How to Set up a SEM-BCS MultiCube Scenario in BW

STRATEGIC ENTERPRISE MANAGEMENT

ASAP How to Paper

Applicable SEM-BCS Releases: 4.0 January 2005

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HOW TO SET UP A SEM-BCS MULTICUBE SCENARIO IN BW .......................................................... 1 1 2 2.1 2.2 2.3 WHAT IS THE BW MULTICUBE SCENARIO FOR SEM-BCS 4.0?..................................................... 1 WHEN DO I NEED A BW MULTICUBE SCENARIO FOR SEM-BCS? SAMPLE SCENARIOS .... 1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................... 1 Scenario 1: SEM-BCS reporting on MultiCubes including a virtual InfoCube ......................................... 1 Scenario 2: SEM-BCS reporting on MultiCubes without the virtual InfoCube ......................................... 2

3 CHANGES TO THE BW MULTICUBE SCENARIO COMPARED TO PREVIOUS SEM-BCS RELEASES .................................................................................................................................................... 2 3.1 3.2 4 4.1 4.2 General description .......................................................................................................................................... 2 Detailed description ......................................................................................................................................... 2 THE STEP-BY-STEP SOLUTION.......................................................................................................... 3 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................... 3 Which steps have to be performed? Quick Overview ............................................................................. 3

4.3 Which steps have to be performed? Step by step description .............................................................. 4 4.3.1 Set up the BW Data Mart for SEM-BCS.................................................................................................... 4 4.3.2 Create a copy of the SEM-BCS standard virtual InfoCube to be used for the SEM-BCS MultiCube scenario 4 4.3.3 Create a MultiCube consisting of the SEM-BCS virtual InfoCube and the additional BasisCube............. 6 4.3.4 Customize SEM-BCS in the way that it interpretes open/closed periods ................................................. 21 4.3.5 Build BW queries based on the SEM-BCS MultiCube ............................................................................ 22

HOW TO SET UP A BW M ULTICUBE SCENARIO FOR SEM-BCS 4.0

1 What is the BW MultiCube Scenario for SEM-BCS 4.0?

The BW MultiCube Scenario for SEM-BCS 4.0 is a MultiCube Scenario which consists of: o o A MultiCube consisting of at least 2 InfoCubes (BasisCubes and/or virtual InfoCube). All BasisCubes taking part to the scenario get their data via extraction from the SEM-BCS standard virtual InfoCube1 (VC1). This is the standard solution, customerowned scenarios might provide own datasources. A second virtual InfoCube (VC2) as a copy of the standard virtual InfoProvider. A special customizing for the MultiCube-Reporting in SEM-BCS to use the virtual InfoCube VC2 and to determine the highest closed period within a year, a version combination and the actual group currency (I.e.: No Customer-Exits to determine open/closed periods are needed any more for the queries! This was required in the previous SEM-BCS releases 3.1B until 3.5). BW queries that are defined on the SEM-BCS MultiCube

o o

2 When do I need a BW MultiCube Scenario for SEM-BCS? Sample Scenarios

2.1 Introduction

The BW MultiCube Scenario for SEM-BCS is needed to optimize the performance of SEMBCS queries. It is generally recommended to apply this scenario as it enables your queries to run significantly faster compared with queries which only use the SEM-BCS standard virtual InfoCube. Depending on the actuality you want to have the following two scenarios can be defined:

2.2

Scenario 1: SEM-BCS reporting on MultiCubes including a virtual InfoCube

If your customer wants to see real-time data in reporting and also wants to optimize the performance of the reporting then MultiCubes including the virtual InfoCube should be set up.

SEM-BCS standard virtual InfoCube = The virtual InfoCube assigned to the transactional totals InfoCube within the SEM-BCS databasis, see also glossary.

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HOW TO SET UP A BW M ULTICUBE SCENARIO FOR SEM-BCS 4.0

In this scenario the actual data of the open period is still read from the virtual InfoCube. All the data from the already closed periods / fiscal years is read from one or several additional BasisCubes. To fill these BasisCubes the BW Data Mart interface is used which extracts data from the SEM-BCS standard virtual InfoCube. The usage of the Data Mart interface is described in the document HowToDataMart-BW-BCS.doc.

