Entities

Modeling of Characteristics

To create a Characteristic using the individual processing in a pop-up window surface, the appropriate Object Type needs to be selected. In the “Entity Types” section the type “Characteristics” can be chosen and created by pressing the “Add new” button.

All mandatory fields marked with a wildcard * must be filled. This includes the “Technical Name”, which can be entered freely or is composed by the Namespace (optional for projects) and a freely-definable character string.  If a namespace within a project is marked as “Is Default” the Default-Prefix will be provided automatically. If more than one namespace is defined in a project, they can be chosen in the value help.

It’s important to know that the prefix reduces the length of its following character string. This ensures that the maximum number of 9 characters in the SAP-BW is maintained. Only if the Technical Name starts with an “/” the system allows a higher number of characters.

Query relevant settings can be made in the tab “Business Explorer”.
Besides the mandatory fields, further SAP-BW known Characteristics can be maintained.

InfoObjects from the “Entity Pool” can be assigned by drag and drop as Attributes or Compounds for new Characteristics.
For the selection at least one Object Type needs to be chosen from the “Entity Pool”. Afterwards the all objects in accordance with the selected Object Type are displayed.

Using the selection box next to the Object Types, those can be filtered by origin of the relevant InfoObjects.

In the origin menu following classifications are applicable:

• Using the “Auto Filter row” the shown data can additionally be filtered.
• When saving, the system checks if all mandatory fields are filled and made settings are valid. If this is not the case the user will be informed by a pop-up window.
• A verification is possible at any time by clicking the “Validate” button  in the upper left corner. Eventual problems will then be marked in red.

After successfully saving the object, it is added to the “Entity Pool” of the project. It can be now used for commenting and creating further Modeling Objects.

Characteristics can also be modeled using the views list or individual processing (embedded view). The individual processing in the embedded view matches the previous description besides the fact that the editing process does not take place in a pop-up window.  The view list processing comprises a list for the fast entry of objects. Depending on the selected Object Type the list structure changes. That’s why the view is only accessible, if only one Object Type is chosen in the “Entity Types” section.

In order to create Characteristics in the fast entry, the Object Type “Characteristics” in the “Entity Types” section and the list processing have to be selected.

By clicking the “Add new” button a new row is added. Step by step the basic Characteristic features can now be maintained.

As long as a Characteristic isn’t valid, the  icon in the “Valid” column will indicate so. The inconsistency would also be shown in the footer line.
All objects in the list have to be valid to save the modifications.

Modeling of Key Figures

In order to create further modeling Objects, Key Figures can be defined and used by the Migration Booster. Those can then be created automatically in a SAP-BW by using the Export function.

To create a Key Figure for a project the Project type “Key Figures” needs to be selected in the “Entity Types” section. By clicking the button “Add new” a window to create such Key Figures opens.

All mandatory fields marked with a * must be filled. The “Technical Name” can be composed by Namespaces and a freely-definable character string. Defined namespaces of a project can be chosen in the value help. If a “namespace” within a project is marked as “Is Default” this default-prefix will be provided automatically.

As the Technical Name is limited to 9 characters by SAP-BW, the same also applies for the combination of prefix and character string in the Migration Booster.

When saving, all settings are reviewed for their validity. Occurring technical Inconsistencies are indicated by the system.

If all the inputs are correct the Key Figure is added to the “Entity Pool” of the project and can be commented and used for the creation of further Modeling Objects.

Like the Characteristics described earlier, Key Figures can also be modeled using the list processing or the individual processing (embedded) view.

Using the list processing view, inserted characteristics of Key Figures are verified immediately. Technically incorrect data within these characteristics is indicated by , as well as a note in the footer line of the table. After all Key Figures are valid the list can be saved. While saving, the listed Key Figures are added to the projects “Entity Pool” and can be commented and used for the creation of further Modeling Objects.

Modeling of InfoProvider

InfoCube:

An InfoCube can be created by individual processing in a pop-up window, choosing the Object Type “InfoCubes” in the “Entity Types” section.
The button “Add New”  initiates the opening of the InfoCubes set up.

Entity Pool InfoObjects can be picked and inserted into the InfoCube.

Using the dropdown-menu “Type”  the InfoCube Types can be determined equivalently (Standard, Virtual or Realtime).

The Button “Add dimension”  offers the option to integrate further dimensions, which can be marked as Line Items. Options known from SAP BW environment are adopted in the Modeling System. This prevents Characteristics being inserted in Key Figures and vice versa or no Time Characteristics being added to the Time Dimension.

The order of available InfoObjects in dimensions are changed via arrow keys  or the drag and drop function.

With the Button “Add Navigation Attribute”  those can be inserted, if the necessary Characteristics are already part of the InfoCube. Several Navigation Attributes can be added all at once or individually. The already included ones are automatically hidden from the selection list.

DSO:

When creating DSOs, following types can be selected: Standard, Direct Update, Write Optimized and In Memory. Equally to SAP BW, at least one key field needs to be set when modeling. The SID-Generation is set at the time of activation.

Navigation Attributes can be added as long as a Characteristic with Navigation Attributes is already included in the DSO (compare InfoCubes).

MultiProvider:

The Modeling of MultiProvider is not supported.

Modeling of Queries

Creating a new Query requires the Object Type selection “Queries” in the “Entity Types” section using the individual processing in a pop-up window view. The window to set up the Query opens by clicking the “Add New” -button.

Just as using the Query Designer, the underlying InfoProvider must be specified. Afterwards Characteristics and Key Figures (even Restricted and Calculated Figures) can be dragged from the left (InfoProvider Details) to the right (Query Buildup) to the desired position.

Filters as well as Variables can be defined the Query.

Modeling of Calculated Key Figures

In order to create a Calculated Key Figure using the individual processing in a pop-up window view, the Object Type "Calculated Key Figures" must be selected in the “Entity Types” section.  By pressing the "Add New" -button, a new window to enter the relevant Calculated Key Figures data opens.

First of all, the underlying InfoProvider needs to be picked. Consequently, the now available Key Figures and Calculated Key Figures can be used to create a new Calculated Key Figure in the “Formula” field. The offered formulas are equivalent to the ones from the Query Designer. Key Figures are moved via drag and drop from the left (Entity Pool) to the right (Formula).

Modeling of Restricted Key Figures

Restricted Key Figures can be created by individual processing in a pop-up window, choosing the Object type “Reusable Key Figures” in the “Entity Types” section.
The “Add New”  button initiates the opening of the Restricted Key Figures set up.

Again, the relevant InfoProvider must be selected. Using InfoObjects from InfoProviders a Restricted Key Figure can be created, likewise to the Query Designer. Key Figures and Characteristics are moved via drag and drop from the left (InfoProvider Details) to the right (Selection Details). As known from the Query Designer, the window “Selection Details” offers different adjustment options for Characteristics.

Renaming Technical Names of Objects

In contrast to the SAP BW behavior, Technical Names of modeled Objects can be changed at any time. Meanwhile references in other objects are updated.  

To reset a Technical Name from a SAP-System imported Object or from a renamed Object use the -button. A displayed tooltip gives information about the original name: