SCM150 - 2008-Q1 - Reporting and Analysis

SCM150SCM Reporting and Analysis

SAP Supply Chain Management

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Participant HandbookCourse Version: 81Course Duration: 2 DaysMaterial Number: 50088352

An SAP course - use it to learn, reference it for work

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Copyright © 2008 SAP AG. All rights reserved.

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About This HandbookThis handbook is intended to complement the instructor-led presentation of thiscourse, and serve as a source of reference. It is not suitable for self-study.

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2008 © 2008 SAP AG. All rights reserved. iii

About This Handbook SCM150

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iv © 2008 SAP AG. All rights reserved. 2008

Contents

Course Overview .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viiCourse Goals . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .viiCourse Objectives . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .vii

Unit 1: Logistics Information System (LIS) ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Data Warehousing in the ECC System .. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . ..2Reporting Functions in LIS .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . 21

Unit 2: Introducing SAP BI... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

SAP BI Overview.. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . 50Terminology used in BI . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . 59

Unit 3: Data Flow from ECC to BI ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Logistics Data Extraction. .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . 72

Unit 4: Query Development in SAP BI ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Query Designer .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . 90InfoProviders in the BEx Query Designer. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .103SAP BI Reporting Tools . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .122

Unit 5: Business Content in SAP BI ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137

Metadata Repository and BI content . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .138

Unit 6: Other BI Analysis Opportunities ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151

Other BI Analysis Opportunities. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .152

Unit 7: Comparing LIS and BI ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163

Comparing BI and LIS.. . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .164

2008 © 2008 SAP AG. All rights reserved. v

Contents SCM150

vi © 2008 SAP AG. All rights reserved. 2008

Course OverviewContents:

• Course Goals

• Course Objectives

• Course Content

• Course Overview Diagram

• Main Business Example

Main Business Scenario

• Management wants to see reports related to sales, procurement andproduction operations to evaluate the performance of each department.The reporting environment you choose should provide flexibility and a setof powerful reporting tools

• You are assigned to this project in order investigate and evaluate LIS andSAP BI to determine which is the right solution for your business

Target Audience

This course is intended for the following audiences:

• Project team members and key users responsible for SCM reporting

Course Prerequisites

Required Knowledge

• SCM100 Business Processes Planning

• SCM300 Supply Chain Manufacturing – Overview

• SCM500 Processes in Procurement ...

• SCM600 Business Processes in Sales

Course GoalsThis course will prepare you to:

• This course will prepare you to determine how LIS and SAP BI meet therequirements of your logistics reporting team.

Course Objectives

After completing this course, you will be able to:

2008 © 2008 SAP AG. All rights reserved. vii

Course Overview SCM150

• Understand how the Logistics Information System (LIS) acquires data andhow the LIS reporting tools work

• Understand how SAP BI acquires data and how the BI reporting tools work

• Identify the relative strengths and weaknesses of each reporting environment

viii © 2008 SAP AG. All rights reserved. 2008

Unit 1Logistics Information System (LIS)

Unit OverviewLogistics Information System (LIS): Business Example

• Management wants to see reports on the performance of the differentlogistics departments in the company. You are responsible for generatingthe relevant reports that capture the important parameters that highlight theperformance. You need to understand how the LIS environment works.

Unit ObjectivesAfter completing this unit, you will be able to:

• Describe data warehousing concepts and the related SAP terminology

• Explain the how LIS provides basic data warehousing capabilities withinan ERP system

• Explain the reporting functionality of LIS

Unit ContentsLesson: Data Warehousing in the ECC System .. . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . ..2

Exercise 1: Logistics Data Creation. . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . 11Lesson: Reporting Functions in LIS .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . 21

Exercise 2: LIS Functions .. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . 33

2008 © 2008 SAP AG. All rights reserved. 1

Unit 1: Logistics Information System (LIS) SCM150

Lesson: Data Warehousing in the ECC System

Lesson Overview

Lesson ObjectivesAfter completing this lesson, you will be able to:



Business ExampleAs the company has implemented ECC logistics modules of SAP, it wants acommon reporting platform for viewing the reports.

Figure 1: Data Warehousing Concepts


SCM150 Lesson: Data Warehousing in the ECC System

Data Warehousing follows a three-tier model and provides the following features:

• The three tiers subdivide the flow of data, from data acquisition in theoperative systems right through to the presentation of information at thetop level.

• Integrated, operative applications in OLTP systems form the basis forobtaining information. They are filled with large quantities of master andprocess data. The information systems present this information in a compactand structured form.

• This is achieved by compressing the application data to obtain more compact,informative key figures and then managing it separately in the databasetables of a data warehouse.

• The statistical data obtained in this way can then be analyzed using a varietyof analysis tools which are available in the third tier.

• These tools offer a wide range of methods that allow statistical data tobe analyzed and presented in an efficient and impressive way. They cantherefore make a huge contribution toward reducing the time needed to makedecisions in modern management.

Figure 2: Logistics Data Warehouse in SAP ECC

The Logistics Information System provides information from the areas of Salesand Distribution, Purchasing, Production, Warehouse Management, PlantMaintenance, and Quality Management.

In LIS, important information is stored in individual databases, which aremaintained in parallel to the operational systems. The primary objective here isto transform the detailed data in the operational systems into key figures with ahigh predictive value.



Further information systems are available for the Financial Accounting,Controlling, and Human Resources modules.

Figure 3: Online Transaction Processing

OLTP is the first layer of the three-tiered LIS model. The transaction data in theSAP ECC modules, i.e. the OLTP system, is extensive; this data gives a detailedoverview of business processes, however, a broad-based analysis or a bird's eyeview of the business is difficult to achieve. These ECC Logistics InformationSystems are anchored in the ECC OLTP applications through special updatingmodules. LIS updating, together with data aggregation, constitutes one of thechief principles of the overall LIS concept. LIS updating provides the followingbenefits:

• Update programs reduce the process data down to its statistically-relevantcomponents, that is, they cumulate relevant data in LIS at regular intervalsin terms of objects, and then use formulas and conditions to calculateinformative key figures.

• Statistical data can be updated in LIS at the same time as the process datais being processed in the application modules. This guarantees that LISinformation is consistent with operational data.

• You can also link ECC LIS components to external OLTP systems.



Figure 4: Logistics Data Warehouse

Data warehouse is the second layer of the three-tiered LIS model. The individualphysical tables in the SAP Information Warehouse are called informationstructures. All information structures, info structures in the following, have thesame structure.

The objects for analysis in the real business world are represented bycharacteristics in info structures, which are used as a basis for categorizing data.Statistical information is updated and aggregated around characteristics, suchas vendor, customer, or material. Organizational elements, such as purchasinggroup, material group, valuation area, plant, or storage area can also function ascharacteristics in info structures.

The time base is another aggregation option. The data is not only accumulated foreach characteristic but also for each period. For each information structure, youcan choose a daily, weekly, or monthly data aggregation.

Logistics key figures are updated for each combination of characteristics inaccordance with the predefined period unit. Key figures are quantitative figures,which convey a concise but meaningful amount of information. Key figurescan be obtained for each characteristic through the cumulation of data, such aspurchase order quantity or production order quantity; however, they can also takethe form of simple counters, such as “number of deliveries”.

The SAP ECC system contains a wide range of standard information structuresfor different application areas. You can also group characteristics and key figurestogether to suit your needs, resulting in self-defined info structures, which can thenbe supplied with data through separate update programs.



Figure 5: Timing Of the Update to LIS

The diagram above illustrates the timing of the various updates to both thetransaction tables and also the LIS Infostructures. Whereas the update to thetransaction tables is always immediate (technically a synchronous update), the LISupdate can be carried out either immediately (synchronously), almost immediately(asynchronously) or at a predefined timepoint (based on a scheduled job).

In order to determine which update timing method os the right one you have toconsider how critical it is to have the data up-to-date for reporting in LIS. Mostorganization would choose 'Almost Immediate' (asynchronously) in order tominimize the disruption to the online transactions but the data would be availablea short time after the order was saved. In order to completely minimize thedisruption to the on-line transaction you could consider updating the Infostructuresovernight or at the time when the on-line transactions are not being used. The datawill simply be queued.

The Infostructure is initially filled with historic logistics data using a special setupprogram, this is purely to bring the Infostructure up to date with your historicbusiness data. Once the Infostructure is up to date the subsequent updates will beusing delta updates. This means that we only load the new or changed logisticsrecords since the last upload. This ensures we have a more efficient loadingmechanism, though we have to be aware that if we have errors during the uploadprocess recovery may not always be possible as LIS does not have sophisticateddelta recovery or rebuild features as we have in BI.



Figure 6: Business Intelligence

In the Logistics Information Library (LIL) all of the key figures available in theLogistics Information System (LIS) are systematically cataloged and organizedin accordance with application-specific criteria. In addition, the LogisticsInformation Library helps you to create, classify, and find key figures in the areaof logistics. The Logistics Information Library allows you to not only access thekey figures in the area of logistics, but also to access key figures that are notavailable in the Logistics Information System and also those key figures thatwere created in your enterprise.

The Logistics Information Library performs the following important functions:

• Integrates key figures from customer-specific developments

• Catalogs all available key figures centrally

• Groups key figures individually to make info sets

The planning function of the information systems in LIS is performed with thehelp of flexible planning tools. The master data is first maintained, i.e. the infostructures and the key figures. The creation of planning data is supported byspecial tools such as distribution functions, interactive graphical techniques, andproven forecasting methods. You can compare planned data with actual data aspart of the standard analyses.

BI then provides a wide range of methods for online analysis of warehouse data.

• Standard analyses enable you to analyze data from a variety of perspectives.They support a large number of statistical functions, allow unlimitednavigation, and enable statistical data to be enhanced with background datafrom the operative systems at OLTP level.

• Flexible analyses can be generated by means of reporting tools and tailoredto suit corporate requirements. They provide a variety of possible layouts,allow you to define your own formulas, and are graphically supported in thesame way as the standard analyses.

• Furthermore, with the aid of SAP ABAP products, you can perform yourown analyses and process any warehouse information without any problems,since data in the Logistics Data Warehouse is stored transparently.

• The Logistics Data Warehouse is open and of course allows you to performanalyses using non-SAP products, such as Excel or native SQL.



Figure 7: Logistics Information System

SAP Logistics offers a number of application-related informationsystems with a standardized user interface and similar basic functions.All data in Logistics Information Systems is stored in the same way. Special toolsand methods underline the typical data warehouse character in LIS.

The following logistics information systems are available:

• SIS – Sales Information System

• PURCHIS – Purchasing Information System

• INVCO – Inventory Controlling

• WMIS – Warehouse Management Information System

• PPIS – Shop Floor Information System

• QMIS – Quality Management Information System

• PMIS – Plant Maintenance Information System

• RIS – Retail Information System

Figure 8: Update Events in PURCHIS



Figure 9: Update Event from SIS

Figure 10: Update Events in INVCO

Figure 11: Update Events in PMIS

Figure 12: Update Events in QMIS



Figure 13: Update Events from PPIS



Exercise 1: Logistics Data Creation

Exercise ObjectivesAfter completing this exercise, you will be able to:

• Enter transaction data in ECC system from sales order booking in SD, toMRP and Production Order processing in PP and Purchasing in MM.

• Use this transaction data to generate reports in LIS and understand thefunctionalities.

Business ExampleYour organisation is implementing all SAP ECC Logistics modules. In order tohave consistent reporting across the enterprise, management has requested that thesame set of data warehouse reporting tools be used for all logistics analyses. Thereporting tools are delivered with the Logistics Information Systems (LIS).

In order to use LIS you must first generate some data. You will do this by creatinga sales order in the sales module. This demand is then transferred to productionplanning and so plan orders are generated for the system through an MRP run.The production process is managed in the production planning module and therequired purchase of raw materials is tracked in procurement module. Later youwill use all this transaction data to generate reports in LIS.

Task 1:One of your customers has placed an order for the finished goods that your plantproduces. You do not stock the item so a backorder will be created.

1. Create a sales order using the standard order type OR, Sales Organisation1000, Distribution Channel 10 and Division 00.

2. For Sold to Party and Ship to Party use customer 1400, PO NumberSCM150-##. For Req. Deliv Date put a date 4 weeks from now.

3. Book order for Material 150-##, Order Quantity 10 and Plant 1000.Remember there is no stock available for this item so confirm the order lineas a backorder and save the sales order.

Task 2:For this demand that has been placed, the production department now has to planfor this material’s production as well as procurement of the raw materials requiredin the production.

1. First check the material requirements list then run the MRP for the material150-## in plant 1000.

Continued on next page



2. Check for plan orders generated by the system to cater to the sales orderrequirement, make sure you check not just the finished product (150-##) butalso the dependant raw material (RM-##).

Task 3:Before we can produce the finished item (150-##) we must first purchase theraw material (RM-##).

So a purchase order needs to be created and then the goods have to be deliveredagainst that order.

1. Check the plan order for raw material RM-## generated by the system.

Convert the planned order to a purchase requisition. Then convert thepurchase requisition to a purchase order.

The purchase organisation is 1000, purchase group 000 and vendor 1000.You will also need to enter a material price of 5 Euros.

2. Make a note of the purchase order number generated by the system.

______________________________________________________

3. Receive the raw material against the purchase order you just created. Thematerial has to be received in plant 1000 and storage location 0001.

4. Check for stock of the raw material RM-## in the plant.

______________________________________________________

Task 4:Now the finished goods have to be produced. So a production order has to beconverted from the plan order generated by the system.

1. Check the planned order for the finished goods 150-## generated by thesystem.

Convert this to a production order and release the order.

2. Note the production order number generated by the system.

______________________________________________________

3. Confirm the operation 10 of the production order. This will alsoautomatically create the issue of material RM-## to the production order asbackflushing is used.

4. Receive the finished goods against the production order.

The material has to be received in Plant 1000 and Storage Location 0001.

5. Check for stock of the finished goods 150-## in the plant.




______________________________________________________

Task 5:We must now return to the sales order we created earlier and perform anavailability check on the stock in order to confirm the schedule line and shippinginformation.

1. Return to your sales order and perform an availability check in order toconfirm the schedule line. Save the sales order.

Task 6:Now, the delivery of the finished goods has to be done for the sales order created.

So we have to create a delivery.

1. Create a delivery with reference to the sales order created earlier.

2. Pick the required quantity. As the storage location is warehouse managedyou have to create a Transfer Order.

3. Now process the goods issue using the Post Good Issue function.

4. Check the stock of the finished goods 150-## in the plant.

______________________________________________________



Solution 1: Logistics Data Creation

Task 1:One of your customers has placed an order for the finished goods that your plantproduces. You do not stock the item so a backorder will be created.

1. Create a sales order using the standard order type OR, Sales Organisation1000, Distribution Channel 10 and Division 00.

a) From the ECC menu choose:

Logistics→ Sales and Distribution→ Sales→ Order→ Create

Enter Order Type OR, Sales Organisation 1000, Distribution Channel10, Division 00 and press Enter

2. For Sold to Party and Ship to Party use customer 1400, PO NumberSCM150-##. For Req. Deliv Date put a date 4 weeks from now.

a) Enter Sold to Party and Ship to Party 1400, PO Number SCM150-##.For Req. Deliv Date put a date 4 weeks from now and press Enter.

3. Book order for Material 150-##, Order Quantity 10 and Plant 1000.Remember there is no stock available for this item so confirm the order lineas a backorder and save the sales order.

a) Enter Material Number 150-##, Order Quantity 10 and Plant 1000and press Enter.

When the Availability Control screen appears just press the Continuebutton.

Then save the sales order by pressing Save button.

Make a note of the sales order number generated.




Task 2:For this demand that has been placed, the production department now has to planfor this material’s production as well as procurement of the raw materials requiredin the production.

1. First check the material requirements list then run the MRP for the material150-## in plant 1000.

a) Logistics→ Production→MRP→ Evaluations→ Stock/RequirementsList (MD04)

Enter Material Number 150-##, Plant 1000 and press Enter.

The sales order number and the quantity will be displayed on the screen.

Now run MRP by following the path

Logistics → Production → MRP → Planning → Single-Item,Multi-Level (MD02)

Enter Material Number 150-##, Plant 1000 and press Enter.

Press Enter again to confirm the messages displayed. The systemshows the result of the MRP run.

2. Check for plan orders generated by the system to cater to the sales orderrequirement, make sure you check not just the finished product (150-##) butalso the dependant raw material (RM-##).

a) Execute transaction MD04 .

Enter material number 150-##, plant 1000 and press Enter.

A plan order has been generated for the quantity 10 units.

Click on the Plan Order and then click on the Show Overview Treebutton. Then click on the button Order Report. Now both 150-## andRM-## will be displayed. By double clicking on them, you can see theStock/Requirements List of each of them.

Task 3:Before we can produce the finished item (150-##) we must first purchase theraw material (RM-##).

So a purchase order needs to be created and then the goods have to be deliveredagainst that order.

1. Check the plan order for raw material RM-## generated by the system.

Convert the planned order to a purchase requisition. Then convert thepurchase requisition to a purchase order.




The purchase organisation is 1000, purchase group 000 and vendor 1000.You will also need to enter a material price of 5 Euros.

a) Continuing with the same screen (MD04), double click on RM-##. Theplan order for RM-## is displayed on the right.

Double-click on the Plan Order. In the dialog box that appears, clickon Pur Req.

Save the screen that appears. The Plan Order is now converted toPurchase requisition.

The MD04 screen appears again. Refresh it to see the PurReq numberbeing displayed for RM-##. Note the Purchase Requisition number.

Double click on the Pur Req number showing on the screen. In thedialog box that appears, click on Purchase Order.