2.3

Scenario 2: SEM-BCS reporting on MultiCubes without the virtual InfoCube

This scenario can be used under the following circumstances: Its not required to see realtime data. Or your customer wants that the SEM-BCS data should be spread across several InfoCubes (e.g. actual year versus passed years, Plan data versus Actual data, ...). Another possibility is that it is required to report about several InfoCubes in the same query.

3 Changes to the BW MultiCube scenario compared to previous SEM-BCS releases

3.1 General description

In previous SEM-BCS releases (<= 3.5) an additional customizing must be done for BW queries. It is mandatory to tell the query which periods are closed and which are still open for data processing. This is achieved by using three key figures: The first key figure is restricted to the BasisCube and to the closed periods, the second to the virtual InfoCube and to the open periods. The third key figure is defined as a calculated key figure and is calculated by summation of the values of the other first key figures. This customizing is quite uncomfortable: - You have to define several key figures instead of one. - If a period gets closed the query has to be adapted as far as the period assignment of the key figures is concerned. This effort can be avoided by using a customer exit and by using variables. But the customer exit also must be written and maintained which means also effort for the customer. With release 4.0 this inconveniences are removed as the query on the MultiProvider does not bear information about open and closed periods. This piece of information is now located in the SEM-BCS customizing. For a version combination and the actual group currency the highest closed period of a year is set. This is the last period of that year whose data has been copied via the data mart to the BasisCube. This customizing is interpreted by BCS reporting logic during runtime.

3.2

Detailed description

Within the consolidation workbench a customizing exists to maintain closed periods. For a version combination and the group currency which has actually been set in the global parameters the highest closed period of a year can be set.

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HOW TO SET UP A BW M ULTICUBE SCENARIO FOR SEM-BCS 4.0

Furthermore, in the databasis a field exists for the MultiProvider support that can be filled with the technical name of a virtual InfoCube. Only by maintaining a virtual InfoCube here the customizing for open/closed periods can be interpreted by this virtual InfoCube. While query runtime this virtual InfoCube reads this highest closed period and consequently reads only the data for periods which are higher. It is recommended to use a virtual InfoCube other than the SEM-BCS standard virtual InfoCube which is a copy of this. This has the advantage that the SEM-BCS standard virtual InfoCube can still be used independently in other reporting scenarios which allow to read data from the transactional BasisCube also from closed periods. From the Basis InfoCube all data that is contained is read without restriction on periods. It's assumed that there are no overlaps concerning the periods. So it's assumed that the highest period in the BasisCube is not an open period in the virtual InfoProvider at the same time. Of course, this is dependent on the administation of the data and it's possible that this case occurs. In this case the data would be read twice and be doubled in the query. To avoid this the data of a closed period must be deleted in the BasisCube first before this closed period is re-opened again. In the following section a step-to-step guidance is given to implement the scenario.

4 The Step-By-Step Solution

4.1 Introduction

In this paper we want to show how a BW MultiCube Scenario for SEM-BCS Release 4.0 can be set up to be used in/for SEM-BCS reporting. It is valid for all scenarios mentioned at the beginning of this document. To stay as simple as possible this guide describes only the principle and the straightforward example so it works just with a virtual InfoCube and one BasisCube (according to scenario 1). You can apply this the same way to the MultiCube scenario without a virtual InfoCube (scenario 2).

4.2

Which steps have to be performed? Quick Overview

Heres an overview of the main steps that have to be done. Make use of the hyperlinks to get to the right place. o o o o o Set up the BW Data Mart for SEM-BCS (Use the document HowToDataMart-BWBCS.doc) Create a copy of the SEM-BCS standard virtual InfoCube to be used for the SEMBCS MultiCube scenario Create a MultiCube consisting of the newly created additional SEM-BCS virtual InfoCube and the additional BasisCube Customize SEM-BCS in the way that it interpretes open/closed periods Build BW queries based on the SEM-BCS MultiCube

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HOW TO SET UP A BW M ULTICUBE SCENARIO FOR SEM-BCS 4.0

4.3
4.3.1

Which steps have to be performed? Step by step description

Set up the BW Data Mart for SEM-BCS

This step is necessary as you need at least one additional BasisCube which gets its data from the virtual InfoCube. To perform this step please use the document HowToDataMartBW-BCS.doc.
4.3.2 Create a copy of the SEM-BCS standard virtual InfoCube to be used for the SEM-BCS MultiCube scenario

Preliminary remarks

It is also possible to use the already existing SEM-BCS standard virtual InfoCube for the MultiCube scenario. But theres an advantage of an additional virtual InfoProvider: In this case the SEM-BCS standard virtual InfoCube can be used in other reporting scenarios which allow to read also closed periods from the transactional InfoCube.

