Web Intelligence
Unit Overview
Two important elements of the SAP BusinessObjects tool set are discussed in this unit – Universes and Web Intelligence. You will complete exercises to both create your own Universes and to use those Universes as the basis for Web Intelligence reports.
Unit Objectives
After completing this unit, you will be able to: • Define what a Universe is and explain its use. • Define an OLAP Universe.
• List the Data Sources for OLAP Universe. • Explain how to create the new Universe.
• Differentiate between different terms used in SAP and BusinessObjects. • Describe the mapping of objects used in SAP and BusinessObjects. • Create OLAP Universes with SAP hierarchies.
• Create OLAP Universes with SAP hierarchies with variables.
• Explain the connectivity between SAP Netweaver BW and Web Intelligence. • Describe the Web Intelligence concept.
• View report formats in Web Intelligence. • Create Web intelligence reports.
Unit Contents
Lesson: BusinessObjects Universe ...104 Lesson: SAP BusinessObjects Terminology ... 116 Exercise 5: Universe Creation from SAP NetWeaver BW InfoCube 123 Lesson: SAP Hierarchies in OLAP Universes ...131 Lesson: Web Intelligence Connectivity with SAP Netweaver BW ...136 Lesson: Create a Report with Web Intelligence ...139 Exercise 6: Create a Report with Web Intelligence ...145
Unit 4: Web Intelligence SAPBO
Lesson: BusinessObjects Universe
Lesson Overview
This lesson gives you a general introduction to Universe Designer, the tool which you use to build universes. It describes universes, what they contain, how they are created, and the role that universes have in your business environment
Lesson Objectives
After completing this lesson, you will be able to: • Define what a Universe is and explain its use. • Define an OLAP Universe.
• List the Data Sources for OLAP Universe. • Explain how to create the new Universe.
Business Example
After analyzing reporting requirements, your company wants more user friendly and highly formatted reports, hence company has decided to set up a OLAP universe on the top of SAP BW. Your task is to check what are various data sources available for the reporting in company and to find out the way of universe creation from those data sources. Once your Universe will be created on the top of SAP BW system then report generation could be done by BusinessObjects family products
Concept of a Universe
Figure 52: Concept of a Universe
SAPBO Lesson: BusinessObjects Universe
BusinessObjects Universe Designer is a software tool that allows you to create universes for Web Intelligence and Desktop Intelligence users.
What is a Universe?
A universe is a file that contains the following:
• Connection parameters for one or more database middleware.
• SAP BW cube structures called objects that map to actual cube structures in the BW system such as dimension and measures. Objects are grouped into classes. Objects and classes are both visible to Web Intelligence users. • Objects are built from a cube and from a query based on cube
• Web Intelligence users connect to a universe, and run queries against a Universe . They can do data analysis and create reports using the objects in a universe, without seeing, or having to know anything about, the underlying data structures in the cubes
What is an OLAP Universe?
Figure 53: Universe Overview
Figure 54: Concept of an OLAP Universe
Unit 4: Web Intelligence SAPBO
An OLAP universe is a BusinessObjects universe that has been generated from a OLAP cube or query. The universe is created automatically from a selected connection to a OLAP data source.
Once the universe has been created it can be exported to the Central Management System (CMS) as any other universe, and is then available to Web Intelligence users to run queries and create reports.
The universe creation process is automatic once you have selected the connection. OLAP structures are mapped directly to classes, measures, dimensions, details and filters (when necessary).
The universe structure appears in the Universe pane. There is no table schema in the Structure pane.
Once you have created the OLAP universe, you can modify any of the universe components as for any other universe.
Maintaining an OLAP Universe
• To generate an OLAP universe, first select the SAP BW data source.
• Define a connection to the data source using the New Connection wizard, and select the connection for a new universe.
• Designer generates the universe automatically. OLAP structures are mapped directly to classes, measures, dimensions, details, and filters in the universe. The universe structure appears in the Universe pane.
• You can save and export the OLAP universe to the CMS. • You can modify any of the OLAP universe components.
