SAP HANA Cloud's Vector Engine vs. HANA on-premise

Introduction

Several days ago SAP released "SAP HANA Cloud's Vector Engine" which is essentially a database that stores finite dimensional vectors that represent real worlds objects. Furthermore these kind of databases have built-in functions in order to calculate certain relations between the stored vectors. The vectors are the result of a so called embedding, which means that each real worlds object is "embedded" into a finite dimensional vector space in a certain way. The embedding itself depends on the purpose of the usage of the vectors and is not uniquely determined. For example all orthogonal transformations preserve the inner structure of the embedding. (Note that this is not an embedding in the mathematical sense, which is a one to one differentiable mapping between vector spaces that is locally invertable).

Developing & Deploying the UI5 App to Cloud Foundry and Accessing from App-router End-to-End Steps

In this Blog I am going to explain the minimal steps required to setup App router, HTML5 Deployer for the UI5 application to be able to develop and deploy the application to Cloud Foundry Space. We are going to setup destination and consume the same in the UI5 application using App Router.Before Getting started Let's understand the architecture to access the application from Cloud Foundry Space -

Empowering Retail Business with a Seamless Data Migration to SAP S/4HANA

I’m happy to find time to start SAP blogging. In the dynamic realm of retail, transitioning to SAP S/4HANA is a pivotal move towards enhancing operational efficiency and competitiveness. Central to this transition is the intricate process of data migration, particularly concerning master data. With its criticality underscored, ensuring the accuracy and governance of SAP master data becomes paramount. This brief explores the fundamental importance of data management in retail's seamless migration to SAP S/4HANA, highlighting key strategies for success.

Implementing SAP ERP hinges greatly on managing data, especially master data, as SAP ERP relies heavily on it. Data migration remains the most critical aspect of this process, carrying the highest risk. If your SAP master data lacks accuracy and governance, you may encounter significant challenges.

Consuming CAPM Application's OData service into SAP Fiori Application in Business Application Studio

OBJECTIVE

Consuming OData Service of CAPM Application into SAP Fiori Application in Business Application Studio.

CAPM (Cloud Application Programming Model)

It is an open-source framework that uses tools, libraries, and languages to create applications that can be used across multiple SAP products. CAPM is a multi-target application that runs at different times, with the persistence layer running in the HANA DB run time, the server layer running in the Node.js run time, and the UI/UX layer running in the browser run time.

CAPM is one of the approaches to developing cloud applications using the BTP platform. CAPM offers a more structured and seamless framework for data modelling and enhancing integration with services.

Nested JSON to SAP HANA Tables with SAP Integration Suite

In this blog post, I will demonstrate how to send data to SAP HANA Cloud using the Integration Suite. Additionally, I will explain how to handle nested JSON data and distribute it across multiple tables utilizing parallel multicast and mapping functions.

Problem Statement:

We have exposed an API endpoint through which we push data in JSON format and in response we get the insert count in particular tables. The input data contains user details and role details in nested form. We are supposed to insert the user details in User Table whereas in the User-Role mapping table for each role associated with a user, we ensure the creation of a corresponding entry, linking the user's details with their roles. Our requirement is to process the JSON data via CPI and populate these two tables.

Workload in the SAP HANA

Options for Managing Workload

Workload management can be configured at multiple levels: at the operating system-level, by using global initialization settings, and at the session level.

There are a number of things you can do to influence how workload is handled:

• Outside the SAP HANA system on the operating system level you can set the affinity of the available cores.
• You can apply static settings using parameters to configure execution, memory management and peak load situations.
• You can influence workload dynamically at system runtime by defining workload classes.

All of these options have default settings which are applied during the HANA installation. These general-purpose settings may provide you with perfectly acceptable performance in which case the workload management features described here may not be necessary. 

Replication flows: SAP Datasphere to Google BigQuery

In this blog, we will explore one of the latest innovations from SAP Datasphere. Effectively, from version 2021.03 onwards, SAP Datasphere has introduced the concept of ‘Replication Flows’.  