In the create Purchase Order screen, you will find the Pur Req numberappearing on the right side in the Document Overview. Drag it to thecart symbol next to which is written NB Standard PO and drop it.

Enter the vendor number 1000 and also the Purchasing Organisation1000.

Under the Conditions tab of the Item area enter the Gross Price ofamount 5 EUR (though you don't need to enter the currency)

Save the Purchase Order. The MD04 screen reappears.

Refresh it to see the purchase order number generated by the system.

2. Make a note of the purchase order number generated by the system.

______________________________________________________

a) Write the PO number here.




3. Receive the raw material against the purchase order you just created. Thematerial has to be received in plant 1000 and storage location 0001.

a) Logistics→ Inventory Management→ Goods Movement→ MIGO

In the dropdown on the top, select Goods Receipt and Purchase Order.Put the Purchase Order number in the next field and press Enter.

Under the Quantity tab look for the check box Item OK and check this.Check the Item OK button on the bottom.

Under the Where Tab enter the storage location as 0001.

Click on the Check button on the top. If everything is OK then thegreen traffic light appears. Now click on the Post button.

Goto the MD04 screen for RM-## and plant 1000. The material wouldnow show in stock

4. Check for stock of the raw material RM-## in the plant.

______________________________________________________

a) Make sure you see that there is now stock available for material RM-##.

Task 4:Now the finished goods have to be produced. So a production order has to beconverted from the plan order generated by the system.

1. Check the planned order for the finished goods 150-## generated by thesystem.

Convert this to a production order and release the order.

a) Execute transaction MD04.

Enter material number 150-##, Plant 1000 and press Enter.

You will find the plan order for 150-##. double click on that. In thedialog box that appears, click on > Prod.ord.

In the Create Production Order screen, click on the flag appearing onthe top left of the screen to release the order.

Then save the order by clicking on the save button. The system showsthe production order number generated at the bottom.

2. Note the production order number generated by the system.

______________________________________________________

a) Make a note of the production order.




3. Confirm the operation 10 of the production order. This will alsoautomatically create the issue of material RM-## to the production order asbackflushing is used.

a) Logistics→ Production→ Shop Floor Control→ Confirmation→For Operation→ Time Ticket (CO11N)

Enter the production order number and Oper/Activity 10 and pressEnter.

Click on Actual Data button on the top. The default values are copied.

Click on the Goods Movement button to see RM-## being issued to theProduction Order for the required quantity.

Save the confirmation. The operation confirmation and backflushingtakes place.

4. Receive the finished goods against the production order.

The material has to be received in Plant 1000 and Storage Location 0001.

a) Logistics→ Inventory Management→ Goods Movement→ MIGO

In the dropdown on the top, select Goods Receipt and Order. Put theProduction Order number in the next field and press Enter.

Check the Item OK button on the very bottom of the screen under theQuantity tab.

Click on the Check button on the top. If everything is OK then thegreen traffic light appears. Now click on the Post button.

Execute transaction MD04 and enter material 150-## and plant 1000.The material would now show in stock.

5. Check for stock of the finished goods 150-## in the plant.

______________________________________________________

a) Make sure the stock is available.




Task 5:We must now return to the sales order we created earlier and perform anavailability check on the stock in order to confirm the schedule line and shippinginformation.

1. Return to your sales order and perform an availability check in order toconfirm the schedule line. Save the sales order.

a) Use the menu option Logistics→ Sales and Distribution→ Sales→Order→ Change and enter your sales order number.

b) Perform an availability check using the menu path Edit→ CheckAvailability then save the sales order.

Task 6:Now, the delivery of the finished goods has to be done for the sales order created.

So we have to create a delivery.

1. Create a delivery with reference to the sales order created earlier.

a) Logistics→ Sales and Distribution→ Shipping and Transportation→Outbound Delivery→ Create→ Single Document→ With Referenceto Sales Order (VL01N)

Enter the shipping point 1000, the sales order number and the deliverydate as the Req Del Date in the sales order and press Enter.

Save the delivery and make a note of the delivery number.

2. Pick the required quantity. As the storage location is warehouse managedyou have to create a Transfer Order.

a) Execute transaction VL02N and enter the delivery number and pressenter. Go to the Picking tab to view the items required to be picked.

Follow the menu path Subsequent Functions→ Create Transfer Order .

Press Enter and then save the transfer order.

3. Now process the goods issue using the Post Good Issue function.

a) Go back to the delivery order (VL02N) and and click on Post GoodsIssue button.

Now go to MD04 and display material 150-## and plant 1000 and checkfor the stock. The material should now have been removed from stock.

4. Check the stock of the finished goods 150-## in the plant.

______________________________________________________

a) The stock quantity should now be zero as the delivery has consumedall the available quantity.



Lesson Summary

You should now be able to:




SCM150 Lesson: Reporting Functions in LIS

Lesson: Reporting Functions in LIS

Lesson Overview



Business ExampleManagement have asked you to provide an overview of the reporting capabilitiesof LIS. You will need to study the basic functionality.

Reporting Functionality in LIS

• The various functions supported are

– Standard Analysis in LIS

– Early Warning System

– Flexible Analysis in LIS

– LIS Interface

Reporting using Standard Analysis

• Data Selection

– Single Value selection

– Multiple Selection

– Selection using self defined heirarchies

– Selection Options

– Variants



Figure 14: Navigation Options in Standard Analysis

After executing a standard analysis, an initial list is displayed on the screen.Starting from this initial standard analysis list, the system offers three ways fornavigation:

• Standard drilldown: By double-clicking on a characteristic you will accessthe next level of a predefined standard drilldown. In order to define thisdrilldown, you can use all characteristics and the period unit of the relevantinfo structure.

• Drill down by: You can drill down each characteristic according to adifferent characteristic. Starting from any list in a standard analysis, youcan drill down any characteristic value in this list according to a differentcharacteristic.

• Switch drilldown: The whole drilldown can by displayed for anothercharacteristic. From any list in a standard analysis, the total values of all keyfigures can be drilled down by any possible characteristic of the standardanalysis.



Figure 15: Functions in Standard Analysis

A wide range of functions can be used to individually examine the key figures andcharacteristic values on which the analysis is based from a business perspective.All the functions for statistical analyses are graphically supported.

• ABC Analysis: The values of a characteristic (e.g. vendors) and a particularkey figure (e.g. order value) are compared in order to make a classificationin three segments. Various strategies can be used to set the class limits ascharacteristic or key figure-specific and as percentage or absolute values,respectively. The results are displayed in a cumulative frequency curve withan additional classification into three segments. The sizes of the segmentscorrespond to the setting made when the strategy was selected.

• Classification: Classification provides you with an overview of thecharacteristic values for a key figure. You can define up to six classes here.You can also organize the class limits to suit your requirements. Results canbe displayed as both lists and presentation graphics. The sequence is preset.

• Dual Classification: You can classify the characteristic values of two keyfigures. The navigation and presentation options are identical to those inclassification.



Figure 16: Functions in Standard Analysis (Contd)

Plan/actual comparison: At each drilldown level, there are three possibilities tocarry out comparisons:

• The current data of a key figure can be compared to the data of a plan version.

• The values of the previous year can be compared to the current data.

• The values of any two key figures can be compared to each other.

Cumulative frequency curve: It graphically illustrates the distribution of acumulated key figure value over the existing characteristic values. It can be scaledto represent either percentage or absolute values according to the selection madein the list upon which the curve is based.

Correlation: Correlation curves depict interrelationships between two or morekey figures. When creating the correlation diagram, the system observes the sortsequence defined in the underlying list. The key figures in the correlation arealways standardized to 1.

Time series: From the drilldown list of a characteristic, you can create a timeseries for any key figure. The period corresponds to the predefined period youdetermined when entering the standard analysis.



Figure 17: Early Warning System: An Overview

The Early Warning System enables you to search for exceptional situations andhelps to detect and eliminate imminent problems at an early stage. This is done bythe following process:

• The LIS provides the data that is analyzed by the EWS. Hence, the EWS canbe used in any Logistics Information System.

• The Early Warning System is based on information structures. Informationupdated in these structures can be analyzed using the EWS. This also appliesto data that is updated using your own programs, e.g. from an externalsystem.

• The EWS can be used both to indicate defined alarm situations and tohighlight specific data in an analysis.



Figure 18: Application of EWS

The Early Warning System is either used interactively in the standard analyses orrun at regular intervals as a background job.

• If you use it interactively in the standard analyses, the exceptional situationsare highlighted using color codes or filtered in the exception analysis. Thisallows you to detect exceptional situations at an early stage.

• In the periodic analysis, a list of the exceptional data is automatically sent tothe designated recipient by fax, mail, or workflow.

Figure 19: Defining an Exception



To create an exception, the following steps have to be followed:

• Since an exception is always created with reference to an informationstructure, the characteristics are selected from this info structure. Thesequence of characteristics defines the subsequent standard drilldown andthe level at which the requirement is checked.

• The key figures are also selected from the info structure. Then the exceptionrequirements for the selected key figures can be defined.

• In a third step, the follow-up processing of the exception is defined.

The characteristic in an information structure is used to define the characteristicsof an exception.

• When you select the characteristics, you also define the aggregation levelat which the check for the exception will take place. The key figure checkalways takes place at the lowest characteristic level.

• The sequence of the selected characteristics serves to define the standarddrilldown sequence in a standard analysis, which is triggered by theexception.

Those key figures of an info structure that are required for the definition of anexception are chosen.

• Several requirements can be defined both for several key figures and foreach individual key figure.

There are three types of requirements:

• Threshold values: identifies the key figure values that exceed or fall below aspecific threshold value, e.g. incoming orders value > 200,000.

• Trend: identifies the key figure values that demonstrate a predefined trend,e.g. a negative trend.

• Planned/actual comparison: identifies the key figure values for whichthe actual data deviates from the planned data by more than a predefinedpercentage, e.g. 10%.

These individual requirements you defined can be linked by means of And or Or.

In the follow-up processing, you define whether the exception is active for thestandard analysis and/or a periodic analysis.

• The color used to highlight the exceptional values determined via therequirements in the standard analysis.

• In addition, definition of how the result of a periodic analysis is to be furtherprocessed (workflow, mail, distribution list, fax) is done.



Figure 20: Requirements

For Threshold Value Analysis, you enter a threshold value for a key figure and anoperator for the threshold value (e.g. incoming orders value > 200,000).

• The threshold value in the example above is defined so that the exceptionis satisfied when the total of the incoming orders values of the last threemonths, including the current month, exceeds 200,000. The number ofperiods defines the number of periods to be analyzed. If the option Separateperiods is chosen, each individual period is checked instead of the key figurevalue total of these three periods.

• Any other currencies are converted into the specified analysis currency,before the check for exceptions takes place.

• You may also run a threshold value test to analyze future developments.You need to choose the number of forecast periods that you wish to test. Aforecast then takes place for the next few periods (2 in this case) whichis based on the number of periods you have selected (7 in this case). Athreshold value analysis is then carried out for the forecasted values.



The trend analysis determines whether there is a positive or negative trend in thedataset with regard to the selected key figure.

• Based on the dataset and the number of periods to analyze (6 in this case), thesystem checks whether or not a trend exists. It is not possible to determine atrend if only one period to analyze is selected. If a positive trend exists andno statistical test has been performed, an exceptional situation will occur ifeach value exceeds the value in the previous period.

• If the period to analyze extends over 3 or more periods, you can also carryout a statistical trend test for each individual requirement by means ofstatistical resources. This is recommended if you want to know whether ageneral trend exists, even if the dataset contains outliers. If there is a positivetrend and a statistical test has been performed, an exception will occur whenthe system detects a trend with a probability of 95%.

• If there are 3 or 4 past periods available to carry out a statistical test for atrend, a regression line is drawn upon which the trend is based. If there are 5or more past periods, a reliable statistical test for a trend can be performed. Ifyou select only two past periods, the system only determines whether thesecond period value is greater or less than the first value.

The planned/actual comparison compares planned data of a specific planningversion with actual data. You can check the realization of the plan and determinethe weak points with respect to planned/actual values. To do this, you enter theplan realization percentage and an operator.

• In the first example, the planned values for a key figure arecompared with the actual data. An exceptional situation occurswhen the realization of the plan is less than 90%, i.e. when theactual data falls short of the planned values by more than 10%.Note: The exception is based on the total number of specified periodsbecause the flag “Separate periods” is not set.

• In the second example, the system creates a forecast for the next two periods,based on the values of the last six periods. The total of both forecasted valuesis compared with the total planned values assigned to these periods.

• This kind of analysis enables you to detect potential problems which arein the future.



Figure 21: Flexible Analysis in LIS

The flexible analyses in LIS are used in the same way as a report generator: Youuse a menu to describe the content and format of the list you require and, at thetouch of a button, the respective program is generated in the background.

In comparison to standard analyses, flexible analyses have the followingadvantages:

• This technique enables you to combine characteristics and key figures fromdifferent information structures or DDIC tables in one list.

• You can choose between a variety of layouts.

• You can use your own formulas to calculate new key figures for existing ones.

You can use the Evaluation function to describe the reporting function in LIS. The“Evaluation” concept contains a program object that controls the collection andformatting of data for evaluation purposes.



In LIS, the evaluation structures control the way in which the evaluations collectdata. They describe the possible data sources of your evaluations. These datasources are usually information structures.

• An evaluation structure mainly consists of a list of characteristics and keyfigures. An evaluation structure can also contain characteristics and keyfigures from different physical database tables.

• The name of an evaluation structure must begin with “ZF” (example:ZFMARA).

• Evaluations are created with reference to evaluation structures. Thecharacteristics and key figures in an evaluation structure can form the rowsand columns of your evaluation list.

• When evaluation structures and evaluations are generated, Report Writerobjects are created in the background. They can also include libraries forevaluation structures and reports for evaluations.

• When you run an evaluation, a list of data is displayed at the data presentationlevel, which you can change and interpret using a variety of functions.

Figure 22: LIS Interface with Excel: Transfer Process



You can transfer data to Excel using all the reporting functions already discussedwithin the Logistics Information System. Standard analyses, early warningsystems and flexible analyses provide easy-to-use tools for transferring data.

• One method is to save the current content of a list locally as an ASCII fileusing the Save to PC file function with the spreadsheet option. You canthen open this file in Excel.

• The other option is implemented through the function Transfer to XXL.Data is transferred to the XXL interface in the form of a list object. XXL(Extended Excel) comprises the tools for displaying and manipulatinglist objects from SAP R/3 applications. You first have to define thecharacteristics to be transferred. The figures transferred are the key figuresin the current standard analysis list. Depending on the software installed onyour computer, you can use XXL to transfer data to the following media:

– SAPoffice: You can save the list object to the SAPoffice inbox. Fromthere you can send the list object or save it in a folder.

– PC file: You can save the list object to the local file system forsubsequent editing using another display media at your disposal.

– Excel display: Table display with all characteristics combinations.

– Excel SAP macros: You can display and edit the list using SAP Macros(SAP-XXL List Viewer).

– Excel Pivot table: You can display and edit the list using Excel.



Exercise 2: LIS Functions


• Develop a basic level of knowledge of the LIS analysis functionality.

Business ExampleYour organisation is implementing all ECC Logistics modules. In order to haveconsistent reporting across the enterprise, management has requested that the sameset of data warehouse reporting tools be used for all logistics analyses. You needto become familiar with the basic functions of LIS so that you can demonstratehow this could be achieved.

Task 1:You must choose one of the three activities based on the Logistics InformationSystem (LIS). They are all similar but are based on either sales data, purchasingdata or production order data you created in the previous exercise steps. Pleasedo not work through more than one activity.

You will investigate some of the key reporting functions of the LogisticsInformation System (LIS).

Sales Orders Analysis

1. Use the customer standard analysis in the Sales Information System, create alist of materials that has been sold in the last 3 months.

2. See which materials you have sold to the customer 1400. Using the standarddrilldown path, drill down to the materials that have been sold to thecustomers in the list.

3. Change the characteristic display to include the key and the description.

4. Change the column width for the characteristic to see more information.

5. Change the analysis currency to USD. Use exchange rate type M and thecurrent date for conversion date.

6. Return to the customer level of the analysis. What do you notice about thedisplay?

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________




7. You are now interested to view the monthly sales directly for the customerrather than material display of the sales. Use the Switch Drilldown functionto do this.

8. You have decided you want to see the Incoming Orders Qty for the customerdisplayed. Therefore, you want to add this key figure to your list.

9. You would now like to define your own default settings for the customeranalysis. You would like a drilldown in the order Customer, Material, Monthand Sales Organisation.

In addition to the default key figures, you also require the key figureIncoming Order Quantity. All key figures should be displayed withoutdecimal places.

10. Execute a standard analysis for the Material, create a list for materials RM-00to RM-24.

11. Since you regularly use these selections, save these settings as a variant.

12. Return to the main menu. Execute the analysis again, using the variant.

Task 2:You will investigate some of the reporting functions of the Logistics InformationSystem (LIS). This activity uses the purchasing data you created in the previousexercise steps.

Purchase Orders Analysis

1. Use the vendor standard analysis in the Purchasing Information System,create a list of materials that has been been procured for the past months.

2. See which materials you are ordering from the vendor 1000. Using thestandard drilldown path, drill down to the materials for the vendor in the list.



5. Change the analysis currency to USD. Use exchange rate type M and thecurrent conversion date.

6. Return to the vendor level of the analysis. What do you notice about thedisplay?

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________




7. You are now interested to view the monthly purchases directly for the vendorrather than by material displays of the purchases. Use the Switch Drilldownto do this.

