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TABLE OF CONTENTS
FOREWORD ........................................................................10
.............................................149
CHAPTER 4: BW Fu~~ctional
ASAP methodology ....................................................................... 150
Business Content and roles ............................................................ l5l
INTRODUCTION
How to use this book:
As a consultant / analyst:
Key :
0 Basic
00 Intermediate
000 Expert
Basic
1. What are the advantages of an Extended star schema of
BW vs. 'The star schema?
9 Uses generated numeric keys and aggregates in its
own tables for faster access.
9 Uses an external hierarchy.
9 Supports multiple languages.
9 Contains master data common to ;dl cubcs.
9 Supports slowly changing dimensions.
5. What is an aggregate?
Aggregates are mini cubes. They arc uscd t o improvc
performance when executing queries. l'ou can cquate
them to indexes on a table. Aggregates klrc
transparent to the user.
Basic
9. What is a condition?
If yo11 want to filter on key figures or do a ranked
analysis then you use a condition. For example, you
can use a condition to report on the top 10 customers,
or customers with more than a million dollars in
annual salcs.
Kev Ouestions
Intermediate
'10. What are the data types s1.1pported by characteristics?
4 NUMC Numeric
4 CHAR (up to 60) IJp to 60 characters
4 DATS Date
4 TIMS Time
Expert
20. What are the BEx options for characteristics like F4 help
for query definition and execution?
This defines how the data is displayed in the query
definition screen or when the query is executed.
Options are from the data displayed, from master data
table (all data) and from dimension data. For example
let us assume that you have 100 products in total in
your material master, 10 products available in a cube
and in BEx you display a query for 2 products; the
following options for the product will display different
data:
4 Selective data only will display 2 products
4 Dimension data will display 10 products
4 From master data will display all 100 products
22. Wlieli coding the ABAP transfer rule, what are the
important variables yo11 make use of?
4 RESULT This gets the result of the
ABAP code.
K e y Questions
24. In update rules for key figures, what are tlie return table
options for?
lJsually thc ilpdatc rulc scnds one record to the data
target; using this option you can send multiple records
to the data target cg. If you gct 1 record from thc
communication structure using this option you can
create multiple records into thc data target. For
example if we are getting total tclcphone expenses for
the cost center, you can use this to return tclcphone
cxpcnses for cach employee (by dividing the total
cxpenses by the number of employccs in tlle cost
center) and creating cost record for c;~ilicmployec
using ABAP code.
Expert
BW Administration
and
Design
Chapter 1: B W Administration and Design
Basic Concepts
29. What are the differences between OLAP and OLTP
applicatiolis? O
OLAP OLTP
J Summarized data Detailed
J Read only Read write
J Not Optimized Optimized for data
applications
J Lot of historical data Less historical data
40. Wliat are tlie data types allowed for key figures? 0
4 Amount,
4 Quantity
4 Number
4 Integer
4 Date
4 Time
42. What is ,the niaximuni number of key figures you call Iiave
in an Infocube? O
Advantages include:
4 Using 8 byte integer values as indexes for faster
access
4 Master data is independent of Infocubes
Advantages of a partition:
4 Makes use of parallel process
49. How many extra partitions are created and why? Can you
partition a cube wi,th data ? 00
IJsually 2 extra partitions are created to accommodate
data before the beginning period and one after the end
of partitioning period.
No, you cannot partition a cube with data. A cube
must be empty to partition it. One work around is to
make a copy of the cube A to cube B and then to
export data from A to B using export data source.
Then empty cube A, create partition on A, re-import
data from B and delete cube B. Note that this is going
to change in Netweaver 2004s (Or BW 7)
54. What are transfer rules and what is global tralisfer rule? O
Transfer rules: T h e transformation rules for data from
the source system to the InfoSource / communication
structure. These are used to clean up thc data from
source system.
Basic Concepts
62. How do you add an entry in the monitor log from the
update rules? 000
This is added in the internal table MONITOR; the
following fields describe the M O N I T O R structure
4 MONITOR-MSGID gives an I D
4 MONITOR-MSGTY message type
4 MONITOR-MSGNO message number
4 MONITOR-MSGV1 monitor message1
4 MONITOR-MSGV2 monitor message 2
4 Append it to the M O N I T O R table, this will show
up in the monitor
Chapter 1: BW Administration and Design
Ifc o m m - s t r u c t u r e - p r o d u c t = LXYZ'.
R e t u r n c o d e = 1.
Monitor-msgid = ' X Y Z ' .
Monitor-msgty = L E ' .
Monitor-msgno = ' 1 2 3 ' .
Monitor-msgvl = ' I n v Prod'.
Monitor-msgv2 = comm-structure-product.
Append m o n i t o r .
Exit.
End i f .
67. Wliat is all event chain and Iiow do you create one? 00
This is a group of events that are completed
independently of one another. Used to execute
processes based on success or failure of events. For
example, you can trigger a chain event if all loads are
successfill.
