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Analysis Process Designer (APD)

Illustrated Step-by-Step
Implementation Part 1 (using Filter
Transformation)

Applies to:
SAP NetWeaver BW. For more information, visit the EDW homepage

Summary
The document provides an insight into APD development using Real-time business scenario.
This is a beginners guide to APD which provides a step-by-step detailed APD development process.

Author:

Shyam Uthaman

Company: Accenture Services Pvt. Ltd.


Created on: 14 April 2011

Author Bio
Shyam Uthaman is working as SAP-BI Consultant in Accenture Services Private He is working
simultaneously on multiple projects for different clients in Accenture.

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Analysis Process Designer (APD) Illustrated Step-by-Step Implementation Part 1 (using Filter Transformation)

Table of Contents
Analysis Process Designer ................................................................................................................................. 3
Introduction & Use........................................................................................................................................... 3
Integration ....................................................................................................................................................... 3
Restrictions ..................................................................................................................................................... 4
Functions ......................................................................................................................................................... 4
Versioning ....................................................................................................................................................... 4
Transport Connection...................................................................................................................................... 4
Illustrated APD Implementation .......................................................................................................................... 5
Creating a New Design Screen ....................................................................................................................... 5
Selecting a Data Source ................................................................................................................................. 7
Target DSO Creation .................................................................................................................................... 10
Selecting a Data Target ................................................................................................................................ 12
Selecting a Transformation ........................................................................................................................... 13
Result Verification ............................................................................................................................................. 22
Related Content ................................................................................................................................................ 25
Disclaimer and Liability Notice .......................................................................................................................... 26

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Analysis Process Designer (APD) Illustrated Step-by-Step Implementation Part 1 (using Filter Transformation)

Analysis Process Designer


Introduction & Use
In SAP BW, data from various databases from systems available in the company are collected, consolidated,
managed and prepared for evaluation purposes. There is often further, valuable potential in this data.
It deals with completely new information that is displayed in the form of meaningful connectivity between data
but that is too well hidden or complex to be discovered by simple observation or intuition.
The Analysis Process Designer (APD) makes it possible to find and identify these hidden or complex
relationships between data in a simple way. Various data transformations are provided for this purpose, such
as statistical and mathematical calculations, and data cleansing or structuring processes.
The analysis results are saved in BW data targets or in a CRM system. They are available for all decision
and application processes and thus can be decisive (strategically, tactically, and operatively).
Examples of analysis processes include the calculation of ABC classes, determination of frequency
distribution or of scoring information.
Integration
The analysis process designer is the application environment for the SAP data mining solution. The following
data mining functions are integrated into the APD:

Creating and changing data mining models

Training data mining models with various BW data (data mining model as data target in the analysis
process)

Execution of data mining methods such as prediction with decision tree, with cluster model and
integration of data mining models from third parties (data mining model as a transformation in the
analysis process)

Visualization of data mining models

The APD is integrated into the Administrator Workbench:

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Analysis Process Designer (APD) Illustrated Step-by-Step Implementation Part 1 (using Filter Transformation)

Restrictions
Integration into the Administrator Workbench has the following restrictions:

The node texts are not language dependent.

You can only integrate an analysis process into a process chain using the process type ABAP
program. To do this, choose the ABAP report RSAN_PROCESS_EXECUTE.

Analysis processes are not displayed in the data flow display.

The where-used list only functions from the analysis process to other objects and from data mining
models to the analysis process, but not from other objects such as InfoProviders.

Functions
The analysis process designer is a workbench with an intuitive, graphic user interface for the creation,
execution and monitoring of analysis processes. Analysis process can be created using Drag & Drop. Data
from different data sources in the BW system can be combined, transformed and prepared for analysis in
several individual steps so that it can then be resaved into targets in the BW system (transactional ODS
object or InfoObjects with attributes) or in a CRM system. Various are available.

Data sources

Transformations

Data Targets

Various additional functions support you during modeling and executing an analysis process, as well as
during interpretation of the analysis results.
The following graphic shows the various steps in the Analysis Process Designer.

