key Figure Unit / Currency Calculated Key Figure Restricted Key Figure Compounded Characteristics Defaults in the BEx Query Constant Selection

BEx Query Element Web Intelligence (BICS) Analysis, edition for MS Office & OLAP Universe (Relational) Single Value Variable Multi Single Value Variable Interval Variable Selection Option Variable Hierarchy Variable Hierarchy Node Variable Hierarchy Version Variable Text Variable EXIT Variable Single Key Date Variable Multiple Key Data Variable Formula Variable Default Values for Variables

BEx Query Element Web Intelligence (BICS) Analysis, edition for MS Office & OLAP Universe (Relational)
Scaling Factor Number of Decimals Display Result Rows (top / bottom) Suppress Result Rows Calculate Result as (local calculation) Display as hierarchy Sorting Hide / Unhide Reverse +/- signage

BEx Query Element Web Intelligence (BICS) Analysis, edition for MS Office & OLAP
Conditions in rows
Conditions in columns Conditions on selected characteristic Exceptions Empty / non empty

Multi-Source Universe - Possible workarounds
BEx Query Elements Calculated / Restricted Keyfigures Variables Currency and Unit Conversion Display Attributes External BW Hierarchies Conditions Relational Universe Define calculated measures as part of the Universe Define prompts as part of the Universes or Web Intelligence Query Panel. Not possible for EXIT variables or variables filled through authorizations Possible with manual modeling of tables with conversion rates in the SAP BusinessObjects Universe Designer and joins in Data Federator. Possible with joins from InfoProvider to the master data tables in the Universe. No Workaround Use filters on measures.

0512 Tips and Tricks Using SAP BusinessObjects Web Intelligence 40 On Top of SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse Data

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[

Why SAP BusinessObjects Web Intelligence ?

Implementation Best Practices for Web Intelligence on SAP NetWeaver BW

Real Experience. Real Advantage.

Selecting the Right SAP BusinessObjects BI Client

Real Experience. Real Advantage.

[ Selecting the Right SAP BusinessObjects BI Client

Data Exploration How do I find immediate answers to business questions?

Analysis, Edition for Application Design

Real Experience. Real Advantage.

[ Selecting the Right SAP BusinessObjects BI Client

Placeholder Executive text

Real Experience. Real Advantage.

[ Selecting the Right SAP BusinessObjects BI Client

SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards

Crystal Reports Analysis, edition for OLAP

Individual Contributor Web Intelligence Analysis, edition for Microsoft Office

[ Selecting the Right SAP BusinessObjects BI Client

Your consumer is driving the business requirements

Setting up BEx Queries Setting up connections

Real Experience. Real Advantage.

Why SAP BusinessObjects Web Intelligence ?

Real Experience. Real Advantage.

[ The Solution: Business Intelligence (BI)

Format, layout add context

Placeholder Access text

Business User Information usage Life Cycle

[ Why Web Intelligence ?

Web Intelligence 4.0 and SAP NetWeaver BW

Real Experience. Real Advantage.

[ Self-Service Access to Data

Empowers End Users to Do Their Own Reports and Analyses

Access heterogeneous data sources

Real Experience. Real Advantage.

[ Streamlined access to all corporate data sources

Reporting, dashboards, ad-hoc, data exploration

3rd-party OLAP Server

Real Experience. Real Advantage.

[ Access to heterogeneous data sources

Merged dimensions for data synchronization

[ Common User Experience Across All Data Sources

Selection in value-based hierarchies

[ Analysis Your Way

Interactive Analysis Combined with Free-Form Reporting

Analysis Your Way

Organized tool bar

Analyze with few clicks

Drag and drop

Context related right click menu

Analyze with few clicks

[ Adaptability, Stunning Visualization

Heat maps, tree maps

Real Experience. Real Advantage.

[ Navigate and Report Hierarchical Data

Real Experience. Real Advantage.

[ Why Web Intelligence ?

Web Intelligence 4.0 and SAP NetWeaver BW

Real Experience. Real Advantage.

[ Why Web Intelligence ?

Gain Business Insight with Interactive Reports and Analysis

Real Experience. Real Advantage.

[ Why Web intelligence ?

Online and Offline Analysis from New or Existing Reports