Integrating SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) with SAP Business Warehouse (BW) enhances data analytics and visualization by enabling both import and live data connections. This integration process involves a series of configurations to ensure seamless access and real-time data insights.
To set up an import connection, start by accessing the SAP SAC administration section. Navigate to the "data source configuration" tab under "system," where you will find options to configure data sources. Locate the SAP BTP core account details, including the region host and sub-account user information, as these are essential for the next steps.
Next, install the SAP Cloud Connector to link your on-premise system with the cloud. Before installation, ensure that you have the SAP JVM (Java Virtual Machine) installed on your server. Download the SAP JVM and extract it to a directory such as C:\SAP JVM\sapjvm_8. Download and install the Cloud Connector, specifying the SAP JVM folder location during the setup.
After installing the Cloud Connector, access it via a web browser at https://localhost:8443. Log in using the default credentials ("Administrator" and "manage"), and choose the "Master" installation option if this is a primary instance. Enter the subaccount details, configure any proxy settings if applicable, and save the configuration. Ensure that the connector status displays "Connected" to confirm a successful setup.
Proceed by installing the SAP Analytics Cloud Agent. Download Apache Tomcat from its official site and install it, making sure to configure the Java Heap space with values of 1024MB for initial heap space and 2048MB for maximum heap space to avoid performance issues. Download the SAP SAC Agent and rename the WAR file to C4A_AGENT.war. Place this file in the Tomcat webapps directory. Restart Tomcat to deploy the agent.
To finalize the setup, configure the Cloud Connector by accessing its administration console at http://localhost:8443. Add a new Access Control entry under “Cloud To On-Premise,” selecting “Other SAP System” as the back-end type. Configure the HTTP or HTTPS protocol with the Tomcat server's internal host and port details. Add the URL path “/C4A_AGENT/” to grant SAC access and save your changes.
For creating an import connection in SAC, navigate to the administration section and access the data configuration tab. Add a new location by entering the virtual hostname and port defined in the Cloud Connector setup. Input the credentials specified in the tomcat-users.xml file and click "Create" to establish the connection.
When setting up a live connection, ensure that Information Access (InA) services are enabled on your ABAP Application Server. Verify this by accessing the URL “https://Your_ABAP_Server/sap/bw/ina/GetServerInfo?sap-client=Your_Client_ID.” Check that necessary InA services are active in SAP BW/4HANA using transaction code “SICF.”
Configure Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS) by setting the parameter “icf/cors_enabled” to 1 using transaction code “RZ11.” For permanent configuration, use transaction code “RZ10” to update the system profile. Add SAP Analytics Cloud to the HTTP whitelist using transaction code “/NUCONCOCKPIT.” Configure the whitelist with the SAP Analytics Cloud host and set the allowed methods and headers.
If using SAML 2.0 Single Sign-On (SSO), create a dummy HTML file on your ABAP Application Server via transaction code “SE24.” Implement and activate this service to enable user authentication.
Finally, adjust your browser settings to allow necessary domains for SAP Analytics Cloud. Add these domains to the list of allowed sites for cookies and site data.
To create a live connection in SAC, go to the Connections section and click “Add Connection.” Select “SAP BW” under “Connect to Live Data,” provide a name and description, set the connection type to “Direct,” and enter your data source's host name, port, and client. Choose the appropriate authentication method and click “OK” to create the live connection.
In summary, integrating SAP Analytics Cloud with SAP BW/4HANA facilitates comprehensive data analysis and reporting. Import connections are useful for data preparation and transformation, while live connections provide real-time access to data. The choice between these connections depends on the need for real-time insights versus data modeling flexibility. Both types of connections significantly enhance data-driven decision-making and business performance.