Think of replication flows as your trusty sidekick in the world of data management. This feature is all about efficiency and ease. It lets you effortlessly copy multiple tables from a source to a target, without breaking a sweat. 

The beauty in this story is that it is cloud-based all the way! Say goodbye to the hassle of dealing with on-premises components like installing and maintaining data provisioning agents. Thanks to SAP Datasphere's cloud-based replication tool, those headaches are a thing of the past. Replication flows support the following source and target systems: 

Integrate C4P-Resource Management with SAP Analytics Cloud or SAP DataSphere

Summary

Embarking on the journey of leveraging SAP S/4HANA Cloud for Projects, Resource Management (C4P), this blog simplifies the process of accessing its APIs, with a focus on the Resource Request functionality. Beginning with preparations, where we gather key information like API URL and credentials, we then explore the capabilities of the Resource Request API in the Business Accelerator Hub. We break down how to find the right URL for accessing resource requests and demonstrate how to connect these APIs to tools like SAP Analytics Cloud or SAP DataSphere. By following these steps, users can seamlessly integrate data from C4P into their analytics workflow, enabling better decision-making and operational efficiency.

Job and Automation Monitoring features - SAP Cloud ALM

SAP Cloud ALM is an out-of-box, native cloud solution which serves as the central hub for managing SAP landscapes, offering guided implementation driven by content and highly automated operations. In this blog post, I aim to delve into a very crucial capability of cloud ALM: Job and Automation Monitoring.

Through Job and Automation monitoring within SAP Cloud ALM, it is possible to monitor SAP S/4 HANA Application jobs, SAP ABAP jobs, SAP BW Process Chains, SAP Build Process Automation Jobs(or SAP Intelligent RPA jobs) and SAP Business workflow and Job scheduler service jobs in customer BTP application.

SAP S/4 HANA Event Management (EM) Deployment Options – stand-alone vs S/4 HANA add-on

Summary

In this decision accelerator, you will know how to decide between S/4 HANA Event Management (EM) to be deployed as stand-alone or as an add-on on SAP S/4HANA in on-premise or private cloud.

Business Requirements

SAP Event Management on SAP S/4HANA is a business application to enable real-time end-to-end business process visibility and status monitoring. It provides a wide range of functions to monitor milestones (called “expected events”), report actual events correlating to the related expected event, and unexpected events. Alerts, notifications, and any kind of automated follow-up activities are triggered by rules evaluating the events upon receiving to automate the detection of deviation and automated reaction to events.

Sharing SAP HANA Cloud instance to multiple subaccounts and creating HDI containers

Overview

This article is telling you how to share single SAP HANA Cloud instance to multiple subaccounts and create HDI container from each subaccount. I am using SAP Cloud Application Programming Model (CAP) Node.js for this article.

Background

When I am planning SAP BTP project system architecture, I am following account model and preparing three subaccounts (development, test, production). At that time, I feel how can I reduce cost of subscription to each subaccount, especially for development environment.

Efficient Memory Storage and Data Loading of SAP HANA Column Tables

Memory storage and Computing Power are fundamental blocks of Cloud Platforms and Infrastructure. The abundance of Memory storage and cost-effective computing power has ensured a lower baseline for cloud adoption. However, anything in excess without considering its consequences can corrupt our practices. I see a similar pattern with the cloud data models.

In SAP HANA, we replicate data predominantly from SAP systems through tables and CDS. Data replicated for tables may range from 1000s or rows to millions of records per month. The queries that join multiple tables without optimal selection of columns and filter conditions can consume the working memory resources. Eventually, despite the promise of infinite data and computing capacity(CC), the reality is there is a finite amount of memory and CC.

Connect & Visualize: SAP Datasphere with Qlik Sense

In this Blog, We'll explore how to consume data from SAP Datasphere through ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) and Visualize the data in Qlik Sense which is one of the leading Data Visualization Tools.

Why SAP Datasphere over others?