8. You have decided you want to see the GR Quantity for the Vendor displayed.Therefore, you want to add this key figure to your list.

9. You would now like to define your own default settings for the Vendoranalysis. You would like a drilldown in the order Vendor, Material, Monthand Material Group.

In addition to the default key figures, you also require the key figure Qty ofgoods recvd. All key figures should be displayed without decimal places.




Task 3:You will investigate some of the reporting functions of the Logistics InformationSystem (LIS). This activity uses the production order data you created in theprevious exercise steps.

Production Orders Analysis

1. Using the production operations standard analysis in the Shop FloorInformation System, create a list of materials that has been been producedfor the past three months.

Hint: For LIS part we would only have a look at PurchaseInformation System. The way the Sales and Distribution System andShop Floor Information System would operate would be similarto this.

2. What is the Standard Drilldown that the report provides.

______________________________________________________

3. See which materials you have produced for the plant 1000. Using thestandard drilldown path, drill down to the materials for the plant.



6. Return to the plant level of the analysis. What do you notice about thedisplay?




______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

7. You are now interested to view the production from a date perspective ratherthan for the material. Hence use the Switch drilldown to do this.

8. You have decided you want to see the Confirmed Quantity for the datedisplayed. Therefore, you want to add this key figure to your list.

9. You would now like to define your own default settings for the operationsanalysis. You would like a drilldown in the order Date, Plant, Material,Order.

In addition to the default key figures, you also require the key figureConfirmed Quantity. All key figures should be displayed without decimalplaces.






Solution 2: LIS Functions

Task 1:You must choose one of the three activities based on the Logistics InformationSystem (LIS). They are all similar but are based on either sales data, purchasingdata or production order data you created in the previous exercise steps. Pleasedo not work through more than one activity.

You will investigate some of the key reporting functions of the LogisticsInformation System (LIS).

Sales Orders Analysis

1. Use the customer standard analysis in the Sales Information System, create alist of materials that has been sold in the last 3 months.

a) Logistics→ Logistics Controlling→ Logistics Information System→Standard Analyses→ Sales and Distribution→ Customer

2. See which materials you have sold to the customer 1400. Using the standarddrilldown path, drill down to the materials that have been sold to thecustomers in the list.

a) Enter the Sold-to party as 1400 and leave all other fields as they are.Execute the report (F8). Double click on the each characteristic inorder to follow the drill down path.


a) Click on Settings→ Characteristic Display→ Key and Description toview both the key value and description.


a) Settings→ Column Width→ Characteristic.

Enter a column width of 40.

5. Change the analysis currency to USD. Use exchange rate type M and thecurrent date for conversion date.

a) Settings→ Currency→ Analysis Currency.

6. Return to the customer level of the analysis. What do you notice about thedisplay?

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________




______________________________________________________

a) View→ Basic List

The analysis currency is the original currency. Changing the settingsonly affects the level you are working on and below. It does not changethe higher level. Therefore to have consistent settings, make thesettings in the highest level before drilling down.

7. You are now interested to view the monthly sales directly for the customerrather than material display of the sales. Use the Switch Drilldown functionto do this.

a) Return to the initial drill down level (Sold to) then use the button ormenu option

View→ Switch Drilldown→ Month.

8. You have decided you want to see the Incoming Orders Qty for the customerdisplayed. Therefore, you want to add this key figure to your list.

a) Edit→ Choose Key Figures

On the right side of the display, scroll down until you find IncomingOrders Qty.

Select this field by clicking once on that line. Press the left arrow. Thefield will move from the right to the left of the display.

Choose Continue/Enter.

9. You would now like to define your own default settings for the customeranalysis. You would like a drilldown in the order Customer, Material, Monthand Sales Organisation.




In addition to the default key figures, you also require the key figureIncoming Order Quantity. All key figures should be displayed withoutdecimal places.

a) Return to the initial selection screen for the analysis.

Choose User Settings.

Enter your ID: SCM150-##.

Click on Choose Characteristics.

Click on the bottom Do Not Choose All in order to remove allcharacteristics from the selection.

On the right side of the find Sold-To Party.


Repeat this step for the characteristics Material, Month and SalesOrganisation so that they appear in this order from top to bottom.Now press the Continue button.

Choose Key Figures.

Click on Choose Key Figures.

On the right side of the display, scroll down until you find IncomingOrder Quantity.


Select no Decimal places for all Key Figures.

Press the Save button to save your settings.

Test your setting by executing the analysis one more time.


a) Logistics→ Logistics Controlling→ Logistics Information System→Standard Analyses→ Sales and Distribution→ Material

On the selection screen, select the Multiple Selection arrow for theMaterial.

In the range selection, enter 150-00 to 150-24.

Click on the Execute button.

Leave the other selection entries as they are.





a) Goto→ Variants→ Save as variant.

Enter your ID SCM150-## and the description. Then save the variant


a) Goto→ Variant→ Get

Select the Variant.

The Settings defined will now be displayed.

Task 2:You will investigate some of the reporting functions of the Logistics InformationSystem (LIS). This activity uses the purchasing data you created in the previousexercise steps.

Purchase Orders Analysis

1. Use the vendor standard analysis in the Purchasing Information System,create a list of materials that has been been procured for the past months.

a) Logistics→ Logistics Controlling→ Logistics Information System→Standard Analyses→ Purchasing→ Vendor

2. See which materials you are ordering from the vendor 1000. Using thestandard drilldown path, drill down to the materials for the vendor in the list.

a) Enter the Vendor as 1000 and the Plant as 1000. Execute the report (F8).

Click on Settings→ Characteristic Display→ Key and Description toview both the vendor name and description.

Double click on the vendor to drilldown to the go to the material leveldisplay for that vendor.


a) Click on Settings→ Characteristic Display→ Key and Description toview both the material name and description.




5. Change the analysis currency to USD. Use exchange rate type M and thecurrent conversion date.

a) Settings→ Currency→ Analysis Currency.




6. Return to the vendor level of the analysis. What do you notice about thedisplay?

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

a) View → Basic List

The analysis currency is the original currency. Changing the settingsonly affects the level you are working on and below. It doesnot changethe higher level. Therefore to have consistent settings, make thesettings in the highest level before drilling down.

7. You are now interested to view the monthly purchases directly for the vendorrather than by material displays of the purchases. Use the Switch Drilldownto do this.

a) Select the Vendor

View→ Switch Drilldown→ Month.

8. You have decided you want to see the GR Quantity for the Vendor displayed.Therefore, you want to add this key figure to your list.


On the right side of the display, scroll down until you find Qty of goodsrecvd.



9. You would now like to define your own default settings for the Vendoranalysis. You would like a drilldown in the order Vendor, Material, Monthand Material Group.




In addition to the default key figures, you also require the key figure Qty ofgoods recvd. All key figures should be displayed without decimal places.

a) On the Initial screen choose User Settings.




On the right side of the display, scroll down until you find Vendor.


Repeat this step for the characteristics material, month, material group

Choose Key Figures.


On the right side of the display, scroll down until you find Qty of goodsrecvd.


Select no Decimal places for all Key Figures.


a) Logistics→ Logistics Controlling→ Logistics Information System→Standard Analyses→ Purchasing→ Material – MCE7 (Double Click)


In the range selection, enter RM-00 to RM-24.


Enter the Plant as 1000.









Select the Variant.

The Settings defines will now be displayed.

Task 3:You will investigate some of the reporting functions of the Logistics InformationSystem (LIS). This activity uses the production order data you created in theprevious exercise steps.

Production Orders Analysis

1. Using the production operations standard analysis in the Shop FloorInformation System, create a list of materials that has been been producedfor the past three months.

Hint: For LIS part we would only have a look at PurchaseInformation System. The way the Sales and Distribution System andShop Floor Information System would operate would be similarto this.

a) Logistics→ Logistics Controlling→ Logistics Information System→Standard Analyses→ Production→ Operation

2. What is the Standard Drilldown that the report provides.

______________________________________________________

a) Click on the Standard Drilldown button. The Drilldown format willbe displayed.

3. See which materials you have produced for the plant 1000. Using thestandard drilldown path, drill down to the materials for the plant.

a) Enter the plant as 1000 and remove the entry for material Leave thedate range as it is. Execute the report (F8).

Double click on the plant to drilldown to work center then double clickonce more to drill down to the material level.


a) Click on Settings→ Characteristic Display→ Key and Description toview both the material name and description.







6. Return to the plant level of the analysis. What do you notice about thedisplay?

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

a) View→ Basic List

The settings you just changed are lost. Changing the settings onlyaffects the level you are working on and below. It does not change thehigher level. Therefore to have consistent settings, make the settings inthe highest level before drilling down.

7. You are now interested to view the production from a date perspective ratherthan for the material. Hence use the Switch drilldown to do this.

a) Select the Vendor

View→ Switch Drilldown→ Date.

8. You have decided you want to see the Confirmed Quantity for the datedisplayed. Therefore, you want to add this key figure to your list.


On the right side of the display, scroll down until you find ConfirmedQuantity.



9. You would now like to define your own default settings for the operationsanalysis. You would like a drilldown in the order Date, Plant, Material,Order.




In addition to the default key figures, you also require the key figureConfirmed Quantity. All key figures should be displayed without decimalplaces.

a) On the Initial screen choose User Settings.




On the right side of the display, scroll down until you find Date.


Repeat this step for the characteristics plant, material, order

Choose Key Figures.


On the right side of the display, scroll down until you find ConfirmedQuantity.


Select no decimal places for all key figures.


a) Logistics→ Logistics Controlling→ Logistics Information System→Standard Analyses→ Production→ Product Costs

Enter the Plant as 1000.


In the range selection, enter 150-00 to 150-24.










Select the Variant.

The Settings defines will now be displayed.



Lesson Summary




Unit Summary SCM150

Unit SummaryYou should now be able to:





Unit 2Introducing SAP BI

Unit OverviewGeneral Positioning of SAP BI: Business Example

• In order to understand how SAP BI can be used for logistics reporting, anoverview of the BI architecture and key functions is required.


• Give an overview of SAP BI

• List the basic terminology and objects used in SAP BI

Unit ContentsLesson: SAP BI Overview .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . 50Lesson: Terminology used in BI. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . 59


Unit 2: Introducing SAP BI SCM150

Lesson: SAP BI Overview

Lesson Overview



Business ExampleThis will set the basic foundation for SCM reporting using BI.

Figure 23: SAP Net Weaver Platform

SAP NetWeaver is an integration architecture for all the business applications andprocesses in a modern enterprise. This architecture integrates people, informationand processes within a framework that provides for incremental implementationof its capabilities.

Business Intelligence is a primary component of the Information Integration layerof SAP NetWeaver. The SAP NetWeaver Portal is a component of the PeopleIntegration layer. These two components work closely together providing userspowerful business information reporting and analysis features.


SCM150 Lesson: SAP BI Overview

The different components of SAP Net Weaver are:

• SAP Net Weaver XI

• SAP Net Weaver Mobile

• SAP Net Weaver Portal

• SAP Net Weaver BI

• SAP Net Weaver MDM

Business Intelligence Scenario

• Enterprise Reporting, Query and Analysis

– High Focus on User Productivity

– Formatted Reporting

– Intuitive Ad-hoc Analysis

– Advanced Excel integration

– Model-driven BI application

• Business Planning and Analytical Services

– Business Planning integrated in BI Platform ans Suite

• Enterprise Data Warehousing

– High Performance with BI Accelerator

– Flexibility by enhancing data modelling capabilities

– Data Transfer Process

– Real-time data acquisition

– Web-based administrator cock-pit

Business Information Management is about managing all types of information(structured and unstructured) from integration to delivery with a focus onachieving transparency and broad reach within and outside of the organization. Inthe Business Information management IT practice, there are three IT scenarios.

• Enterprise Reporting, Query and Analysis

• Business Planning and Analytical Services

• Enterprise Data Warehousing

These IT scenarios describe how organizations use the functionality of SAPNetWeaver to carry out the work of the Business Information Management ITpractice. Each IT scenario includes everything organizations need through the lifecycle phases of Discovery, Evaluation, Implementation and Operations.



Figure 24: Data Warehouse Systems

A data warehouse system serves primarily to stage information from various datasources. This data and information, and the reports resulting from them, constitutethe basis of successful business processes within a company. The information isstaged in various forms including personalized reports, freely definable queries,and predefined reports. Recipients of information can use these reporting andanalysis functions to analyze the data for deviations and significant facts.

Thus, a data warehouse can:

• Pool data from different, mostly heterogeneous sources

• Overcome this heterogeneity on different levels (system, schema, and data)

• Stage data in the form required by the user

In a Data Warehouse, information must be stored in a homogeneous andconsistent form at a central location where it can be called up. Therefore, moderndata warehouses require a separate database that an independent applicationenvironment can use to provide the required services objectively. Efficient analysistechniques with powerful multi-dimensional visualization are indispensable on thepresentation side of the data warehouse. The system must be able to cope with theinformation needs of the various user groups.



A data warehouse must satisfy the following criteria:

• Standardized structuring and presentation of all company information

• An easy-to-use, single point of access to all company information

• Sophisticated business reporting methods for self-service analysis at all levels

• Fast and cost-effective installation

• A high performance environment

• Data staging from a heterogeneous environment

• Release of source systems and IT organization

• Data access independent of the source system

• Analysis of data over a specific period of time, and the storage of historicalinformation (time-dependent master data)

Figure 25: OLTP System Vs OLAP System



Data warehousing Differences between OLTP and OLAP systems

• Level of detail: The OLTP layer stores data with a very high level of detail,whereas data in the Data Warehouse is compressed for high-performanceaccess (aggregation).

• History: Archiving data in the OLTP area means it is stored with minimalhistory. The Data Warehouse area requires comprehensive historical data.

• Changeability: Frequent data changes are a feature of the operative area,while in the Data Warehouse, the data is frozen after a certain point foranalysis.

• Integration: In contrast to the OLTP environment, requests forcomprehensive, integrated information for analysis is very high.

• Normalization: Due to the reduction in data redundancy, normalization isvery high for operative use. Data staging and lower performance are thereasons why there is less normalization in the Data Warehouse.

• Read access: An OLAP environment is optimized for read access. Operativeapplications (and users) also need to carry out additional functions regularly,including change, insert, and delete.

Figure 26: SAP Business Intelligence

SAP BI allows analysis of data from operational SAP applications or any otherbusiness application. You can also extract and analyze data from external sourcessuch as databases, online services, and the Internet.



The realization of SAP BI aimed for the following:

• Data warehousing system with optimized data structures for reporting andanalysis

• Separate system

• OLAP engine and tools

• Comprehensive data-warehousing architectural base

• Automated data warehouse management

• Pre-configuration using SAP global business know-how

With these goals in mind, SAP has developed a separate data-warehousingsolution that handles reporting activities as an autonomous business component,even providing a separate server with its own database and SAP system: SAPBusiness Intelligence.

Figure 27: SAP BI Architecture

SAP BI enables the analysis of data from operative SAP applications as well as allother business applications and external data sources such as databases, onlineservices, and the Internet.

The SAP BI architecture provides for the acquisition, transformation, storage,analysis, access and distribution of data from both SAP and non-SAP sources. TheBusiness Explorer Suite (BEx) includes a variety of tools to make this possible.



The BEx Query Designer is the tool for creating query definitions. These querydefinitions structure how data from a variety of sources will be structured forpresentation to the user. Power users can use the BEx Query Designer to createqueries based on data stored in BI data providers in an easy and intuitive mannerusing Drag and Drop. Analyses and reports can draw on components that need tobe created only once but can be reused in many queries. BEx queries and queryviews are the basis for analyses, reports, and planning scenarios in the BEx WebApplication Designer, BEx Report Designer, and BEx Analyzer (Excel Add-in).

The BI server, which is pre-configured by Business Content for core areasand processes, allows you to examine the relationships in every area withinyour company. Business Content provides targeted information to companies,divided into roles. This helps your employees to carry out their tasks. Aswell as roles, Business Content includes other pre-configured objects such asInfoCubes, queries, key figures, and characteristics. These objects facilitate theimplementation of SAP BI.

Within the BEx Web area, the Web Analyzer provides for web-based executionof queries as well as ad hoc analysis of data from a wide array of sources.The BEx Web Application Designer is a complete toolset for designing anddeploying custom web applications within the organization. These applicationsoften contain data from queries, but could also provide access to other structuredand unstructured data. The BEx Report Designer allows for a high degree ofcontrol over the formatting of query output. They can change the layout of reportsindividually, add headers and footers to reports and pages, integrate texts, pictures,and charts, enter page breaks etc. The Web Item Report enables power users toinclude formatted reports in BExWeb applications.

Queries can be executed within several different user interfaces. The BExAnalyzer makes use of Microsoft Excel to provide a well-understood interfacefor viewing and analyzing data. Information Broadcasting is accomplished by theBEx Broadcaster that provides all the functions necessary to distribute queries,reports and analyses to end users and to the Enterprise Portal. In addition, theBEx Broadcaster provides a wide range of functions such as alerting and the precalculation of results.

The SAP NetWeaver Portal serves as the main interface for users wanting toaccess business information. With powerful Knowledge Management featuresfor a wide range of collaboration and feedback activities, the SAP NetWeaver



Portal integrates the reporting and analysis tasks of users of all types. BEx WebApplications and BEx reports are deployed in SAP NetWeaver Portal. They areeasily converted into PDF format and printed.

