SAP Analytics Cloud allows for the creation of live connections to both on-premises and cloud systems, eliminating the need for data transfer. This ensures that the latest updates in the source system are instantly reflected. The most frequently utilized source systems are SAP Business Warehouse and SAP Datasphere. This article explores the unique features of these systems and highlights important considerations when using live connections.
Live connections offer constantly up-to-date data and are particularly useful in scenarios where data cannot be uploaded to the cloud due to security or data protection concerns. They also facilitate straightforward connections to other cloud systems, such as SAP S/4HANA Cloud or SAP Datasphere. With live connections, data remains within the source system, and only metadata is exchanged securely, making it an excellent choice for data protection.
However, it’s important to note that SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) does not support live connections to SAP Business Warehouse (SAP BW) and SAP Datasphere to the same extent. The varying options depending on the source can confuse users who focus on dashboard creation without a deep understanding of the data sources.
Unlike SAP BW, SAP Datasphere provides calculation options such as Dimension to Measure and Running Total. The Dimension to Measure calculation allows for converting dimensions into key figures. The Running Total calculation type is useful for displaying cumulative totals or moving averages. Detailed explanations of the respective restrictions are provided below.
Live Connection to SAP Datasphere
SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) allows you to establish live data connections to SAP Datasphere systems, providing direct access to analytical data sets and analysis models within SAP Datasphere. It’s important to note that these data sets and models must first be exposed for consumption in SAC.
Once a live connection to the SAP Datasphere tenant is set up, you can create stories based on the data model in SAP Datasphere. Live connections between SAC and SAP Datasphere can also be established across different tenants and data centres. However, there are currently some limitations regarding the live connection to SAP Datasphere.
Restrictions
The primary limitations concern analysis options, planning, and augmented analytics such as Smart Insights and Smart Predict. These are detailed below. For a complete list of unsupported features, refer to SAP Note 2832606 – Unsupported Features with SAP Datasphere Live Connections in SAP Analytics Cloud.
Analytics
Currently, maps are supported only in bubble, heat, choropleth, and flow map formats. Version-based variance features are not supported, and version mapping is not possible.
Data merging (blending) is possible only when using SAP Datasphere with local SAC data and for SAP Datasphere data within a single space. Merging data from different Datasphere spaces or different Datasphere tenants is not supported. Additionally, Datasphere data cannot be merged with other live connections, such as SAP BW.
The scheduling of publications and R visualizations for SAP Datasphere live data is not supported. Support for linked dimensions is limited to models within the same space, with no cross-space linking available. Comment widgets are also not supported.
Planning
Currently, SAC planning is not available for SAP Datasphere live connections. However, SAP is working towards integrating Datasphere and SAC, aiming to store models and master data in Datasphere while SAC functions as the front end. Until this integration is complete, we must rely on API-based replication to transfer master data and actual values from Datasphere to SAC and planned values from SAC back to Datasphere.
Augmented Analytics
At present, augmented analytics that enhances the analysis process through machine learning are not supported for live connections to SAP Datasphere. This includes features like Smart Insights, Search to Insight, Smart Discovery, and Smart Predict.
Live Data Connections to SAP BW and SAP BW/4HANA
You can establish live connections to SAP BW or SAP BW/4HANA systems using SAC. You can choose between a direct connection and a tunnel connection. The direct connection offers better performance as it does not require additional infrastructure. Tunnel connections, while slower than direct connections, allow a portion of company data to be accessible to users outside the corporate network without VPN access.
Restrictions
Similar to live connections to Datasphere, there are some limitations when using SAP BW as the source.
Analytics
Similar to SAP Datasphere, SAP BW live connections restrict the use of maps. Layer-based navigation and data blending in maps are currently not supported.
There are also many restrictions when using tables and diagrams. For example, creating histograms based on live data is not possible. Navigation restrictions include lacking support for key figure-based filtering and advanced filters. Additionally, defining threshold values based on comparing key figures is impossible.
When working with hierarchies, it is best to avoid selecting the hierarchy level in diagrams. The Break Grouping sorting option is also unavailable. For waterfall charts based on live data, queries with two structures and aggregation functions are not supported and restricted key figures cannot include dimensions used in the waterfall chart.
Regarding data blending, tuple filters (filters containing different dimensions), linked analysis, currency conversion, and total display are not supported.
Planning
Like SAP Datasphere, planning data must be stored in SAC, as live data cannot be used for planning. SAP has announced future support for using analysis models as a source for copy functions, with the next logical step being using live data models as a source.
However, a live connection to SAP Business Planning and Consolidation (SAP BPC) is possible. SAP BPC, fully integrated into SAP BW, allows data to be stored, planned, and reported in one place. In this scenario, SAP Analytics Cloud acts only as a front-end, with all planning functions provided by SAP BPC.
Augmented Analytics
Currently, augmented analytics features such as Smart Insights, Search to Insight, Smart Discovery, and Smart Predict are not supported for live connections to SAP BW.
Conclusion
While live connections in SAP Analytics Cloud offer significant benefits regarding data freshness and security, there are limitations in analytics, planning, and augmented analytics capabilities. Organizations should carefully assess their specific needs before deciding. VE3’s SAP Analytics Cloud integration expertise can help maximize these benefits and overcome challenges through comprehensive assessments, customized recommendations, seamless implementations, performance optimization, and user training and support.
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