AWB Tools Event collector
Plcasc note : You need BAPI to load data and also for
reporting on Transactional Infocube.
BW Settings in SPRO
90. What are the control parameters for data transfer? O
They define the maximum size of the p ~ ~ c k ethe
t,
maximum number of records per packet, the number
of parallel processes, etc.
c/ Wait time
c/ Decimal pointer
c/ Field separator (default is ;)
c/ Field delimiter (default '7
c/ Frecluency
c/ Size of PSA partition
104. Can you create aggregate for a cube having cumulative key
figure? 00
Yes, but you must include all time characteristics.
107. When you compress multiple requests, how would you know
which request had "Marker llpdate" enabled or not? 000
Check the log file for each compression. If you see a
message like N O REFPOINT UPDATE rhen rhc
marker was not updated in this comprcssion.
Example :-
114. Give some examples of the roles delivered with SAP BW. 0
All B W roles start with S-RS.
For example:
4 S-RS-ROPAD- Production system administrator
Process Chains
133. Wliat is a process cliai~iand what is the tra~isactio~i
code
for going to process chain? 00
The process chain is a utility to schedule batch jobs on
BW similar to SM37. It offers good monitoring
features and error handling.
Transaction code RSPC
139. List some of the parallel processes that could have locking
problems. 000
4 Hierarchy attribute change run
4 Loading master data for the same Infoobject eg.
Avoid loading master data from different source
systems at the same time
Chapter 1: BW Administration and Design
Open Hub
146. What is Ope11 Hub (OH) and what data targets does it
support? Does it s ~ ~ p p odelta?
rt 00
O H is a tool by which you can send data from BW to
different targets. It is a controlled distribution of
consolidated and cleansed daca.
Targets could be another BW system, external
systems, relational table, flat file and O D B O interface.
147. How do you get into Ope11 Hub and what are the supported
data sources? 0 0
Use the following menu path:
Tuning
153. What s h o ~ ~yo11
l d consider when tuning your Oracle
database? 00 0
4 Apply OSS note 180605 to set tlic riglit oracle DB
parameters. This does improve performance.
c, 1Jse database statistics.
4 Use database partitioning.
4 Run statistics on all tables as often ;IS possible.
RSRV
159. Explain the purpose of the tra~isactioncode RSRV . 000
RSRV is a powerful transaction code to test consistency
of following BW objects and repair them if required.
For example, if there are any inconsistencies between
the Q and Y tables for a master data object you can fm
using them this transaction.
J Master data
J Transaction data
J Hierarchies
J Database
J Aggregates
J PSA tables
163. How do you scliedule the RSRVjob ill tlie background? 000
The menu path for scheduling the RSRV job in the
background is, use the Edit menu and select "Test
Package" +
create a package for current selections +
schedule it.
164. How would you a~ialyzethe size of the fact table vs tlie
dimension table, using RSRV? 000
Menu path for analyzing the size of the fact t;thle vs
the dimension table is, use the transaction code RSRV
+ All Elementary tests database + +
data1)ase
information about the Infoprovider tables. This gives
you the count as a percentage of the hict t;ll,le.
'165. What is ODs alid what table structures are used? O
Operational Data Source is used for detailed storage of
data. You can overwrite existing data in the O D S (in a
cube you can not), You can also drill down from a
cube to the O D s . This is used for data harmonizing,
cleansing and synchronizing. ODS adds a delta
capability when used in the staging process before the
cube. The data is stored in a flat table (unlike the
extended star schema of the cube). So using SE 11 /
SE 16 you can query the ODS data directly.
Table structures :
J Active data
J New data
J Change log table
Enterprise Management).
170. What are the flags used for in ODs and specifically what is
the unique data record flag used for? O
If you enable the unique data record then an error is
issued when a duplicate record, to that in the Active
table is inserted. 1Jse this feature to load a cube
filtering any duplicates (Cubes will simply add up
duplicates)
BW Statistics
171. What is the purpose of BW statistics cubes? O
The standard sets of cubes delivered by SAP are used
to measure performance for queries, data lo,lds, etc. It
also shows aggregate usage and the cost associated
with them. It provides data on aggregates, OLAP and
Warehouse management.
179. What is the change run process and how do you start it? 00
Whenever there is a change in master d ; l t ; ~like
navigational attributes, hierarchy, time dcpendenr
attributes that are used in aggregates, you nced to
execute the change run process to realign thc
aggregates.
To start the change run process use a proccss chain or
AWB I) Tools I) Apply Hierarchy attri1,ure change.