• Empower business users

• Design queries in an easy and intuitive way and use as the basis for auser-oriented presentation of information and effective analysis

• Design presentation-quality, print-optimized formatted reports

• Wizard-based creation of Web applications for all user types – no codingnecessary

• Provides BI data in a user-oriented and flexible way

• Information is provided for all types of BI users

• Personalized access to BI information in SAP NetWeaver Portal supportsquick and efficient decision making

• Simple conversion of reports and Web applications to PDF files allowing BIinformation to be printed as required



Lesson Summary




SCM150 Lesson: Terminology used in BI

Lesson: Terminology used in BI

Lesson Overview



Business ExampleIn order to understand how BI works a solid grasp of the basic BI terminologyis important

Figure 28: Basic Terminology and Objects

Info Object

Business analysis-objects (customers, sales volumes, and so on) are called InfoObjects in SAP BI. These Info Objects can be divided into characteristics andkey figures.

Characteristics can be further divided into units, time characteristics, andtechnical characteristics (for example, request ID). In this example, Postal Codecharacteristic is assigned to the characteristic Plant, hence it is an attribute ofPlant characteristic. Key figures are all data fields that are used to store valuesor quantities (sales volumes, kilowatt-hours, costs, and so on). Characteristicsdescribe the affiliation of key figures. For example, costs belong to a cost center,whereby the cost center is a characteristic.



Figure 29: OLTP Database Schema

OLTP systems are designed using a highly normalized relational schema. Inreality, many more tables are involved, especially in sophisticated systems likemySAP ECC. A very simplified example of a sales order is shown on the followingfigure. As described in the figure, normalization is the process of removingrepeated data from a table to auxiliary connected tables, there by making theoriginal table much smaller. This decrease in size, combined with only the mostbasic indexing scheme, helps when creating, updating, and deleting records. Theprice paid for this advantage is a decrease in performance for analysis-type queries.

Figure 30: Classical Star Schema



The classic star schema, is the most frequently used multidimensional model forrelational databases. This database schema classifies two groups of data: facts(sales amount or quantity, for example) and dimension attributes (customer,material, or time, for example). Facts, sometimes called measures, are the focusof the analysis for a business process.

The fact data (values for the facts) is stored in a highly normalized fact table.The values of the dimension attributes are stored from a technical perspective, invarious denormalized dimension tables. From a business perspective, these tablesare collectively revered to as dimensions of the business process, or for short,dimensions. Here, logically related dimension attributes are stored as a hierarchy(parent-child relationships) within the dimension table. The dimension tables arelinked relationally with the central fact table by way of key relationships. In thestar schema design shown, the key of the dimension tables is a machine-generateddimension key (DIM ID) that uniquely defines a combination of dimensionattribute values. The DIM ID (a sequentially assigned number) is a foreign keyin the fact table. In this way, all data records in the fact table can be uniquelyidentified.

Figure 31: Extended Star Schema

Extended star schema is an enhancement of the classic star schema. Theenhancement comes from the fact that the dimension tables do not contain masterdata information. This master data information is stored in separate tables, calledmaster data tables. We can say that the master data tables extend the star schema,resulting in an extended star schema.

In SAP BI, we use what is called as an Info Cube. InfoCubes are the centralobjects of the multidimensional model in BI. Most BEx reports and analysesare based on these. From a reporting perspective, a InfoCube describes aself-contained data set within a business area, for which you can define queries.



A InfoCube consists of a quantity of relational tables arranged multidimensionally,meaning that it consists of a central fact table surrounded by several dimensiontables. SID tables link these dimension tables to their respective master datatables.

The facts in the fact table are referred to as key figures and the dimensionattributes are known as characteristics. The dimension tables are linked thecentral fact table by way of key relationships. In contrast to the classic star schema,characteristics are not components of the dimension tables; in other words, thecharacteristic values are not stored in the dimension tables. A numerical SID keyis generated for each characteristic. This alias key replaces the characteristic asthe component of the dimension table. Here, SID stands for Master Data IDor Surrogate ID (replacement key).

Figure 32: Info Cube using the Star Schema

InfoCube

The central data containers that form the basis for reports and analyses in SAP BIare called InfoCubes. They contain key figures (sales volumes, incoming orders,actual costs, and so on) and a link to the characteristics (master data of the SAPBI system) such as cost centers, customers, materials, and so on). Key figuresand characteristics are InfoObjects. Each individual InfoCube should contain aself-contained dataset, since queries refer primarily to one InfoCube.

Master data in the BI system consists of attributes of a characteristic (for example,the person responsible for a cost center), as well as hierarchies and texts of acharacteristic.



An InfoCube consists of several database tables that are linked according to the starschema. They include a fact table that contains the InfoCube key figures, as wellas several surrounding dimension tables that store the links to the characteristics.

• Each InfoCube has one fact table and a maximum of 16 dimension tables.

• Each fact table can contain a maximum of 233 key figures.

• A dimension can contain up to 248 freely available characteristics.

InfoCubes are stored in structures in the SAP BI system. If you want to store anInfoCube, you create a new folder or use an existing one. This is similar to themethod used when storing data on your PC: These folders are called InfoAreas inSAP BI.

Figure 33: Info Providers

InfoProviders

Info Provider is the super-ordinate term for an object that you can use to createreports in Business Explorer (BEx). Info Providers are objects or views that arerelevant to reporting. Info Providers include various database meta objects thatdeliver data for query definitions. The type of data procurement differs dependingon the Info Provider used. However, the type of data procurement has no influenceon reporting. Info Providers deliver data that can be analyzed using a query.

There are two types of data stores. Physical stores include:

• Info Cubes

• DataStore Objects

• Info Objects (of type characteristic)



Logical views of physical data stores include:

• Info Sets

• Virtual Providers

• MultiProviders

The previous figure gives an overview of SAP BI reportable objects, divided intodata targets that contain physical data, and InfoProviders that only contain logicalviews. From the BEx view, only Info Providers are accessed. The way in whichthe data is modeled is inconsequential to the BEx toolset.

DataStore Object

A DataStore Object stores data at the basic level (document level). It is normallyused to resolve and consolidate datasets. These datasets are often from variousdata sources and/or source systems.

Figure 34: Data Warehousing Workbench



The functions of the Data Warehousing Workbench are:

• Modeling

Database objects and transformations are created

• Administration

Load scheduling, monitoring, and data administration

• Transport Connection

Specialized BI transport tool set (discussed in BW360)

• Documents

Central GUI for the maintenance of documents

• BI Content

Delivered content is activated for use (discussed in UNIT 5)

• Translation

BI object (queries, Info Cubes, and so on) descriptions are translatedfor multiple language support

• Metadata Repository

Power users and functional experts can find details on delivered andcustom content objects

Figure 35: DW Workbench: Modeling



The Modeling function area is used to create and maintain (meta) objects that arerelevant to the data staging process in the BI system. These objects are displayedin a tree structure where the objects are ordered according to hierarchical criteria.You use context menus to access the relevant maintenance dialogs and functionsbelonging to each of the objects in the object tree.

The Modeling function with the appropriate tab in the DWWB can be accessesthrough transaction RSA1.



Lesson Summary




Unit Summary SCM150





SCM150 Test Your Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

1. What type of source systems can be connected to SAP BI?Choose the correct answer(s).

□ A Data sources based on XML□ B SAP systems

□ C Databases□ D Fax machines

2. Which of the following statements are true regarding InfoObjects?

Choose the correct answer(s).

□ A Characteristics and key figures are InfoObjects.□ B An InfoObject can also be an InfoProvider.

□ C All attributes are characteristic or key figure InfoObjects.□ D All characteristic InfoObjects carry attribute, text and hierarchy

data.

3. What are the important structural aspects of an InfoCube structure?


□ A An InfoCube consists of a maximum of 16 fact tables.□ B An InfoCube has a primary fact table and a maximum of 16

dimension tables.

□ C A dimension table consists of characteristics and key figures.□ D A dimension table consists of characteristics and attributes.

□ E A dimension table contains key links to attributes.

4. What options does SAP BI reporting offer for creating reports?


□ A You can display analyses in Microsoft Excel using the BExAnalyzer.

□ B You can display analyses on the web using the Enterprise Portaland the Web Analyzer.

□ C You can export a web report to a BEx Analyzer report.

□ D You can convert a Microsoft Excel table query into a BW report.


Test Your Knowledge SCM150

Answers

1. What type of source systems can be connected to SAP BI?

Answer: A, B, C

Fax machines cannot be directly connected to SAP BI as a source system. Afacsimile image could be stored in SAP BI as a document through documentintegration.

2. Which of the following statements are true regarding InfoObjects?

Answer: A, B, C

Characteristic InfoObjects may carry attribute, text and hierarchy masterdata, but each type of master data can be specified in the InfoObjectdefinition as needed.

3. What are the important structural aspects of an InfoCube structure?

Answer: B, E

There is only one fact table in an InfoCube and a maximum of 16 dimensiontables. The dimension table contains characteristics while the fact tablecontains key figures. The dimension tables are linked to attribute, text andhierarchy master data.

4. What options does SAP BI reporting offer for creating reports?

Answer: A, B, C

The Business Explorer tool set is capable of producing both MicrosoftExcel-based reports and web-based reports. Each type can be easily exportedto the other format. A Microsoft Excel table query cannot communicatedirectly with SAP BW directly, however.


Unit 3Data Flow from ECC to BI

Unit OverviewData Flow from ECC into SAP BI: Business Example

• Management wants to use the BI system for reporting of the transaction datain the ECC logistics system. Hence the relevant data has to be extracted fromthe ECC system and taken to the BI system.


• Describe the necessary steps to extract data from the ECC system to BI.

Unit ContentsLesson: Logistics Data Extraction . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . 72

Exercise 3: Load ECC logistics data to BI . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . 81


Unit 3: Data Flow from ECC to BI SCM150

Lesson: Logistics Data Extraction

Lesson Overview



Business ExampleManagement would like to see logistics reporting carried out in the SAP BIsystem. But first the data has to be extracted to BI. You would like to develop abasic understanding of the data flow from SAP ECC to BI.

Basic Data Flow

Figure 36: Basic Data Flow in BI 7.0

Before we look into the detail of the data flow lets take a quick look at a very basicflow so that we can understand the journey the data follows.

The basic flow includes a source system connection, a DataSource followed by aTransformation and finally a Data Target (in our case an InfoCube). The data isfirst pulled from the source system by the execution of the Infopackage. The jobof the Infopackage is to pull the data only as far as the Persistent Staging Area


SCM150 Lesson: Logistics Data Extraction

(PSA) which is associated with the DataSource. Next a Data Transfer Process(DTP) is triggered and loads the data to the Data Target via a Transformation.The Transformation supplies the mapping rules between the PSA and the target,here the data could be modified, ignored or merged – the rules are very flexible.There are a number of different targets in BI, in our example we are using anInfoCube. Both the Infopackage and the DTP are usually triggered in sequence bya background job known as a Process Chain. The Process Chain ensure that all jobsteps are executed in the correct order and at the correct time.

Now let's get to the detail. For the extraction of data from ECC and taking it to BI,there are a number of steps that need to be followed:

• First, the data structures need to be created that map on to the ECC databasetables and the respective fields from where data has to come in. The datastructure is known as the extraction structure and is a BI object whichbelongs to the DataSource. The DataSource is present on both the ECCsystem and BI. Initially the DataSource is created i nthe ECC systemand is then automatically created on the BI system via a synchronisationmechanism known as a replication.

• Secondly, the data targets, i.e. the place where the data has to be loadedfinally in the BI system is created. These are InfoCubes etc. Then theTransformation is created between the DataSource and the data targets.

• Then, data can be extracted onto the data targets. There will be an initialupload followed by delta uploads from time to time to update the data targetswith the most recent data.

Figure 37: Data flow during Logistics Data Extraction



The above graphic illustrates the data flow for the logistics data extraction bymeans of an application example from sales. When a sales order is created itupdates the respective tables in ECC system such as VBAK and VBAP. Throughextraction structures, this data is taken to the DataSources.

The diagram above illustrates in detail how the data flows from the logisticstransaction tables to BI. Notice there is a separate flow for the initial load of dataversus the ongoing delta loads.

Note: SAP BI is capable of extracting data in FULL mode or DELTAmode. Delta mode provides only the data that is new or has been changessince the last load. This makes most sense in nearly all logistics scenarioswhere large volumes of data can quickly grow and you only want to loadthe changes.

The DataSource in the ECC system is replicated in BI system so that the twosystems agree on what is being sent and what is being received. The next objectin the flow is the transformation rules that feed the data into targets such asInfoCubes. Once the data is loaded into the InfoCubes you are then ready to createBI Queries in order to build reports based on Excel and on the web.

Figure 38: Logistics Data Extraction Cockpit

The extraction structure and DataSource are maintained in the Logistics ExtractionStructures Customizing Cockpit in the transaction SBIW. This is a task alwayscarried out in ECC system. The following functionality can be performed:

• Maintaining extraction structures



Every extraction structure can be maintained by you and by SAP. The extractionstructure is filled with the assigned communication structures. You can onlyuse selected fields from the communication structures. SAP already deliversextraction structures. You can enhance them as well. After you set up theextraction structure, the system automatically generates it. This completes missingfields (associated units and compounded characteristics). The extraction structureis created hierarchically according to the communication structures. Everycommunication structure leads to the generation of a substructure that belongs tothe actual extraction structure.

• Maintenance of DataSources

At this point, you call the general maintenance of DataSources, where you can setup the selection of selectable fields and the ability of fields to be negated.

• Activation of updating

When you activate, data is written to the extraction structures immediately - bothonline and when you fill the tables for restructuring.

• Job control

• Update mode

Here you can set which type of accrued data is to be updated during delta updates.The various update methods are described in more detail later in the lesson.

Once the DataSource has been defined in the ECC system you must then replicatethis to the BI system.

Note: For extraction from SAP ECC to BI using the standard SAPsupplied extractor (rather than flat file etc.), Datasources are alwayscreated in the ECC system and never in BI.

For replicating metadata, we have to go to the Data Warehousing Workbench →DataSources. On executing Replicate Metadata all of the DataSources for thisapplication component from ECC that are not yet present in BI are transferred toBI . Replication of the entire sources system can also be carried out but would takea large amount of time and hence it is advisable to replicate only the concernedDataSources.

Next the DataSource is assigned to the InfoCube. This is done by theTransformation.

The InfoPackage and the DTP are triggered using the BI Process Chain. Usingthe Process Chain means that you are able to define a strict sequence in whichthe loading tasks must be performed. The Process Chain is set to run at apre-determined time and can easily be monitored by administrators.



Figure 39: Executing the data load

The design of the data flow uses metadata objects such as DataSources,Transformations, InfoSources and InfoProviders. Once the data flow is designed,the InfoPackages and the Data Transfer Processes take over to actually manage theexecution and scheduling of the actual data transfer. There are two processes thatneed to be scheduled.

• The first process is loading the data from the source system. This involvesmultiple steps that differ depending on which source system is involved.For example, if it is a SAP source system, a function call must be made tothe other system, and an extractor program associated with the DataSourcemight be initiated. An InfoPackage is the BI object that contains all thesettings directing exactly how this data should be uploaded from the sourcesystem. The target of the InfoPackage is the Data Source associated withthe InfoPackage. In a production environment, the same data in the samesource system should only be extracted once, with one InfoPackage; fromthere, as many data transfer processes as necessary can push this data to asmany InfoProviders as necessary.

• The second process identified in the figure is the Data Transfer Process(DTP). It is this object that controls the actual data flow (filters, updatemode (delta or full) for a specific transformation. You might have more thanone data transfer process if you have more than one transformation step ortarget in the ETL flow. If you include more than one InfoProvider, you needmore than one DTP.



Other possibilites for loading logistics data from fromSAP ECC to SAP BIWe have so far looked at a very basic data flow from the ECC system to BI usingonly the absolute minimal objects required to get data from ECC to an InfoCubein BI. We will now take a look at some other examples of data flows that arepossible with SAP BI.

Figure 40: Multiple Staging Layers / Multiple Sources

In the diagram above we now present a realistic data flow using multiple staginglayers. This concept involves the use of a BI component called a DataStoreObject. A DataStore Object is used to capture the logistics data at a finer level ofdetail than the InfoCube. The InfoCube is typically used to store the aggregateview of the logistics data and the DataStore Object will be used to store the data atthe most detailed level. i.e. you could not break the data down any more, this isas detailed as it gets. Notice how the data is first loaded to the DataStore Objectat the first level then the same data is combined with other detailed data fromanother source so we now have consolidated (but still detailed) data. Finally theconsolidated detailed data is aggregated and loaded to the InfoCube. The benefitof using this more complex flow is that you would then be able to create reports inBI that start with a summary view of the business data (taken from the InfoCube)with the option to drill-down to the DataStore Object levels in order to expand thesummary analysis to include the transaction details.



Figure 41: Direct Access for Transactional and Master Data

The diagram above illustrates the architecture used in a direct access scenario.Direct access simply means that the data used in your BI report is requested 'live'from the source system. You are accessing the data directly. This makes it possibleto report on data that is fresh in the ECC system, and therefore provides you with areal time view of logistics data. Using this method operational reports could becreated or perhaps combined with historical data stored in the BI system to createa view of longer term trends with up to date information. Direct access still usesInfoCubes, the main difference is that the data is never stored permanently in BI, itis dropped once the report has been closed. Both transactional and master datacan be accessed directly from ECC, this means you can produce detailed logisticsreports which can be enhanced with master data attributes.



Figure 42: Real Time Data Acquisition (RDA)

Real time data acquisition support the loading of ECC logistics data at frequentintervals. How frequent is really up to you, but you can take this down to asfrequently as one minute intervals. This means that every minute BI checks to seeif there is new data created in your logistics applications with ECC, if there is thenthe data is loaded to BI immediately and is ready for use in BI reports. If there isno data then BI will check back again one minute later. This scenario is ideal if youhave large data volumes and want to break up the load. Of course another benefitto using RDA is that you are able to obtain a near real time view of you businessdata. You may like to think of this loading technique as 'streaming the data'.Unlike direct access method RDA actually loads and stores the data permanently.





