Semantic Groups
A semantic group is used to generate semantically partitioned data models.
The semantic group is not an InfoProvider in its own right. It is a tool that used to generate a group from semantically related DataStore objects (advanced). To simplify reporting and analysis over all components of a semantic group, a CompositeProvider can be generated.
- Better performance with mass data: Semantic partitioning means that the data sets are distributed over several data containers. This means that runtimes are kept short even if the data volume is large.
- Isolation of the data: Error handling is better. If a request for a region ends with an error, for example, the entire InfoProvider is unavailable for analysis and reporting. With a semantically partitioned data model, the separation of the regions into different partitions means that only the region that caused the error is unavailable for data analysis.
- Working with different time zones: EDW scenarios usually involve several time zones. With a semantically partitioned data model, the time zones can be separated by the partitions. Data loading and administrative tasks can therefore be scheduled independently of the time zone.
Using SAP HANA means that the semantic group has a smaller number of components that contain a large amount of data, as the performance is greatly improved by SAP HANA.
You can generate new components from a semantic group. The structure is taken over from a DataStore object (advanced) template. Existing DataStore objects (advanced) can also be added to the group if certain conditions are met. The DataStore objects (advanced) remain objects in their own right.
When loading data to a DataStore object (advanced) that is part of a semantic group, a filter in the DTP stipulates that only data that is suitable for the DataStore object as part of the semantic group is extracted. The DTP is given the status green even if records have been filtered out.
When creating the semantic group, you can generate a CompositeProvider that contains all DataStore objects (advanced) in the semantic group and assigns them to one another by union. This provides you with the object for reporting and analysis. This CompositeProvider is overwritten every time a change is made to the semantic group. It should therefore not be changed manually.