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There has been a shift in the way business applications are developed with the availability of SAP HANA. Idea is to move logic (code) as much as possible to the Database so as to get performance benefits. To simplify this code push down to database, SAP has provided new data modelling technique called Core Data Services (CDS).

SQL based data definition is used to define CDS views with additional concepts of associations (similar to joins) and annotations. To know more about CDS annotations click here.

CDS has become the keystone for application development as this can be used to build core transactional functionality as well as analytical content for reporting.

In this Document we will see how CDS views can be used for Delta Data Extraction or Real Time Streaming to BW

Pre-requisites

BW data extraction is not supported by S4HANA 1511. Minimum system requirement is S4HANA 1610 or Higher. With 1610 SAP has introduced some new annotations to facilitate data extraction to BW using CDS views.

Source Requirements

Full Data Extraction or Direct Access: Minimum of NetWeaver 7.5 SP04 or equivalent.

Delta Extraction: Minimum of NetWeaver 7.5 SP05 or SAP BW/4HANA SP01

Target Requirements

Minimum of NetWeaver 7.3 SP08 or equivalent (ODP recommendation)

For the extraction of data into BW, ensure an ODP source system of type ABAP_CDS is available to connect to the source system.

Extraction shown in this document is done on system on S4HANA 1610 with embedded BW components.

Delta Extraction of CDS-ODP source to BW

In this example Delta extraction will be shown for changes in the FI documents. CDS view to fetch the delta records for any changes in the FI document with object class ‘BELEG’ or ‘BELEGMASS’ or ‘BELEGR’ will be created and used for the same.

Create Delta enabled CDS View

* Go to the Eclipse editor and create a CDS View.

* Provide CDS View details

* Select The Transport number

* CDS view with blank template will be generated

* Provide the SQL View name (with this name view will be created in back-end system) and write the view query logic. Make sure to use the Analytics annotations for the element/field to be considered for delta identification (it could be Date or timestamp type filed)

* As we need timestamp field (for multiple time execution in a day) for delta extraction and we don’t have the same in CDHDR table, convert the change date and change time into time stamp and cast it to timestamp format (By default the converted field is created of type Char). Also use Semantics annotation to enable the filed for delta extraction as shown below.

* Activate the CDS View. It will generate the View in backend system with the name provide in step 5.

* The timestamp field we created in our view will be created with data type DEC. But nothing to worry, it will be work as timestamp only.
* Execute the View to see the content and verify the generated timestamp field

* With this, we have created our delta enabled CDS view.

Create a BW data source

* Open the BW perspective in eclipse and create a BW Project. Under the Data Sources tab in left hand side window, you should see your source Logical system under ODP-ABAP CDS views node

* Under the Logic system you will see the node for different application areas. Select the node under which you want to create your Data Source. Right click on the node->New->Data Source

* You will get the below pop up window with default values for BW project and Source System. Click Next.

* In the next popup window select the “Proposal from operation Data Provider” radio button and click Next.

* In the next popup window, select the CDS View created in earlier steps and Click Next.

* Enter the Data Source description and click Finish

* Data Source created as shown below. Click on Activate Icon to activate the Data Source.         

* Once Activated, click on “Extraction” tab highlighted in above step. You can the Data Source is created with Delta Process “After Images via Delta Queue (FI-AP/AR for example).

* Right click on the Data Source in the light side window and click Replicate.

* Select your Data Source and click Next

* Click Finish

* Job with Successful replication will be displayed. Refresh the screen if job is not yet finished.

* We have successfully created a DataSource for our CDS View.

Create Advanced Data Store Object

* GoTo BW Repository Node in the Left side window. Select a Repository and right click on it to create New Data Store Object

* Enter the Details as shown below and Click Finish

* Advanced Data Store Object is created. Click on Active to activate the same.

Create Transformation

* Right Click on Data Store Object and click on create Transformation

* Provide the details of the Data Source in the next window

* Transformation is created with Proposed mapping between Data Source and DSO. Activate the Transformation by clicking on the Activate Icon.

* Transformation is activated Successfully as is shown in Version

Create Data Transfer Process (DTP)

* Right Click on DSO and click on New->Data Transfer Process

* On the next screen details are be filled by default. Click Continue.

* DTP is created. Activate the same.

* DTP must be activated Successfully.

Create Infopackage

* Open TCODE RSA1 in backend system and under the Data Source Node select the Data Source “ZDELTA_ACDOCA” we created.