• The Update OLAP Universe wizard allows you manage the life cycle of the OLAP universe. The wizard automatically refreshes the universe structure with changes made in the OLAP data source. The wizard can differentiate generated objects from objects added or modified manually, allowing you to preserve the manual changes made in Designer.
Tasks of the Universe Designer
The Universe Designer is normally responsible for the following tasks: • Conducting user needs analysis
• Designing and creating the universe • Distributing the universe
• Maintaining the universe
How do you use Designer to createUniverses?
Designer provides a connection wizard that allows you to connect to your database middleware. You can create multiple connections with Designer, but only one connection can be defined for each universe. This database connection is saved
SAPBO Lesson: BusinessObjects Universe
with the universe. Designer provides a graphical interface that allows you to select and view tables in a database. The database tables are represented as table symbols in a schema diagram. You can use this interface to manipulate tables, create joins that link the tables, create alias tables, contexts, and solve loops in your schema. Web Intelligence users do not see this schema. Designer provides an object explorer view. You use the explorer tree to create objects that map to the columns and SQL structures that are represented in the schema view. Web Intelligence users manipulate these objects to run queries against a database. Designer allows you to distribute universes by importing and exporting universes to the Central Management System (CMS) repository
Data Sources for OLAP Universe
Figure 55: Connecting to BW (1 of 2)
When creating an OLAP universe based on an SAP BW (Business Warehouse) data source, you can build the universe based directly on an InfoCube/MultiProvider, or based on a BW Query enabled on top of any InfoProvider. An InfoProvider can be: • an InfoCube
• a MultiProvider
• a DataStore Object (DSO) • an InfoSet
Unit 4: Web Intelligence SAPBO
SAP BW InfoCubes as Data Sources
The following types of InfoCubes are supported as data sources for building OLAP universes.
• Standard and Direct Update InfoCubes: Data and metadata are physically stored in the same SAP BW system.
• Remote InfoCube: Data is physically stored on a remote system. • MultiProviders
All the characteristics, hierarchies, key figures, including time and unit, in the InfoCube are visible in the universe.
SAP BW Queries as Data Sources
SAP BW customers use BW Queries to access SAP Business Explorer front-ends. All InfoObjects in the BW query selected as rows, columns, and free characteristics are visible in the universe. This includes characteristics, hierarchies, key figures, structures, and variables.
Both InfoSets and DataStore Objects (DSO) can be exposed to universes via BW Queries.
BW Queries based on a DSO
A DSO can be exposed to a universe via a BW Query.
DSO objects are often used to manage detailed transaction-level data before it is aggregated into InfoCubes. Including DSO objects in the BW data store design is a way to minimize InfoCube size and improve loading and querying performance An DSO is usually a large, detailed relational structure. Accessing an DSO via the OLAP BAPI interface does not deliver ideal query performance. Consider these alternatives to meet end-user expectations for fast report delivery:
• Create direct access to an DSO via BAPI calls.
• Access the DSO tables using direct SQL in Web Intelligence.
BW Queries based on an InfoSet
An InfoSet can be exposed to a universe via a BW Query. InfoSets are sometimes defined in SAP BW to report master data.
You can report master data by basing the universes on InfoCubes, eliminating the requirement to go through InfoSets and BW Queries. The key difference between the two approaches is that master data reported off InfoCubes limits data to valid transactions.
SAPBO Lesson: BusinessObjects Universe
Figure 56: Connecting to BW (2 of 2)
SAP BW Queries as Recommended Data Sources
BW Queries are recommended as data sources for generating BusinessObjects universes for the following reasons:
• Not all BW metadata features can be retrieved on an InfoCube level, as summarized in the following table.
SAP BW metadata feature SAP OLAP BAPI support level Characteristics (including Time and Unit) InfoCube/BW Query
Hierarchies InfoCube/BW Query
Basic Key Figures InfoCube/BW Query
Navigational Attributes BW Query only
Display Attributes InfoCube/BW Query
Calculated Key Figures / Formulas BW Query only
Restricted Key Figures BW Query only
Custom Structures BW Query only
Variables BW Query only
• BW Queries offer a flexible extension to the data modeling environment. InfoCubes require more effort to change.
