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SAP Datasphere, SAP BW & BW4HANA
SAP data architecture development – maintaining, modernizing and preparing for future business needs
Data as the foundation of business decisions
Modern organizations are making more and more decisions based on data. Its value depends primarily on whether it is consistent, up-to-date, and available at the right time. As businesses grow, the demands on their data environment grow:
- an increasing number of information sources,
- the need to deliver analyses faster,
- growing business user demands,
- the need to ensure consistent KPIs and reporting,
- preparing data for use in advanced analytics and AI.
Therefore, organizations using SAP face the question:
How can they develop their data architecture to continue supporting their business – leveraging existing investments while simultaneously preparing for future needs?
The most common challenges related to the development of the SAP data environment
The growing complexity of existing environments
Many organizations have been using SAP BW or SAP BW/4HANA for many years. During this time, they have developed sophisticated data models, integration processes, and reporting solutions tailored to their specific business needs.
Over time, however, the environment can become increasingly demanding:
- The number of objects and dependencies is growing,
- introducing changes requires increasing analysis,
- maintaining performance requires constant optimization,
- knowledge about the solution is dispersed among different people.
The goal is not to abandon existing investments, but to find the best way to continue using them.
Integration of new data sources
The business environment is constantly changing. In addition to data from SAP systems, organizations also leverage information from:
- CRM systems,
- industry-specific applications,
- cloud platforms,
- third-party databases.
Ensuring consistent access to information and the ability to leverage data from various sources within a single business context becomes a challenge.
Speed of delivery of business information
Businesses expect increasingly rapid answers to questions about:
- profitability,
- costs,
- sales,
- process efficiency,
- forecasts, and planning.
At the same time, complex data environments often require the involvement of IT specialists when preparing new analyses or making changes to existing models.
Preparing data for AI and advanced analytics
The use of AI and modern data analysis methods requires more than just access to large amounts of information.
Data must be:
- organized,
- reliable,
- described from a business perspective,
- and available within an appropriate security model.
Therefore, data architecture is becoming a key element in preparing organizations for new technologies.
Access to specialist knowledge
SAP BW and SAP BW/4HANA environments are often developed over many years. During this time, solutions are created that leverage knowledge of business processes, data models, and organizational specifics.
Ensuring the continuity of expertise becomes one of the challenges:
- experts change roles or leave the organization,
- solution knowledge can be concentrated in the hands of a few people,
- and acquiring specialists with experience in advanced SAP environments can be difficult.
Support from an experienced partner helps mitigate risk and ensure the stable development of the environment.
The Evolution of SAP Data Management Tools
For years, SAP has been developing solutions that support organizations in building and developing their data architecture. Depending on the company's needs, these may include:
SAP BW
& SAP BW/4HANA
Solutions used by organizations that require centralized analytical data management, advanced business models, and a stable reporting foundation.
SAP BW/4HANA leverages the capabilities of SAP HANA, providing high processing performance and a modern platform for analytical environments.
SAP Datasphere
SAP Datasphere is a solution that enables the construction of a modern data layer that integrates information from various sources – both SAP and external systems.
It enables, among other things:
- data integration,
- business information modeling,
- sharing data with analytical users,
- preserving the business context of data.
SAP Business Data Cloud
SAP Business Data Cloud (BDC) is SAP's approach to managing business data in the cloud, combining the capabilities of SAP Datasphere, analytics, and solutions supporting the use of data in new business scenarios.
There is no single correct development scenario
Every organization is in a different place. Therefore, the development of SAP data architecture can follow different paths:
Maintenance and development of SAP BW / SAP BW/4HANA
For organizations that want to maximize the use of their existing environment.
The scope of activities includes:
- support for ongoing operations,
- development of data models,
- performance optimization,
- expansion of reporting,
- ensuring continuity of competencies.
Modernization of the existing environment
For companies that want to simplify their architecture, increase efficiency, and prepare their environment for further growth.
This may include:
- organizing data models,
- optimizing processes,
- analyzing the potential use of new technologies.
Extending the architecture to SAP Datasphere
For organizations that need greater flexibility in:
- integrating SAP and non-SAP data,
- utilizing data from multiple sources,
- building new analytical scenarios,
- preparing the foundation for AI.
Hybrid modelSAP BW/BW/4HANA + SAP Datasphere
In many cases, the best solution is not to replace the existing environment, but to extend it.
SAP BW/BW/4HANA can continue to serve as the environment containing existing models and business logic, while SAP Datasphere can expand the possibilities of data integration and utilization.
Effects of cooperation
A well-developed data architecture allows an organization to:
- use business information faster,
- increase reporting consistency,
- better leverage existing SAP investments,
- reduce risks related to knowledge retention,
- prepare data for the development of AI and advanced analytics.
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How does KBJ support the development of SAP data architecture?
KBJ helps organizations develop their SAP data environments – from maintaining existing solutions to implementing new SAP Datasphere and SAP Business Data Cloud capabilities.
SAP BW & SAP BW/4HANA
We provide:
- environment maintenance and support,
- functional development,
- optimization of existing solutions,
- development of data models and reporting,
- SAP expert support.
SAP Datasphere & SAP Business Data Cloud
We support organizations in:
- business needs analysis,
- data architecture design,
- SAP Datasphere implementation,
- SAP and non-SAP data integration,
building new analytical scenarios.
Consulting & Data Development Strategy
We help determine:
- the current state of the environment,
- possible development directions,
- the optimal target architecture,
- a roadmap for further actions.
FAQ
Yes. SAP BW/4HANA remains an important element of the data architecture of many organizations. The direction of further development depends on the current environment, business needs, and company strategy.
Not always. In many organizations, SAP Datasphere is used as an extension of an existing data architecture or as part of its further evolution.
There's no one-size-fits-all scenario. Decisions should be based on an analysis of the current environment, business goals, and organizational development plans. KBJ consultants are here to help you select the right strategy and implement it. Contact
Yes. The hybrid model is one possible development scenario for SAP's data architecture.
No. KBJ supports both organizations using SAP BW/BW/4HANA, as well as companies developing new solutions based on SAP Datasphere and SAP Business Data Cloud.
Evolve your data architecture to continue supporting your business
If you want to streamline system integration, develop business applications, or build a modern SAP architecture, KBJ will help you design and implement solutions tailored to your organization.
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