* Right click on the Data Source and Click Create Infopackage

* Enter the InfoPackage description, select the Data Source and click Save.

* Open The Update Tab and select the Full Load Radio Button and start the extraction from schedule tab.

* Go to the update tab and select Initialize the delta process

* GoTo Schedule tab and start the extraction

* Monitor the extraction. All the records are fetched and the delta processed is analyzed. This means now with Delta run only delta records should be fetched.

* Now let’s make a change in one the document. Doc Header text is changes as shown below.

* Go to the Update tab in the infopackage and select the Delta radio button

* GoTo Schedule Tab and start the extraction.

* Monitor the Extraction. We can see there are 21 records are extracted.

* GoTo TCODE ODQMON and see the Documents which are changes to verify if the extract is corresponding to the changes we made. As seen in screen shot below all the 21 records are for the documents we changed.

Enabling Real-Time Streaming

* Go to SAP Gui and open TCODE RSPC

* Go to Process chain, right click on the top node and click create Process chain

* Provide the Process chain name and long description

* Click on Create

* Provide Process variant name and description

* Maintain Start process screen will appear. Click on Save.

* Add the DTP and aDSO activation processes from the Left side window to the Process Chain by dragging and dropping to the process chain highlighted below. The connect the Variant to DTP by dragging Variant to DTP

* Click on streaming button.

* Select the ‘Process Chain Runs in Streaming Mode’ check box. Set the Error threshold and Log retention according to requirements. Click OK

* Activate the process chain by clicking on Activate icon

* Process chain is activated successfully and the Events are created for the same as highlighted below

* With this we Real time streaming is enabled for the Data flow and we see a Data extraction job is triggered and waiting for any changes. Now let’s check if data changes are getting reflected at real time.

* Let’s make the changes in same Document header text again and save.

* Check in tcode ODQMON. As we can see these is one Real time extraction request. Double click on the same

* There are 105 rows extracted. Double click on the row.

* We can see the entries for the change we made are there in the extracted records

With this we have completed the Real Time Data Streaming to BW using the CDS view. http://bit.ly/2BNyr7C #SAP #SAPCloud #AI

With our February 2018 release, we are excited to bring several new capabilities to our server-side integration for Microsoft Outlook.

Outlook for mobile add-in support

We have listened to your feedback – the server-side add-in now works in the Outlook mobile app (on iOS and Android).

The add-in is available in the email read window with the same look and feel as on the desktop. We are working with Microsoft to bring the latest and greatest on mobile front in this space!
Here is how this looks on the Outlook app on the iPad.

 

Add-in pinning

The server-side add-in can now be pinned in Outlook for Windows. You asked for this and we now have enabled this feature for both the email read and compose mode. So as a user, you can keep the add-in pinned and go through different emails without having to reload the add-in each time to get contextual information from SAP.
For exact requirements on which versions of Outlook for Windows support this, please refer to the thread here.

Auto-sharing of emails

E-mails can now be automatically shared with SAP Hybris Cloud for Customer letting you do spend more time doing what you do best – sell more! This powerful feature even links the e-mails to the right account so that all your conversations are automatically linked and available.

A key-user can turn this feature on under E-Mail Integration > Groupware Settings > Profile as follows:

Certain domains or email addresses can also be excluded in the configurations – emails to/from such addresses will not be automatically shared with SAP.

Apart from the above, there are several smaller enhancements made to the solution for both end-users and key-users – for example, profile changes made by a key-user can now be forced (updated) to all end users in a particular organization from the E-mail Integration > Groupware Settings > Organization tab.

Stay tuned for more exciting features coming in our upcoming releases! http://bit.ly/2otnIqw #SAP #SAPCloud #AI

How it all began

I’ve always had a passion for motorcycles – I saw my first one when I was four-years-old, and have been a biker ever since I got my license. I crave the sense of freedom and adventure you feel when riding. But more important, riding has given me a taste for risks and adventure, and makes me dream about possibilities – not just on the open road, but in my personal and professional life, too.