First select a data target that contains the desired data. Then this data is prepared and then transformed.
This transformed data is then saved in a BW object or in another system. For analysis, you can display the
data in a query in the Business Explorer.
Versioning
Analysis processes are integrated into the versioning concept (active, inactive version, content version and
delivery).
Transport Connection
Analysis processes are connected to the transport system for the SAP BW as TLOGO objects

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Analysis Process Designer (APD) Illustrated Step-by-Step Implementation Part 1 (using Filter Transformation)

Illustrated APD Implementation


To better understand the purpose and implementation method of APD, we will be creating an APD to load a
filtered output from a query to a Direct-Update DSO.
Creating a New Design Screen
To implement an APD, first use the RSANWB transaction to reach the following screen.

The left panel of the screen displays all the components that can be used to build an analysis process, and
the right panel displays the design area where the analysis process is built. Here we will use the General
Analysis Process. Right Click on General and select Create as shown below.

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Analysis Process Designer (APD) Illustrated Step-by-Step Implementation Part 1 (using Filter Transformation)

You will get the following screen

Give the APD a meaningful description.

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Analysis Process Designer (APD) Illustrated Step-by-Step Implementation Part 1 (using Filter Transformation)

Selecting a Data Source


The components from which data is read for further processing in an analysis process are categorized as
data sources. An analysis process can use master data, BEx queries, InfoProviders, flat Files, or database
tables as a data source. (As shown below).

Our requirement states that the data source will be a query


So we Drag and drop a query into the design pane.

The following window pops up as soon as you drop the query in the pane. Click on choose query to select
the query you wish to use as a source.

You will get the following window with the list of all info areas in the system.
Find your query inside your InfoArea in which your InfoProvider (on which the query was built) exists.

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Analysis Process Designer (APD) Illustrated Step-by-Step Implementation Part 1 (using Filter Transformation)

Double click on the query name.


You will be redirected back to the previous window which now shows the details of your query. Change the
Description if you require, but we will keep the same description for simplicity.

Click on Ok.

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Analysis Process Designer (APD) Illustrated Step-by-Step Implementation Part 1 (using Filter Transformation)

The Data source has been configured in the APD as you can see in the image below.

Now we need a Target DSO to store the data. We will be creating the required Direct-Update DSO.
We will save the APD before going to RSA1 transaction again.
Give the APD a technical name and press Ok.

It will be saved.

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Analysis Process Designer (APD) Illustrated Step-by-Step Implementation Part 1 (using Filter Transformation)

Target DSO Creation


The data target to be used here is a Direct-Update DSO (as it is the only SO type that supports APD).
We will be creating one using the following steps:
Right click on your InfoArea. Select Create DataStore Object from the context menu.

You will get the following window. Enter the technical name and the description of the DSO.

Now, on the DSO edit screen, edit the Type of Direct Update in the Settings.

On the popup, Select Direct Update Radio Button and press OK.

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Analysis Process Designer (APD) Illustrated Step-by-Step Implementation Part 1 (using Filter Transformation)

You will see the following screen:

Now I have added the some key fields and Data fields to the DSO and then saved and activated it as seen
below.

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Analysis Process Designer (APD) Illustrated Step-by-Step Implementation Part 1 (using Filter Transformation)

Selecting a Data Target


The data processed and generated in an analysis process can be saved into different targets, such as direct
update DSOs, master data attributes, flat files, and so on (as shown below). The data generated in an
analysis process can also be fed to data mining models.

He, we will be using the Direct-Update DSO that we created earlier to act as a Data Target.
To do this, Drag and drop the DSO icon to the Design pane.

As soon as you drop the DSO on to the pane, you will get the following pop-up window.
Here we have to enter your target DSO name in the text field and also specify a description for it.

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Analysis Process Designer (APD) Illustrated Step-by-Step Implementation Part 1 (using Filter Transformation)

The below image shows the fully filled details of the window described above.

Press OK.
You will be redirected back to the design pane.
Selecting a Transformation
Different analysis functions used on the data are grouped under Transformations. These different
transformations range form simple filter functions to more complex data mining functions (as shown below).

In our example, we will be using a filter in between the source and the output.
To do this, drag and drop the filter Icon into the design pane as shown below.

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Analysis Process Designer (APD) Illustrated Step-by-Step Implementation Part 1 (using Filter Transformation)

Now, to apply the filter, we need to supply it with the query output.
Drag and drop the connection from the query output to the filter input as shown below.
Blue dotted lines indicate that the connection is still incomplete.

The solid black line (as shown below) indicates that the connection is complete.

