In this post, I will summarize the comparisons (advantages and disadvantages) between Classic Star Schema and SAP BW Star Schema. Note that there are so many similarities in the terminology and concepts used in SAP BW Star Schema compared with Classic Star Schema. The two critical terminologies different between them are dimension and attributes. Read more… »
SAP BW Star Schema
SAP BW Star schema is based on the extended of the classic star schema (aka “snowflake” schema). The enhancement comes from the fact that the dimension table does not contain master data information. This master data information is stored in separate tables, called master data tables. In SAP BW Star Schema, the distinction is made between two self-contained areas: infocube and surrogate ID (SID) tables. Read more… »
Classic Star Schema as Data Model of Data Warehouse
A Star Schema is a multi dimensional data model that organizing information or data in a data warehouse. It is based on a central fact table surrounded by several dimensional tables in shape of a star. Using star schema, we can view business information from many perspectives. SAP calls this schema as Classic Star Schema to differentiate with SAP BW data model developed by SAP.
Create Append Structure in SAP Table
Sometimes we need to add new fields into SAP standard tables to meet user requirements. Fortunately, SAP has provided tool to add fields without change the tables called Append Structure.
An append structure is a structure that is assigned to exactly one table or structure. There can be more than one append structure for a table or structure. As others user enhancements, the name of append structure should also reside in the customer namespace, which is the field names should begin with ZZ or YY. This prevents name conflicts with fields inserted in the table by SAP. Read more… »
Create Table Control Using ABAP Programming
In last two weeks, I have learned self-taught how to create table control in SAP Screen using ABAP 4. After trial and error, finally I have finished my small project. While learning about table control, I use SAP Help as main reference, some websites and presentation slides from Michael Adams, Queensland University of Technology.
A Table Control is a screen ‘container’ or object that allows display of multiple rows of a table (database or internal table) on a screen. It is good for displaying a one-to-many relationship on the one screen. The table control object has many features built in to enhance screen display and usability. Read more… »
Flow of Data in mySAP BW (Business Information Warehouse)
The data flow in mySAP BW (Business Warehouse) begins with the transfer of data from the source system to the Persistent Staging Area (PSA) using InfoPackages. The data is stored in the PSA using tables, which are based on prior defined DataSources. After that the Data Transfer Process (DTP) transfers the data via transformation into an InfoSource and then to a Data Storage Object (DSO), which is the base for the following queries.
SAP BW Architecture
Theoretically, SAP BW Architecture can be divided into 3 layers: Sources System, SAP BW Server and SAP BW OLAP.
SAP BW Architecture
The Different Between An OLAP and An OLTP System
Data warehouse (including Business Information Warehouse – SAP BW) as analytical system or known as OLAP (Online Analytical Processing) system are fundamentally different compare to transactional system or known as OLTP (Online transactional Processing) system.
Here are the different between OLAP and OLTP: Read more… »
Data Warehouse Objectives
A modern data warehouse must meet the following requirements:
[source: Business Warehouse Course Handbook from mySAP.com]
Standardized structuring and display of all business information:
Decision makers urgently need reliable information from the production, purchasing, sales and distribution, finance, and human resources departments. They require an up-to-date and comprehensive picture of each individual business area and of the business as a whole. These results in high demands being put on the data collection process from the underlying data sources. An important aspect here is that the data is defined uniquely across the entire organization, in order to avoid errors arising through varied definitions in different sources. Read more… »
What is mySAP Business Warehouse
The first question while starting to learn SAP BW (Business Warehouse) is what Business Warehouse itself is.
If we talk about Business Informastion Warehouse, we can not avoid talking Data Warehouse because Business Warehouse is Data warehouse solution developed by SAP. The SAP BW system is an enterprise-wide information hub, which allows us to analyse data from R/3 and non-R/3 application and present it in an Excel-Based user interface. SAP BW enables us to analyze data from operative SAP Application, from others business application and external data sources such as databases, outline services or may be from internet. To circumvent the numerous disadvantages associated with reporting in the ERP system; data storage, management and reporting takes place on a separate server called the SAP BW Server. Read more… »