VirtualProvider Based on the Data Transfer Process 

Definition

VirtualProvider whose transaction data is read directly from an SAP system using a DataSource or an InfoProvider for analysis and reporting purposes.

Use

Use this VirtualProvider if:

●      You require up-to-date data from an SAP source system.

●      You only access a small amount of data from time to time.

●      Only a few users execute queries simultaneously on the dataset.

Do not use this VirtualProvider if:

●      You request a large amount of data in the first query navigation step, and no appropriate aggregates are available in the source system.

●      Multiple users execute queries simultaneously.

●      You frequently access the same data.

Structure

This type of VirtualProvider is defined based on a DataSource or an InfoProvider and copies its characteristics and key figures. Unlike other VirtualProviders, you do not need to program interfaces in the source system. To select data in the source system, you use the same extractors that you use to replicate data into the BI system. When you execute a query, every navigation step sends a request to the extractors in the assigned source systems. The selection of characteristics including the selection criteria for these characteristics is transformed, according to the transformation rules for the fields of the transfer structure. They are passed to the extractor in this form. The delivered data records pass through the transfer rules in the BI system and are filtered again in the query.

Since hierarchies are not read directly by the source system, they need to be available in the BI system before you execute a query. You can access attributes and texts directly.

Currently, the transformation only supports inverse transformations for direct assignment (without conversion routine) and the expert routine. Inverse transformations for other routine types and other rule types are also not yet implemented.

With more complex transformations such as routines or formulas, the selections cannot be transferred. It takes longer to read the data in the source system because the amount of data is not restricted. To prevent this, you can create an inversion routine for every transfer routine. Inversion is not possible with formulas, which is why we recommend that you use routines instead of formulas.

Integration

To be assigned to this type of VirtualProvider, a source system must meet the following requirements:

●      For a connection using a 3.x InfoSource, the BI Service API (included in Plug-In Basis) has to be installed. DataSources from the source system that are released for direct access are assigned to the InfoSource. There are active transfer rules for these combinations.

●      The source system is Release 4.0B or higher.

See also:

Creating VirtualProviders Based on Data Transfer Processes

Creating VirtualProviders Based on 3.x InfoSources