1. Presented By: Mustansir Saifuddin October 20, 2010
Integrating SAP Business Objects Xcelsius and Web Intelligence reporting with SAP NetWeaver BW and SAP NetWeaver Portal
Presented By:
Mustansir Saifuddin
October 20, 2010
Session ID: BI212

2. Agenda The new face of BI …. With BOBJ
Available Tools and Integration Points
Project Approach and Resource Requirements
BEX Queries and OLAP Universe
Deploying a Dashboard
Portal Integration and SSO
The Experience

3. SAP Landscape with Business Objects
SAP NetWeaver Portal
Any Portal, Any Destination
SAP BusinessObjects Enterprise
SAP BEx
Explorer
Xcelsius
Crystal Reports
WEBI
Live Office
Pioneer
Information Access
Information Foundation
Metadata Management, Information Lifecycle Management
SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse
Data Profiling
Data Services ETL/DQ
Data Federator
SAP NetWeaver BW Accelerator
Master Data Governance
Master Data Management
3rd-Party Databases and Applications
ECC
Financials Operations Human Resources Logistics
Corporate Services
CRM
SCM
SRM
PLM
SAP Business Suite
EPM
GRC
Enterprise Applications
SAP BusinessObjects POA
ECC
Financials Operations Human Resources Logistics
Corporate Services
CRM
SCM
SRM
PLM
SAP Business Suite
EPM
GRC
Enterprise Applications
SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse
Open HUB
Process Integration
SAP NetWeaver BW Accelerator
Master Data Governance
Master Data Management
SAP NetWeaver Portal
SAP Bex
Queries
Excel Analyzer
Web Analyzer
Lifecycle Management
SAP NetWeaver
Content
Extractors
Data Quality Management
For SAP/CRM
Real-time Validation Duplication
Data Quality
Data Federator
3rd-Party Databases and Applications

4. Why Business Objects
Now part of the SAP Business Intelligence suite of tools
Tight integration with SAP BW and ECC
More Reporting Options
Better Presentation Layer
User Friendly Tools
Intuitive User Interface

5. Serving Different User Base
Meets the needs of different user base within the organization:
Executives and Managers
Business Analysts
Information Consumers
Something for everybody. The top layer “Executives and Managers” were the most ignored group in the traditional BW implementations where the complaint was that they were not getting the information in the format they needed to make quick decisions

6. Agenda The new face of BI …. With BOBJ
Available Tools and Integration Points
Project Approach and Resource Requirements
BEX Queries and OLAP Universe
Deploying a Dashboard
Portal Integration and SSO
The Experience

7. Tools and Usage Usage Tools Adhoc Query, Reporting and Analysis
Enterprise Reporting
Dashboard/Visualization
Advanced Analytics
Discovery and Exploration
Tools
Web Intelligence
Crystal Reports
Xcelsius
Pioneer
Explorer

8. Integration Points and Architecture Components
Xcelsius
Live Office
Query as a WebService
Crystal Reports
Web Intelligence (Webi)
OLAP Universe
SAP BW
BEX Query
Direct Access
Infocube
Multi
Provider 8

9. More Streamlined Connectivity – BEX to Xcelsius
BI Consumer Services BICS Connectivity
Technical Requirements:
SAP NetWeaver BW 7.01 (SAP enhancement package 01), Service Pack 05
SAP BusinessObjects Xcelsius Enterprise 2008 Service Pack 02
SAP Frontend 7.x installed on the client with BI Add-Ons
Query as a WebService
Live Office
Crystal Reports
Web Intelligence (Webi)
OLAP Universe
SAP BW
BEX Query
Direct Access
Infocube
Multi
Provider

10. Building Blocks BEX Queries (Source) Universe (Semantic Layer)
Universe Connection to BW
Webi Reports (Presentation Layer)
Live Office Connections
Xcelsius (Dashboard)
Infoview (BOBJ Portal)
Enterprise Portal
From the previous slides if you are planning to deploy a Xcelsius Dashboard and want to use the Universe as the semantic layer than the following building blocks will be required except for couple of exceptions

11. Agenda The new face of BI …. With BOBJ
Available Tools and Integration Points
Project Approach and Resource Requirements
BEX Queries and OLAP Universe
Deploying a Dashboard
Portal Integration and SSO
The Experience

12. Project Approach Start with a Proof of Concept (POC)
Define Scope (both for POC and full implementation)
Number of KPI’s to be captured in POC
KPI’s required for the go live
Identify any Drill Down Reports
Use Production or Production Like Data
Identify your Audience
Senior Management
C level Executives
Others
Keep your audience engaged throughout the implementation phase

13. Resource Requirements
Team Requirement and Collaboration:
BI/BOBJ Architect and Project Manager
Identify BW Resource(s)
Pick the Business User/SME to guide the project Team
Basis Resource:
Knowledge of Business Objects Environment
SAP Integration Kit
Enterprise Portal support
Business Objects Developer(s)
Business SME and BI/BOBJ Architect are key roles

