Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Applies to:
SAP BI 7.0. For SAP 4.6C with plug-in 2004.1, this option has been available since Service pack 10.For more information, visit the Business Intelligence Homepage.
Summary
Real time data acquisition brings real time data to BI system from R/3 or Web services. RDA uses a program called daemon that controls data flow in BI 7.0 and takes care of extraction from source system. We can do reporting on large volume of data & large number of users. The data here is stored physically. This article mainly focuses on Real-time data acquisition of data from web services, and using WSADMIN to monitor the usage of daemons in handling them (via RPC).
Author:
Author Bio
Arun Bala Ganesan currently works for Wipro Technologies as Associate SAP BI Developer. His expertise includes SAP Business Intelligence 7.0 and ABAP.
Demonstration of Real-Time Data Acquisition (RDA) for SAP BI 7.0 using Web Services API
Table of Contents
Business Scenario .............................................................................................................................................. 3 RDA Vs Direct Access ........................................................................................................................................ 3 Basics of RDA ..................................................................................................................................................... 3 RDA Basics ......................................................................................................................................................... 3 Example: RDA using SAP Service API .......................................................................................................... 3 Existing Data Flow Concept Example ............................................................................................................. 4 New Data Flow Concept RDA using SAP Web Services API ......................................................................... 4 Constraints .......................................................................................................................................................... 5 Modeling View .................................................................................................................................................... 5 RDA Example Using Service API Administration View ................................................................................... 5 Types of RDA Mechanisms ................................................................................................................................ 6 RDA Implementation Scenario ........................................................................................................................ 7 Why use Delta? .................................................................................................................................................. 7 RDA Processing ................................................................................................................................................. 7 Daemons ......................................................................................................................................................... 7 Monitoring Daemons ....................................................................................................................................... 8 RDA in Extraction Layer ..................................................................................................................................... 8 RDA in BI Staging ............................................................................................................................................... 9 3 Requests in RDA ............................................................................................................................................. 9 Data source for RDA ......................................................................................................................................... 10 Info Package for RDA ....................................................................................................................................... 10 DTP for RDA ..................................................................................................................................................... 10 Controlling the RDA .......................................................................................................................................... 10 Daemon for RDA .............................................................................................................................................. 10 Step-by-Step Guide for RDA Implementation................................................................................................... 10 Steps: SOAP using WSA .................................................................................................................................. 11 Process Steps ................................................................................................................................................... 11 Implementation Results .................................................................................................................................... 28 Related Content ................................................................................................................................................ 29 Disclaimer and Liability Notice .......................................................................................................................... 30
Demonstration of Real-Time Data Acquisition (RDA) for SAP BI 7.0 using Web Services API
Business Scenario
Some organizations require making decision based on real time up to-date details regarding certain process or product information. For Example: Stock markets, Communications, Defense, Aeronautics, Supply chain management etc. Here each of and every transaction data matters the most in making a decision at a priority level, and its very crucial to transfer data to the reporting side at shorter & regular intervals.
Basics of RDA
Real time data acquisition which supports tactical decision-making is a framework for deriving information from data as data becomes more complex. Time factors: Lower time scale than for scheduled/batch data acquisition Scalability: Stream oriented Frequency: Immediate availability for reporting
RDA Basics
Frequency is data transfer is quite high. Follows regular type of data transfer, where extracted data runs through extraction & transformation process. Although not true real-time, data transferred is physical data Example: RDA using SAP Service API We can also set the features for SOAP Runtime & publish a Web service (as a business service in the UDDI)
Demonstration of Real-Time Data Acquisition (RDA) for SAP BI 7.0 using Web Services API
New Data Flow Concept RDA using SAP Web Services API
Using new functionality of Real-time Data Acquisition (RDA) in BI 7.0 system we can now load transactional data into SAP BI system every single minute. The source system for RDA could be SAP System or it could be any non-SAP system, as most of the Standard Data Sources are real-time enabled.
Fig. C. New Data Flow Concept RDA using SAP Web Services API
Demonstration of Real-Time Data Acquisition (RDA) for SAP BI 7.0 using Web Services API
Constraints
Real time enabled Data Sources could only be defined since the release of BI Service API of SAP Net Weaver 2004s. For SAP 4.6C with plug-in 2004.1, this option has been available since Service pack 10.
