SAP Analytics Cloud: Q3 2024 : Peek..

SAP Analytics Cloud: Q3 2024 Updates and Enhancements

SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) continues to evolve, offering new features and enhancements with every release. For Q3 2024 (2024.09 - 2024.15), SAP has rolled out a range of innovations across various functionalities, including AI-driven analytics, API integration, data acquisition, modeling, and the data analyzer. These enhancements focus on improving user experience, flexibility, and performance, thereby solidifying SAC's role as a leading analytics platform. This article will provide a detailed look at the key updates for this release.

1. AI for Planning & Analytics

1.1 Comparisons in Just Ask Questions

In this release, SAC's "Just Ask" feature receives a major upgrade. Users can now perform complex comparisons using natural language queries, which greatly enhances the analytical capabilities:

Compare two measures: Example – "Compare sales with expenses."

Compare two measures with a dimension: Example – "Compare sales with expenses by location."

Time comparisons: Example – "Compare sales with expenses by location in the current year."

Combination of comparisons and calculations: Example – "Compare average sales by location with average expenses by location this year."

Version-based comparisons: Example – "Compare actual sales with forecast in Canada."

These capabilities will allow users to make more informed decisions by comparing key business metrics directly through simple, conversational queries.

1.2 Viewing Dimension Attributes in Just Ask

Dimension attributes for models within Just Ask are now visible in multiple areas, including:

The + button next to the search bar.

The Model Overview tab in the Manage Model area.

The Explore Data tab in the Manage Model area.

The Rules section.

This enhancement provides users with more control and visibility over their dimensions, making it easier to manage data models and query them more effectively.

1.3 Prompt Guide Support

To facilitate the best use of Just Ask, a Prompt Guide is now available. This guide includes:

Example questions for querying data.

Highlights of key Just Ask features.

Tips for optimizing performance.

This guide will help users maximize the potential of the Just Ask feature, making it easier to navigate and utilize the full range of capabilities.

2. API and Integration Enhancements

2.1 Reviewer Support for Decline and canUserDecline APIs

The Decline and canUserDecline APIs, which previously only applied to assignees, now also support reviewers in both the analytics designer and optimized story experience. This provides reviewers with more flexibility to interact with tasks and workflows within SAC.

2.2 Filtering on Time and Parent-Child Hierarchies

The SAC URL API now supports filtering on time and parent-child hierarchies for BW Live Data connections. The fXXHierarchy parameter allows users to filter data on hierarchical values, enhancing data retrieval and filtering capabilities.

2.3 Data Export API Enhancement

The Data Export Service API has been enhanced to support calculating differences between old and new numerical delta values, allowing for more accurate reporting and analysis of changing data over time.

2.4 Support for x.509 Certificates for OData Connections

In Q3 2024, users can now select Client Certificate authentication using an x.509 certificate for OData connections. This applies to SAP Business ByDesign Analytics and SAP S/4HANA Cloud connections, enhancing the security of these connections.

3. Data Acquisition and Live Data Connections

3.1 Deprecation of Salesforce Connection

Salesforce connections are no longer supported within SAC. Users are encouraged to switch to SQL Database connections via JDBC or the APOS Live Data Gateway for acquired connections. For detailed information, users can refer to SAP Note 3402695.

3.2 Share Credentials for SAP Integrated Business Planning and OData Services

SAC now allows the option to share per-user credentials when creating data acquisition connections for SAP Integrated Business Planning (IBP) and OData Services. This enhancement improves security by allowing users to authenticate individually rather than using shared credentials.

4. Data Analyzer Enhancements

The Data Analyzer tool in SAC has seen significant enhancements in this release, making it more user-friendly and feature-rich for both technical and non-technical users.

4.1 User Experience Enhancements for Charts

Several updates have been made to improve the charting experience within the data analyzer:

Improved responsiveness of charts.

Data labels have been moved out of the chart area to avoid clutter.

Adjustments to scroll bars have been made for easier navigation.

4.2 Mathematical and Conversion Functions in Calculations

New mathematical functions such as LOG, LOG10, CEIL, ROUND, and TRUNC are now supported within the Create Calculation dialog. Additionally, users can use conversion functions like DECFLOAT, DOUBLE, FLOAT, INT, and FLOOR for greater flexibility in building formulas.

4.3 Create Shortcut Links for Quick Sharing

Users can now create shortcut links to capture the state of the current view in the Data Analyzer without saving it. These links can be shared via email or opened in new tabs, making it easier to collaborate on and share insights.

4.4 Enhancements for SAP Datasphere Connections

When opening SAP Datasphere connections in the Select Model dialog, users can now sort the available spaces by name, description, or owner. Folders within spaces can also be navigated, providing better organization and searchability.

5. Calendar and Notifications

5.1 Daily Summary Emails with Calendar Notifications

Administrators now have the option to group calendar notifications into a daily summary email, sent at a specific time. This change reduces email clutter, but reminder emails and bulk edit summaries are excluded from this grouping.

6. General Enhancements

6.1 Deleting Data Changes Based on Filters

When deleting data changes in SAC to reduce the size of the data change log, users can now apply filters on dimensions such as Audit Time, Audit User, and Audit Action. This feature provides a more granular approach to data log management, improving efficiency and accuracy in data handling.

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Conclusion

The Q3 2024 updates for SAP Analytics Cloud introduce numerous powerful features that enhance the platform's usability, data handling capabilities, and integration with SAP systems. The improvements in Just Ask, data acquisition, the Data Analyzer, and API functionalities make this release particularly impactful for business users, data analysts, and developers alike. With a focus on user experience, performance optimization, and enhanced security, SAC continues to position itself as a leading platform for analytics and planning.

For those who rely on SAC for their analytics needs, this release offers several new opportunities to increase efficiency and unlock greater value from their data.