what we’ll cover …

SAP Business Intelligence (BI) The Latest Tools, Technologies, and Benefits

Penny Silvia & Dr. Bjarne Berg

MyITgroup & Comerit Inc.

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What We’ll Cover …

• “Selling” across your organization – what is your Business Case?

• Understanding your Technology Needs – what you REALLY need!

• Preparing for the Implementation – and the Future

• Learn from our Experiences – good and bad!

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What is the Business Case to upgrade SAP BI?

• This is not a cut and dry answer … We’ve seen different answers for different customers – and for different business units.

• The justification must be aligned with concrete business benefits

• The best way to write it is to align it with one of these areas:

• Money

• Strategy

••• Reducing time & • effort of delivery

Hint!! Hint!! successful successful business business cases are cases are written around thiswritten around this

Hint!! Hint!! successful successful business business cases are cases are written around thiswritten around this

Improved user functionality and speed for end usersImproved user functionality and speed for end users

Enterprise Enterprise reasonsreasons

Enterprise Enterprise reasonsreasons

IT reasonsIT reasonsIT reasonsIT reasons

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Ex: Enterprise Benefits of SAP BI that Mgmt will support

Users get earlier access to information

Load times in BI are less than traditional,custom- developeddata warehouses

Business users need a high Availability solution

Information Access

Users spend less time on reconciling data, and moretime analyzing it.

BW is “closer” to the source system, and more accurately reflects data

A substantial portion of the data warehouse effort is spent on reconciling information

Reconciliation Effort

Enables web initiatives to get closer to the source data,both in time and consistencywith simplified security setup.

SAP BI is closely integrated with SAP Portal and can deliver data that reflects The source system at short time intervals.

Web delivery requires rapid data delivery of high consistency with the source system.

Web strategy

Substantial cost savings, bynot having to redevelop newextract programs for eachSAP upgrade

BW – R/3 integration points are maintained and tested by SAP

Enables retirement of legacy DW.Updating extract programs to custom DW when upgrading R/3 is expensive.

Cost Avoidance

SAP is responsible for maintenance of the product.

Maintaining a custom developed BI solution is complex and expensive.

Cost of Ownership

BenefitBW ObservationArea

Information Access

Reconciliation Effort

Web strategy

Cost Avoidance

Cost of Ownership

BenefitSAP BI ObservationArea

Substantial maintenancecost savings

Money Reducing Time and Effort of delivery

Strategy Improved information quality & access 5

Area Observation SAP BI Benefit

Faster Deployment Need to increase time to deliver new applications and enhancements existing areas

More content. Typical 60-80% of pre-delivered content is used,. It increases development speed

Reduced development time for new decision support areas such as formatted reports, cockpits, broadcasting…

Integrated Products SAP continues to offer new products and modules that the organization might wish to leverage in the future. I.e. PDF, security, APO, CRM etc..

SAP BI is the “cornerstone” of SAP’s NetWeaver product offerings

Enables closer integration with other SAP modules, and is sometimes required.

Query speed Business users need fast access to their data

Through use of summaries, TREX, and the new BIA, Multiproviders and memory cacheing, SAP BI lends itself to fast performance

Users get the data they need quickly to perform their job functions

Example Enterprise Benefits of SAP BI (cont.)


Strategy Improved information quality & access 6

Area Observation SAP BI Benefit

SAP Strategy It is the organization’s SAP strategy to leverage investments in the SAP to the fullest extent, and maximize SAP resource utilization.

SAP BI is a SAP product, and is based on standard SAP NetWeaver technologies

Strategic fit and synergy with SAP. SAP Basis, ABAP, etc. resources can be used across SAP projects, including SAP BW/BI.

Tool Standardization

The organization must be able to leverage industry standards to enable business users to access data in a variety of ways

SAP presentation and development tools have evolved into best-of-breed tools and also supports Java, ODBO, XML and more.

Simplifies user access to data, expands options for using standard presentation and web tools, or developing your own.