SAP Datasphere allows seamless connectivity with a wide range of data sources, including on-premises and cloud-based systems. SAP Datasphere is designed to handle large volumes of data efficiently, making it suitable for organizations of all sizes, from small businesses to large enterprises. Its scalable architecture ensures optimal performance even as data volumes grow over time. Graphical low-code/no-code tools to support self-service modeling needs for business users. It has Powerful built-in SQL and data flow editors for sophisticated modeling and data transformation needs.

An overview of XSA commands for beginners

Overview:

In this article I'll try to explain the expected outcome of XSA commands when executed in Linux environment via command line (xs cli). This blog is aimed at helping understand the xs commands. At first, I also faced the similar dilemma of how XS command works and what is expected outcome. So learning by my experience, sharing most commonly used commands which you can easily use to understand and monitor xs too.

Pre-requisite:

1. OS level access via <sid>adm on HANA DB host

2. User credentials of xsa_admin

Updating an SAP HANA System Landscape - Overview

Updating an SAP HANA System Landscape - Overview

Revision Update

1. Support Packages (SPS) Update

2. Version Upgrade – SAP HANA 1.0 to SAP HANA 2.0

SAP HANA system components like,

• SAP HANA Database
• SAP HANA client
• SAP HANA studio

Additional system components like,

Effectively adopting Recurring Service process from S/4 HANA Service Management into your business

Regular maintenance aids in maintaining a customer's assets at their best performance levels while reducing the likelihood of breakdowns and the costs associated with repairs.

Our preventive maintenance solution, designed to sustain customer assets, facilitates consistent production by mitigating unexpected breakdowns. This solution creates and executes orders at specified intervals/usage, drastically improving asset production efficiency and minimizing breakdowns. Notably, this solution also reduces maintenance costs and contributes to recurring service revenues for customers. It adeptly manages both commercial aspects through service orders, as per the service contract, and technical aspects through execution orders.

There are different types of Maintenance Plans, namely: Single cycle plans based on time or performance, strategy plans, or multiple counter maintenance plans that are implemented on need basis . Once you create a maintenance plan, you can schedule the plan to generate call objects when the system is due for maintenance.

How to attach documents to a Journal Entry within SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud from ABAP

Introduction

In this blog, we describe a method to attach document files to a Journal Entry (BKPF) instance within the same SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud  using ABAP.

This requires us to expose and consume the Attachment API as described in the SAP Business Accelerator HUB - Attachments.

 

I believe this blog can be very useful since existing documentation primarily focuses on exposing the services, but we encounter conceptual problems when consuming them locally.

SAP IQ NLS-The Cold Storage Solution for SAP BW/4HANA

Introduction –

As we know B systems contain a large volume of data that is only accessed rarely. The data is either never or rarely needed in Data Warehouse processes or for analysis. The main challenge of implementing a multi-temperature memory strategy is to seamlessly integrate the warm and cold memory areas and to make these areas invisible to the outside, in order to ensure that all required functions are applied to this data. SAP offers various solutions, which help to reduce TCO SAP IQ NLS is one of them to reduce load by cold data 

Protecting Your SAP HANA Cloud and SAP HANA with Credential Rotation Best Practices

In today's cyber-threat landscape, prioritizing data security is more important than ever. Security is one of the key cornerstones of SAP BTP and SAP HANA Cloud strategies. 

SAP HANA Cloud takes a comprehensive approach to security, providing a layered defense system encompassing authentication, authorization, encryption, and auditing. 

At the heart of this security strategy lies strong credentials management practices, one of which is the credentials rotation. For example, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches by enforcing regular password rotation.

Global Explanation Capabilities in SAP HANA Machine Learning

Machine learning (ML) has great potential for improving products and services across various industries. However, the explainability of ML models is crucial for their widespread adoption. First, explanation helps build trust and transparency between the users and the models. When users understand how ML model works, they are more likely to trust its results. Moreover, explainability allows for better debugging of complex models. By providing explanations for models’ decisions, researchers can gain insights into the underlying patterns, which helps identify potential biases or flaws. Furthermore, the explainability of models enables auditing, a prerequisite for its usage in regulated industries, such as finance and healthcare.

