Dataflow in SAP BW

by Calvin on October 16, 2008

Dataflow in SAP BW

Data is normally loaded into a PSA first, and from there into ODS and InfoCubes.

It is also possible to directly load data into the ODS and InfoCubes, and from ODS to

InfoCube.

Data can be loaded from various heterogeneous data sources, such as:

  • R/3 systems
  • Non-R/3 systems
  • Flat files
  • XML files
  • Other databases (via DB Connect)

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Key figure Line item dimension Logical system Multi-cube Navigational attribute Number range ODS Parallel query Partition Profile Generator PSA

by Calvin on August 17, 2008

Key figure

Key figures are numeric values or quantities, such as Per Unit Sales Price, Quantity Sold, and Sales Revenue. The maximum number of characters allowed for the technical name is 9.

Line item dimension

A line item dimension in a fact table connects directly with the SID table of its sole characteristic.

Logical system

A logical system is the name of a client in an SAP system.

Multi-cube

A multi-cube is a union of basic cubes. The multi-cube itself does not contain any data; rather, data reside in the basic cubes. To a user, the multi-cube is similar to a basic cube. When creating a query, the user can select characteristics and key figures from different basic cubes.

Navigational attribute

A navigational attribute indicates a characteristic-to-characteristic relationship between two characteristics. It provides supplemental information about a characteristic and enables navigation from characteristic to characteristic during a query.

Number range

A number range is a range of numbers that resides in application server memory for quick number assignments.

ODS

ODS is a BW architectural component located between PSA and InfoCubes that allows BEx reporting. It is not based on the star schema and is used primarily for detail reporting, rather than for dimensional analysis. ODS objects do not aggregate data as InfoCubes do. Instead, data are loaded into an ODS object by inserting new records, updating existing records, or deleting old records, as specified by the 0RECORDMODE value.

Parallel query

A parallel query uses multiple database processes, when available, to execute a query.

Partition

A partition is a piece of physical storage for database tables and indices. If the needed data reside in one or a few partitions, then only those partitions will be selected and examined by a SQL statement, thereby significantly reducing I/O volume.

Profile Generator

Profile Generator is a tool used to create authorization profiles.

PSA

PSA is a data staging area in BW. It allows us to check data in an intermediate location, before the data are sent to its destinations in BW.

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SAP BW Persistent staging area - PSA

by Calvin on July 25, 2008

SAP BW Persistent staging area - PSA

Persistent staging area - is based on the transfer structure and source system dependent.

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