Why Choose SAP BW for Overall Query Performance Monitoring!

When it comes to overall query performance monitoring, SAP BW could be one of the best methods to adopt. A part of the application is BW statistics as well as BW workload analysis in ST03N. Using the statistics tool can help perform the desired monitoring but before using the tool, it is necessary for the prospective user to enable the application.

Enabling BW Statistics

To enable the BW Statistics it is required that the user should choose the following options-

• Tools- BW Statistics, in case of InfoCubes


• OLAP –WHM for the relevant cubes

Kind of Tools for Analyzing Specific Query

Some tools are used to analyze specific query in detail. These are Transaction RSRT and Transaction RSRTRACE. There are other tools but these two are the most prominent.

Resolving Query Performance Problems

One of the requirements of the user is to find out and resolve overall query performance problems. The user can use the process of ST03N ->BW System load values that can help them identify the problem. For this, they can use the table of charts and numbers relating to InfoCube.

Deciding on the Version

Another important aspect of using SAP BW is to decide on the version of the SAP Business Warehousing process. There will be several questions before the process is finally used. Connecting to it could raise several problems. Two types of apps are used for a client machine, the Tableau Desktop or server concerned. For the server side machine, the SAP BW 7.00 or later versions are used. In addition; the higher version of the application is also available.

License Requirement for the Software

Users may have questions about the user license forthe application. For instance; a question could arise whether the user would require special license such as OpenHub to use the apps eg: Tableau with SAP BW.Usually, the Tableau can use SAP OLEDB for OLAP providers which are basically part of the Open Analysis Interfaces and this is the way it interacts with SAP BW. This provider is one of the mechanisms that can ensure performance analysis in an effective and comprehensive manner. The interface helps both reporting as well as retrieval of relevant data in a reasonable amount. But it cannot move the large amount of data as is possible in case of OpenHub applications. Usually, Tableau will prompt the customers to verify using SAP that their SAPBW is licensed. Their licensing terms include the permission for using OLE DB for the OLAP providers for using the tools such as Tableau.

SAP BW Connector and HANA

A question also arises whether SAP BW connector would necessitate the use of SAP HANA.  It may be clarified in reply to such questions that use of the app does not call for the use of SAP HANA or such other apps. The connector can easily connect with supported backend databases. Such databases include Oracle as well as SQL Server. It does not mean that the end user cannot use HANA for the use of SAP BW. Moreover, the Tableau SAP BW connector is officially certified application supported by SAP.

 Live Connection or Tableau Extract

The question that also arises is whether Tableau can connect with all types of SAP Transactional System and whether it is live connection or Tableau extract.  Tableau 9.0 does not support any type of extracts with SAP BW.  Using extracts was possible with Tableau 8.1-8.3 versions.   In case of version 8.0 the connection is always live. Advantage of the live connection, is that the latest data is always available for the user on their dashboard or excel workbook.

 However, Tableau does not support connecting directly to any of the underlying database that supports the BW instances. For connectivity, it is necessary that the Tableau is of the lowest version. Usually, version 7.04 would be compatible with the application and SAP BW can become functional in real time.