Thursday, January 16, 2025

Connecting SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) to SAP ECC Data

Connecting SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) to SAP ECC Data

This document outlines the different methods for connecting SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) to SAP ECC data. Since ECC doesn't directly integrate with SAC, we'll explore various intermediary tools and techniques to bridge the gap.

Table of Contents

  1. Using SAP BW as a Bridge
    • Ideal Use Case
    • Pros & Cons
    • Key Considerations
  2. Using SAP HANA as a Bridge
    • Ideal Use Case
    • Pros & Cons
    • Key Considerations
  3. Using OData Services
    • Ideal Use Case
    • Pros & Cons
    • Key Considerations
  4. Using Flat Files
    • Ideal Use Case
    • Pros & Cons
    • Key Considerations
  5. Using 3rd Party ETL Tools
    • Ideal Use Case
    • Pros & Cons
    • Key Considerations
  6. Connection Scenarios in SAC
    • Live Connection
    • Import Connection
  7. Best Practices
    • Performance
    • Security
    • Data Modeling

1. Using SAP BW as a Bridge

  • Ideal for: Organizations already leveraging SAP BW, or those requiring complex data transformations and modeling.
  • Pros: Robust data warehousing capabilities, mature ETL processes, potential for historical data analysis.
  • Cons: Can add complexity and overhead if BW is not already in place.
  • Key Considerations:
    • BW Version: Ensure your BW system is compatible with SAC.
    • Data Extraction: Utilize appropriate extractors (e.g., FI-GL, CO-PA) to extract data from ECC.
    • Query Optimization: Design efficient BW queries for optimal performance in SAC.

2. Using SAP HANA as a Bridge

  • Ideal for: ECC systems running on HANA or organizations with a separate HANA database.
  • Pros: Real-time data access, powerful data modeling capabilities within HANA.
  • Cons: Requires HANA expertise and infrastructure.
  • Key Considerations:
    • Data Replication: Choose the appropriate replication method (SLT or SDI) based on your needs and HANA version.
    • Calculation Views: Model your data using calculation views in HANA for efficient data access in SAC.

3. Using OData Services

  • Ideal for: Exposing specific datasets from ECC for analysis in SAC.
  • Pros: Direct access to ECC data without a separate data warehouse.
  • Cons: Can be limited in terms of data modeling and transformation capabilities.
  • Key Considerations:
    • SAP Gateway: Configure SAP Gateway to enable OData services for your ECC system.
    • OData Service Creation: Develop or utilize existing OData services that expose the required ECC data.

4. Using Flat Files

  • Ideal for: Ad-hoc analysis or small datasets.
  • Pros: Simple and straightforward approach.
  • Cons: Not suitable for large datasets or frequent data refreshes.
  • Key Considerations:
    • Data Preparation: Ensure data is properly formatted and cleansed before importing into SAC.
    • Data Refresh: Manually update data by importing new flat files.

5. Using 3rd Party ETL Tools

  • Ideal for: Organizations with existing ETL infrastructure or complex data integration needs.
  • Pros: Flexibility and powerful data transformation capabilities.
  • Cons: Can introduce additional costs and complexity.
  • Key Considerations:
    • Tool Selection: Choose an ETL tool that supports both ECC and SAC.
    • Data Integration: Design and implement ETL processes to extract, transform, and load data into SAC.

6. Connection Scenarios in SAC

  • Live Connection: Real-time data access without data replication (possible via BW, HANA, or S/4HANA).
  • Import Connection: Data is imported into SAC, allowing you to model and transform data (used with OData, flat files, or databases).

7. Best Practices

  • Performance: Use live connections for real-time data analysis, but ensure the source system can handle the load.
  • Security: Configure SAC connections to comply with your organization's security policies.
  • Data Modeling: Prepare your data models (e.g., CDS views in HANA or SAP BW queries) for better performance and usability in SAC.

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