SAP S/4HANA Embedded Analytics – integrated reporting directly within the system

Business process and real-time analytics in one system

SAP S/4HANA Embedded Analytics allows you to analyze your operational data in real time and visualize it using Fiori apps.

S/4HANA is the next-generation ERP suite from SAP, based on the state-of-the-art SAP HANA in-memory platform.

By eliminating the separation between analytical and operational systems, Embedded Analytics users gain direct access to operational data. Unnecessary data redundancies are eliminated through virtual data models, and the high-performance HANA database enables rapid processing of even the largest volumes of data in minimal time.

This means that SAP S/4HANA is no longer just suitable for transactional data; it is optimized for integrated reporting too. With analytical functionalities and visualization features that you’ll already be familiar with from modern Business Intelligence (BI), S/4HANA Embedded Analytics enables your business units to perform powerful operational real-time reporting.

SAP Fiori makes SAP applications significantly easier to use. Users now access transactions and reporting apps intuitively and centrally through their (Fiori) Launchpad. Using various report types, analytical views of virtual data models (queries) can be seamlessly integrated and consumed within Fiori. This enables both traditional OLAP evaluations (“multidimensional reporting”) with flexible data breakdown, “slice and dice” and drill-down functionalities, not to mention more complex reporting applications with graphical KPI displays – for example, as “Smart Business KPIs” or “Analytical Fiori Apps”. With Fiori, techniques and functions that were previously only known from the SAP Analytics segment come into play.

Virtual data models (VDMs) provide the database for Embedded Analytics apps. With SAP S/4HANA, customers receive prebuilt VDMs that they can immediately use for reporting. Unlike SAP Data Warehouse systems, analytics frameworks in SAP S/4HANA no longer rely on replicated data, but instead access posted information directly in the ERP system using Core Data Services (CDS Views). This technology eliminates time delays between data capture and reporting, enabling operational reporting in real time. This optimally supports users throughout the entire value chain in making day-to-day business decisions.

In addition to predefined analytics frameworks, S/4HANA also provides integrated reporting tools based on SAP Fiori. This translates into simple implementation of analysis requirements that are close to the business processes, as well as integration of these requirements within an interface for end users.

Integrating Embedded Analytics with SAP Datasphere and BW/4HANA

Although separating operational and strategic reporting is no longer strictly necessary from a purely technological perspective – thanks to the powerful HANA database and modern technologies like CDS Views, VDMs, and Fiori – clear added value still emerges through seamless integration with data warehousing solutions.

With both SAP Datasphere and SAP BW/4HANA, it’s possible to access the analytics frameworks directly available in S/4HANA and combine them with historical, consolidated, or external source data – an important prerequisite for strategic reporting. Additionally, your data can be both historicized and versioned within these systems.

Direct reporting with SAP Fiori apps

Fiori is the new UI technology for SAP Business applications and makes them as easy to use as consumer apps. With Fiori, companies can display apps on any device using a browser. Fiori is based on short navigation paths, intuitive user guidance, and clear displays that focus on the essentials.

Fiori consists of the Launchpad and a continuously growing collection of Fiori apps. The Launchpad is the central access point to all the applications. The apps are displayed in a modern tile design in the user’s Launchpad. All the tiles can be arranged as desired, and the user interface can be personalized according to the user’s individual requirements and tasks. Additional apps can easily be found in the SAP Fiori Apps Library and can be added to the Launchpad. Depending on the app type, the tiles already contain a preview of important KPIs or pending tasks.

In combination with SAP S/4HANA, Fiori is the central entry point to business processes and analytics along your company’s entire value creation chain. The special features, such as rapid response times, numerous integration options, ease of use and appealing design with short access paths, make Fiori a state-of-the-art portal for users, as can be seen in the following illustration.

Role-based: Only applications defined for the user’s role and position are accessible through the home page.

Adaptable: Fiori automatically adapts to various usage scenarios. For example, it can be used responsively on both mobile devices and desktop computers, and is suitable for all operating systems and browsers.

Simple: The design facilitates focus on the most important tasks, functions, and activities.

Coherent: Fiori can be deployed across all enterprise applications, creating a consistent user experience – whether fulfilling customer orders, reviewing current metrics, or managing vacation requests.

Appealing: The intuitive, user-friendly design concept improves users’ work experience and helps to boost both motivation and productivity.

Added value through integration to the ORBIS Fiori extension

The “ORBIS Analytics Tile for Fiori” extension allows you to easily extend your launchpad to make it an even more powerful dashboard.

The tiles on your home screen are linked to highly aggregated information, not to mention existing detailed reports, as soon as you log in. The type of display depends on the chart design you choose. This gives you an immediate overview of your key figures without having to study detailed reports.

Not sure yet whether analytics based on a Business Warehouse (BW), the SAP Datasphere or Embedded Analytics in the environment of an S/4HANA system is the right solution for your company? We’ll explain to you how the solutions differ from or complement one another, and how you can use SAP S/4HANA Embedded Analytics together with SAP Analytics Cloud, SAP BW/4HANA or SAP Datasphere.

ORBIS offers you holistic support when it comes to modernizing your reporting operations. From classic on-prem data warehouse projects to current cloud solutions, like Datasphere and SAP Analytics Cloud, ORBIS is your partner for success.

With our expertise in the SAP BW environment and the resulting project experience, we adapt your IT landscape to suit your individual requirements: from smaller Business Warehouse installations to data storage with several terabytes and lots of source connections. 

We are your global point of contact for all topics related to analytics. We enable you to seamlessly integrate external data sources, access and create analyses, and derive decisive advantages from them. Our solutions help you to optimize your data analytics activities and ensure that your digital processes work efficiently.