Overview of the Architecture of SAP NetWeaver BW

The graphic below shows a simplified view of the architecture of a complete BI solution with SAP NetWeaver BW:

SAP NetWeaver BW can connect data sources using various interfaces that are aligned with the origin and format of the data. Data transfer of non-SAP data in particular is supported by SAP BusinessObjects Data Services.

The data is loaded to the entry layer in the Persistent Staging Area. Here the data is formatted (using one or more layers of the data warehousing architecture) so it can be used for a specific purpose and then stored in InfoProviders. During this process, master data enriches the data models by delivering information such as texts, attributes, and hierarchies.

Besides replicating data from the source to the SAP NetWeaver BW system, it is also possible to access the source data directly from the SAP NetWeaver BW system using VirtualProviders.

The analytic manager provides methods and services for analysis and planning as well as generic services such as caching and security.

You can use the planning modeler to define models that allow data to be entered and changed in the scope of business planning.

You can use BEx Query Designer to generate views of the InfoProvider data that are optimized for analysis or planning purposes. These views are called queries and form the basis for analysis, planning and reporting.

Metadata and documents help to document data and objects in SAP NetWeaver BW.

You can define how the BW data is displayed using the tools in SAP Business Explorers (SAP BEx). The tools support the creation of Web-based and Microsoft Excel-based applications for analysis, planning, and reporting. The BEx applications created with the BEx tools can be integrated into the SAP NetWeaver Portal. Integration with SAP BusinessObjects tools offers further options for analysis and reporting in addition to the standard SAP BEx functions. You can access BI information (like reports, analyses and dashboards) with the SAP BusinessObjects BI Portal InfoView.

SAP NetWeaver BW has an open architecture. This allows integration of external, non-SAP sources, broadcasting of BW data to downstream systems and moving data to near-line storages to reduce the volume of data in InfoProviders. Third-party tools for analysis and reporting can also be connected using the open analysis interfaces (ODBO, XMLA).

The SAP NetWeaver BW Accelerator improves the performance of queries when reading BW data. It can be delivered as a preconfigured appliance for partner hardware. If you use the SAP HANA database to persist BW data, you do not need a SAP NetWeaver BW Accelerator to improve performance.