Getting Started with SAP Incentive Management

Starting the Implementation

Working with Compensation Elements

Creating and Managing Compensation Plans

Running the Calculation and Viewing Results

Communicating with your Payees

Creating Stories with Embedded Analytics

Appendix

Exploring Data Integration Options

Objective

After completing this lesson, you will be able to determine the best data integration option for implementation in SAP Incentive Management.

Options for Data Integration

Typically, the data used to calculate compensation originates in various source systems. The Data Integration process is used to ensure that this data is property mapped and updated regularly before each calculation is run.

For example, payees enter their sales transactions into a CRM tool. The transaction data is integrated into the system, where the payments are then calculated.

When using most data integration options, inbound data moves to a series of staging tables.

A table displaying various data integration options, with use cases, frequency, recommended data volumes and other information. The details are in the text below.

Excel Data Loaders are used for ad hoc data loads on the user level. It is not designed for high volume data transfers.
Express Data Loader (XDL) is an ideal solution for small to medium-sized businesses. This tool is included with the system and uses a secure dropbox to load high volumes of data. The data transfer is completed with HANA procedures.
DataSphere is an SAP tool designed for high data volume and data transformation. It runs on SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) and requires technical expertise to accomplish data integrations.
SAP Integration Suite is a cloud-based integration platform. It can be used to build complex integration scenarios, manage APIs, and extend connectivity to both SAP and non-SAP cloud applications. SAP Integration Suite runs on SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP).
REST APIs are new configured APIs. Typically, APIs are used for smaller volumes of data, with real-time integration.

Exercise: Import Data using the Excel Data Loader

Business Example

In this exercise, you will import Organization data, Transactions, and Classification data into Incentive Management using the Excel Data Loader. You will use this data to build a compensation plan throughout this course.

ExerciseStart Exercise

Steps

Import Organization data.
1. On the home screen, select the Participants icon in the Manage Organization tile.
2. From the Action menu, select Upload Excel Data.
3. Select Choose File.
4. Select the BikesInMotion Organization Data.xlsx file.
5. Select Upload.
6. When the import is complete, select the Quick Search icon to refresh the workspace.
Import Transaction data.
1. Return to the home screen and select Calculations → Transactions in the Review Calculations tile.
2. From the Action menu, select Upload Excel Data.
3. Select Choose File.
4. Select the BikesInMotion Transaction Data.xlsx file.
5. Select Upload.
6. When the import is complete, select the Quick Search icon to refresh the workspace.
Import Classification data.
1. On the home screen, select Plan Data → Classification icon in the Manage Plans tile.
2. From the Action menu, select Upload Excel Data.
3. Select Choose File.
4. Select the BikesInMotion Classification Data.xlsx file.
5. Select Upload.
6. When the import is complete, select the Quick Search icon to refresh the workspace.

Summary

Data integration options for SAP Incentive Management include Excel Data Loaders, Express Data Loader (XDL), DataSphere, and SAP Integration Suite.
Excel Data Loaders are for ad hoc, low volume data loads, while XDL is suitable for small to medium-sized businesses.
DataSphere and SAP Integration Suite are designed for high data volumes and require technical expertise for data integrations.
REST APIs are custom configurations, used mainly for smaller data volumes with real-time integration.

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