At the heart of SAP’s cloud strategy, Datasphere is the data warehouse of choice within the SAP ecosystem, and the data management and reporting application for the SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) suite.
Datasphere is designed to be integrated, open, accessible and scalable.
Its HANA-inspired ergonomics and wide range of connectors for SAP and non-SAP sources will satisfy IT departments. As for business users, they’ll appreciate the autonomy Datasphere offers them, thanks to simplified access to business models, enabling fast, intuitive data exploitation.
Discover the functionalities of SAP Datasphere
Data integration and management
- Pre-integrated connectors :
Easy connection to SAP and non-SAP systems (third-party databases, cloud services, etc.). - Real-time integration:
Data can be integrated and synchronized in real time, with native and third-party database connectors (SDI/ SDA). - Data federation: Access to data in multiple systems without physically moving it, avoiding duplication and processing delays (SDA).
Data modeling
- Unified data models:
Data modeling links and integrates information from different sources. (DATA BUILDER) - Self-service for business users:
Users can access models without technical expertise (BUSINESS BUILDER). - Advanced analysis models:
Complex data modeling is supported by the ability to manage hierarchies, aggregates and specific calculations. - Functional content:
Objects built by SAP, available to speed development.
Dashboard and visualization
- Integrated visualization tools :
Users can visualize and explore data directly in the SAP Datasphere interface through interactive charts and graphs. - Compatibility with SAP Analytics Cloud : Integration is native with SAP Analytics Cloud.
- Real-time data analysis: Thanks to real-time integration and updating, analyses are always based on the latest data.
Data governance and security
- Centralized governance :
Centralized management of user access and rights, with the ability to control permissions at data object level. - Traceability and compliance : Track data access, with logging and auditing capabilities, ensuring compliance with regulations such as the RGPD.
- Sensitive data protection: Integrated data masking and access management tools help protect critical information.
Collaboration
- Shared workspaces : Users can collaborate in real time within specific workspaces.
- Secure data sharing: SAP Datasphere enables data sets to be shared between teams or departments while respecting governance rules.
Extensibility and openness
- Extensibility via APIs: SAP Datasphere can be extended via APIs to integrate other tools or develop specific applications.
- Open to third-party tools: Although the SAP ecosystem is at the heart of this solution, SAP Datasphere can be integrated with other third-party technologies and tools, offering great flexibility.
- Access to a Data Marketplace: Data sources are accessible in SAP Datasphere’s own Data Marketplace, where users can access high-quality external data to enrich their analyses.
Performance and scalability
- Cloud scalability: The solution is hosted in the cloud, which means it can easily evolve in line with business needs.
- Performance optimization: SAP Datasphere harnesses the power of SAP HANA to ensure high performance even with large data volumes.
Automation and machine learning
- Automation of data flows : Ability to automate data management processes (ETL, cleansing, etc.) to simplify operations.
- AI/ML integration : Users can leverage machine learning algorithms for predictive analytics directly within the platform.
Use case: SAP Datasphere
These use cases illustrate the power and versatility of SAP Datasphere:
Multi-source data warehouse with self-service access
SAP Datasphere enables the aggregation of data from different SAP and non-SAP sources into a centralized, secure and easily accessible data warehouse. Users can access data on a self-service basis, enabling them to make better use of information without placing continuous demands on IT.
ELT (Extraction, Load, Transformation) tool
With transformation workflows, data from multiple sources can be loaded, transformed and then stored in a target table ready for use by other systems or applications. This ELT approach (where data transformation takes place after extraction) enables data to be prepared for specific analyses without loss of performance.
Hybrid modeling for possessorsBW4/HANA, for a smooth transition to the cloud
With the SAP BW/4HANA Model Transfer function, SAP Datasphere offers a hybrid model that federates data while facilitating the transition to the cloud. This feature is particularly advantageous for companies wishing to retain their existing on-premise infrastructure while exploring the possibilities offered by the cloud.
Easier migration for SAP BW owners with SAP BW Bridge
SAP Datasphere offers SAP BW Bridge, which enables data models from SAP BW BEx analytical queries to be imported and reused. This means that companies can leverage their investments in SAP BW to build models in Datasphere, without requiring a complete SAP BW/4HANA infrastructure. This ensures continuity in the use of existing models, and reduces migration costs.
With this combination of integration, transformation, hybrid modeling and migration capabilities, SAP Datasphere helps companies preserve their investments in SAP BW while adopting a next-generation cloud data warehouse.
SAP Datasphere
Highlights
- Native integration with SAP: SAP Datasphere is designed to integrate seamlessly with the SAP ecosystem (such as SAP S/4HANA, SAP BW/4HANA), making it easy for companies already using these solutions to access and consolidate SAP data.
- Governance and security: SAP Datasphere offers robust data governance features, with role-based access control options, making it a secure solution for regulated environments.
- Distributed data management approach: SAP Datasphere takes a modern approach by enabling direct access to original data, rather than relying solely on duplication, reducing storage and maintenance costs.
- Cloud accessibility: A fully cloud-based solution, SAP Datasphere enables greater scalability and flexibility, facilitating real-time data access.
Weak points
- Implementation complexity: SAP Datasphere may require specific expertise for implementation and integration, particularly in hybrid environments.
- Cost: SAP Datasphere, like other SAP solutions, can be expensive in terms of licensing, which may limit its adoption by mid-sized companies.
- Limited non-SAP interoperability: Although SAP Datasphere opens up to non-SAP data, it remains very SAP-oriented, which can pose integration limitations for companies with a significant mix of non-SAP systems.
The opportunities
- Expansion of non-SAP ecosystems: As connectivity to non-SAP solutions increases, SAP Datasphere could expand its interoperability to attract customers using a variety of data environments.
- Growing demand for real-time data solutions: Companies are increasingly looking to exploit real-time data; SAP Datasphere could capitalize on this trend by strengthening its real-time processing and analysis capabilities.
- Integration with AI technologies: By leveraging AI and machine learning, SAP Datasphere could offer predictive and prescriptive analytics for better decision-making.
Threats
- Increased competition: SAP Datasphere competes with players who also offer equally advanced data management solutions.
- Fast-changing technology: The rapid pace of innovation in the field of data and modern data architectures can make SAP Datasphere vulnerable if it does not continually innovate.
- Data security and compliance: In a context of strict regulations (such as the RGPD), SAP Datasphere guarantees a compliant cloud solution, reassuring companies that their sensitive data is protected and kept confidential.
Find out how data warehouses compare in a ERP SAP context
In conclusion…
SAP Datasphere, with its wide range of use cases, is the solution of choice for companies with an SAP ecosystem. Thanks to native connections with S/4HANA and pre-configured business content, Datasphere enables data flows to be designed quickly and seamlessly.
The migration possibilities offered by BW Bridge reinforce this advantage, enabling the value of past on-premise investments to be extended, while transferring them to a state-of-the-art cloud data warehouse.
By continuing to open up to non-SAP systems, SAP is positioning Datasphere as a truly unified data fabric, ready to meet the needs of its users.