Industry Trend The organization’s competitors and some of the organization’s business areas are installing SAP BI

Increased industry resource pool and knowledge of SAP BW

Enables the organization to leverage industry solutions and know-how.


Strategy Improved information quality & access

Example Enterprise Benefits of SAP BI (cont.)

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What are Businesses (aka: Users!) using to drive the upgrade?

• Business units are seeing huge gains in usability, as well as features & functions in SAP BI 7.0

• Business units are seeing opportunity for improving the solutions they have in SAP BW today – and making them more user friendly

• What specific features?• Cockpits, Printing, Real-Time, BI

Accelerator, Formatted Reports, Integrated Planning, Ad Hoc Queries

FUNCTIONALITY! FUNCTIONALITY! FUNCTIONALITY!

But is this enough to justify an upgrade?

But is this enough to justify an upgrade?

What is IT using to drive the desire to upgrade?

• What is being pushed by IT departments as justification for upgrading?• TECHNOLOGY! TECHNOLOGY! TECHNOLOGY!• IT departments are seeing significant potential savings in TCO,

maintenance, development time, support and more• More empowerment for end users = less

requirements to IT• More flexibility and ability to change with the

organization = less cost to make changes and more willingness TO make changes

• Advanced features and capabilities = opportunities to sunset non-SAP BI solutions, tools and add-ons

• But is this enough to justify an upgrade?

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What’s the Right Answer?

• The “right” answer is the one that is going to resonate within YOUR organization – and get you the funds that you need for the upgrade!

• Some ideas:• Cost avoidance: Cost of developing BSPs is high and will have to be redone

later..• Unicode conversions are easier when system is small• Benefit of Java based development tools are great and users like the drag and

drop better..• Tool access (i.e. may not need Crystal, when you have report writer),

broadcasting to printers, PDF, better bursting…• Better ETL interface, more content, cockpit tools….

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http://www.clipart.com/en/close-up?o=5045185&a=3&q=money&k_mode=any&s=1&e=21&show=&c=&cid=&findincat=&g=&cc=6023:53:3169:103:154:1097:1669&page=&k_exc=&pubid=&color=&b=k&date=

Be Careful…

• If you’re going to go with an IT and cost-savings approach to justify your upgrade …• Make sure all the technology

works the way you expect it to before committing an ROI to it

• Make sure you have a full understanding of the total cost of the solution (specifically BI Accelerator) and the benefits you will receive before committing an ROI to it

• Look at the systems you propose to de-commission and confirm that SAP BI will deliver an acceptable alternative – and that the business will not “block” your plans for de-commissioning

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What are your technology requirements for 2004s?

• MANY of the tools and features of 2004s require the SAP Enterprise Portal tool• All Web-based tools• Report Designer• New BEx Web Application Designer

(Unicode, Command Wizard, ...)• Exporting to PDF and Printing• BI Integrated Planning • “Drag & Drop” (Analysis Web Item)• Document Integration with Storage

in Knowledge Management

These may well be the tools that you are using to position the

upgrade to your users – or for your business case … so what does that mean to your overall

efforts and cost?

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Another common question: “When Will You Install AS-Java/Portal/BI-Java?”

BEx Web and BI Integrated Planning require Usage Types BI-Java, EP, and AS-Java as technical foundations

All 7.0 BEx front-end tools require BI-Java, EP, and AS-Java as technical foundations• BEx Analyzer• BEx Web Application Designer• BEx Analyzer• BEx Report Designer• BEx Query Designer

Therefore, the question becomes not if but when• With a “technical upgrade” project approach, Portal/Java/BI-Java are

delayed until medium- or long-term phases

Remember – you CAN continue to use the 3.X interface – and functionality – without the Portal / Java – until you are ready to install. The “cost” … you won’t

get to use all the cool new functionality of 7.0 until you install Portal / Java

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What does this mean for your overall Portal strategy?

