SAP Datasphere: Here’s how to get into the Data Warehouse Cloud!
In recent months, Irene Preiner had the pleasure of accompanying and advising an internationally active client in testing and setting up SAP Datasphere. Read here how it feels, how the DW Cloud works, and what it can do.
In recent months, I had the pleasure of accompanying and advising an internationally active client in testing and setting up SAP Datasphere. Read here how it feels, how the Data Warehouse Cloud works, and what it can do.
What is it about?
My client is an internationally active producer of baby products such as pacifiers, baby bottles, and nursing products. Production takes place in several countries, as does marketing. The existing ERP system is being phased out and is now being replaced by SAP S/4HANA private Cloud.
For reporting – and this is where I come in – initially only SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) was considered. However, joint analysis last year showed that several SQL databases were running to cover reporting. Since data from subsidiaries without SAP was also to be included in reporting and a non-SAP reporting tool in one country was to continue, the recommendation was clear: SAP Datasphere makes a lot of sense here.
What exactly is SAP Datasphere?
SAP Datasphere is a comprehensive data service, entirely in the cloud. In simple terms: a data warehouse with extensive functions to connect various data sources, link, prepare, enrich data, and make it available for reporting. Reporting can take place in SAC, but it is not mandatory. Unlike on-premises solutions (BW, BW/4HANA), Datasphere is designed to be much more open.
Of course, there are also permissions, spaces as 'modelling areas' for departments, and much more. It can be clearly stated: SAP Datasphere is not only for administrators but also for key users, as it is more intuitive and easier than BW or BW/4HANA. The basis is the BTP (Business Technology Platform). Here is a nice overview image from SAP:
Source: sap.com
Why not SAP BW?
You may be wondering why SAP Business Warehouse (BW) was not chosen for the previously mentioned project? This question is absolutely valid. And of course, it was discussed. Since the client had already decided to move to the cloud with SAP S/4HANA and for SAC, SAP Datasphere was the obvious addition.
The Datasphere is therefore positioned 'between' SAP S/4HANA and SAC to collect all necessary data (including non-SAP and Excel), clean, model, and then make it available for reporting in SAC. A major advantage for the client: The country with the non-SAP reporting tool can also consume data from Datasphere – and with very little initial effort to establish the connection.
How does an implementation proceed?
But how does one proceed to replace a reporting landscape that has grown over many years? The answer, as with many projects, is step by step. The first step was the inventory, followed by prioritisation. This had already taken place last year.
So we started the project at SRB with a strong internal team of 4 people, a list of necessary reports, and clear priorities: reports that are needed immediately at Go-Live, those that can wait 8 weeks, and those that need to be considered but will only be implemented in a third wave, 4 months later.
And one more thing became clear during the preparation phase last year: The main work will be done internally, not by external consultants. Therefore, in the first joint workshop, the request to me was:
‘Ms Preiner, please teach us everything from the beginning, we want to do it ourselves!’
‘Is that possible?’ you may ask. Yes, it is. However, it requires a team that knows exactly how the business operates and is very familiar with the existing reporting landscape. The fact that team members can also programme SQL on the side was an additional advantage.
And one more factor plays a role when it comes to the success of such a project: SAP Datasphere is 'closer' to an SQL data warehouse than SAP BW. The 'aha' effect in the workshops was significant: Many processes and objects were immediately recognised, compared with the old tool, and parallels were drawn. This made it much easier. Nevertheless, we had several workshops to set up the system, establish guidelines for object names, layers, permissions, and so on.
And then it was time: The last workshop took place – and the client's internal colleagues began to work without me.
What have we learned and achieved?
As with every project, there were of course questions and minor hurdles here as well. One of the biggest challenges is certainly bringing the data via CDS into the SAP Datasphere. Do not forget: SAP S/4HANA is also new! My suspicion is that finding relevant CDS views and any necessary adjustments will take more time than the activities in SAP Datasphere itself.
Moreover, SAP Datasphere offers more possibilities than the previous SQL databases. In SAP Datasphere, for example, data can be loaded using a delta mechanism. The old solution only offered 'full'. The modelling options are also significantly more extensive.
My suggestion was to create a 'cookbook' that contains the procedure as well as tips and tricks. It is important that this should not be created and filled by me, but by the internal colleagues – while working with SAP Datasphere. After a few weeks, I received very positive feedback: The cookbook had been filled with life and was considered extremely helpful by everyone.
And I do not want to overlook one more challenge: Carrying out an introduction project of this scope alongside daily business is really time-consuming. The internal reporting team will therefore be strengthened in the near future. However, external support is not planned further. 😊 The Go-Live for SAP S/4HANA, SAP Datasphere, and SAC is planned for 1 January 2024. So there is still some time.
Do you want to know more?
Rest assured: I will report more on this project in the future, how it progresses and where the journey leads. If you want to know more and hear firsthand what is happening in the client's SAP Datasphere, then just come to the7th BI Brunch on 28 September 2023. There, the client will personally share their perspective. More information and the possibility to register can be found
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