Create sales order automatic extraction -Maximize the value of SAP Business AI for SAP S/4HANA

SAP has released several prebuilt AI use cases in each of the process area. These are referred to as Basic AI providing out-of-the-box solutions. The base for this is of course SAP S/4HANA.

The graphic above provides a rough summary of what is available.

Clone SAP HANA Database Instance via Template based cloning

The cloning template essentially serves as a database backup, encompassing the schema and data of the clone while excluding its configuration details, such as the options chosen during provisioning. It's important to note that restoring a backup from a more recent SAP HANA version into an older version is not supported and results in an error.

Cloning templates are stored in a template container within HANA Data Lake Files, specifically in the Files service of the data lake. To create a cloning template, and to create an instance based on a template, your subaccount must therefore have a data lake Files service; note, however, only data lake Files is required — without the additional option of the data lake relational engine.

Cloud Integration - How to Manage Abnormally Large Files with SFTP Adapter and SAP HANA Database

This blog provides a comprehensive guide for users seeking a solution for processing large files from an SFTP source and transferring the data to a HANA Database. The solution outlined in this guide employs SAP Integration Suite. There have always been challenges associated with processing large files, which may include issues related to performance, memory usage, and overall efficiency. All of which are solved by the solution shared in this guide.

Background Information

During a recent migration project - we were challenged with designing a solution that eliminated a previously designed integration using Informatica Platform. Replacing it with SAP BTP Cloud Integration Suite, during the migration project a crucial task emerged: retrieving large files from an external SFTP and seamlessly loading the data into a HANA Database On-Premise table.

SAP Datasphere Replication Flow from S/4HANA to Azure Data Lake

Introduction

SAP Datasphere has introduced a new feature, 'Replication Flows.' This new capability (now available with Azure Data Lake) allows for the process of copying multiple tables from one source to another, offering a fast and seamless experience in data management. 

In this blog, we’ll provide a step-by-step tutorial on replicating data from SAP S/4HANA to Azure Data Lake, showcasing the practical application and efficiency of this new feature in real-world scenarios. 

Now, let's dive in. We'll walk you through each step necessary to effectively utilize 'Replication Flows' for transferring data from SAP S/4HANA to Azure Data Lake. 

SAP Datasphere – Enable SAP HANA Development Infrastructure (HDI)

Introduction

Use SAP SQL Data Warehousing to build calculation views and other SAP HANA Cloud HDI objects directly in SAP Datasphere run-time database and then exchange data between HDI containers and SAP Datasphere spaces. SAP SQL Data Warehousing can be used to bring existing HDI objects into  SAP Datasphere environment, and to allow users familiar with the HDI tools to leverage advanced SAP HANA Cloud features.

S/4HANA federated roles assignment to users in BTP via SAP Identity Provisioning Service

In this article I will explain how these federated roles from S/4HANA assigned automatically to users in BTP via SAP Identity provision service without any manual intervention.

To achieve this scenario, we should have below prerequisite: -

1. SAP BTP cockpit, where we subscribe to the Cloud Identity Services connectivity plan in the subaccount.In SAP BTP Cockpit, open the subaccount and choose Service Marketplace Integration Suite- Cloud Identity Services and then choose for what type of tenant (test or productive) to use in the subaccount.
2. The Identity Provisioning section of SAP Cloud Identity Services administration console, where we configure the S/4Hana system and SAP IAS as provisioning system.
3. Content Federation has been setup and S/4HANA role content are federated and visible as role collection in BTP.

Integrating SAP Cloud ALM and the test automation tool for SAP S/4 HANA Cloud

In this blog post I will explain how SAP Cloud ALM integrates with the test automation tool for SAP S/4 HANA Cloud.

SAP Cloud ALM provides (among other capabilities) test management, including manual testing as well as test automation integration.

