OLAP Engine
SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse uses OLAP technology to analyze data stored in the Data Warehouse. Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) uses SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse as a Decision Support System allowing decision makers to analyze multidimensionally modeled data quickly and interactively in line with business management needs.
InfoProviders provide the view of the data. Since the data in InfoCubes is stored in a read-optimized form, InfoCubes and MultiProviders based on InfoCubes are the preferred InfoProviders.
The OLAP Processor, a component of the BW server, lies between the user and the database: It makes the multidimensionally formatted data available to both the front end and, using special interfaces ( Open Analysis Interfaces ), to third-party administrator front ends. The OLAP Processor is therefore optimized for analyzing and reporting large datasets. Users can request special individual views of business-relevant data using Business Explorer (see SAP Business Explorer ).
The graphic below displays the status and tasks of the OLAP processor in the data processing process when a multidimensional analysis is executed:
Queries are the basis of every analysis in SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse. To formally define a multidimensional request, a query defines the following:
- The structure - similar to a worksheet (see Structures , Defining Restricted Key Figures , Defining Calculated Key Figures , Defining Exception Cells ).
- The filter that affects this structure
- the navigation space (free characteristics) (see Restricting Characteristics ).
The BW system has a number of analysis and navigation functions for formatting and evaluating a company's data. These allow the user to formulate individual requests on the basis of multidimensionally modeled datasets (InfoProviders). Users can then view and evaluate this data from various perspectives at runtime.
The overall functionality for retrieving, processing, and formatting this data is provided by the OLAP processor.
In the context of BW-Integrated Planning, you can use input ready queries for manual planning. More information: Planning Business Data with BW-Integrated Planning and Input-Ready Query .
The table below provides an overview of the OLAP functions and services implemented in the SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse analytic engine.
More information: Special OLAP Functions and Services , Performance Optimization and Business Explorer .
Overview of OLAP Functions and Services
| OLAP Function | Operations in Detail |
|---|---|
Navigation |
Drilldown to characteristic / structure element. Remove element drilldown from the view (dice) Expand (drilldown) and hide (drill up) hierarchy nodes Swap drilldown elements |
Filter |
Restrict (slice) characteristics to selections (single value, value range, hierarchy element, exclusion) |
Aggregation |
Standard aggregation: Default, key-figure-dependent calculation formula for the aggregation of single result values Exception aggregation: Special aggregation setting in relation to a particular characteristic. For example, aggregation average of account balance with reference to the time characteristic Local aggregation or local calculations (calculation of individual values displayed for normalization to the overall result for example) |
Display |
Layout of the characteristics as key / description Display / suppress results rows Change position of hierarchy nodes (up / down) |
Result-dependent selection and layout |
Threshold values (exceptions): Colored highlighting of uncommon variances in key figure values Conditions: Key-figure-dependent restriction of characteristics according to defined conditions |
Structuring |
Hierarchical assignment of characteristic values with drill down for more than one element ('Universal Display Hierarchy') |
Generic and business analysis functions |
Sorting with reference to characteristics and key figures Calculated key figures and formulas (enables statistical and mathematical calculation on the basis of key figure values) Currency translation Elimination of internal business volume: business elimination of internal transactions |
Concepts for runtime optimization |
Aggregates Non-Cumulatives OLAP Cache (can be implemented in cache mode, depending on the query)
Note that you can optimize performance by storing data from BW objects as an index on the SAP NetWeaver Business Warehouse Accelerator server. You manage these BWA indexes in the BW system. |
Integrated additional functions |
Variables for parameterization and greater reusability of queries Report-report interfaces for navigation in different reports Authorization concept for setting user authorizations for accessing data |