Modeling View
We must start the modeling by creating an Info package & DTP for Real time data acquisition, wherein the type of adapter used for both of them must be Web Service (Push). Refer Fig. D
Demonstration of Real-Time Data Acquisition (RDA) for SAP BI 7.0 using Web Services API
Note: Enhance established Data Flow with RDA capabilities [+] Implement additional DSO for operational reporting [+] Replace standard delta IP by RDA IP [+] Regular data loads can be scheduled after closing RDA IP Request using appropriate Process Chain feature [+] Typically data is deleted regularly from DSO supplied using RDA [+] Standard reporting can be enhanced by operational reporting using the report-report interface
Demonstration of Real-Time Data Acquisition (RDA) for SAP BI 7.0 using Web Services API
RDA Processing
Processing of RDA is done by daemons. (Refer Fig. H) Daemons Daemons originally stand for Disk And Execution MONitor in the UNIX. Each step is tracked in a control table, as and when its successfully executed. This also, allows restarting which can be initiated such that it starts at the next step after last successfully executed step. The BI Daemon data load includes three steps: Initiate BI Service-API data pull using Info Package for RDA into PSA (SAP source systems) Track status of data transfer from source system
Demonstration of Real-Time Data Acquisition (RDA) for SAP BI 7.0 using Web Services API
Daemons are system process to initiate data loads at regular intervals: from one minute to hourly basis. Monitoring Daemons In RSRDA, we can monitor status of daemons, check if a batch job is still active, running, or not. Sometimes, it might be stopped by an error or user itself. This monitor is useful for displaying runtime information about the daemons.
Demonstration of Real-Time Data Acquisition (RDA) for SAP BI 7.0 using Web Services API
Figure I: RDA in Extraction Layer For SAP systems, the data sources that need to be connect by RDA need to be explicitly marked as 'Real time enabled'. For Generic Data sources, you can specify if a data source is able to handle accesses in realtime or not. The decision if a Generic Data source needs to be marked as real time enabled depends, how generic deltas are created. Condition 1: The delta defining fields should enable a high performance access to new/modified data. I.e. delta defining field must be selective & must be max. Affected by different values Condition 2: If there is a recent extraction, identification of the relevant data records from delta creation must contain only those recent data records.
Via the SOAP services, the SOAP messages are directly written to the PSA level of the data source. Hence, the messages don't find a way into BI through extraction process. So a BI system does not require executing the extraction, but only the PSA data, which is further processed in the delta procedure.
RDA in BI Staging
Here in RDA, the data is extracted from the PSA in delta mode and is written to the DSOs. For Web service source systems, the data is already available in the PSA. While for SAP systems, extraction from PSA must also be considered in the RDA design.
3 Requests in RDA
The PSA Request - Contains raw data of the source system. The DTP request - Describes transformation into DSO. The Change Log Request - Contains activated data of the DSO
With regular staging these 3 requests are not often generated. Instead, they are created synchronously & are closed if they contain a defined amount of data records. Control is usually transferred completely to a daemon. So, RDA is not only a technology but also a particular form of automation in standard operations.
Demonstration of Real-Time Data Acquisition (RDA) for SAP BI 7.0 using Web Services API
Demonstration of Real-Time Data Acquisition (RDA) for SAP BI 7.0 using Web Services API
Process Steps
Go to RSA1, and follow the steps as below.
Fig.1.1 - This is a DSO which has been copied from the cube. The name for this source DSO: DSO_SLS. The target DSO has a name: DSO SOAP (Technical Name: C_DSO_SO)
Demonstration of Real-Time Data Acquisition (RDA) for SAP BI 7.0 using Web Services API
Fig.1.2 - Now, In Info provider section we can view the DSO's structure. It has got the following fields. Primary Key fields - Customer ID (TCS CUSTID; Technical Name is TC_CUSTID) & Material ID (TCS MATID; Technical Name is TC_MATID). Data Fields is Quantity (TCS_QTY; Technical Name is TC_QTY) & its Unit of measure (0UNIT)
Fig.1.3 Go to DSO Settings & choose 'Select Type'. There are 3 options in the DSO level to choose its type. We choose to play safe with Standard DSO.