This simple picture gives an overview of the SAP Cloud ALM Test Orchestration capabilities:

BTP Destinations and SAP Build Apps to integrate SAP C4C & S/4HANA

Introduction: In today's digital world, businesses are looking for ways to streamline their processes and enhance their customer experience. One way to achieve this is through the integration of different systems. In this blog post, we will explore how to integrate SAP C4C and S/4 HANA using BTP destinations and SAP Build apps.

To integrate SAP C4C and S/4 HANA, we can use BTP (Business Technology Platform) destinations and SAP Build Apps.

Optimizing HANA Cloud: A Practical Exploration of Replication, Latency, and Availability Zones

Introduction

In general crafting my blog posts, I usually avoid lengthy theoretical discussions. I find more value in exploring real-world scenarios, practical applications, and best practices. However, for this particular post, I'll make an exception. I'd like to start by briefly delving into some theoretical concepts you may already be acquainted with

—Replica, Latency, and Availability Zones in Cloud Databases. Allow me to provide a concise overview, accompanied by practical insights and optimization strategies. Together, we'll lay the groundwork for a resilient and high-performing system in HANA Cloud

Azure APIM TO S4HANA CONNECTIVITY VIA CI (Principal Propagation)

Requirement:

Establish trusted relationship/connectivity between source systems at client side to Azure APIM and from Azure APIM to S4HANA system via CI and cloud connector using short lived certificate i.e., principal propagation.

More Info: C_HANATEC_19 Key Points

Overview

Principal propagation means the ability to forward the user context of a message unchanged from the sender to the receiver. It enables authentication of a message in the receiver system with the same user that issued the message in the corresponding sender system. Thus, the receiver application is virtually part of the sender application, and the permissions and audit functions of the receiver application can be applied to the original user of the sender application.

Modeling an advanced Hierarchy with Directory in SAP Datasphere

In our previous blog, we covered the basics of creating a Hierarchy with Directory. Now, we're taking a step further in this blog by enhancing our model with an extra node type, language-dependent texts, and time-dependency, both for the hierarchies and node assignments. These advanced features are often seen in SAP S/4HANA or SAP BW hierarchies but are also applicable to non-SAP hierarchies. We continue to use a simplified data model with local data for clarity, making it easier to grasp these concepts before applying them to more complex, real-world data sources. The additions to the data model are pointed out in Figure 1, with the numbering corresponding to the section numbers in this blog post. The figure shows all views, and each view has a table with data underneath.

Modeling a basic Hierarchy with Directory in SAP Datasphere

In the previous blog, we provided an overview of the new features introduced with the Hierarchy with Directory. In this blog, we'll guide you through creating a basic Hierarchy with Directory, starting from scratch and progressing to the data preview in an Analytic Model. Our focus is on simplicity, ensuring you grasp the fundamental concepts with minimal complexity. To keep it simple, we use data from local tables, before moving on to data from SAP S/4HANA or SAP BW in future posts. However, the model is complete and comes with a few lines of transaction and master data. In our upcoming blog, we'll enhance the model by introducing advanced elements such as language-dependent texts, additional node types, and time-dependency features.

Field inventory management (FIM) in the Medical Device Industry – Create capitalized assets and fulfill demo requests orders from sales representatives

Introduction:

This blog outlines the leading medical device industry business process steps to fulfill a customer request for demo of a capitalized equipment.

A customer may request a particular product from your company to be demonstrated and evaluated before making a purchase decision. If the product is of high value, the company may treat the product as an asset when it is used for demo purposes. The below document will explain tracking, logistics support, and accountability of these products when they go out to the field from the company’s premises.

Converting Simple Date format to JSON date format with User Defined Functions (UDF)

As an SAP Integration Developer working with SAP S/4 HANA API’s with JSON Schema format, I encountered the necessity to adeptly convert simple date formats received from both SAP and non-SAP systems to JSON date format prior posting the payload to SAP S/4 HANA for required operations.

In this case, if payload posted to S/4 HANA consists of simple date format (DD/MM/YYYY), it reverts with date-related errors that arise due to unrecognized formats by the system.

