Create a Process

A process allows you to schedule data loads from multiple sources into multiple targets - depending on the type of targets - in an efficient and automated way. A process can reference data flows from tasks that are in different projects.

Each data flow you plan to include in the process must be tested and work as expected within the context of its parent task.

Create a process, and then use the process editor to add data flows and include scripts.

  1. Select the project to which you want to add the new process and select Create Process.
  2. Enter a name for the process and, optionally, a description.
  3. As needed for your situation, do one of the following:

    • If you are loading data to SAP Integrated Business Planning (IBP), ensure that the Load to SAP Integrated Business Planning (requires post-processing) box is checked, which is the default, and select the target IBP datastore where you want to load your application data.

      Note

      Within a process, if a target datastore is Integrated Business Planning, you can load to only one datastore within that process. This is due to post-processing actions that occur after the data is loaded.

    • If you are loading data to any datastore other than Integrated Business Planning, deselect the Load to SAP Integrated Business Planning (requires post-processing) box.

      Note

      You can load to multiple datastores within one process if none of the datastores are Integrated Business Planning.

  4. Select Start of the navigation pathCreate Next navigation step Save and Edit ProcessEnd of the navigation path.

    The process editor displays.

  5. As planned in your process design, drag data flows, groups, and scripts from the tool palette and drop them on the canvas. Use connectors to indicate execution order.

Task overview: What is a Process?
Related Information

Add a data flow

  1. Drag the data flow icon () from the object palette and drop it onto the canvas.
  2. Select a target datastore.

    The result is a list of projects that contain tasks and data flows which load data to tables in the target datastore.

  3. Expand the project and select the task which contains your desired data flow.

    A list of the tables and their associated data flows is displayed.

  4. Select the desired data flow and select OK.

Add a group

Groups can contain data flows and scripts. Inside a group, connections between objects are optional.

  1. Drag the group icon () from the object palette and drop it onto the canvas.
  2. Enter a name for the group.
  3. Expand the group box by selecting on the + sign in the upper left corner.
  4. Drag and drop script and/or data flow objects into the group as determined by your process design.
  5. As needed, connect the objects.

    Data flows are executed in parallel if they are contained in a group object, but not connected.

Add a script

Use scripts to assign values to variables, call functions or define delta load properties.

  1. Drag the script icon () from the object palette and drop it onto the canvas.
  2. Enter a name for the script.
  3. Open the script editor by double-clicking the icon.
  4. Type your script from scratch or copy an existing script from the data flow's parent task and paste it in the script editor.

    In the script, statements must end with a semicolon (;).

  5. (Optional) Create any necessary global variables in the Global Variables area in the lower pane.
  6. Select OK to save and close the script.

    The script is validated and a warning displays if there are any validation errors.