• BW Queries offer significant functionality to create customized data sources that meet end-user requirements.
Unit 4: Web Intelligence SAPBO
Although BW Queries have advantages as data sources, you do not need a BW Query for every report, nor do you need a universe for every existing BW Query. To minimize maintenance costs, focus the implementation strategy on limiting the final number of BW Queries and universes required to meet all the ad-hoc query and reporting needs. Keep in mind the following points to reduce the number of universes needed:
• When Web Intelligence is the front-end tool, you are not restricted by the output format in the BW Query.
• There is no direct impact on performance when working with OLAP universes created from large BW Queries. OLAP universe objects not inserted in the Web Intelligence query have no direct impact on the query performance.
SAP BW Multilingual Universes
With Web Intelligence, it is possible to leverage the multilingual capabilities of SAP BW. In order to implement a multilingual environment, the BW system must include multilingual metadata and multilingual data.
You must create a universe for each language supported by the solution. The language in which the universe connection is created determines the language in which the universe is generated.
The user's SAP authentication determines the language of the data returned to the query. The user must log into InfoView using SAP authentication and specify the desired language for results returned from the SAP server.
The result-set language is dependent on SAP’s Unicode support. If the SAP system does not contain the data in the desired language, the data is not available in Web Intelligence in this language. Web Intelligence reverts to displaying technical names instead of descriptions when the descriptions are not translated in SAP BW.
How to Create a New Universe
To generate a universe, you must first define a connection to the SAP BW data source. Define one connection for each Infocube or BW Query that you want to use to create a universe.
Use the New Connection wizard to define the connection. The wizard leads you through the following steps in creating a connection.
• Starting the wizard in Designer.
• Naming the connection and selecting the database middleware. • Defining the login details for the connection.
• Selecting the cube or query to use to define the universe. • Defining the connection lifetime.
SAPBO Lesson: BusinessObjects Universe
Defining a connection is the first step in creating an OLAP universe. Once you have defined the connection, Designer generates the universe automatically
To Start the New Connection Wizard in Designer
To start the New Connection wizard in Universe Designer, do one of the following: Start From Action New Universe icon
Click the New Universe icon, then click New... on the "Definition" page of the "Universe Parameters" box.
File menu From an empty Designer session, select File → Parameters, then click New... on the "Definition" page of the "Universe Parameters" box.
Quick Design wizard
Starts automatically when you start Designer.
Tools menu
Select Tools → Connections. Click Add... in the "Wizard Connection" dialog box.
On the "Database Middleware Selection" page of the New Connection wizard, enter a name for the connection, select the type and the database middleware for the connection.
Database Middleware Selection parameter
Description Connection Type .
• Select Secured for controlled access to the connection (recommended).
• Select Shared to allow uncontrolled access to the connection to all users.
• Select Personal to restrict access to the universe creator. You can use personal connections to access personal data on a local machine only. Connection Name Enter a name for the connection.
Filter Stored Procedures Network Layers
The Filter Stored Procedures Network Layers parameter is not used for OLAP connections. List of available data
access drivers The page lists the databases and middleware that correspond to your data access driver key.
Unit 4: Web Intelligence SAPBO
Expand the node for your target database to show the supported middleware for that database.
Expand the middleware node to show the BusinessObjects data access driver for the OLAP middleware.
Select the data access driver.
Login Parameters for SAP BW Connections
On the Login Parameters page of the New Connection wizard, specify the login details for connecting to the SAP BW database
Login Parameter
Description Authentica-
tion mode Select Use Single Sign On when refreshing reports at view time to allow the user to benefit from SAP SSO.
Select Use specified username and password to require the user to enter login information when using the connection.
Select Use BusinessObjects credential mapping to use the user's BusinessObjects Enterprise login credentials for the connection. User name Enter the SAP User logon.
Password Enter the SAP User password. Client Enter the SAP client number.
Language Enter the connection language, for example EN for English (required).
Login mode
Select Application server to connect directly to the SAP server without using load balancing.