Nothing beats hopping on my bike to explore new places and push my boundaries, and that thrill-seeking side of me has impacted who I am in the workplace. I am a firm believer that you bring to work who you are outside, and that work is personal. The best way to fulfill yourself at work is to tap into your core values and interests to develop a strong sense of self-awareness. My passion for motorcycles has taught me a lot about myself as a professional – and has made me a better employee, and leader. Here are three things that being a biker has taught me throughout my career:

The difference between taking a risk and being reckless

I embody a ‘why not’ attitude, meaning I will typically say yes before I say no. My motorcycle fulfills this thirst to push my boundaries, take risks and try new things. However, it is crucial to recognize the difference between taking a risk and being reckless – it’s why I always wear helmet when I ride. The key is to take calculated, measured risks. It is easy to get carried away – but the higher the risk doesn’t always mean the higher the reward.

When it comes to riding a bike, reckless behavior doesn’t only put the careless rider in life-threatening danger – it also threatens the safety, well-being, and even the lives of others. In the workplace, reckless decision-making also has repercussions that can have a ripple-effect that reach beyond the individual who made the decision. Reckless calls not only cost the individual their job security (and even their entire job) – but also the job security and reputation of his or her coworkers and clients.

There is a fine line with risk-taking, but in my role as CMO of SAP Ariba, I have been able to strike a balance. Just as I don’t lose sight of the rules of the road when I’m exploring new territory on my bike – I don’t lose sight of my core values and goals, or my ability to react to my environment, when developing and executing a business strategy. As I take measured risks when it comes to SAP Ariba’s marketing strategy, the goal is to help SAP Ariba stand out from competitors and drive global expansion and ROI.

The need for a roadmap

It’s much more productive and meaningful to hop on my bike with an end destination in mind; the importance and value of outlining a roadmap before a journey is undeniable. Translating this best practice to my work – I have outlined a roadmap for SAP Ariba in 2018, with specific end goals, including:

* Elevating the brand by executing with purpose
* Developing programmatic relationships with key influencers
* Supporting global market expansion through innovation
* Supporting sales through the entire buyer’s journey
* Focusing on customer intimacy, advocacy and loyalty

I’ve also outlined a goal for my journey as CMO of SAP Ariba in the coming year, and that is to become hyper connected to our customers. Nothing will be more critical in 2018 than supporting their digital transformations. And this will require going beyond the traditional marketing funnel and gaining a deep understanding of each customer’s (and potential customer’s) unique business goals. This level of awareness is only possible through personal and targeted interactions and I am dedicated to taking a collaborative, interactive and personal approach to support each leg of our customers’ business journeys.

Being comfortable with being open

The exposed setup of a motorcycle requires bikers to get comfortable with being open. And this is critical in the workplace. Without an open mind, you won’t get very far in either your personal or professional life. You can sit in the middle of an office and talk to anyone as much as you want – but unless you actually listen to, consider, and value what others are saying in each of your interactions, it is impossible to achieve a meaningful connection. Keeping an open mind is also critical to good leadership and key component of risk taking. Without an open mind to try new things – whether it’s a new approach to marketing or new product innovation – leaders will fall victim to the status quo and be disrupted by competitors.

I use a variety of tactics to show my colleagues that I’m an open resource to them. I hold impromptu meetings, whether it is calling my team into a conference room, or taking team members out for a quick coffee or lunch. I welcome creative ideas to make the workspace warm and personal, encouraging teams to organize birthday celebrations and other key milestone events. These gestures convey to my colleagues that I’m an open person to interact with during any and all situations throughout the day. This has helped me to gain a deep understanding of the work my team does and the challenges they face, and has helped me build relationships with them as individuals and instill their trust.

Strap In

My journey has proven that personal hobbies can translate into professional success. The lessons I’ve learned, and best practices I’ve developed as a biker have made me a more strategic, collaborative leader – and have allowed me to execute my role as CMO on a more personal level.

What drives you? Even if you don’t ride a bike – take a moment to reflect on the things that you are passionate about – and how they can fuel your journey. Then strap in and enjoy the ride…

  http://bit.ly/2EZ9Yyj #SAP #SAPCloud #AI

Just a few years ago, mobile devices posed significant challenges for enterprises. Questions arose like which devices to adopt, how to secure business resources, and how to support complex employee, enterprise, and customer needs. In many cases, it took years for businesses to resolve these outstanding integration issues.

For the most part, large enterprises today now have some form of mobile strategy in place, both to provision devices within the organization and to undertake external initiatives like developing customer-facing mobile applications. But just as enterprises begin to feel that they are getting the hang of mobile, many realize that success in a mobile-first world is more complicated than it first appears. https://goo.gl/NYJmQF #DataIntegration #ML