SAP SAC - what about...

An Overview of SAP Analytics Cloud: Key Features and Capabilities

SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) is an integrated platform that combines Business Intelligence (BI), Planning, and Predictive Analytics into a single solution. It empowers organizations to drive data-driven decision-making by leveraging its advanced analytics and planning functionalities. Below, we explore the key features that make SAC a robust platform for enterprises:

1. Pre-built Business Content

SAP Analytics Cloud offers pre-built business content that accelerates time to value. This content includes ready-to-use models, dashboards, reports, and data visualizations tailored for various industries and lines of business. Organizations can quickly adopt these templates and customize them to suit their specific needs, reducing the complexity of starting from scratch.

2. Data Modelling

Data modeling in SAC is designed to transform raw data into meaningful and structured models for reporting and analysis. Users can perform complex data transformations, create calculated measures, and apply hierarchies for better organization. This feature enhances the ability to make sense of large datasets and unlock actionable insights.

3. Data Visualizations

The platform enables the creation of visually appealing and interactive data visualizations. Users can build dynamic dashboards that update in real time, ensuring that stakeholders have the most current information. Visualization tools like charts, maps, and graphs help communicate insights effectively, making it easier for decision-makers to understand trends and patterns.

4. Data Exploration

SAC’s data exploration capabilities allow users to drill down into granular details and analyze data from various dimensions. This interactive process supports ad hoc analysis and enables users to explore large datasets, uncovering hidden insights without the need for predefined reports.

5. Augmented Analytics

Augmented Analytics leverages machine learning and artificial intelligence to assist users in uncovering insights automatically. Features such as smart insights, smart discovery, and smart grouping enable users to find patterns, predict outcomes, and identify key influencers without needing deep technical expertise.

6. Acquired Data Connectivity

SAC supports acquired data connectivity, allowing users to import data from various sources into the platform for analysis. This includes data from on-premise systems, cloud services, and third-party applications. Data can be cleaned, transformed, and modeled for analysis within the platform.

7. Live Data Connectivity

Live data connectivity enables users to connect to real-time data sources, ensuring that reports and dashboards are always up to date. SAC supports live connections to SAP HANA, SAP BW, and other third-party systems, providing seamless access to enterprise data without data replication.

8. Collaboration

Collaboration is at the core of SAC’s design, allowing teams to work together on reports, share insights, and make informed decisions. The platform offers collaboration tools such as commenting, discussions, and shared workspaces, ensuring that everyone is aligned on objectives and findings.

9. Mobile Applications

SAC’s mobile application offers on-the-go access to analytics and reports. The mobile app ensures that decision-makers can access real-time data from anywhere, providing flexibility and supporting a mobile workforce.

10. Enterprise Planning

Planning capabilities in SAC are tightly integrated with BI, making it a comprehensive tool for enterprise planning processes. Users can create budgets, forecasts, and what-if analyses, ensuring accurate financial planning and resource allocation.

a. View and Create Planning Models

Users can view existing planning models or create new ones based on their organizational requirements. SAC’s flexibility allows for complex scenarios, supporting both top-down and bottom-up planning processes.

b. Workflow and Plan Versioning

Workflow and plan versioning provide structure and control over the planning process. Multiple versions of plans can be created, ensuring that organizations can compare different scenarios and adapt to changes as necessary.

c. SAP BPC Integration

SAC integrates with SAP Business Planning and Consolidation (BPC), providing an extended platform for enterprise-wide planning. This integration ensures that data from BPC can be leveraged in SAC, improving collaboration and planning accuracy.

d. Events and Schedules

Users can schedule tasks and events, automating processes such as data refreshes, report distribution, and updates. This feature enhances operational efficiency by reducing manual interventions.

e. Allocations and Currency Translation

SAC supports allocations for distributing resources or costs across different entities, ensuring accurate financial reporting. Currency translation is another critical feature, enabling organizations with global operations to manage multiple currencies in their financial planning.

f. Value Driver Trees

Value driver trees provide a visual representation of key business drivers and their relationships. This tool helps users understand how various factors influence outcomes and allows for scenario analysis based on changes to key drivers.

11. Design of Analytics Applications

SAC also supports the design and development of custom analytics applications. Users can create interactive applications using scripting, enhancing the platform’s flexibility and enabling advanced use cases such as guided analysis and decision-making workflows.

12. Analytics Catalogue

The analytics catalogue is a centralized repository where users can access all available reports and dashboards. It improves the organization and accessibility of analytics content, making it easier for users to find and utilize the tools they need.

13. Schedule Publications

Scheduled publications allow users to automate the distribution of reports to relevant stakeholders. This ensures that key individuals receive the latest insights regularly without manual intervention.

Conclusion

SAP Analytics Cloud is a comprehensive platform that combines data analytics, visualization, planning, and collaboration in one solution. Its wide range of features, including pre-built business content, advanced data modeling, augmented analytics, and enterprise planning tools, make it an indispensable tool for organizations looking to drive innovation and efficiency through data-driven insights.