Exercise 3: Load ECC logistics data to BI


• Load the data you created in the SAP ECC system in preparation forreporting in BI

Business ExampleBefore you can report on your logistics data in BI you first have to load this froma source system, in our case the SAP ECC system.

Note: In the following exercises you will load your sales and purchaseorder data only. You will NOT load your production order data (theinstructor will do this for the entire class).

Task 1:You will now create a DTP in order to define the parameters for the loading ofyour sales order data. You will then execute the DTP so that only your data isloaded to a shared BI InfoCube.

1. Logon to the assigned BI system using the logon details provided by yourinstructor and navigate to the Data Warehousing Workbench.

2. Create a DTP with the name Group ## Load Sales Data to load the datafrom the DataSource (PSA) 2LIS_11_ VAITM (under the source systemT90CLNT090) to the InfoCube T_SDDEMO2. Do not change any defaultsettings in the DTP except for the filter value. You should define a filter sothat only your material (150-##) is loaded.

Execute your DTP immediately and check the monitor to ensure the dataloaded successfully.

Task 2:You will now create a DTP in order to define the parameters for the loading ofyour purchase order data. You will then execute the DTP so that only your datais loaded to a BI InfoCube.

1. Create a DTP with the name Group ## Load Purchase Order Data toload the data from the DataSource (PSA) 2LIS_02_ITM (under the sourcesystem T90CLNT090) to the InfoCube 0PUR_C01. Do not change anydefault settings in the DTP except for the filter value. You should define afilter so that only your material (RM-##) is loaded.

Execute your DTP and check the monitor to ensure the data loadedsuccessfully.



Solution 3: Load ECC logistics data to BI

Task 1:You will now create a DTP in order to define the parameters for the loading ofyour sales order data. You will then execute the DTP so that only your data isloaded to a shared BI InfoCube.

1. Logon to the assigned BI system using the logon details provided by yourinstructor and navigate to the Data Warehousing Workbench.

a) Ask your instructor for the logon information. Once you have logged onuse the transaction RSA1 to reach the Data Warehousing Workbench.

2. Create a DTP with the name Group ## Load Sales Data to load the datafrom the DataSource (PSA) 2LIS_11_ VAITM (under the source systemT90CLNT090) to the InfoCube T_SDDEMO2. Do not change any defaultsettings in the DTP except for the filter value. You should define a filter sothat only your material (150-##) is loaded.

Execute your DTP immediately and check the monitor to ensure the dataloaded successfully.

a) Under the Modelling panel on the left of the screen click on the entrySource Systems.

b) Expand the node SAP and locate the source system with the technicalname T90CLNT090. Right click on this entry and from the contextmenu choose Display DataSource Tree.

c) Expand the node in the following path SAP → SAP ApplicationComponents→ Sales and Distribution and locate the DataSource withthe technical name 2LIS_11_VAITM.

d) Right click on the DataSource and choose the context menu entryCreate Data Transfer Process.

e) Use the table below to fill in the required fields for the first dialog inthe DTP creation. Hit the button Continue when you are done withthe first dialog.

Field Name Value to Enter

Data Transfer Proc. Group ## Load Sales Data

Target of DTP > ObjectType

Infocube

Target of DTP > Name T_SDDEMO2




f) On the second screen on the Extraction tab press the button Filterand you will see a dialog appear containing a list of proposed filtercharacteristics. The oane we want is not on the list so we have to addit in the next step.

g) Press the button Change Selection and locate Material from the list onthe right. Click on this characteristic to highlight it then press the arrowleft button to move it across to the left side. (to check it you may haveto scroll to the bottom of the list on the left). Press Continue to closethe Change Selection dialog ready to enter a filter values.

h) Enter your material 150-## in the selection field then press the Continuebutton to close the dialog.

i) From the toolbar click on the button Activate Data Transfer Process .Make sure you have no error messages before continuing.

j) Click on the Execute tab and press the button Execute. When promptedclick Yes to jump to the monitor. Make sure your job has a green lightnext to it to show it loaded the data successfully.

k) Use the regular back arrow at the top of the screen to leave the monitor.

Task 2:You will now create a DTP in order to define the parameters for the loading ofyour purchase order data. You will then execute the DTP so that only your datais loaded to a BI InfoCube.

1. Create a DTP with the name Group ## Load Purchase Order Data toload the data from the DataSource (PSA) 2LIS_02_ITM (under the sourcesystem T90CLNT090) to the InfoCube 0PUR_C01. Do not change anydefault settings in the DTP except for the filter value. You should define afilter so that only your material (RM-##) is loaded.




Execute your DTP and check the monitor to ensure the data loadedsuccessfully.

a) Under the Modelling panel on the left of the screen click on the entrySource Systems.

b) Expand the node SAP and locate the source system with the technicalname T90CLNT090. Right click on this entry and fro the contextmenu choose Display DataSource Tree.

c) Expand the node in the following path SAP → SAP ApplicationComponents→ Materials Management and locate the DataSource withthe technical name 2LIS_02_ITM.

d) Right click on the DataSource and choose the context menu entryCreate Data Transfer Process.

e) Use the table below to fill in the required fields for the first dialog inthe DTP creation. Hit the buttonContinue when you are done withthe first dialog.

Field Name Value to Enter

Data Transfer Proc. Group ## Load Purchase Order Data

Target of DTP > ObjectType

Infocube

Target of DTP > Name 0PUR_C01

f) On the second screen on the Extraction tab press the button Filterand you will see a dialog appear containing a list of proposed filtercharacteristics. The one we want is not on the list so we have to addit in the next step.

g) Press the button Change Selection and locate Material from the list onthe right. Click on this characteristic to highlight it then press the arrowleft button to move it across to the left side. (to check it you may haveto scroll to the bottom of the list on the left). Press Continue to closethe Change Selection dialog ready to enter some filter values.

h) Enter your material RM-## in the selection field then press theContinue button to close the dialog.

i) From the toolbar click on the button Activate Data Transfer Process.Make sure you have no error messages before continuing.

j) Click on the Execute tab and press the button Execute. When promptedclick Yes to jump to the monitor. Make sure your job has a green lightnext to it to show it loaded the data successfully.

k) Use the regular back arrow at the top of the screen to leave the monitor.



Lesson Summary




Unit Summary SCM150





Test Your Knowledge

1. What is the sequence in which data is extracted from ECC to BI?Choose the correct answer(s).

□ A Info Sources → Info Cubes → Data Sources

□ B Info Sources → Data Sources → Info Cubes□ C Data Sources → Info Sources → Info Cubes

□ D Data Sources → Info Cubes → Info Sources□ E Info Cubes → Data Sources → Info Sources

□ F Info Cubes → Info Sources → Data Sources

2. What are the update modes for InfoPackage?


□ A Delta Update

□ B Initialisation Process□ C Part Update

□ D Full Updates



Answers

1. What is the sequence in which data is extracted from ECC to BI?

Answer: C

The data comes in the Data sources first. Using transfer rules, this is loadedinto Info Sources. Then Transformations are used to transfer this to InfCubes.

2. What are the update modes for InfoPackage?

Answer: A, B, D

You can do a full update or do an initialisation followed by delta updates.


Unit 4Query Development in SAP BI

Unit OverviewQueries in SAP BI: Business Example

• Management wants customized reports as per their requirements. Thusqueries have to be designed accordingly.


• Describe the functions of BEx Query Designer

• Create basic queries in SAP BI

• Understand the enhancements that can be made in the query to get morerefined reports

• Describe the role of the BEx Analyzer

• Use the navigation options in the BEx Analyzer in order to explore thebusiness data.

Unit ContentsLesson: Query Designer . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . 90Lesson: InfoProviders in the BEx Query Designer . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .103

Exercise 4: Defining Queries in SAP BI . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .109Lesson: SAP BI Reporting Tools. . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .122

Exercise 5: SAP BI Reporting Tools . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .129


Unit 4: Query Development in SAP BI SCM150

Lesson: Query Designer

Lesson Overview




Business ExampleYou would like to explore the functionality of the BI reporting tools. The basis forany BI report is the query and so you must learn how to create these.

Figure 43: Role of the BEx Query

Before we look into the detail of query building it is helpful to understand the rolethe query plays in the overall reporting scenarios with SAP BI. The query is a veryimportant object which sits between the source of the data and the final report.The job of the query is to filter the data according to business rules supplied bythe developer and also to supply a set of default presentation settings to the finalreport. The filters within the query can either be simply a proposal (which can bechanged by the user) or fixed filters which cannot be changed.

Having understood the role the query plays let's now take a look at some keyconcepts regarding query usage.


SCM150 Lesson: Query Designer

Figure 44: Examples of Query Usage

A query is always assigned to exactly one InfoProvider, such as an InfoCube orDataStore Object. However a query can be used in multiple reports (either webor Excel based). Think of the query as a generic object who's job is to simplyprovide the extract of data to the reports regardless of the end tool used to actuallypresent the report. If you change the definition of the query then all reports willbe immediately affected. Also a report could include the results from multiplequeries so that a series of data views could be provided within the same reportto the user. For example you could include a different query on each worksheettab within an Excel workbook, or perhaps present a different query result acrossdifferent tabs in a web dashboard.

Figure 45: Blending Logistics Data



Although we stated earlier that the query must be assigned to only oneInfoProvider the InfoProvider could be a MultiProvider. The diagram aboveillustrates the flow of data from the original sources, in this case an InfoCube anda DataStore Object and then you see how the MultiProvider brings together thedata so that the query is able to use all the data.

Now we have covered some of the key concepts regarding query usage we cannow look a how queries are created.

Figure 46: BEx Query Designer: New Query creation

To use the SAP BI reporting functions and evaluate a dataset from an InfoProvideraccording to various characteristics and key figures, a query has to be defined inthe BEx Query Designer. By selecting and combining the InfoObjects in a query,you determine the way in which data from the chosen InfoProvider is evaluated.

Path for calling up the Query Designer: Start→ Programs→ Business Explorer→ Query Designer

Click on the Create button to create a new query. It opens a dialog box to helpchoose an Info Provider to create the query. There are three buttons:

• Find (use search options to locate an InfoProvider)

• History (Your most recently used InfoProviders are listed)

• InfoAreas (A list of all InfoProviders organised by InfoAreas is shown)



Figure 47: BEx Query Designer: Query Toolbar

Let us now have an overview of the BEx Query Designer functions that you cancall from the Query Designer toolbar. The functions are described within thecontext of query definition. Please note, toolbar functions are context sensitivewhich means that certain buttons may be inactive if they are not valid for yourcontext. (i.e. the Save button is inactive until there is something to save!)

• New Query: With this function, you are able to define a new query.

• Open Query: Choose this function if you want to open an existing query.

• Save Query: Using this function, you can save your query.

• Execute: Choose this function if you want to display your query resultsvia the portal.

• Check Query : This function will perform a validity check on your queryand inform you of any errors.

• Properties: Choose this function if you want to change the description of thequery or define the settings for the result position, display options, numericdisplay, zero display and key date of the query.

• Cut: You use this function to remove a query object ready for inserting intoanother section of the query definition.

• Copy: You use this function to identify a query object in preparation for aninsert of the object into another section of the query definition.

• Insert: This function is used to insert either the copied or cut object in querydefinition. Be sure to mark the place where you want the query objectto inserted.

• InfoProvider: This function will open the InfoProvider pane.

• Filter: This function will open the Filter pane.

• Rows/Coumns: This function will open the Rows/Columns pane.



• Table View: You can create a query for tabular reporting (each query elementin a separate column), as well as for Online Analytical Processing (OLAP)reporting, by activating or deactivating the Table View mode in the querydefinition when defining a query. This function is only available for querieswith one structure. You can only have queries with two structures in themulti-dimensional display. They are not suitable for OLAP reporting.

• Cells: This function is only available for queries with two structures. Youcan define formulas and selection conditions for cells explicitly. In this way,you control the values of cells that appear at the intersections of structuralcomponents. This function enables you to access individual cells in queriesor to assign special values to these.

• Conditions: You use this function to define conditions for a query. For eachcharacteristic, you can give limit conditions to the key figure values in orderto determine, for example, all sales revenues above or below a specifiedthreshold value. The chosen characteristics are displayed in the query withrestricted key figures.

• Exceptions: You use this function to define exceptions for a query.Exceptions are deviations from normal key figure values, as defined by you,and are highlighted in color in the query view.

• Query Properties:Choose this function if you want to change the descriptionof the query or define the settings for the result position, display options,numeric display, zero display and key date of the query.

• Tasks: Using this function, you can display the actions which are valid forthe query object you have highlighted.

• Messages: This function opens the messages pane. In the messages panethere is a llist of the outstanding messages relating to the status of the query.These messages may be informational i.e. 'Query is successfully saved' orwarning i.e. 'No filter specified'. Use the Check Query function to display alist of messages in the messages pane relating to the correctness of the query.

• Query Where-Used List: Using this function, you can find out in whichobjects (Workbooks, Web templates) the query is used.

• Technical Name: Using this function, you can show/hide the technicalnames of the query components.



Figure 48: Query Creation (Filter View)

For creating a new query after selecting the relevant InfoProvider, the abovescreen is displayed. This is the basic view of the query designer.

The Query Designer contains many different panes, some panes are only displayedwhen a function button is pressed. However, we will now describe the key panes:

• Directory tree of the selected InfoProvider.

Once you have selected the required InfoProvider, all available objects(dimensions, key figures, structures) display in the directory tree in the left screenarea of the Query Designer. In this example, you can see the directory tree for theInfoProvider InfoCube Customer Cube T_SDDEMO2.

• Characteristic Restrictions

Here you define the characteristic filter values which apply to the entire result set.

• Default Values

In this pane you define the characteristic filter values which should be used forthe initial view of the result set. The user may choose to modify these filtersin the result.

• Properties

Here is where the settings relevant to the currently highlighted query object aredisplayed. You can also make changes to the setting here. Often there will bemultiple tabs used to organize the settings in this pane.

• Messages

This pane is where informational or error messages are displayed.



Figure 49: Query Creation (Row/Columns View)

Free Characteristics.

Put the characteristics which you want to offer to the user for navigation purposesin this pane. These characteristics do not appear in the initial view of the queryresult set, the user must use a navigation control in order to make use of them.You do not define the filter values here.

• Columns

Here is where the query objects (key figures or characteristics) must be placed ifyou want them to appear in the columns of the results set.

• Rows

Here is where the query objects (key figures or characteristics) must be placed ifyou want them to appear in the rows of the results set.

• Preview

This pane gives you an idea of what the layout of the results set will look likewhen you execute the query.

• Where Used

This pane provides information relating to the use of the query object.



To create a query, you can expand or collapse the InfoProvider directories bychoosing the plus or minus symbol. By expanding the key figure node in theInfoProvider tree, for example, you can display a list of all the key figures forthe InfoProvider.

• Use Drag&Drop to transfer the characteristics, key figures, and structuresof the InfoProvider into the various panes within the Query Designer. Youcan also transfer these characteristics using the keyboard and the clipboard.Choose CTRL+C to copy and CTRL+V to paste. You can also includecharacteristic attributes and variables in the query definition in this way.

• You can use the right mouse button to call all of the valid functions thatare in the current context menu. To do this, first select the required querycomponent, then select a menu entry from the context menu.

• By double-clicking on an element in the query designer, you call a dialog boxthat offers the default function for that element. For example, if you double-click on a characteristic, the dialog box for restricting characteristics appears.

• If you click on an element you will notice that the suitable tasks are alsodisplayed in the Task Pane. Simply click on one of the tasks to open upthe dialog box to make the settings.

Figure 50: Creating Queries (1)

To start creating queries, drag the required key figures and dimensions to the rowsand columns box. The queries can be designed the way you like it. Generally, keyfigures are put in the columns and the dimensions in the rows. As seen in the slide,the key figures like Actual GR Quantity, Plan Quantity etc. are put in the columnsbox and the characteristics like Plant, Material put in the rows box. The Previewgive a feel of the way the report would look like.



MRP Controller, Order and Material Type have been defined as freecharacteristics. These characteristics would not be there in the initial report thatwould be generated. The user has the flexibility of inserting it and modifyingthe report after it has been generated.

Figure 51: Creating Queries (2)

Some of the Characteristics can be restricted for the value that it can take uponly defined value for this report. Example, the Plants for which the reportcan be generated has been restricted to only 4. This definition is done in theCharacteristics Restriction box.

The Default Values have been defined for some of the other characteristics, whichwill be the values for which the report will be generated first. Then the report canbe modified by the user as per his requirement.

Now, the query can be checked for its correctness using the Check Query buttonon the toolbar.

Once you have defined a query, choose Save Query or Save As to save the query. Ifyou have not yet saved the query, you must enter a query description and a uniquetechnical name. You can also choose where you want to save the query (in yourroles or in your favorites folder). You can use Save Query As... to save existingqueries under a different name. You will notice a default description and technicalname are proposed, these are made up of REP_ followed by the date and time.Simply overwrite these if you prefer to use your own names.

You are able to save a query even though it may contains errors. This means youcan return to the query at a later time and correct the errors.

Once you have saved the query, you can execute the report from the BEx Analyzerin order to see the required function.



Figure 52: Finding a Query

In order to find a query for which you already know a part of the descriptionor other information, choose Find . In the Search for Queries dialog box, enterthe technical name or description of the query. If necessary, you can restrict thesearch to additional criteria. Choose Find.

