InfoSet 

Definition

Description of a specific kind of InfoProvider: InfoSet describes data sources that are defined as a rule as joins of DataStore objects, standard InfoCubes  and/or InfoObjects (characteristics with master data). A time-dependent join or temporal join is a join that contains an InfoObject that is a time-dependent characteristic.

An InfoSet is a semantic layer over the data sources.

Unlike the classic InfoSet, an InfoSet is a BI-specific view of data.

For more information see the following documentation: InfoProviders, Classic InfoSets.

Use

With activated InfoSets you can define queries in the BI suite.

InfoSets allow you to report on several InfoProviders by using combinations of master data-bearing characteristics, InfoCubes and DataStore objects. The information is collected from the tables of the relevant InfoProviders. When an InfoSet is made up of several characteristics, you are able to map transitive attributes and report on this master data.

You create an InfoSet using the characteristics Business Partner (0BPARTNER) – Vendor (0VENDOR) – Business Name (0DBBUSNAME), and can then use the master data for reporting.

You can create time runs with an InfoSet by means of a temporal join (for this, see Temporal Joins). With all other types of BI object, the data is determined for the query key date, but with a temporal join in an InfoSet, you can specify a particular point in time at which you want the data to be evaluated. The key date of the query is not taken into consideration in the InfoSet.

Structure

You can include every DataStore object, every InfoCube and every InfoObject of the type Characteristic with Master Data in a join. A join can contain objects of the same object type, or objects of different object types. The individual objects can appear in a join any number of times. Join conditions connect the objects in a join to one another (equal join-condition). A join condition determines the combination of records from the individual objects that are included in the resulting set.

Integration

InfoSet Maintenance in the Administrator Workbench

You create and edit InfoSets in the InfoSet Builder. See Creating InfoSets and Editing InfoSets.

Queries about an InfoSet

The BEx Query Designer supports the tabular (flat) display of queries. Use the Table Display pushbutton to activate this function.

Every InfoProvider in the join of type DataStore and of type characteristic bearing master data displays two separate dimensions (key and attribute) in the BEx Query Designer. The dimensions of the InfoCube are mapped for InfoCubes. These dimensions contain the fields and attributes for the selected InfoSet.

If the InfoProvider is an InfoObject of the type Characteristic, all of the characteristics listed in the attribute definition and all of the display attributes are assigned to the characteristics (and the compounded characteristics, if applicable) in the Key dimension.

·         The display attributes are listed exclusively in the Key dimension.

·         The independent characteristics are listed in both the Key and the Attribute dimensions.

If the InfoProvider is a DataStore object or an InfoCube, a field object with the property “exclusive attribute” is not listed in the directory tree of the InfoProvider.

If the join is temporal, there is also a separate dimension, Valid Time Interval, in the query designer. See Temporal Joins.

InfoSets offer you the most recent reporting for master data-carrying characteristics, so that in reporting, the newest records are displayed, even if they are not yet activated. See Most Recent Reporting for InfoObjects.

You can find additional information about the technical details of queries using InfoSets and examples under Interpretation of Reports Using InfoSets.

You can find additional information about defining queries under Query Design: BEx Query Designer

Transport Connection

As a TLOGO object, an InfoSet is connected to the transport system for the Business Information Warehouse. For more information, see Transport Systems.

Definition and Delivery of Content

Business Content is defined and delivered in the usual way in the Business Information Warehouse. InfoSets are delivered in a D-version, and have to be activated by the customer (see Business Content (Versions)).