14. Agenda The new face of BI …. With BOBJ
Available Tools and Integration Points
Project Approach and Resource Requirements
BEX Queries and OLAP Universe
Deploying a Dashboard
Portal Integration and SSO
The Experience
Next we will discuss the interaction between a Bex query and an OLAP Universe

15. Use of BEX Queries as a Source for BOBJ
BEX queries have a one to one relationship to a BOBJ Universe
This is identified as an OLAP Universe
In order for the Universe to access the BEX query
Check the “Allow External Access” checkbox in query properties
Also check the settings in RSRT transaction called “Use selection of Structure Members”. This allows Business Objects to read the structures in BEX query
Try maintaining the reporting logic in BEX by utilizing exit variables to determine time and other complex computations if possible

16. Use of BEX Queries as a Source for BOBJ
Be mindful of the changes made to the BEX query
A Universe refresh is required every time a change is made to the BEX query
Use inclusion filters instead of exclusions when using certain values or value ranges for a characteristics
Check your query output by using MDXTEST transaction in BW that allows you to debug any issues
Note: You do not need a BI Query for every report and you do not need a universe for every BI Query

17. BEX Query and OLAP Universe
A universe on top of BEX query is an OLAP Universe
No table joins etc. are required in this type of Universe
This is a major difference between relational database universe and OLAP based
The following screen shot shows the “Refresh Structure” setting
These settings allows the developer to sync up the Bex query to the Universe

18. SAP BW OLAP Universes - Terminologies
BW Query Element
OLAP Universe Element
Cube Dimension
Class
Characteristic (incl. Time and Unit)
A class with dimension and detail objects (detail objects for key and description)
Key Figure
Measure element in a class named Key figures
Navigational attribute
A class with dimension and detail objects
(detail objects for key and description)
Display attribute
Each display attribute becomes a detail object underneath the related dimension object
SAP variables
Query filter as predefined object which can be optional or mandatory
Custom structure
Dimension object

19. BEX Query Designer

20. Comparable OLAP Universe on Top of BEX Query

21. Universe Settings for BEX Queries
Hide Level 00 in the Universe definition
Remove L01 suffix from the object names and update the text to reflect user friendly names
Use “Single Sign On When refreshing reports at view time” option as the authentication mode

22. Agenda The new face of BI …. With BOBJ
Available Tools and Integration Points
Project Approach and Resource Requirements
BEX Queries and OLAP Universe
Deploying a Dashboard
Portal Integration and SSO
The Experience

23. Elements of Xcelsius

24. Important Phases and Connectivity Model
Data Model design
Dashboard Front End Design
Dashboard Excel Design
SAP BI-Xcelsius connectivity
Sap Bex
Query
BI Consumer Services
Connector
Business
Objects
Universe
QAAWS/
Live Office
Xcelsius
Dashboard 24

25. Data Model Design for Dashboards
As the end product is a Dashboard, the SAP BI backend data model should be designed very specifically keeping in mind the following aspects:
Business Requirement
Dashboard performance
Complexity balance: Front-end/Back-end
Total development time
Change Management – Key Aspect due to management visibility
Connectivity model

26. Guidelines for deploying a Dashboard
Architectural Guidelines
Dashboard Load Times. Define a criteria < 10 Seconds?
Consistency in Results – design needs to minimize the opportunity to duplicate calculations or arrive at different results
Flexibility in Dashboards and Queries/Reports
Identify the level of effort for any design changes
Examples: Aesthetic changes VS adding new KPI’s
“Simplicity” should rule the design in Xcelsius and reports
Keep ongoing maintenance in mind
Turn around time
Ease of Use for End users

27. Xcelsius Dashboard Best Practices
Define a standard look and feel for the corporate dashboard
Color schemes
Corporate logo
Pick the data connection that works for your situation
Query as a Web Services (QAAWS)
Live Office (LO) connection
Define KPI’s that provide a high level overview of the data
Allow drill down capabilities in to more detailed Webi reports
To answer any further questions prompted from dashboard

28. Operational Budget Dashboard

29. Additional Tips for Dashboard Design
In the object browser group the design elements in a logical manner
A few things to consider when choosing the design components
Ease of Analysis
Naming convention for the component
Use of Filters and panels
Color Scheme

30. Dashboard Excel Design
Use the following tips:
Formula Optimization
Use of Vlookups
Color legends
Use different excel sheets per different mapping scenarios
Use of headings and comments with proper description

31. BOBJ Adhoc Capabilities
Web Intelligence (Webi) tool is known for its Adhoc capabilities
Leverage the same Universe used for creating the Dashboard for creating on demand reports to do more detail analysis
Users can create their own Webi reports via Infoview (BOBJ Portal) that can be integrated in to Enterprise Portal
Leverage the SSO capabilities that allows seamless integration between Enterprise Portal, Infoview and backend BW system