You have choices …• Consolidated BI/enterprise portal

• One portal, two uses (BI portal and enterprise portal)• Might require you to upgrade the Portal• Support Package synchronization between BI and the Portal

• Standalone BI and enterprise portal systems• Several Portals if one Portal is for BI only and one “corporate” Portal

• Several Portals could be integrated by Federated Portal Network• No Support Package synchronization between BI and “enterprise” portal

• Multiple production BI systems drive architecture towards a distributed portal strategy

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Heads Up! Restriction with SAP NetWeaver 7.0

There can only be a 1:1 relationship between an SAP NetWeaver BI 7.0 instance and a Portal 7.0 instance

Either an existing SAP portal must be used for BI query runtime, or a new portal must be dedicated to support the BI query (BEx) runtime (running together with an existing portal)

Multiple production BI systems drives a more complex portal landscape (because of the 1:1 relationship)

New technical architecture ... each SAP NetWeaver 7.0 Portal can connect to one

and only one BI system

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Federated Portal Strategy – Considerations

• The consumer portal can integrate complete portal roles of a producer portal • You currently cannot combine roles from several producer portals• Use Remote URL iViews instead to create portal roles with content from several producer

portals• Information Broadcasting is possible within one producer portal

• Documents will be created within Knowledge Management (KM) of the producer portal• KM does not support Federated Portal Networks directly

• Broadcasting between different producer portals is not possible• Several options are available to make documents created by Information

Broadcasting visible:• Remote KM Navigation iView (recommended if no combined storage

is required)• CM Repository Manager (recommended if combined storage is required)

See http://service.sap.com/nw-fpn * and SAP Note 969040 for details* Requires login credentials to the SAP Service Marketplace

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Decision #1 – What Is Your Technical Upgrade Path?

• There are different upgrade paths which depend on your current version and the applications and scenarios used on your source version

• Scenario 1:• SAP BW 3.5 w/ABAP only or BW 3.1C, 3.0B, 2.1C, or 2.0B

Source: SAP 19

More Upgrade Paths …

• Scenario 2:• BW 3.5 w/ABAP with BI Java Components on AS Java

Source: SAP 20

A Different View …

Source: SAP 21

Decision #2 – Technical or Functional Upgrade?

• Quite honestly, it really all boils down to this question. Are you going to ONLY do a technical upgrade (and not release any new functionality) or are you going to do a technical AND functional upgrade and immediately roll-out the new capabilities of SAP NetWeaver BI 7.0?

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Our General Recommendation: Technical Upgrade First

• Most organizations (at least the ones we are dealing with) are opting for a technical upgrade – with functionality releases in phases in the future• This is the least risky approach, but it does lead to user expectation

management• This also minimizes transition activities associated with objects that

don’t convert automatically• This also minimizes risks against “undocumented features”

• But as an organization you have to make this decision for yourself … based on your requirements, business case and “tolerance for risk”

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How can you weigh the choices of Technical or Functional?

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Weighing Towards a Technical Upgrade

• A technical upgrade is the “safest” way to proceed

• It is also the fastest and the least expensive

• Your user community will notice little to no change UNTIL you start rolling out the new functionality

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Weighing Towards a Functional Upgrade

• A functional upgrade (which includes all the technical activities) will make the biggest impression on your user community• This will take longer – and cost

more money

• You will be able to sunset other solutions sooner

• You will get the most benefits – from usability and management

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Three Key Considerations

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Additional Consideration: Resources and Technical Support

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What You’ll Need Resources For ….

• BASIS • Critical that you have the technical resources who are familiar with

installing SAP NetWeaver BI 7.0 and integrating all of the components (SAP Solution Manager, SAP NetWeaver Portal, etc.)

• SAP NetWeaver Portal administration• Required for use of vast majority of new presentation functions –

printing, report designer, all Web functions, Visual Composer• Experienced SAP NetWeaver BI 7.0 support

• This is a MAJOR release – you don’t want someone “learning on your dime”

• Your regular BI support/maintenance organization • Must familiarize themselves with the new tools

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What You’ll Need Resources For … (cont.)