Select Message server to benefit from SAP load balancing capabilities.
Application Server
Select or enter the name or IP address of the SAP application server (required for application server login mode).
System Number
Enter the system number, for example 00 (number required for application server login mode).
System ID, Logon Group , Message Server
Enter the System ID , Logon Group, and Message Server parameters (required for message server login mode).
SAPBO Lesson: BusinessObjects Universe
Select Source Cube or Query for OLAP connections
The Cube browser shows the OLAP Cubes available to the target server. Expand the Cube nodes to display the Cubes and queries available. The browser has the following tools to help you search:
Cube
Browser Tool
Description
Favorites A folder that holds links to cubes that you select for quick access. To add a Cube to Favorites, right click a Cube in the OLAP Cube browser and select Add to Favorites from the contextual menu.
Search Searches the names of available Cubes or queries for a text string. Type a string in the text box and click Search. Each found instance is highlighted. Click Search to continue searching.
$INFOCUBE folder
For SAP BW data sources, the InfoCubes and MultProviders are grouped in a folder called $INFOCUBE.
Select the cube or query to use to create the universe.
Configuration Parameters for OLAP Connections
On the Configuration Parameters page of the New Connection wizard, define the connection parameters to manage the connection lifetime. You can accept the default settings when you create the connection and modify them later.
Configuration Description
Parameter Connection Pool
Mode
You define the lifetime with the Connection Pool Mode and Pool timeout parameters
Pool timeout
By default, the Connection Pool Mode is set to Keep the connection alive for, with a default Pool timeout of 10 minutes
The connection lifetime can have a significant impact when working with SAP BW. However, connection lifetime can also impact updating existing universes with changes in the BW Query. This is because the OLAP BAPI interface builds a metadata cache on the client side every time a connection to BW is established. This cache is only emptied when the connection closes. To minimize the risk of metadata cache being desynchronized with SAP BW Query updates, you can change the Pool timeout from 10 minutes to 1 minute. When working in parallel editing SAP BW Queries and mapping
Unit 4: Web Intelligence SAPBO
new universes to these queries, it is recommended that you close Designer (so that universe connections are also closed and the metadata cache is emptied) before building any new universes to take into account changes that were just made on the SAP BW Query side
Array fetch size , Array bind size, Login timeout
The Array fetch size, Array bind size, and Login timeout parameters are not used for OLAP connections.
SAPBO Lesson: BusinessObjects Universe
Lesson Summary
You should now be able to:
• Define what a Universe is and explain its use. • Define an OLAP Universe.
• List the Data Sources for OLAP Universe. • Explain how to create the new Universe.
Unit 4: Web Intelligence SAPBO
Lesson: SAP BusinessObjects Terminology
Lesson Overview
When you create a universe from either an InfoCube or a BW Query, Designer maps BW OLAP structures to equivalent classes and objects in the universe. This chapter will give you the detailed overview of the of the mapping of SAP Objects in a BusinessObjects Universe.
Lesson Objectives
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
• Differentiate between different terms used in SAP and BusinessObjects. • Describe the mapping of objects used in SAP and BusinessObjects.
Business Example
You have created universes based on a SAP BW Query. Query elements like variables and calculated key figures are important for the users who create reports using BusinessObjects tools.
How SAP BW Objects are mapped in a Universe
Figure 57: Basic Elements of Universes
All InfoObjects in the BW Query set as rows, columns, free characteristics, and filters are exposed to the universe. This includes characteristics, hierarchies, key figures, structures and variables.
SAPBO Lesson: SAP BusinessObjects Terminology
Figure 58: Terms in SAP Netweaver BW and BusinessObjects
Hierarchies are mapped, allowing Web Intelligence users to drill down according to BW hierarchies.
For InfoCubes, all the dimensions, key figures and hierarchies are mapped. The following table shows the universe objects created for each BW object:
BW object: Universe objects created: Dimension Group Class
Characteristic Subclass with dimension and detail objects Characteristic with
hierarchy If data source is a BW Query: Subclass containing dimension and detail objects for each hierarchy level in