To address this issue, I couldn’t find an existing guide, prompting me to share my approach with fellow Integration Consultants.

SAP S/4HANA Business Partner – Address Management at Contact Persons

Introduction

With introduction of Business Partner at SAP S/4HANA and CVI (Customer-Vendor-Integration) an additional object level in addition to old/known Customer and Contact Person concept has been implemented.

Customer Master and Contact Person is using BAS (Business Address Service) for many years by using central address tables. Business Partner is using BAS as well with own address data sets. This makes whole address management complex.

An Introduction to Hierarchy with Directory in SAP Datasphere

SAP Datasphere has rolled out a much-anticipated feature set with the Hierarchy with Directory. This feature set extends beyond directory capabilities, which we will explore in detail, to a host of other functionalities engineered to integrate smoothly with SAP S/4HANA and SAP BW hierarchies. The outcome is a more efficient experience in modeling these hierarchies within SAP Datasphere, with a richer end-user experience.

This blog post kicks off a series dedicated to unpacking the Hierarchy with Directory bit by bit. We begin with an overview of the new features. Following that, we’ll detail the functionality across two posts, starting with constructing a simple data model to represent a product, and then expanding the hierarchy with additional capabilities. This approach ensures you gain a thorough grasp of the hierarchy features, setting the stage for in-depth guides on integrating specific S/4HANA hierarchies such as GL Account, Cost Center, and Profit Center. A screenshot of the end-result of a GL Account Hierarchy is illustrated in Figure 1.

Field Inventory Management (FIM) – Fulfillment of medical devices/instruments for a Surgery event in a hospital using S4 HANA

Introduction:

This blog outlines the leading industry business process steps to deliver critical medical instruments and consumables for surgery at the hospital promptly providing tracking and visibility to all stakeholders.

When the Sales Rep is notified of surgery, a list of assets like medical Instrumentation Loaner Kits and implants/disposables needed for a particular surgery event is determined. This material then must be tracked, and delivered to the hospital or location where the surgery event takes place. After the Surgery event, the Instrumentation loaner kit is returned to the plant where the inspection is carried out. The consumed items are billed to the Customer through the invoicing process.

Set up for Auto clearing through FEBAN for Acquirer related postings aligning with Blackline

For AMEX acquirer the requirement is to update the assignment field of the accounting document with the unique payment id (Merch ID) that will be sent through in the note to payee of the EBS while processing the FEBAN. This will update the SB document type assignment field with the unique payment id.

Blackline is also expected to update the SA document type assignment field for matching transaction. This will help in auto clearing of such open items.

Following are examples of note to payee wherein the highlighted information is the “Unique” payment id received from the acquirer

HANA Prod tables access in Dev for CV nodes data preview

SAP HANA XS Advanced application developments are done using Web IDE for HANA and it is installed in Dev instance and not in QA/prod instance. It is because we don’t want any changes directly deployed in Prod. In that case, we can’t troubleshoot the CV nodes data preview in Prod.

So we can configure the process below to access Dev and Prod tables interchangeably when required.

Azure Monitor for SAP solutions One-stop-shop for SAP technical monitoring

Are you an SAP Customer/Partner/ISV seeking a seamless monitoring solution? In this blog, I introduce Microsoft’s latest Monitoring solution—Azure Monitor for SAP Solutions—a user-friendly and plug-and-play tool.

1. What is Azure Monitor for SAP Solutions?
2. What is the architecture?
3. What can you monitor?
4. What are the other key capabilities of AMS?
5. What are pricing and regions available?

S/4Hana 2023 – Key User Extensibility – Custom Logic App – Keep the Core Clean

With S/4hana 2023 SAP introduce another fiori application which can help key users to implement BADI’s that have been released by SAP. We can start implementing from the Custom Logic app or from the UI adaptation in an application that can be extended.

BADI’s Extension can be created by using the application and we will also have the flexibilities to view the latest documents, Develop extension where we can also refer sample code, Test the code and compare the code as well. This app can play a major role to keep the core clean.