If you are in the BEx Analyzer and have called the search function from theChoose Query dialog box, the query result displays as an Analyzer report.

If you are using the search function from the Query Designer, the query definitiondisplays.

Figure 53: Filter Values and Query Properties

Filtering Data



It is often necessary to restrict the characteristics to specific values in yourreports. For example, you are interested only in the results of a specific salesteam but the InfoProvider on which the query is assigned contains sales resultsfor all sales teams, you can restrict the query by defining a filter on the requiredcharacteristic. The result will be that your report will only show the results forthe required sales team.

The filters are defined under the tab Filter. Be sure to select this tab beforeattempting to define any filters. Once you are displaying the Filters tab you candefine the filters in either theCharacteristic Restrictions pane or the DefaultValues pane.

Filters set in the Characteristic Restrictions pane are always applied to the queryresult and cannot be modified by the user in the result. These are often regarded asglobal or static filters.

Filters set in the Default Values pane are applied immediately once the query isexecuted. However, the user is able to navigate freely within these filters. Theuser cannot add additional filters to the default values i.e. the filters in the querydefinition set out the maximum range of the result data a user can display, thismay produce more data than the user requires so the user simply navigates to areduced result set by modifying the filters in the report.

There are two basic ways to restrict a characteristic in the query definition:

• By selecting a characteristic value from the InfoProvider tree (on theleft side of the query designer). Simply open the tree to display therequired characteristic within the appropriate dimension and then open thecharacteristic node to reveal the sub folders, one will be called CharacteristicValues. Open this folder to display the values and then drag and dropthese to the required pane. You don't need to have previously draggedthe characteristic into the pane beforehand, the act of dragging the firstcharacteristic value will also drag the characteristic into the pane.

• You can also restrict a characteristic you have already included in the querydefinition by calling the context menu for the characteristic and choosingRestrict. You could also highlight the characteristic and then display theTasks tab to show the suitable tasks, one of them will be Restrict. And finallya double-click on the characteristic would also open the default task whichfor a characteristic in the filter view would be Restrict.

Query Properties



There are a number of settings which you can make which will affect thepresentation and/or the behavior of the query, these are called query properties.Query properties are accessed via the right most pane of the query designer. Thequery properties are organized as:

• General Tab

– Description

– Technical Name

– Info Provider

– Key Date: If time dependant master data is used in the query (attributes,hierarchies, text) this date (which can be fixed or supplied by a variable)is used to select the correct master data. The checkbox Use standarddate is used to tell the query to use the current date at query run-time.

• Variable Sequence Tab: You can change the sequence of the variables toensure they are presented to the user in a logical order.

• Display Tab: Allows change in the display settings

• Rows / Columns Tab: Allows changes in the display of rows and columns

• Value Display Tab: Controls display of +/- signs and zeros

• Planning Tab: The setting here determines whether the query is started indisplay or change (planning) mode. Planning mode allows the results cellsto be changed.



Lesson Summary





SCM150 Lesson: InfoProviders in the BEx Query Designer

Lesson: InfoProviders in the BEx Query Designer

Lesson Overview



Business ExampleYou have to design different types of reports in BI as per the needs of the user.Hence the queries have to be fine tuned to incorporate all these features so thatthe report is generated to fulfill the customer needs.

Figure 54: Exceptions

Exceptions: The function defines deviations of key figure values in a query. Youcan see deviations from predefined threshold values or intervals in the query resultdisplayed in different colors if the exception is active. Early spotting of thesedeviations provides the basis for timely and effective reactions.



Figure 55: Creating Exceptions

Step1: You create an exception in the Query Designer by choosing the Exceptionicon from the Query Designer toolbar to open the Exception window. Right-clickanywhere in the window and choose New Exception to create the new exceptionobject. It will be displayed in the Exception window. Right-click on this exceptionobject and choose Edit to begin creating the exception definition.

Step2: On the General tab, you can set the default status, description, and one ormore exception values. The default status is set using the Exception is Activecheckbox. If the checkbox is selected, the exception is applied as soon as youexecute the query. If you do not set the active flag, you can activate the exceptionBEx Analyzer; from the BEx toolbar, choose Insert List of Exceptions. There youhave the option of activating or deactivating the exception from there. You can useexceptions to evaluate one or all key figures in your query definition. If you wantto use exceptions selectively on specific key figures in your query definition, youhave to define an exception for each key figure accordingly.

Exception Values: On the Exception Values section of the General tab page, youenter your values by first choosing New. An alert level row is activated at thebottom of the screen consisting of the fields Alert Level, Operator, and one ormore Value fields, depending on the operator chosen. Choose Transfer to add yourentries to the list of exception values. You can set the alert levels to the colors red(Bad 1, 2 and 3), yellow (Critical 1, 2 and 3), and green (Good 1, 2 and 3), eachin three shades, as required.



Figure 56: Conditions

By defining a condition, you have the option of analyzing the query results in moredetail. You can analyze combinations of characteristics using ranked lists, therebydisplaying your ten best customers by sales revenue, for example. By definingvalue limits, you can display all key figure values above or below a certain value.The data is restricted accordingly in the results area of the query so that you onlysee the area that interests you. You can define multiple conditions for a query, andthen activate or deactivate them in the report itself to create different views of thedata. You can make restrictions in the Query Designer using the toolbar buttonCondition. As a prerequisite, you have to have created a query definition forwhich one or more conditions can be defined.

Within the conditions pane that appears right-click and choose the menu optionNew Condition. A new condition is created with a temporary name. You mustdouble-click on this new object (or select it first, then use the menu option Edit) todefine the settings for the condition.

The General tab appear first. Here enter a Description and set the condition toActive. If the condition has the status Active, the condition is used in the report assoon as you execute the query. If you do not set the active flag, the condition canbe activated in the report itself.

In Define Condition Parameters, choose New to select a Key Figure for whicha condition is to be used. In the second field, you can see the operators forspecifying value definitions. You choose Transfer to add your entries to the list ofconditions and choose New to define more conditions. Save your conditions bychoosing OK; you can then display your report in the BEx Analyzer.



On the characteristic assignments tab you define how the condition will work inconjunction with the characteristics in your query. If the query contains manydrill-down characteristics, it is very easy for the condition to be out of context andproduce invalid results. You can choose between the following options:

• All characteristics in the drill-down independently: The condition is alwaysvalid for all characteristic combinations.

• Most detailed characteristic along the rows: The condition will be applied tothe most detailed characteristic along the rows.

• Most detailed characteristic along the columns: The condition will be appliedto the most detailed characteristic along the columns.

• Individual Characteristic and Characteristic combinations: For this setting,you define precisely which characteristics must be in the drilldown beforethe condition is valid. Check the boxes to include them.

Figure 57: Restricted and Calculated Key Figures

Restricted key figures are (basic) key figures of the InfoProvider that are restricted(filtered) by one or more characteristic selections. The key figure that is restrictedby one or more characteristic selections can be a basic key figure, a calculated keyfigure, or a key figure that is already restricted. By using restricted key figures,you can focus the query result on certain values. Unlike a filter, whose restrictionsare valid for the entire query, for a restricted key figure, only the key figure inquestion is restricted to its allocated characteristic value or characteristic valueinterval. Scenarios such as comparing a particular key figure for various timesegments, or plan/actual comparison for a key figure if the plan data is storedusing a particular characteristic can be realized using restricted key figures.



Calculated key figures: In the Query Designer, you can use a formula to calculatekey figures that are not in the InfoProvider by using basic key figures, restrictedkey figures and existing calculated key figures in the formula definition. Thedefinition can happen either at the InfoProvider level or the Query level.





Exercise 4: Defining Queries in SAP BI


• Use the BEx Query Designer to create your own basic queries

• Change existing queries

Business ExampleYour organisation is implementing all SAP ECC logistics modules as well as BIfor logistics reporting. But after analysing the standard BI Content provided bySAP, the management finds that they do not exactly match the company reportingrequirements. Thus you have been entrusted with the job of creating the queries inBI as per organisation requirements.

You will choose only one of the following tasks. Each task is the same, theonly difference is the source of data used, you can choose any of the three tasksaccording to your preference and logistics background.

Task 1: Production Order ScenarioYou will create a new query in order to extract data from the Production OrdersInfoCube.

1. Create a new query using the InfoCube Status Manufacturing Orders(0PP_C10). This path for accessing this InfoCube is InfoAreas→ SupplyChain Management(0SCM)→ Production Planning and Control(0PP)→Production/Process Orders(0PPSFCPI)→ Status Manufacturing Orders(0PP_C10).

2. Use the three key figures No. Manufact Orders and Plan Quantity andActual GR Quantity in the columns

3. Use the Characteristics Plant and Material in the rows.

4. Save the Query in the favourites folder using the name:

Description: SCM150-## Production Orders Query

Technical Name: SCM150_##_PP

Execute the query on the web and check results. Leave the Query Designerready for the next task.




Task 2:Now, you should reopen the query definition and make some changes to it.

1. Find the query you had created SCM150-## Production Orders Queryfrom the History. Put the characteristics Material Group and Base Unit inFree Characteristics.

2. Filter the data with a characteristic restriction based on calendar month toselect data from the last 5 years.

3. Put Plant in Characteristic Restriction pane and select a variable to allowthe filter to be selected by the user at runtime.

4. Replace Base Unit with Order in the Free Characteristics.

5. Define a Restricted Key Figure Plan Quantity(0PLANORDQTY) atQuery Level. Restrict this using the characteristic Calendar Year/Month(0CALMONTH) from the last 12 months.

6. Save the query then execute it on the web to check the results and finallyclose the BEx Query Designer completely.

Task 3: Purchasing ScenarioYou will create a new query to extract data from the purchasing InfoCube.

1. Create a new query using the InfoCube Purchasing Data (0PUR_C01).This path for accessing this InfoCube is InfoAreas → Supply ChainManagement(0SCM)→ Purchasing→ Purchasing Data (0PUR_C01).

2. Use the three key figures No. of PO Items and Purchase Order Valueand PO Quantity in the columns



Description: SCM150-## Purchase Orders Query

Technical Name: SCM150_##_PO


Task 4:Now, you should reopen the purchase orders query definition and make somechanges to it.

1. Find the query you had created SCM150-## Purchase Orders Query fromthe History. Put the characteristics Vendor and Purchasing Organisation inFree Characteristics.






4. Define a Restricted Key Figure PO quantity Query Level. Restrict thisusing the characteristic Calendar Year/Month (0CALMONTH) from thelast 12 months.


Task 5: Sales ScenarioYou will create a new query to extract data from the Sales InfoCube.

1. Create a new query using the InfoCube Customer Cube (T_SDDEMO2).This path for accessing this InfoCube is InfoAreas→ BW Training→ BWCustomer Training→ BW305 Reporting→ Customer Cube T_SDDEMO2..


3. Use the characteristics Division and Material in the rows.


Description: SCM150-## Sales Orders Query

Technical Name: SCM150_##_SO


Task 6:Now, you should reopen the sales orders query definition and make some changesto it.

1. Find the query you had created SCM150-## Sales Orders Query fromthe History. Put the characteristics Customer and Sales Organisation inFree Characteristics.


3. Put Sales Organisation in Characteristic Restriction pane and select avariable to allow the filter to be selected by the user at runtime.

4. Define a Restricted Key Figure Order Entry Quantity. Restrict this usingthe characteristic Calendar Year/Month (0CALMONTH) from the last12 months.







Solution 4: Defining Queries in SAP BI

Task 1: Production Order ScenarioYou will create a new query in order to extract data from the Production OrdersInfoCube.

1. Create a new query using the InfoCube Status Manufacturing Orders(0PP_C10). This path for accessing this InfoCube is InfoAreas→ SupplyChain Management(0SCM)→ Production Planning and Control(0PP)→Production/Process Orders(0PPSFCPI)→ Status Manufacturing Orders(0PP_C10).

a) Open the BEx Query Designer using the following path Start→Programs→ Business Explorer→ Query Designer.

In the system selection dialog select the appropriate SAP server andlog in.

Click on the New Query button and then select the InfoCube usingthe following path: InfoAreas→ Supply Chain Management(0SCM)→ Production Planning and Control(0PP)→ Production/ProcessOrders(0PPSFCPI)→ Status Manufacturing Orders (0PP_C10). Clickon Open to begin defining the query.

2. Use the three key figures No. Manufact Orders and Plan Quantity andActual GR Quantity in the columns

a) Click on the Rows/Columns tab.

From the Key Figures list on the left, select the following three keyfigures: No. Manufact. Orders, Plan Quantity and Actual GRQuantity., and Drag these three key figures into the ‘Columns’ section.


a) From the Dimensions list on the left, select the Material/Plantdimension, select Material first then Plant and drag these into theRows’ section.








a) To save the query, choose the toolbar button Save Query. In the dialogbox, save the query in the Favourites folder and use the followingdescription and technical name:



Choose Save and then use the menu path Query→ Execute to launchthe query on the web. Finally exit the Query Designer completely byusing the path Query→ End and Discard Changes..

Task 2:Now, you should reopen the query definition and make some changes to it.

1. Find the query you had created SCM150-## Production Orders Queryfrom the History. Put the characteristics Material Group and Base Unit inFree Characteristics.


In the system selection dialog select the appropriate SAP server andlog in again.

Click on the Open Query button and then select the query that you hadjust created from the History folder.

Click on the Rows/Columns tab to activate it.

From the dimensions list, select Material Group from theMaterial/Plant dimension and Base Unit from the Unit dimension anddrag it to the Free Characteristics pane.


a) Go to the Time Dimension on the left, and select Calendar Year/Month(0CALMONTH). Drag it on to the Characteristic Restrictions pane.

Right click on Calendar Year/Month and choose Restrict.

From the drop down list select the entry Value Range. Adjacent to thefirst date entry field select the icon Select From List and enter the rangeof months for the last 5 years in the format MM.YYYY in both fields.Then click on the arrow to take the selection to the right. It will nowappear in the Selection box. Click on OK.





a) From the Material/Plant dimension select Plant and drag it on to theCharacteristic Restrictions pane.

Right click on Plant and choose Restrict.

In the Show dropdown on top, select Variables. In the box below, selectPlant (Selection Options, Optional). Then click on the arrow to takeit to the right. It will now come into the Selection pane. Click on OK.

4. Replace Base Unit with Order in the Free Characteristics.

a) Select Base unit from the Free characteristics pane and drag it back tothe Dimensions pane on the left.

Now from the Order/Item dimension, select the characteristic Order(0PRODORDER) and drag it to the right and place in the FreeCharacteristics box.

5. Define a Restricted Key Figure Plan Quantity(0PLANORDQTY) atQuery Level. Restrict this using the characteristic Calendar Year/Month(0CALMONTH) from the last 12 months.

a) Goto the Rows/Columns tab.

In the columns pane, select Plan Quantity(0PLANORDQTY) andright click. Select the menu option Edit.

From the Time Dimension on the left select Calendar Year/Month(0CALMONTH). Drag it on to the Details of the Selection pane. Rightclick on Calendar Year/Month (0CALMONTH)and choose Restrict.

Select Value Range and put in the two values. Then click on the arrowto take it to the right. It will now come into the Selection box. Clickon OK.


a) Click the Save button then use the menu path Query→ Execute andfinally leave the Query Designer using the menu path Query→ Endand Discard Changes to close the Query Designer




Task 3: Purchasing ScenarioYou will create a new query to extract data from the purchasing InfoCube.

1. Create a new query using the InfoCube Purchasing Data (0PUR_C01).This path for accessing this InfoCube is InfoAreas → Supply ChainManagement(0SCM)→ Purchasing→ Purchasing Data (0PUR_C01).



Click on the New Query button and then select the InfoCube using thefollowing path:InfoAreas→ Supply Chain Management(0SCM)→Purchasing→ Purchasing Data (0PUR_C01) Click on the buttonOpen to begin creating the query



From the Key Figures list on the left, select the following threekey figures: No. of PO Items and Purchase Order Value and POQuantity and Drag these three key figures into the Columns section.


a) From the Dimensions list on the left, select the Material Numberdimension, select Material and from the dimension Plant select Plantand drag these into the Rows’ section.












Task 4:Now, you should reopen the purchase orders query definition and make somechanges to it.

1. Find the query you had created SCM150-## Purchase Orders Query fromthe History. Put the characteristics Vendor and Purchasing Organisation inFree Characteristics.





From the dimensions list, select Vendor from the Vendor Numberdimension and Purchasing Organisation from the PurchasingOrganisation dimension and drag it to the Free Characteristics pane.




From the drop down list select the entry Value Range. Adjacent to thefirst date entry field select the icon Select From List and enter the rangeof months for the last 5 years in the format MM.YYYY in both fields.Then click on the arrow to take the selection to the right. It will nowappear in the Selection box. Click on OK.


a) From the Plant dimension select Plant and drag it on to theCharacteristic Restrictions pane.

Right click on Plant and choose Restrict.

In the Show dropdown on top, select Variables. In the box below, selectPlant (Selection Options, Optional). Then click on the arrow to takeit to the right. It will now come into the Selection pane. Click on OK.




4. Define a Restricted Key Figure PO quantity Query Level. Restrict thisusing the characteristic Calendar Year/Month (0CALMONTH) from thelast 12 months.


In the columns pane, select PO quantity and right click. Select themenu option Edit.





Task 5: Sales ScenarioYou will create a new query to extract data from the Sales InfoCube.

1. Create a new query using the InfoCube Customer Cube (T_SDDEMO2).This path for accessing this InfoCube is InfoAreas→ BW Training→ BWCustomer Training→ BW305 Reporting→ Customer Cube T_SDDEMO2..