In the BW Administrator Workbench create a new InfoCube. Select the InfoProvider tree in the Administrator Workbench. Place the cursor on your InfoArea (in the example it is the InfoArea Unassigned Nodes). Right mouse click and select Create InfoCube.

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HOW TO SET UP A BW M ULTICUBE SCENARIO FOR SEM-BCS 4.0

Take the SEMBCS standard virtual InfoCube as a template to copy from (ZBCSC1V11). Select the InfoCube Type Virtual Cube and select With Services. Unfortunately, the services settings are not copied from the template; this has to be done manually: Push the button Details which belongs to the radio button With Services

In the appearing next screen enter the name of the SEM-BCS function module for reporting and select the flags as shown in the popup; confirm the settings. Then push the button Create in the next screen (not shown here).

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HOW TO SET UP A BW M ULTICUBE SCENARIO FOR SEM-BCS 4.0

4.3.3

Create a MultiCube consisting of the SEM-BCS virtual InfoCube and the additional BasisCube

Preliminary remarks

Based on the first two steps now a MultiCube can be created.

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HOW TO SET UP A BW M ULTICUBE SCENARIO FOR SEM-BCS 4.0

Select the InfoProvider tree in the Administrator Workbench. Place the cursor on your InfoArea (in the example it is the InfoArea Unassigned Nodes). Right mouse click and select Create MultiProvider.

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HOW TO SET UP A BW M ULTICUBE SCENARIO FOR SEM-BCS 4.0

In the appearing dialogue window Edit MultiProvider for the details enter a technical name and a description.

Press the button for creating the MultiProvider.

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HOW TO SET UP A BW M ULTICUBE SCENARIO FOR SEM-BCS 4.0

In the appearing dialogue box MultiProvider: Relevant InfoProviders mark all InfoCubes which are relevant for the scenario.

In our example these are the copied SEMBCS virtual InfoCube and the additional BasisCube we defined in step 1. Select the radiobutton Only Display Selected InfoProviders to get an overview about the relevant InfoCubes you selected. Press the button Continue to proceed.

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HOW TO SET UP A BW M ULTICUBE SCENARIO FOR SEM-BCS 4.0

The screen for editing the MultiCube appears.

In the characteristics tab, you can see on the right side (template) all characteristics contained in the participating InfoCubes. Select all and copy them to the left side.

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HOW TO SET UP A BW M ULTICUBE SCENARIO FOR SEM-BCS 4.0

All characteristics contained in the template are now also in the MultiCube. They have all the colour blue in the template area. Push the button Dimensions.

The dialogue box Create Dimensions appears. It asks whether you want to automatically create dimensions.

Confirm this dialogue with Yes.

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HOW TO SET UP A BW M ULTICUBE SCENARIO FOR SEM-BCS 4.0

The dialogue box Selection of InfoProvider for Dimension appears. You can select one InfoProvider which should be used as template. Choose e.g. the radiobutton for the proposed InfoCube. Remark: It doesnt matter which of the shown InfoProviders you use as a template as their data model is the same. Push the button Continue.

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HOW TO SET UP A BW M ULTICUBE SCENARIO FOR SEM-BCS 4.0

A dialogue box with preset dimensions appears.

Just confirm this dialogue box as the settings are already complete. You created dimensions and made the assignment of these dimensions to the MultiCube characteristics. The screen for editing the MultiCube appears again. Push the button Identification.

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HOW TO SET UP A BW M ULTICUBE SCENARIO FOR SEM-BCS 4.0

A dialogue for the assignment between the characteristics of the MultiCube to the participating InfoCubes is displayed.

Push the button Create recommendation. Background The characteristic in the MultiCube must have an exact assignment to the characteristic of the participating InfoCubes, as it is possible that several characteristics have the same reference characteristic with the same properties. As we copied the additional BasisCube from the virtual InfoCube the names of the characteristics are the same and we can use the recommendation. This recommendation uses the name to make the assignment.

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HOW TO SET UP A BW M ULTICUBE SCENARIO FOR SEM-BCS 4.0

The characteristics of the participating InfoCubes are assigned to the characteristics of the MultiCube.

Confirm the assignment dialogue.