32. Where can Web Intelligence add value?
Customer requirements
Self-service reporting and analysis, autonomy from IT
Simple user interface, designed for the masses
Combine data from SAP and non-SAP data in a single report
Connectivity to SAP
SAP and non-SAP data in a single report
Rich feature set
Sits on top of Business Objects Enterprise Universes
Universes connect to SAP NetWeaver BI via OLAP BAPI
Access objects: BEx Queries & SAP BI Info Cubes

33. Support of BW Variables in Webi’s
Variable type
Processing Type
User Entry/ Default Value
Replacement path
Authorization
Customer exit
SAP exit
Characteristic
Supported
Text
Not Supported
N/A
Formula
Hierarchy
Hierarchy node

34. Web Intelligence Publications
Publications in Business Objects Enterprise (BOE) plays a similar role to Information Broadcasting in BW
Publications allows you to schedule a Crystal Report/Web Intelligence object for distribution to end users
Prerequisites – Publications with SAP BW Security:
BI authorizations are configured in SAP BI
Server side trust being granted between SAP BI and BOE
SAP authentication configured in BOE
SAP user and roles imported to BOE and available as recipients
OLAP Universe deployed with SSO as authentication method
Web Intelligence report being created and available in BOE
Publication being created as multi-pass bursting process (one fetch per recipient)

35. Agenda The new face of BI …. With BOBJ
Available Tools and Integration Points
Project Approach and Resource Requirements
BEX Queries and OLAP Universe
Deploying a Dashboard
Portal Integration and SSO
The Experience

36. Integrating BOBJ into Enterprise Portal
Xcelsius Dashboards, Web Intelligence and Crystal Reports can be integrated into Enterprise Portal
Allows users a consistent look and feel for their reports and dashboards
Leverages SSO functionality thus enhancing user experience as a whole
Couple of Integration options:
Knowledge Management (KM) content can be used to integrate BOBJ content into Portal
OpenDoc URL Iviews can be configured in Portal to provide direct link to Dashboard and reports

37. Data Journey and Authentication Path
Use Single Sign On (SSO) to connect from Portal to BOBJ Infoview to BW
Leverage role level security in BW to secure Enterprise level data
Configure Custom Access Levels in BOE
Ensure BOE, BW and Portal are in the same Domain
In CMC, setup SAP Entitlement System in BOE using the SAP id setup for SSO
Import BW roles into BOE
Use FQDN for the BOBJ servers

38. BOBJ Transport AKA Life Cycle Management
Life Cycle Management (LCM) acts as the transport system to move BOBJ development objects between environments
Examples Include:
Universe
Connections
Webi Reports
Xcelsius Dashboard
Custom Access Lists (CAL’s) – BOBJ Authorization

39. LCM Steps
Following steps are involved in moving objects from Dev to QA or Prod environments:
Create a new job by clicking on this icon
You must be logged on to source system
Add the necessary objects
Always verify dependencies between objects
Some example sequence include:
Report => Universe => Connection
Once the object collection is complete a “Test Promotion” can be performed. This allows for a quick sanity check before actually promoting objects to target system

40. LCM Do’s and Don’ts
Schedule your LCM job similar to how you would setup your SAP transports to a target system
Use consistent naming conventions when creating the LCM jobs
Avoid promoting dependencies if they are already in the target system
Use rollback mechanism if you have to restore the destination system to its prior state
Only use this option if you have to quickly restore the target system
Use this option sparingly as it takes up disk space

41. Agenda The new face of BI …. With BOBJ
Available Tools and Integration Points
Project Approach and Resource Requirements
BEX Queries and OLAP Universe
Deploying a Dashboard
Portal Integration and SSO
The Experience

42. Impact of Business Objects
Adding Business Objects in your current landscape adds complexity
Newer skill sets above and beyond BW are required
More Integration points (or more Pain Points introduced) in the environment
Maintenance challenges with a new set of components and upgrades to deal with
Evolving architecture

43. Key Learnings Xcelsius: Web Intelligence:
Users can consume and analyze a lot of information in a meaningful way
Information at the executives fingertips via tabs, filters with telling graphical representation
Web Intelligence:
Webi reports reduces time to develop formatted reports with much more capability on an Adhoc basis
Webi reports provide power users ability to modify queries and reports like BEX
Webi reports provides executives and light information workers quick insight into their data

44. Payback An enhanced user experience
Business Objects covers a wide spectrum of user base in the organization
Something for everybody
More business ownership less IT dependency
An opportunity to move away from Excel and Access based custom solutions
Provide insights in to your data at the highest level in the organization – Folks who are making critical business decisions

45. Contact Info
Session ID: BI212
Mustansir Saifuddin
Web: