Introducing Connection Types in SAP Analytics Cloud

Objective

After completing this lesson, you will be able to describe the connection types used in SAP Analytics Cloud

Exploring Connection Types

In this video, we will explore the various data connection types that can be created in SAP Analytics Cloud. We will cover the basics of import and live data connections to various remote data sources, both on-premise and cloud.

Supported Data Sources

Now that we have explored the different connection types available in SAP Analytics Cloud, let's take a closer look at the supported cloud and on-premise data sources for import and live data connections.

A diagram showing the connection types available in SAP Analytics Cloud and the data sources supported for cloud and on-premise. Summarized below.

Import Data Connections

Import data connections allow data acquisition from remote data sources where a copy of the source system's data is imported to SAP Analytics Cloud. Any changes made to the data in the source system doesn't affect the data in SAP Analytics Cloud.

Import data connections:

Allow users to fully leverage capabilities such as SAP Analytics Cloud planning and SAP Analytics Cloud smart features.
Work best for data preparation and data blending scenarios.
Can have data imported regularly using scheduled data import jobs.

Import data connections to cloud applications can be created using the standard connectors provided in SAP Analytics Cloud.

Google BigQuery
Google Drive
OData Services
SAP Concur
SAP Fieldglass
SAP S/4HANA Cloud
SAP SuccessFactors
Qualtrics
...and more.

Import data connections to public APIs can be created using the SAP Business Technology Platform.

Import data connections to on-premise data sources can be created using the SAP BTP cloud connector.

OData Services
SAP Business Planning and Consolidation (BPC) (Standard)
SAP Integrated Business Planning
SAP S/4HANA

Import data connections to on-premise data sources can be created using the SAP BTP cloud connector and the SAP Analytics Cloud agent.

SAP Business Warehouse (including SAP BW/4HANA)
SAP ERP
SAP HANA
SAP Universe
SQL databases

Import data connections to a file server can be created using the SAP BTP cloud connector and the SAP Analytics Cloud agent.

.csv
.txt
.xlsx

Live Data Connections

Data is "live", meaning that when a user opens a story in SAP Analytics Cloud, changes made to the data in the source system are reflected immediately in the story.

For live data connections, SAP Analytics Cloud provides SAML 2 capabilities to enable single sign-on (SSO), simplifying not only authentication to SAP Analytics Cloud but also to connected data sources from your landscape.

Live data connections to cloud applications can be created using the standard connectors provided in SAP Analytics Cloud.

SAP BPC (Embedded)
SAP Business Warehouse
SAP Cloud Application
SAP Datasphere
SAP HANA Cloud
SAP Integrated Business Planning
SAP S/4HANA Cloud

Direct live data connections to on-premise data sources can be created using Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS).

SAP BPC (Embedded)
SAP Business Warehouse
SAP HANA
SAP S/4HANA
SAP Universe or Web Intelligence document

Tunnel live data connections to on-premise data sources can be created using the SAP BTP cloud connector.

SAP BPC (Embedded)
SAP Business Warehouse (including SAP BW/4HANA)
SAP HANA
SAP S/4HANA

The table below highlights the key differences between the two types of live connections to on-premise data sources:

Direct Live Connections	Tunnel Live Connection
Users can perform analysis without data replication. Confidential data stays in the customer network. Data security implemented in the source system is respected. Leverages existing investment built in the source system. Complex data modeling is performed centrally. Low latency – near real-time. End-to-end SSO using SAML.	Ideal if your organization wants to expose some of your data to users outside of your corporate network, without giving them VPN rights or setting up complex networking components. Data temporarily passes from on-premise data sources to the user’s browser through the SAP BTP cloud connector and SAP Analytics Cloud. Slower than direct live connections. CORS configuration is not required.

Additional Information

For the full list of supported data types, visit: Data Connections | SAP Help Portal.

Getting Started

Customers need to decide which connection type to set up, according to their own needs. As you evaluate which connection type to use, consider these criteria:

Functional needs
Data privacy constraints
Data volume constraints

System Requirements and Technical Prerequisites

It's also important to review the System Requirements and Technical Prerequisites and check if your landscape is compliant with what is supported for your version and connection type.

Deployment

As an SAP Analytics Cloud administrator, you will work as part of a team of individuals with different responsibilities and areas of expertise in order to successfully create the data connections.

Role	Area of Expertise
SAP Analytics Cloud administrator	SAP Analytics Cloud settings, such as SAML 2.0 settings, users and roles management, and connection settings.
SAP system administrator	Connectivity layer and security to systems such as SAP HANA, SAP Business Warehouse or SAP BW/HANA, SAP S4/HANA, etc.
Application administrator	SAP or non-SAP data sources.
Network administrator	Proxy, firewall, DNS server, etc.
Security administrator	SAML 2.0, Identity Provider (IdP), SSL certificates, etc.
Information system architect	General architecture topics.

Settings follow a strict process where different stakeholders have to be engaged and have to deliver their own expertise in their respective areas of responsibility. For this reason, you will also need project management as part of any deployment because creating and maintaining connectivity settings happens across multiple settings so can't be the responsibility of just one person.

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