Comparative study of Analysis for Office to SAP SAC Excel Add On. Use case of one over other

Analysis for Office vs. SAP Analytics Cloud Excel Add-in: A Comprehensive Comparison

Introduction

For SAP users who rely heavily on Microsoft Excel for data analysis and reporting, both Analysis for Office and the SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) Excel Add-in offer powerful functionalities to connect to SAP data sources and perform sophisticated analysis. However, these two tools have distinct features and cater to different use cases. This article provides a comprehensive comparison to help you choose the right tool for your needs.

Overview

• Analysis for Office: A mature and feature-rich Microsoft Excel add-in that allows users to connect to various SAP data sources, including SAP BW, SAP HANA, and SAP S/4HANA. It offers robust offline capabilities and advanced features for data analysis, planning, and reporting.
• SAP Analytics Cloud Excel Add-in: A modern Excel add-in primarily designed for cloud-based analysis. It focuses on integration with SAP Analytics Cloud and SAP Datasphere, enabling users to access and analyze live data from these platforms.

Key Differences

Feature	Analysis for Office	SAP Analytics Cloud Excel Add-in
Data Sources	SAP BW, SAP HANA, SAP S/4HANA, SAP Analytics Cloud (limited), SAP Datasphere (limited)	SAP Analytics Cloud, SAP Datasphere
Connectivity	Direct connectivity to on-premise and cloud data sources	Primarily connects to cloud-based data sources
Offline Capabilities	Strong offline support; data can be downloaded and analyzed without a live connection	Limited offline capabilities; primarily designed for live data analysis
Functionality	More extensive features for data analysis, planning, and reporting, including advanced formulas, formatting options, and VBA integration	Focuses on core analysis features and integration with SAP Analytics Cloud functionalities
User Interface	Familiar Microsoft Excel interface with specific Analysis for Office functionalities	Modern interface integrated with SAP Analytics Cloud features
Licensing	Requires a BusinessObjects license	Included with SAP Analytics Cloud license

Use Cases

When to use Analysis for Office:

• You require deep integration with traditional SAP data sources like SAP BW and SAP BPC.
• You need robust offline capabilities to analyze data without a persistent connection.
• You require advanced features for data analysis, planning, and reporting, including custom formulas and VBA scripting.
• You prefer a familiar Microsoft Excel-centric interface.

Example Use Case:

A financial analyst needs to perform detailed variance analysis on historical financial data stored in SAP BW. They need to work offline and utilize advanced Excel features to create complex reports with custom calculations and visualizations. Analysis for Office would be the ideal tool for this scenario.

When to use SAP Analytics Cloud Excel Add-in:

• You primarily work with SAP Analytics Cloud and SAP Datasphere as your data sources.
• You need live connectivity to cloud-based data for real-time analysis and collaboration.
• You prefer a modern interface integrated with SAP Analytics Cloud features.
• You want to leverage the collaborative capabilities of SAP Analytics Cloud for sharing and reporting.

Example Use Case:

A sales manager wants to analyze sales performance data stored in SAP Analytics Cloud. They need to create interactive dashboards with live data and share them with their team for collaborative analysis and decision-making. The SAP Analytics Cloud Excel Add-in would be the best choice for this use case.

Conclusion

The choice between Analysis for Office and the SAP Analytics Cloud Excel Add-in depends on your specific needs and priorities. Consider factors such as your primary data sources, connectivity requirements, desired functionalities, and preferred interface. By evaluating these aspects, you can choose the tool that best aligns with your analytical requirements and empowers you to make informed business decisions.