Click on the New Query button and then select the InfoCube using thefollowing path:InfoAreas→ BW Training→ BW Customer Training→ BW305 Reporting→ Customer Cube T_SDDEMO2. Click on thebutton Open to begin creating the query



From the Key Figures list on the left, select the following three keyfigures: Sales Order Item and Incoming Orders and Order EntryQuantity and drag these three key figures into the Columns section.




3. Use the characteristics Division and Material in the rows.

a) From the Dimensions list on the left, select the Material dimension,select Material and from the dimension Sales Area Data selectDivision and drag these into the Rows’ section.









Task 6:Now, you should reopen the sales orders query definition and make some changesto it.

1. Find the query you had created SCM150-## Sales Orders Query fromthe History. Put the characteristics Customer and Sales Organisation inFree Characteristics.





From the dimensions list, select Sold to party from the Customerdimension and Sales Organisation from the Sales Area Datadimension and drag it to the Free Characteristics pane.







From the drop down list select the entry Value Range. Adjacent to thefirst date entry field select the icon Select From List and enter the rangeof months for the last 5 years in the format MM.YYYY in both fields.Then click on the arrow to take the selection to the right. It will nowappear in the Selectionbox. Click on OK.

3. Put Sales Organisation in Characteristic Restriction pane and select avariable to allow the filter to be selected by the user at runtime.

a) From the Sales Area Data dimension select Sales Organisation anddrag it on to the Characteristic Restrictions pane.

Right click on Sales Organisaiton and choose Restrict.

In the Show dropdown on top, select Variables. In the box below, selectSales Organisation. Then click on the arrow to take it to the right. Itwill now come into the Selection pane. Click on OK.

4. Define a Restricted Key Figure Order Entry Quantity. Restrict this usingthe characteristic Calendar Year/Month (0CALMONTH) from the last12 months.


In the columns pane, select Order Entry Quantity and right click.Select the menu option Edit.







Lesson Summary





Lesson: SAP BI Reporting Tools

Lesson Overview




Business ExampleThe logistics data has now been loaded into SAP BI and the queries have beencreated in order to extract the data to the front end reporting tools. You will usethe BEx Analyzer to display this data and you will also discover the navigationpossibilities available in that tool.

Figure 58: BEx Analyzer

BEx Analyzer is an analytical, reporting, and design tool embedded in MicrosoftExcel to easily access InfoProvider data, Queries, Query Views, and workbooksand to analyze the data by navigating interactively. They can configure globalsettings and specific settings for workbooks, create new workbooks and triggerthe distribution of them. In order to define new query definitions they also canlaunch the BEx Query Designer.

When you first launch the BEx Analyzer two toolboxes appear. The analysistoolbox contains all the functions used when the user is working with the queryresults in the workbook. The design toolbox contain the functions used whendeveloping the workbook. In this lesson we will concentrate only on the analysispart.


SCM150 Lesson: SAP BI Reporting Tools

Figure 59: Global Settings and System Info

Global Settings

The global settings allow you to define the environment in which all workbookswill be processed. The settings are organized via tabs as follows:

Behavior

• Display System Name in Local History: Sometimes it is helpful to identifythe source of the report (and therefore the data) before opening.

• Log On with Attached GUI: If the user is already logged on to the SAPBI, this setting means that the same user id will be used to launch the BExAnalyzer. If you prefer to enter the logon details each time the Analyzer islaunched then do not check this box.

• Launch Legacy Version from RRMX: RRMX is the transaction code used tolaunch the BEx Analyzer from the SAP GUI. The BEx is supplied with aBW 3.x version of the tools as well as the current Netweaver BI 7.0 version.You can choose to launch the older BW 3.x version of the BEx Analyzerfrom RRMX by checking this box.

• Launch Analyzer whenever Excel starts: You can choose to launch the BExAnalyzer functions whenever you start Excel.

Connect and System Information

Some key system information including how you are currently logged on thenpress the System Information button in the analysis toolbox. Here you also have anopportunity to log off and log on again.



Figure 60: Opening Queries

Click on the Open Query button. In the dialog box that opens, there are a numberof ways to search for the queries.

• Find: Use this option to supply partial information which will help trackdown a workbook

• History: This option will display the last 15 workbooks you have workedwith.

• Favorites: This option will display any workbook which you have added toyour favorites. If you spot a workbook which you know you want to workwith frequently you can use the 'Add to Favorites' option so it will appearunder this button thereafter.

• Roles: A user may be assigned to one or more roles by the systemadministrator. The workbooks may be stored against roles. If the userpresses this button they will see the roles to which they have been assignedand against these roles the assigned workbooks will appear.

• InfoAreas: A query is assigned to an InfoProvider such as an Infocube orInfoset. All InfoProviders are organized into InfoAreas. So if you knowwhich InfoProvider your query has been assigned to it may be easier tolocate the query by drilling down to the InfoProvider via the InfoAreas.



Figure 61: Search for Queries

The Find button gives a number of choices to help you drill down to the specificquery that you are looking for. You can search using the Description, TechnicalName or both.

Figure 62: Displaying the Data

The data is displayed by the BEx Analyser. The report title is shown at the topfollowed by the author name and other details.

There are 3 buttons: Chart, Filter and Information. Using Chart, you can displaythe result as charts instead of a table. Filter shows the free characteristics definedin the query that can be added to the report or deleted as per user requirement.Information details are shown in the slide.



Figure 63: Filters in Report

Right-click on a characteristic in the navigation block to filter, drill-down or acrossor to remove it from the data table.

You can also Select Filter Value. This opens up the dialog box shown on theright from which values can be selected

Figure 64: Drilling Down in Report



In order to drill down in the report:

• Double click on the characteristic in Filter area OR

• In the data table Right click and select Filter and drilldown. Select thecharacteristic. The Table shows the display according to the selectedcharacteristic Component

Figure 65: Query Properties

To have a look at the Query properties, right click on any of the characteristicsdata and select Query Properties from the list. You can edit these data as peryour requirement.



Figure 66: Saving Query Workbooks

Once the query has run, you may save your workbook as an excel file anywhereon your computer or network. You can e-mail links to this file to others and useit outside the BW connection.

To refresh the data later, start Bex, open the excel file, and click on the refreshbutton. It will remember the filters and report layout you last used.



Exercise 5: SAP BI Reporting Tools


• Execute a query and use the navigation options in the BEx Analyzer

Business ExampleYou would like to execute your queries in the BI system and navigate through theresults. Although there are a number of tools within the Business Explorer (BEx)for our example we will use the BEx Analyzer.

Task 1:Create a new report using the query created in the previous exercise using theInfoCube Status Manufacturing Orders (0PP_C10). Search for this query in theHistory folder. Query Name: SCM150-## Query 1

1. Open the BEx Analyzer. Search for the query in the History folder. QueryName: SCM150 ## PP.

2. Create a Variant with Plant as 1000. Name the Variant as SCM150-##Variant 1 and execute the query to get the result to appear.

3. Save this workbook in the Favourites folder with the description:SCM150-## PP Report.

Task 2:Now use the navigation features of BI reporting to slice and dice the report.

1. Drag the Characteristics Order from the Filter table and drop it next to theMaterial to show the order details of the materials.

2. Remove the Material characteristic. Then exchange Order characteristicwith Material again.

3. Drag the Plan Quantity key figure out of the report to the Filter Table. Thentake it back to the initial format of display.

4. Add a local formula “Difference” for the Key Figures which is the differencebetween the Plan Quantity and the Actual GR Quantity.

5. Take a look at the Local Query Properties for this particular report.

6. Material is in the Drill Down format. Change it to Drill Across and check theresults. Then change it back to Drill Down format.

7. Sort the Material by the Text.




8. Drag Material Group into the report and use it to replace Material. Thendrag it back and place Material back in the report.

Task 3:Now open the purchasing query using the following path after openingthe Bex Analyzer. InfoAreas → Supply Chain Management (0SCM)→ Purchasing (0MMPUR) → Purchasing Data (0PUR_C01) → OrderValues(TB_PUR_C01_Q0015)

Use the Open Query option, and follow the path mentioned above and leave thevariables blank, press OK to see results.

1. Filter the Vendor by using value 1000.

2. Save this workbook in the Favorites Folder: Description: SCM150-## MMReport.

3. Repeat using the navigation options as used in the previous report to sliceand dice the data.

Task 4:Now try to open SD related query using the following path after opening the BexAnalyzer. InfoAreas→ Customer Relationship Management (0CRM)→ ERPAnalytics (0ECC_CRM)→ Sales and Distribution Analyses- SAP R/3 SD (0SD)→ Sales Overview(0SD_C03)→ Incoming Orders (0SD_C03_Q004)→ IncomingOrders (0SD_C03_Q004) and open it.

Use the “Open Query” option, and follow the path mentioned above.

1. Create a Variant with Sales Organisation as 1000, Distribution Channel 10and Division 00. Name the Variant as SCM150-## SD variant and executethe query to get the report.

2. Filter the Sold to Party by using value 1250.

3. Save this workbook in the Favourites Folder with the Description:SCM150-## SD Report.




Solution 5: SAP BI Reporting Tools

Task 1:Create a new report using the query created in the previous exercise using theInfoCube Status Manufacturing Orders (0PP_C10). Search for this query in theHistory folder. Query Name: SCM150-## Query 1

1. Open the BEx Analyzer. Search for the query in the History folder. QueryName: SCM150 ## PP.

a) Open the BEx Analyzer using the following path Start→ Programs→Business Explorer→ Analyzer .

Click on Open Query and the Login Pad will pop up. Log in to therequired system.

Select query “SCM150 ## PP” in the History folder and open it.

2. Create a Variant with Plant as 1000. Name the Variant as SCM150-##Variant 1 and execute the query to get the result to appear.

a) Enter 1000 as the Plant and click on the save variant button. Thesystem asks for a name.

Enter “SCM150-## Variant 1” and click on OK.

Now Click on OK in the “Select Variables” screen to run the query.

3. Save this workbook in the Favourites folder with the description:SCM150-## PP Report.

a) Once the report is generated you can save it as a Workbook. Click onthe Save Workbook button and enter the description as “SCM150-##PP Report”.

Task 2:Now use the navigation features of BI reporting to slice and dice the report.

1. Drag the Characteristics Order from the Filter table and drop it next to theMaterial to show the order details of the materials.

a) Click on the Filter button. A table opens up that shows the key figuresand the characteristics that can be used as filters.

Drag the characteristic Order and drop it next to the Material in theresult area.




2. Remove the Material characteristic. Then exchange Order characteristicwith Material again.

a) Click on the Material header in the report and drag it outside the resultarea to remove it.

Now click on the Order header in the report and use the menu optionExchange Order with and choose Material.

3. Drag the Plan Quantity key figure out of the report to the Filter Table. Thentake it back to the initial format of display.

a) Click on the Plan Quantity header in the report and drag it and bring itto the Filter table and drop it. It goes out of the report.

In the Filter table, right click on Key Figures and select back to bringback Plan Quantity to the report.

4. Add a local formula “Difference” for the Key Figures which is the differencebetween the Plan Quantity and the Actual GR Quantity.

a) Right click on Key Figures in the Filter Table and select Local Formula.Enter the Description as Difference.

From the Key Figures, click on “Plan Quantity”. Then click on thesubtract symbol and then on “Actual GR Quantity”.Then click on OK.

The Difference column is added on the rightmost column of the reportwhich shows the difference in quantities.

5. Take a look at the Local Query Properties for this particular report.

a) Right click on any of the characteristics that are there in the Filter tableand select “Query Properties”. You can change the presentation of thereport by changing the options available there.

6. Material is in the Drill Down format. Change it to Drill Across and check theresults. Then change it back to Drill Down format.

a) In the Filter table, right click on Materials and select “Drill MaterialAcross”. The orientation of the report changes.

To bring it back to the original form, right click on the Materials in theFilter Table and select “Drill Material Down”.

7. Sort the Material by the Text.

a) In the Filter table, right click on Materials and select Sort Material→ ‘Sort Ascending by Text. The orientation of the report changesaccordingly.




8. Drag Material Group into the report and use it to replace Material. Thendrag it back and place Material back in the report.

a) Click on “Material Group” in the Filter Table, and drag it to the reportand place it on top of the Material column header. Materials is replacedby Material Group details in the report.

To bring it back to original format, click on “Material” in the FilterTable, and drag it to the report and place it on top of the Material Groupcolumn header. Material Group is replaced by Materials details inthe report.

Task 3:Now open the purchasing query using the following path after openingthe Bex Analyzer. InfoAreas → Supply Chain Management (0SCM)→ Purchasing (0MMPUR) → Purchasing Data (0PUR_C01) → OrderValues(TB_PUR_C01_Q0015)

Use the Open Query option, and follow the path mentioned above and leave thevariables blank, press OK to see results.

1. Filter the Vendor by using value 1000.

a) In the report, right click on Vendor and then Select Filter Value. In thedialog box that pops up, select the Vendor “1000”.

2. Save this workbook in the Favorites Folder: Description: SCM150-## MMReport.

a) You can save it as a Workbook. Click on the “Save Workbook” buttonand enter the description as “SCM150-## MM Report”.


a) Now you can further filter the data as per the Material and do thenavigations in the report as done in the previous exercise.




Task 4:Now try to open SD related query using the following path after opening the BexAnalyzer. InfoAreas→ Customer Relationship Management (0CRM)→ ERPAnalytics (0ECC_CRM)→ Sales and Distribution Analyses- SAP R/3 SD (0SD)→ Sales Overview(0SD_C03)→ Incoming Orders (0SD_C03_Q004)→ IncomingOrders (0SD_C03_Q004) and open it.

Use the “Open Query” option, and follow the path mentioned above.

1. Create a Variant with Sales Organisation as 1000, Distribution Channel 10and Division 00. Name the Variant as SCM150-## SD variant and executethe query to get the report.

a) Enter 1000 as the Sales Organisation, Distribution Channel 10 andDivision 00 and click on the save button. The system asks for a name.Enter SCM150-## SD Variant and click on OK.

Now Click on OK in the “Select Variables” screen to run the query.

2. Filter the Sold to Party by using value 1250.

a) In the report, right click on Sold to Party and then Select Filter Value.In the dialog box that pops up, select the value1250.

3. Save this workbook in the Favourites Folder with the Description:SCM150-## SD Report.

a) You can save it as a Workbook. Click on the “Save Workbook” buttonand enter the description as SCM150-## SD Report.


a) Now you can further view the report as per Material(from the FilterTable) and do the navigations in the report as done in the previousexercise.



Lesson Summary





Unit Summary SCM150








Unit 5Business Content in SAP BI

Unit OverviewBusiness Content of SAP BI: Business Example

• Instead of doing the whole report generation work from scratch, you wouldwant to have a look at some readily delivered content by SAP which mightsatisfy your business requirement to quite an extent.


• Identify SAP delivered role-based and industry-based BI content

• Find SAP delivered content through the meta data repository in SAP BI

Unit ContentsLesson: Metadata Repository and BI content. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .138


Unit 5: Business Content in SAP BI SCM150

Lesson: Metadata Repository and BI content

Lesson OverviewThis lesson covers SAP delivered Business Content, how to discover it and alsohow to implement it.




Business ExampleYou are aware that SAP have developed a significant number of businessperformance reports relating to logistics functions and that these reports aredelivered as Business Content within BI. You are sure that many of these reportscould accelerate your implementation of BI and so you would like to learn moreabout these reports and also what you need to do in order to make these deliveredreports available to business users.

Business Content

Figure 67: Industry Specific Content

SAP provides industry-based content in order to support industry-specificfunctionality delivered by SAP's industry-targeted OLTP products. One exampleof this is SAP Retail and SAPs Oil and Gas applications.

BI has, as of this writing, varied amounts of BI Content for industries. Pleasespeak to your SAP account representative for the complete, up-to-date picture.


SCM150 Lesson: Metadata Repository and BI content

Figure 68: Business Content Organized by Roles

So that you are able to easily identify the relevant reports for each of your logisticsteam members, SAP have organized significant amounts of Business Content byrole. This ensures that you are able to see all the content SAP have intended fora particular person, many of these report titles will sound familiar, many will benew. Activation of the business content can also be carried out by role.

Caution: Be careful when activating business content by role as this couldcause a large number of dependant BI objects to be activated. The object'role' is at the very top of the 'object dependency hierarchy' and there aresignificant numbers of dependant objects beneath some roles. Make sureyou have studied the dependent object thoroughly before proceeding.



Figure 69: Business Content Objects

Business Content contains all objects that enable you to structure your reportingquickly, from data extraction from SAP source systems, to roles that supplyemployees in a company with information they need to complete their work.These objects include:

• Roles

• Queries and workbooks (BI reports and particular views of them)

• InfoProviders that the reports are based on

• InfoObjects that provide the characteristics and key figures used in reports

• Update rules and extractors for SAP business applications, and other selectedapplications

All necessary BI content can be activated at the same time. Then the relevant datafrom SAP source systems can be loaded into the BI system and analyzed usingBI queries. Use can use the BI content without adjustment, change the deliveredcontent and maintain versions or copy the BI content to use it as template.

Roles

• The objects are grouped together into roles for optimum use. A rolecorresponds to a specific function in a company, for example, purchasingmanager. A role is linked to particular tasks, areas of responsibility, andthe information requirements that result from them. There are roles for thedifferent areas within your company. Targeted reports and applicationsare available for these roles, according to what employees assigned to thevarious roles need to do their job.



Industries

• In the case of many industries, for example, Retail, Pharmaceuticals,Banking, and so on, roles and the objects that belong to them in BusinessContent are delivered to meet the needs of the individual areas.