The dialogue box is closed and you are in the InfoCube maintenance screen again. You created the link from the MultiCube characteristics to the characteristics of the participating InfoCubes. Choose the tab Time Characteristics and copy all time characteristics from the template to the

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HOW TO SET UP A BW M ULTICUBE SCENARIO FOR SEM-BCS 4.0

left side.

The time characteristics from the template are used in the MultiCube from now on. Push the button Identification.

The dialogue box Identification of Characteristics Involved appears. It has already assignments from the previous assignment of the other characteristics.

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HOW TO SET UP A BW M ULTICUBE SCENARIO FOR SEM-BCS 4.0

Scroll down to the end of the assignment list. At the end of the list you see the time characteristics which are not assigned yet.

Push the button Create recommendation.

The time characteristics of the participating InfoCubes are assigned to the MultiCube time characteristics.

Push the button Continue.

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HOW TO SET UP A BW M ULTICUBE SCENARIO FOR SEM-BCS 4.0

Choose the tab Key Figures and copy all key figures from the template to the left side.

The key figures from the template are used in the MultiCube from now on. Push the button Selection.

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HOW TO SET UP A BW M ULTICUBE SCENARIO FOR SEM-BCS 4.0

The dialogue box Selection of Key Figures Involved appears.

Select all key figures.

All key figures of the participating InfoCubes are assigned to the corresponding key figures of the MultiCube.

Background

We want to calculate overall key figures from the key figures of the participating InfoCubes. So the overall key figures must be assigned to the key figures of the participating InfoCubes.

Push the button Continue to leave the dialogue box.

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HOW TO SET UP A BW M ULTICUBE SCENARIO FOR SEM-BCS 4.0

Activate the MultiCube.

Result

The MultiCube has been activated and is ready to be used for reporting.

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HOW TO SET UP A BW M ULTICUBE SCENARIO FOR SEM-BCS 4.0 4.3.4 Customize SEM-BCS in the way that it interpretes open/closed periods

Settings in SEMBCS Data Basis First activate the MultiCube Reporting by entering a virtual InfoProvider name in the appropriate field within the Data Basis maintenance of the consolidation workbench.

Additional information

The virtual InfoProvider can be the same as that virtual InfoProvider for the totals records (like in our example) but it can also be a copy of this with a different technical name. In that latter case you keep the ability to still read closed periods data from the original totals datastream if you use the virtual InfoProvider assigned to the totals records. If you use the copied one entered in the field InfoProvider for MultiCube Reporting here in the example then the logic for open/closed periods will be recognized during query execution.

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HOW TO SET UP A BW M ULTICUBE SCENARIO FOR SEM-BCS 4.0

Closed period settings Now the customizing to determine the closed periods is done in the reporting settings of the consolidation workbench. According to the settings in this example all periods in 2003 including period 11 are closed for the version AF1 and the group currency EUR.
4.3.5 Build BW queries based on the SEM-BCS MultiCube

Different from the SEM-BCS releases prior to 4.0 the queries can be defined quite simply. They have to be built on the MultiCube which consists of the BasisCube and the virtual InfoCube which are defined for the SEM-BCS MultiCube. Prerequisites

In the steps before this step we have set up a BW Data Mart and a BW MultiCube. These are the prerequisites which are necessary to build BW Queries for the SEM-BCS MultiCube scenario. Furthermore, the customizing for closed periods (field InfoProvider for MultiCube Reporting in Data Basis and Settings for MultiProvider Reporting) has been made in the Consolidation Workbench. As an example a query is used that compares previous year with actual year data for the item Travel expenses. The year and the period are variables which get their values from the user input in the global filter. The query is based on a MultiCube consisting of one BasisCube and the SEM-BCS virtual InfoCube. So the example works with only one virtual InfoProvider. The previous year data is completely selected from the BasisCube. For the actual year a special logic is applied: Closed periods are read from the BasisCube, open periods are read from the virtual InfoCube. The status closed or open is determined by the special customizing in the consolidation workbench.

Example query

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HOW TO SET UP A BW M ULTICUBE SCENARIO FOR SEM-BCS 4.0

Query definition In the global filter the previous year and the entered year are included. Furthermore, all periods starting with 000 until the entered period are included.

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HOW TO SET UP A BW M ULTICUBE SCENARIO FOR SEM-BCS 4.0

Glossary SEM-BCS standard virtual InfoCube The virtual InfoCube which is assigned to the transactional totals InfoCube within the SEMBCS databasis.

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