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Analysis Process Designer (APD) Illustrated Step-by-Step Implementation Part 1 (using Filter Transformation)

Now, double click on the Filter, to apply the filter conditions.


The following window opens.

Here, you need to specify the fields on which you wish to apply a filter on. Here we will be applying a filter on
Channel Field to restrict all the channel values that have the value 3.
To achieve this, Move the Channel field into the Field to be filtered pane using the

button.

Now it is available for application for filter.

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Analysis Process Designer (APD) Illustrated Step-by-Step Implementation Part 1 (using Filter Transformation)

Complex selection
Move to the Filter Condition tab and Select the complex selections button circled in red below.

As we want to exclude the value 3, move to the Exclude Single values tab.

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Analysis Process Designer (APD) Illustrated Step-by-Step Implementation Part 1 (using Filter Transformation)

Enter the value 3 in the text field and press OK.


You will see that the filter has been applied (as also seen below)

Now create the final connection between the Filter and the DSO as we did earlier.

Now, we have to specify the Fields Assignment between the filter and the DSO. Double click on the mapping
symbol circled in red.

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Analysis Process Designer (APD) Illustrated Step-by-Step Implementation Part 1 (using Filter Transformation)

The following window opens up

We can automatically map fields which have been created on the same info-object.
Click on the automatic assignment button shown below and select Same InfoObject as shown below.
This reduces a great deal of effort.

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Analysis Process Designer (APD) Illustrated Step-by-Step Implementation Part 1 (using Filter Transformation)

You can see that the automatic mapping has been successful for the first three fields. But since Unit of
Measure field had been constructed on a different info object than that of the query, we need to map it
ourselves.

To do the custom mapping, click on the Method button circled in red below.

The following window opens up.

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Analysis Process Designer (APD) Illustrated Step-by-Step Implementation Part 1 (using Filter Transformation)

Proceed with a search help on Source Char field.


You will see the following window.

We will select the (unit) Quantity field to be mapped on to Unit of measure field in DSO.

You will be redirected back to the previous window with the Source char field filled now with the selection.

Press OK.

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Analysis Process Designer (APD) Illustrated Step-by-Step Implementation Part 1 (using Filter Transformation)

You will see that all the field assignments are complete as shown below,

Save and activate the APD.

Now press the execute button

to start the data transfer.

Here, it is seen that 9 records have been successfully loaded to the APD.
This Display log will show any warnings or errors that occur in APD execution.

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Analysis Process Designer (APD) Illustrated Step-by-Step Implementation Part 1 (using Filter Transformation)

Result Verification
Now we will check what the output from the query was and what got loaded into the DSO to verify that only
the required data has been loaded to the DSO.
To see the query data, right click on the query and select Display Data from the context menu.

The following output will be shown.

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Analysis Process Designer (APD) Illustrated Step-by-Step Implementation Part 1 (using Filter Transformation)

Now we will check the data that has been loaded to the DSO.
Right click on the DSO name and select Display Data.

Give the Field Selection for output and press Execute.

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Analysis Process Designer (APD) Illustrated Step-by-Step Implementation Part 1 (using Filter Transformation)

We get the following output.

Here it is seen that only the required fields have been loaded and the Channel=00003 value has been filtered
out.
The APD implementation has been completed successfully and the result has been verified successfully.

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Analysis Process Designer (APD) Illustrated Step-by-Step Implementation Part 1 (using Filter Transformation)

Related Content
Analysis Process Designer
http://forums.sdn.sap.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1933514&tstart=0
http://forums.sdn.sap.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1918142&tstart=0
For more information, visit the EDW homepage

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Analysis Process Designer (APD) Illustrated Step-by-Step Implementation Part 1 (using Filter Transformation)

Disclaimer and Liability Notice


This document may discuss sample coding or other information that does not include SAP official interfaces and therefore is not
supported by SAP. Changes made based on this information are not supported and can be overwritten during an upgrade.
SAP will not be held liable for any damages caused by using or misusing the information, code or methods suggested in this document,
and anyone using these methods does so at his/her own risk.
SAP offers no guarantees and assumes no responsibility or liability of any type with respect to the content of this technical article or
code sample, including any liability resulting from incompatibility between the content within this document and the materials and
services offered by SAP. You agree that you will not hold, or seek to hold, SAP responsible or liable with respect to the content of this
document.

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