• You will also need support from the following groups:• Security and Authorizations

• Convert to new authorizations objects• BI Web Specialists

• Convert BI 3.x web templates to new formats• Business Analysts/Representatives

• For testing

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Typical Training Requirements

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Step -1: Hardware install and BWS Copy

BWX BWD BWQ BWP

BWS BWX BWX BWX

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2 4

January Feb March April

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Hardware install

Copy BWD to new BWS

Upgrade DB2 to latest version

Post processing of box

Rename/restore old BWS box

Download latest patches for upgrade

A 2008

Real example

In this real example, we are also In this real example, we are also installing new Hardware. installing new Hardware.

This gives us lot of flexibility…This gives us lot of flexibility…

In this real example, we are also In this real example, we are also installing new Hardware. installing new Hardware.

This gives us lot of flexibility…This gives us lot of flexibility…

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Step -1: BWS Unicode conversion, Java upgrade & test

BWX BWD BWQ BWP

BWS BWX BWX BWX

1 2


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Start upgrade BWS

Start shadow instance

SPDD start

ICNV start

Start syst. downtime upgrade activity

Complete BWS upgrade

Post processing

Basis and functional testing

Unicode conversion

Java upgrade

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At this stage you should document and At this stage you should document and test all work that occurs. Some time test all work that occurs. Some time has to be set aside for notes research has to be set aside for notes research and unforeseen issues.and unforeseen issues.

We want to creating a repeatable We want to creating a repeatable process, so no ad-hoc activities are process, so no ad-hoc activities are allowed.allowed.

At this stage you should document and At this stage you should document and test all work that occurs. Some time test all work that occurs. Some time has to be set aside for notes research has to be set aside for notes research and unforeseen issues.and unforeseen issues.

We want to creating a repeatable We want to creating a repeatable process, so no ad-hoc activities are process, so no ad-hoc activities are allowed.allowed.

A 2008

Real example

Step -2: System copies

BWX BWX BWX BWP

BWS BWD BWQ BWX

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3

2 4


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Copy BWD

Development freeze

Rename BWD

Copy BWQ

Rename BWQ

Copy PDW (no rename yet). It is still the production system..

You now freeze the development and You now freeze the development and can take copies of the BWD and BWQ can take copies of the BWD and BWQ system and prepare for upgrades.system and prepare for upgrades.

The old BWP is still running as the The old BWP is still running as the productive system..productive system..

You now freeze the development and You now freeze the development and can take copies of the BWD and BWQ can take copies of the BWD and BWQ system and prepare for upgrades.system and prepare for upgrades.

The old BWP is still running as the The old BWP is still running as the productive system..productive system..

A 2008

Real example

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Step -3: BWD upgrade

BWX BWX BWX BWP

BWS BWD BWQ BWX

1

3

2 4


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Complete Prepare on BWD

Apply fixes

Start upgrade BWD


SPDD start

ICNV start


Complete BWD upgrade

Post processing


Unicode conversion

Java upgrade

We now repeat the process. We now repeat the process. Remember, you have already upgraded Remember, you have already upgraded BWD once and should know the need BWD once and should know the need for any post processing.for any post processing.

Don't ignore the need for technical and Don't ignore the need for technical and functional testing.functional testing.

We now repeat the process. We now repeat the process. Remember, you have already upgraded Remember, you have already upgraded BWD once and should know the need BWD once and should know the need for any post processing.for any post processing.

Don't ignore the need for technical and Don't ignore the need for technical and functional testing.functional testing.

A 2008

Real example

Step -4: The real test -- BWQ upgrade

BWX BWX BWX BWP

BWS BWD BWQ BWX

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3

2 4

• •


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Complete Prepare on BWQ

Apply fixes

Start upgrade BWQ


SPDD start

ICNV start


Complete BWQ upgrade

Post processing


Unicode conversion

Java upgrade

Functional test and go/no-go decision

Notice, we refreshed the new BWQ Notice, we refreshed the new BWQ from BWP, so this is really a BWP from BWP, so this is really a BWP upgrade…upgrade…

Go/no-go decision on April 17th!!Go/no-go decision on April 17th!!