Demonstration of Real-Time Data Acquisition (RDA) for SAP BI 7.0 using Web Services API
Fig.1.4 - It should be noted that this DSO will have unique fields. That means no data must be repeated. Go to Data sources & we choose 'XML'. This option helps us choose the type of Data source we intend to use. It could be 'FLAT FILE', 'SAP...' or 'XML' etc. Since we are using WSDL demo, we'll choose XML for now.
Fig.1.5 - In 'Data Sources', we need to create the Application Component Area. We create an AC Area & provide its long description also in this step.
Fig.1.6 - In this step, under the newly created Application Component Area, we create a 'Data Source'. In short all DS are just objects & are collected under this Application Comp. Area, which is a sort of 'folder' for these objects.
Demonstration of Real-Time Data Acquisition (RDA) for SAP BI 7.0 using Web Services API
Fig.1.7 - Here, as illustrated, we name the data source using a name, describe its Source system as XML_DATA & its to be noted that we are using a data source which utilizes 'Transaction Data' perfect for reporting purposes. XML_DATA is the source system, as XML is very light weight & is currently used widely in Web Services.
Fig.1.8 - Here, in the 'Extraction' field, we have an adapter option, where we must choose to use a push service. So we must choose 'Web Service (Push)'. As for as extraction is concerned for this data source its never a problem specifying the file names, header rows, columns to be ignored etc. When using Web service its tad simpler as compared to 'Load Data from Flat Files' following these issues. But by any means, XML can handle only limited data & has its own pros & cons.
Demonstration of Real-Time Data Acquisition (RDA) for SAP BI 7.0 using Web Services API
Fig.1.9 - This is the next tab, Proposal tab where we must specify the fields for use.
Fig.1.10 - So we need to copy these from the DSO structure of previous source DSO, which is DS_SLS. Now that we have copied, they are pasted as in order. Save & Activate
Fig.1.11 - Now, Save and activate the new structure. There's a dialog box displaying an information 'R3TR generated changes possible'. Now that the Data source has been successfully created & activated, we can refresh & find if its activated or not
Demonstration of Real-Time Data Acquisition (RDA) for SAP BI 7.0 using Web Services API
Fig.1.12 - After a refresh, we can notice the 'Active' Version of the Data source.
Fig.1.13 - Creation of IP: We now create an IP. Right click DS & choose option "Create Info Package"
Demonstration of Real-Time Data Acquisition (RDA) for SAP BI 7.0 using Web Services API
Fig.1.16 - Finally the Info package has been created. We can notice the technical name of the IP starts with "ZPAK...... Now, we need to migrate to the reach the Web administration. From here we can directly go to 'Web Service Administration' or use TCODE WSADMIN. But for now we move on to create the entire data flow structure, further which we can transfer data from portal to Info providers (like DSO) via IP & DTP
Fig.1.17 - This is an optional step. Go to WSADMIN to view the URL, Web service Key, Release Text, WS Definition etc. Also dont assign IP at this stage.
Demonstration of Real-Time Data Acquisition (RDA) for SAP BI 7.0 using Web Services API
Fig.1.18 - Creation of Transformation: Right click the DSO & choose the option "Create Transformation". This will now create a transformation to map source(s) & target(s).
Fig.1.19 - Create Transformation: This has the Source & Targets. Here the source object is the Data source (DS_XML_CSK) & the source system is XML_DATA. Now, the target object is of type "Data Source Object" (DSO SOAP; Technical Name: C_DSO_SO)
Fig.1.20 - In the transformation level, we have mappings between the source Data source & the target DSO.
Demonstration of Real-Time Data Acquisition (RDA) for SAP BI 7.0 using Web Services API
Fig.1.21 - Creation of DTP: At this step we create a DTP. Right click on & choose the option "Create Data Transfer Process..."
Fig.1.22 - As earlier, we need to choose setting of the options - DTP Type: "DTP for Real Time Acquisition" & Source is Data source (DS_XML_CSK); Target is DSO (DSO SOAP; Technical Name: C_DSO_SO)
Fig.1.23 - Notice the 'Execute' option is disabled. The DTP is now in 'Modified' state, so it must be activated.
Demonstration of Real-Time Data Acquisition (RDA) for SAP BI 7.0 using Web Services API
Fig.1.24 - Now, we can notice the Version is now 'Active' & Mode: 'Processing Mode for Real-Time Data Package'. Even after Activation, the 'Execute' option would not be enabled, because it must be handled by a daemon. So, we go to RSRDA, where we create a daemon.