SAP DemoContent

• You can also use SAP DemoContent with delivered examples. The data isstored as flat files during installation on the BI server. This allows demoscenarios from the Purchasing, Sales and Distribution, Financial Analysis,Profitability Analysis, Mobile Applications, AC Nielsen, and SEM to beactivated and displayed.

Figure 70: Metadata Repository

Metadata Repository

Metadata means data about data. Metadata is the descriptive technicalinformation about the objects used to build your application, in this case, a BIsystem. Metadata about a InfoCube would include the names of the InfoObjectsand dimension tables used in the InfoCube, as well as the date it was designedand the last person who changed the design. It would not include a record in theInfoCube, as that is data, not metadata. Another example would be data about anInfoObject; this metadata would include the field length, who created it. Andwhen it was created. It would also include every other bit of information on thescreens used to create the InfoObject.



Each object has its own metadata table to store the technical information aboutthat object. There are metadata tables to store information about InfoCubes,InfoObjects, DataStore objects, and everything else. When all the metadata tablesare collected in a group, we get a Metadata Repository. To look at the objectsand the relationship between them, we have a Metadata Repository browser tool.

The metadata repository can be found in the Data Warehousing Workbench ofthe BI system. It contains definitions of all active objects delivered in BusinessContent, as well as their links to other objects. The metadata repository isparticularly suited to comparing your reporting requirements with objects andinformation available in Business Content, and to identifying objects that fully orpartially meet your requirements. You can find the following information on allobjects in your BI system in the metadata repository:

• Technical data

Technical name, object version, content release, and description

• Graphical display

For example, the data flow and star schema (the latter available only for InfoCubes)

• Additional objects

For example, required objects, objects to which data is forwarded, and objectsthat supply data

Figure 71: Top Down Approach

The main approach during the BI Content check should be a top-down approach.First try to find a BI key figure that matches the KPI you would like to implement.Bear in mind the key figure could be in the form of a calculated key figure.You will then find the corresponding BI objects that are used to supply data tothe chosen key figure (e.g. which InfoCube contains the key figure?, whichDataSource supplies the source fields to the key figure?, are there any calculationsinvolved?). Once you have identified the entire data flow that is required for the



supply of data to the key figure you are ready to activate all the objects in theflow. If the search for corresponding key figures is not successful, a bottom-upapproach may be the only way to proceed.

Figure 72: Bottom Up Approach

If you cannot find matching BI key figures for your KPI's then you should try areverse approach. Focus this time on the source data (from your transactionalsystems) and try to find BI DataSource which use the source fields. Trace the flowto the final BI InfoObjects in order to identify how SAP have used the sourcefield in Business Content.

Figure 73: Business Content Browser

Business Content is found in the Data Warehousing Workbench of the BI system.

The bar on the left is used to choose how objects delivered in Business Contentare to be listed in the middle section of the screen. The objects that you transferare then listed in the right hand window.You can subdivide the objects into



InfoProviders by InfoArea, for example. Under the InfoAreas, the various assignedInfoProviders, such as InfoCubes, are listed. You can also sort by role or objecttype. The drilldown by object type option is especially useful to compare ananalysis demand with Business Content.

The query definitions delivered by SAP can be found in the middle section of thescreen in the BI menu by object types, with a sub-entry of query elements.

• Query Definitions

• Global Structures for Key Figures

• Restricted Key Figures

• Calculated Key Figures

• Variables

Figure 74: BI Content Installation

The first step in the Installation of a BI content is to select the relevant object likethe Info Cube and drag it onto the right side bar under collected objects. Therelevant objects in the Info Cube are selected for installation.

Then the relevant Source System(s) has to be selected from where the data has tobe extracted and loaded.

This followed by installation of the BI content. Installation can be done in theforeground or background or can even be simulated first.



Figure 75: Discovering Business Content via SAP Help

Online documentation for SAP NetWeaver and therefore also BI is available athttp://help.sap.com. Here you will find detailed information about all of the BIContent objects. For example, you will find information about the source tablesand fields from which the data is read using a standard BI extractor.


http://help.sap.com


Lesson Summary





SCM150 Unit Summary





Unit Summary SCM150



Test Your Knowledge

1. What are the advantages of Business Content?_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

2. Why are the objects in Business Content organized in roles?

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

3. What does the metadata repository contain?

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________



Answers

1. What are the advantages of Business Content?

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

Answer: Business Content contains all SAP-supplied objects (informationmodels) that ensure the fast extraction of data from SAP source systemsand allow you to carry out comprehensive analyses. You can activate allnecessary/related objects at the same time.

2. Why are the objects in Business Content organized in roles?

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

Answer: There are roles for all the areas within your company. Targetedreports and applications are available for these roles, according to whatemployees assigned to the various roles need to do their job. In the caseof many industries, roles and the objects that belong to them in BusinessContent are delivered to meet the needs of the individual areas.

3. What does the metadata repository contain?

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

Answer: The metadata repository contains definitions for all active objectsthat are delivered in Business Content, as well as their links to other objects.The metadata repository is particularly suited to comparing your reportingrequirements with objects and information models in Business Content, andto identifying objects that fully or partially meet your requirements.


Unit 6Other BI Analysis Opportunities

Unit OverviewOther BI Analysis Opportunities: Business Example

• You are aware that BI offers many possibilities for advanced data analysis.You would like to explore these possibilities.


• Describe the role of all BEx reporting tools.

Unit ContentsLesson: Other BI Analysis Opportunities . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .152


Unit 6: Other BI Analysis Opportunities SCM150

Lesson: Other BI Analysis Opportunities

Lesson OverviewIn the previous lessons we have focused on the BEx Analyzer. But there are otherreporting tools and functions available in the BEx reporting suite. We will nowtake a brief tour of each of these.



Business ExampleYou need to provide a comprehensive overview of all reporting tools and keyfunctions available in SAP BI to your management team so that your organizationcan evaluate and compare the possible options in order to make the best decisionsregarding reporting approaches.

The Business Explorer (BEx) is a family of reporting tools that are used to developreports from BI data sources. The diagram below provides an overview of thereporting tools architecture. We have spent quite some time looking at the BExAnalyzer but it is important to be aware of other reporting tools available. Inparticular notice the family of web based reporting tools known collectively as BExWeb. Also the report scheduler tool know as the BEx Broadcaster. Regardliess ofthe reporting tool used all BI reports can be launched from the SAP Portal.

Figure 76: BEx Reporting Architecture


SCM150 Lesson: Other BI Analysis Opportunities

Figure 77: BEx Analyzer Design Mode

In this class we looked at the BEx Analyzer and how this is used to present BIdata within an Excel environment. We covered the navigation options and variousworkbook settings. However we did not cover the Design Mode of the BExAnalyzer which provides a range of tools to allow an experienced BI developer tocreate highly customized and sophisticated workbooks. There are also a number ofadvanced features available to the develop including the ability to interpret the BExresults as native Excel formulas. These features are covered in the class BW306.



Figure 78: BEx Web Analyzer

SAP BI users should use the BEx Web Analyzer to perform ad hoc analysis on topof various BI data providers (InfoProviders, BEx Queries and BEx Query Views)as well as 3rd party BI data providers. Users can save the results of the ad hocanalysis in the Enterprise Portal or as a new BEx Query View. The results of thead hoc analysis can also be printed or can be sent to Information Broadcasting fordistribution.

The BEx Web Analyzer is one of several BEx Web tools provided as part of theBusiness Explorer Suite. The analytical options provided by the Web Analyzerare optimized for business experts. For example, navigation in an analysis is easyand intuitive using drag and drop operations to quickly change the structure ofthe analysis. Additionally, the user can quickly create exceptions and conditionswith the help of built-in wizards.



Figure 79: BEx Web Application Designer

Another key tool in the BEx Suite is the BEx Web Application Designer whichmakes designing advanced web templates easy. The BEx Web ApplicationDesigner provides a wide range of web itemswhich represent various usefulfeatures of a web report, e.g. drop down lists, buttons, charts, filters. Althoughit certainly helps to understand web technology when using the BEx WebApplication Designer, the tool is designed to be used by relative web novices withwizards and auto-prompts to assist in complex areas of development. The templatecan be enhanced with native web languages such as HTML and Java Script. Thetemplates created with the BEx Web Application Designer can be immediatelypublished to the Portal. These features are covered in the class BW306.



Figure 80: BEx Report Designer

Sometimes reports results are easier to interpret if the special attention is paidto the presentation, especially complex results. For example using color,repositioning result cells, re-sizing values, adding spaces. The BEx ReportDesigner takes the output from a query or query view and allows you control theprecise positioning and formatting of the output. The result can be viewed onthe web, broadcast or generated as a PDF to save or print. These features arecovered in the class BW306.

• Source of Data?

Query

Web Template

Query View

Report

Workbook



• Target?

Email

Portal

Printer

Bursting to email

Exceptions (Alerts)

…

• Format of Data?

HTML

MHTML

PDF

Printer Format

Online Links

…

Information Broadcasting is a flexible function of the Business Explorer whichprovides to facility to distribute reporting results out to various audiences whetherthey are regular SAP BI users or not. Broadcasting is not restricted to one method.You can choose the source of the data, the format of the data, the target audience,the broadcast channel and of course the timing of the broadcast. You can evenuse a combination of these for a single broadcast. There is also a Wizard to helpyou work through the settings if you are an occasional user. Broadcasts can bedefined as a one time distribution or they can be set to distribute result data ona regular basis at predetermined times. The data can be either precalculated orthe broadcast can send a link to the online data. Users may decide if they want tosubscribe to broadcasts, (or perhaps even unsubscribe).

There are many scenarios in which the Broadcaster can play a key role.Broadcasting can be executed as a one time event, regular scheduled event, oreven used just to alert personnel of any critical situation which needs attention.The Broadcaster can also be used to improved the performance of the BExenvironment by using the tools to precalculate reports, fill the query cache



Figure 81: NetWeaver Visual Composer

NetWeaver Visual Composer is not actually part of the BEx Suite, it is part ofSAP NetWeaver Analytics. It is mentioned briefly here simply to provide a basicunderstanding of this powerful tool and to help you to understand how it worksin conjunction with BI. NetWeaver Visual Composer is used to build interactiveAnalytical Applications, BI can provide content to the Visual Composer via theBI Integration Wizard. An example of an Analytical Application is shown in thegraphic below. Here you can see that a list of blocked orders is produced at the topof the screen (assume this detailed information comes from the SAP ECC system).We need to make a decision to remove the orders or release them. On the samescreen you can see we are also showing some statistics from the ECC system andalso from BI together with key customer master data relating to credit class etc.This is an example of a closed loop analytical application which bring together allthe key information required (from transactional and analytical sources) in oneplace to support my decision making. NetWeaver Visual Composer provides thetools to help us build these types of applications. BI content (queries, views,InfoProviders) can easily be integrated into the Visual Composer using a specialWizard.

Data MiningYou can use data mining to automatically determine significant patterns andhidden associations from large amounts of data. Data mining provides you withinsights and correlations that had formerly gone unrecognized or been ignoredbecause it had not been considered possible to analyze them. Since each companyhas different data mining requirements, it is not possible to deliver fixed modelsfor producing prediction results. However, the data mining methods available



in SAP BI allow you to create models according to your requirements and thenuse these models to draw information from your SAP BI data to assist yourdecision-making. For example, you can analyze patterns in customer behavior andpredict trends by identifying and exploiting behavioral patterns.

Figure 82: Supervised Learning (Predictive)

Predictive methods, also called supervised learning methods, are characterized bythe fact that both input data and a representative set of valid output data is availablefor the training process. The model is set up to match the input patterns and thedesired output patterns exactly as required and defined in the model's parameters.During the training (supervised learning) phase for predictive models, algorithmstry to determine what relationships exist in the data to match the known outcome.Using the rules established in the learning phase, they predict the outcome for anew unknown set of data. Decision trees might be used to predict which customerswill end up defaulting on their invoice by using prior loss history for othercustomers as a baseline. Regression might be used to forecast customer purchasesby their age group, given prior purchase history by age for a range of ages.



Figure 83: Unsupervised Learning (Informative)

While supervised learning (predictive) methods require known output data records,unsupervised learning (informative) methods do not depend on output patternsto detect rules, correlations, and associations. They can provide meaningfulinformation about your data immediately. 2

Decision trees display data using (non-continuous) category quantities. Thedisplay rules are determined in training using those sections of historic data wherethe assignment to categories is already known. Clustering is used to split data intohomogeneous groups. The model looks for a global structure for the data withthe aim of partitioning the data into clusters. Association analysis can be used toestablish composite effects and thereby identify cross-selling opportunities, forexample. The search for associations considers objects with information contentthat is remotely comparable. Statements are formulated about partial structuresin the data and take the form of rules. In contrast to decision tree classification,clustering and association analysis determine the models using the data itself. Inscoring, data is displayed using continuous quantities. If required, discretizationcan then be applied to split the data into classes. The scoring function can either bespecified using weighted score tables or be determined by training using historicdata as linear or nonlinear regression of a target quantity. ABC Classificationdisplays data grouped into classes of A, B, C and so on, using thresholds andclassification rules. The classified results are displayed in the form of ABC chartor list. You can use historic data to train the models that you create for these datamining methods. This data helps the model to learn by establishing formerlyunrecognized patterns. You can either export the result of this learning processinto another system (association rules) or you apply the result during prediction toother data that lacks certain information (clustering, decision trees). You use BIqueries to train the model and perform the prediction. You assign these BI queriesto the model as sources for the respective business transaction.



Lesson Summary




Unit Summary SCM150




Unit 7Comparing LIS and BI

Unit OverviewComparing LIS and BI: Business Example

• You would like to consider the strengths and weaknesses of the reportingtools you have been studying.


• Describe the strengths and weaknesses of LIS compared to BI

Unit ContentsLesson: Comparing BI and LIS .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .164


Unit 7: Comparing LIS and BI SCM150

Lesson: Comparing BI and LIS

Lesson OverviewIn this lesson we will place LIS and BI side by side and highlight their respectivestrengths and weaknesses compared to each other for logistics reportingperformance.



Business ExampleYour company would like implement an SAP logistics reporting system. You areaware that logistics reports can be developed in LIS and also SAP BI. You wouldlike to compare the strengths and weaknesses of each environment so that you areable to make the right decision.

Comparing LIS and BIIn this lesson we will compare LIS and BI. They both have relative strengths andweaknesses and one environment is not necessarily 'better' than the other. We willlook at all aspects of each environment and make comparisons.

Figure 84: Basic Architecture of LIS vs BI


SCM150 Lesson: Comparing BI and LIS

Let us start with the basic architecture of LIS and BI. As you can see from thepreceeding diagram LIS is not a separate system, it is an integral part of SAP ECCand uses SAPGUI for the reporting interface. Whereas SAP BI is typically aseparate system connect to SAP ECC and provides both XL and web reportinginterfaces.

Caution: It is important to note that SAP BI can now be installed as partof SAP ECC so that a separate server is not always required. However,this is only suitable for low volume data warehousing and where reportingrequirements are minimal. Customers typically install SAP BI on aseparate server (as per the diagram).

It is also fair to say that LIS is more useful in an SAP ECC centric environement(where the only source of data is from SAP ECC), whereas BI is powerful in thearea of data extraction and SAP ECC is only one of many source of data.

Figure 85: LIS vs BI – Key Observations

LIS and BI both possess and number of strengths and weaknesses. Although it isno secret that BI is a far superior analysis solutions for any business data (not justlogistics) there are reasons as to why you may want to consider LIS for some ofyour logistics reporting.

LIS is based on a very simple architecture. LIS is is actually part of SAP ECC,this means that you do not require additional hardware and software. Theimplementation is very straightforward – there are very few objects to setup andthe extraction of data to the infostructure is a simple affair.

However, LIS is not intended to be used to implement an industrial strengthEnterprise Data Warehouse (EDW) and its scalability and ease of data extractionfrom multiple sources is limited. SAP BI allows you to develop a powerful,multi-layered EDW with extraction possibilities from anyb data source.



Thee are limited performance tuning possibilities with LIS, whereas BI providestools dedicated to the job of monitoring and fixing performance issues. FinallyLIS provides a basic set of drill down tools but does not provide sophisticatedOLAP style functionality as found in SAP BI.

The simplicity of LIS should not be overlooked, remember LIS is an integralpart of SAP ECC, no separate licence fees are required to use this system and itis not necessary to have your teams develop additional skills to administer theLIS environment.

Figure 86: Comparing Reporting Functionality

It is fair to say that LIS provides a basic set of reporting functions as describedin the above table, however compared to BI these functions will appear limited.For some organizations this limited functionality may be sufficient to meet theirreporting needs. A significant difference between LIS and BI in the reporting areais that for LIS there is not support for web reporting. Although it is possible tosend the report results to Excel for further analysis and report development, theLIS interface is based on SAPGUI.


SCM150 Lesson: Comparing BI and LIS

Figure 87: Availability of Logistics Data

LIS and BI both offer very similar options when it comes to making logisticsdata available to reporting users. Completely different technologies are used, forexample LIS relies of the standard ECC job scheduling options (synchronous,asynchronous etc) where as BI uses dedicated data loading techniques developedspecifically for accessing source data from multiple sources.



Lesson Summary




SCM150 Unit Summary




Course Summary SCM150

Course SummaryYou should now be able to:

• Understand how the Logistics Information System (LIS) acquires data andhow the LIS reporting tools work

• Understand how SAP BI acquires data and how the BI reporting tools work

• Identify the relative strengths and weaknesses of each reporting environment


FeedbackSAP AG has made every effort in the preparation of this course to ensure theaccuracy and completeness of the materials. If you have any corrections orsuggestions for improvement, please record them in the appropriate place in thecourse evaluation.