Notice, we refreshed the new BWQ Notice, we refreshed the new BWQ from BWP, so this is really a BWP from BWP, so this is really a BWP upgrade…upgrade…

Go/no-go decision on April 17th!!Go/no-go decision on April 17th!!

A 2008

Real example

Step -5: The Big One: Cut-Over weekend….

BWX BWX BWX BWX

BWS BWD BWQ BWP

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2 4


21 28 4 11 18 25 3 10 17 24 31 7 14 18 19 20 21

Java install

Remove data in new system

Rename BWP

Complete Prepare on BWP

Apply fixes

Start upgrade BWP


SPDD start

ICNV start


Complete BWP upgrade

Post processing

Basis testing

Functional test

Unicode conversion (TBD)

Contingencies should be made. I.e. notice Contingencies should be made. I.e. notice that is any showstoppers occur on 20that is any showstoppers occur on 20thth, the , the old BWP can be renamed back, or if the old BWP can be renamed back, or if the time becomes too short the Unicode can be time becomes too short the Unicode can be done the next weekend.done the next weekend.

Contingencies should be made. I.e. notice Contingencies should be made. I.e. notice that is any showstoppers occur on 20that is any showstoppers occur on 20thth, the , the old BWP can be renamed back, or if the old BWP can be renamed back, or if the time becomes too short the Unicode can be time becomes too short the Unicode can be done the next weekend.done the next weekend.

A 2008

Real example

Top Challenges Cited by BI Upgrade Teams

• What is actually REQUIRED from a technical perspective?• “How much” SAP NetWeaver Portal is necessary?• What do we do if we have another portal tool as our corporate

portal?• How do I manage the user expectations – they hear about all this

great functionality and they want to use it NOW – with the need to balance what we rollout?

• How can I create an environment in which SOME people can use the new functionality and some people can’t?

• There is so much … where do I start?

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Experiences of BI Upgrade Pioneers

• The EARLY, EARLY pioneers (the people who did this during ramp-up) ran into some frustration• But the good news is that you get to learn from all their frustrations

and deal with a product that is much more stable and dependable! • Others who have the system live already are finding …

• Higher user acceptance of the system as they roll out new functionality

• BI Accelerator can dramatically improve the performance of queries – but make sure you use it against the RIGHT queries (as we’ve already talked about)

This might be the time for a complete re-install vs. an upgrade – and build all the “old” BW stuff over in the new solution

This might be the time for a complete re-install vs. an upgrade – and build all the “old” BW stuff over in the new solution

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Reminder: Be Careful How You Sell This Internally

• If you promote the functionality then you are committed to a functional upgrade – which is a BIG effort

• Managing user expectations is very important here• There has been a LOT of marketing on the new features,

many of which users (especially those coming from other BI tools) feel should have been there a long time ago

• If you are not rolling out all functionality right away, you are going to have to manage expectations and offer alternatives

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Reminder: Don’t Try to Go-It-Alone

• Get support from the most experienced resources (internal and external) that you can find – and afford• There is so much going on in this upgrade – and so many new integration

points – you will really want as much “been there, done that” as you can get

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Reminder: SAP NetWeaver Portal is a “Must-Have”

• If you don’t install SAP NetWeaver Portal you don’t get all the “good” functionality• E.g., Printing, Formatted Reports, Ad Hoc Queries, etc.

• Many companies are struggling with this point as they have selected other portals tools as their corporate portal• People are looking at having to own and maintain two portals

solutions – and expose one through the other• Organizations in this position (that I have been working with)

are choosing to say that SAP Enterprise Portal PRODUCES content and their corporate portal DISTRIBUTES content

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Remember: Be Careful How You Access Your New System

• Remember, if you go the technical upgrade route, be careful how you access the system!• You will have two access methods (via the 3.5 interface or via

the 7.0 interface) • If you go in as if through 7.0 and save certain objects

(like queries) then they are no longer accessible via the 3.5 interface!

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Time for YOUR questions!

How to contact us:Penny Silvia: [email protected]. Bjarne Berg: [email protected]

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