Fig.1.25 - Create a daemon in RSRDA, using key F5 or clicking 'Daemon' command button
Fig.1.26 - Now, enter the Daemon #, Short Description and Interval Period [1 min]. After this click on 'Save'
Demonstration of Real-Time Data Acquisition (RDA) for SAP BI 7.0 using Web Services API
Fig.1.27 - We can notice the nodes which are all daemons. Here we our Data sources (DS_XML.... etc) under the category 'Unassigned Nodes. Now right click the corresponding DS & choose an option to 'Assign Daemon' to a particular daemon 'node'.
Fig.1.28 - Here judiciously we assign the daemon ID [For instance: Daemon ID #07 has been assigned for this data source]
Fig.1.29 - Now, that we have assigned the DS to this daemon 'node', we cannot start unless we have DTP also. Note: Info package is visible; its technical name comes in handy as it starts with 'ZPAK.......'.
Demonstration of Real-Time Data Acquisition (RDA) for SAP BI 7.0 using Web Services API
Fig.1.30 - At this point, we have to assign the DTP also for data transfer. Here we have right clicked on the DS & choose the option 'Assign DTP'.
Fig.1.31 - Notice the message 'DTP assigned to Info Package', which means its a successful procedure.
Fig.1.32 - Now, its time to begin the daemon process: Here we right click the daemon & choose the option 'Start Daemon with all Info packages...'
Fig.1.33 - The batch job has been planned for the IP & the job is started when batch job is free. Notice the change in the # of records in upload & the 'Last Upload' time.
Demonstration of Real-Time Data Acquisition (RDA) for SAP BI 7.0 using Web Services API
Fig.1.35 - In this Web service administration page, Choose the corresponding web service (Here its /BIC/CQDS_XML_00003000)
Demonstration of Real-Time Data Acquisition (RDA) for SAP BI 7.0 using Web Services API
Fig.1.37 - Choose the option - 'RPC Style' in the Settings for WSDL Generation & click OK.
Fig.1.38 - Login the web portal with user name & password
Demonstration of Real-Time Data Acquisition (RDA) for SAP BI 7.0 using Web Services API
Fig.1.39 - Notice the details of the web service [As in example for /BIC/CQDS_XML_00003000]. We have the WSDL details, description, UDDI publications, Features etc.
Fig.1.40 - On viewing these details, we navigate to the page which handles the 'Operations' for the /BIC/CQDS_XML_00003000
Demonstration of Real-Time Data Acquisition (RDA) for SAP BI 7.0 using Web Services API
Fig.1.41 - Clicking on the /BIC/CQDS_XML_00003000's operation would lead us to this page. Here we need to key in details of the Database via portal, which is formatted using XML. Here we can notice the details are entered as - [Mat.ID, Cust.ID, Quantity, Unit] E.g. for a sample data is like - [MX3330, CX3330, 343, KG]. Notice the time-out for this is 60 seconds as created for the daemon.
Fig.1.42 - After clicking 'Submit', the data is processed & sent to the recipient.
Demonstration of Real-Time Data Acquisition (RDA) for SAP BI 7.0 using Web Services API
Fig.1.43 - Now in WSADMIN, we can notice the change in 'Records in Upload' as 1, and it took exactly the correct transfer as assumed. Hence its successful.
Demonstration of Real-Time Data Acquisition (RDA) for SAP BI 7.0 using Web Services API
Fig.1.44 Go to RSA1, and we must right click the DSO & choose the option 'Display Data'
Fig.1.45 - Perform the 'Field selection Output' function for details necessary for user.
Fig.1.46 - Successfully all details have been updated to DSO from the portal via a web service.
Implementation Results
Thus, the demonstration of Real-Time Data Acquisition (RDA) for SAP BI 7.0 using Web Services API was successfully implemented.
Demonstration of Real-Time Data Acquisition (RDA) for SAP BI 7.0 using Web Services API
Related Content
SAP Net Weaver BW-Administration Administration for the SOAP Runtime Real Time Data Acquisition (RDA) Overview and Step-by-Step Guide For more information, visit the Business Intelligence homepage.
Demonstration of Real-Time Data Acquisition (RDA) for SAP BI 7.0 using Web Services API