180. Which report can you use to monitor the change run
process? 000
RSDDS-C H A N G E R U N-M O N I T O R
BW Reporting
(BEx and Web Reporting)
C h a p t e r 2: BW R e p o r t i n g (BEx a n d Web R e p o r t i n g )
Business Explorer
193. What is the effect of using characteristics in free area vs
filter area in Query designer? 0
Free Characteristics : The characteristics in this area are
not displayed in the initial view of the query but you
can drill down and filter once you execute the query.
Filter Area: T h e characteristics in this area are
restricted and can not be filtered or drillcd down any
further.
197. How will yalr debug errors wi,thin SAP GUI (like all Active X
error)? 0 0
Run BEx analyzer -) Business Explorer menu item -)
Installation check. This shows an excel sheet with a
start button -) click on it -) this verifies the G U I
installation -) if you find any errors either reinstall it
or fix it.
Boolean Operators
203.What does a Boolean operator return? O
1 or 0 (True or False)
9 maximum
9 minimum
9 count all values
9 count all values < > (not equal to) 0
9 average of all values
9 average of all values < > (note equal ro) 0
9 suppress single values
Key Figure Properties
Hierarchies in Reports
214. Wliat is a reporting hierarchy. M e ~ i t i o a~ ifew properties of
a hierarchy? O
A hierarchy is a structure of characteristics values
allowing you to view data in different ways.
217. Name the BEx reporting user exit component and its
include program for variable. 00
J The component is EXIT-SAPLRRSO-00 1.
J T h e include program is ZXRSRUO 1.
219. What is the call sequence for the user exit RSROOOl in BEx
Reporting? OO
J First call of the user exit.
c/ Popup and enter values (if ready for input is
enabled).
c/ Second call for the user exit.
C h a p t e r 2: B W R e p o r t i n g (BEx a n d W e b R e p o r t i n g )
I F SY-SUBRC = 0 -
CLEAR L-S-RANGE.
L-S-RANGE-SIGN = '1'.
L-S-RANGE-OPT = 'BT'.
L-S-RANGE-HIGH(4) = E-GJAHR.
L-S-RANGE-HIGH+4(3) = E-BUPER.
L-S-RANGE-LOW = L-S-RANGE-HIGH.
CASE E-BUPER-
ENDCASE.
APPEND L-S-RANGE TO E-T-RANGE.
ENDIF.
ENDCASE -
Variables
Variables
Variables are very important i n BEx. You should pay particular
attention t o t h i s section i f you are interested i n BEx report
development.
c/ Characteristics
Hierarchies
c/ Hierarchy nodes
c/ Texts
c/ Formula elements
Query properties
237. List a ~ i dexplain properties of a query. 00
J Adjust format after reporting - you can use this
option to disable the ability to change the format
of the reporting results. You would use this option
if you use your own templates and wish co enforce
the use of these template. (By default chis property
is enabled i.e. The user is allowed to adjust the
format of the query results).
J Suppress repeated key values - the def;lult is
enabled. If you want repeated key values to be
displayed (some users demand this) then disable
this option.
J Display scaling factor (default is disal)lcd).
J Display document links - use this to display any
available document links.
J Display drag and relate links - this is usefill if you
have portals and BW For example, yo11 can drag a
sold-to-party and put it on an R/3 transc\.
, ctlon to
'
execute.
J Results position - bottomiright (default) or topi
left or bottomileft or toplright.
J Display of +/- signs.
J Display or suppression of zero rows and columns
lluery P r o p e r t i e s
Document utility
Many users have started using this new feature to create / attach
documents for queries or results.
244.What are the objects that support docume~itatio~i
and Iiow
do you use the documents feature? O
J Infoobject
J Infocube
J InfoSet
J ODs
J Query
You ciin use the document feature either:
J After executing the query (right click and select
documents for BEx, left click and select document
from web reports) or,
J IJsing the admin work bench +
documents +
metadata path.
245.Give all exarnple of niaster data docume~itatio~i.O
Assume that we want to add product images for each
product. To do this create a master data document
utility for the creation of a document for each
OM ATERIAL value.
246.What is Infoprovider documentation? O
This is used to create one or more documents for the
transaction data of an Infoprovider. For example, you
can define a document for the following combination
of key figures and characteristics - sales quantity,
material and fiscal year period.
C h a p t e r 2: BW R e p o r t i n g (BEx a n d Web R e p o r t i n g )
Query Administration
247. What is the menu path for deleting multiple query objects
(like Workbook) in a single transaction? O
Logon to your BW sap client, select Business explorer
Query *
Delete objects.
9 Top N
9 Bottom N
9 Top % (eg. Top 20% of customers)
9 Bottom %
9 Top Sum
9 Bottom Sum
253.Wliat is an exception? O
An exception is not a filter (like condition) but is used
to highlight reports in different colors when key
figures exceed predefined values.
J Everything
J Totals only - exception on totals only (not
individual rows)
J Everything except totals
J Fixed value - where you can specify fixed values or
select a variable. For example, you may want to do
an exception for sales where the customer is in
OCOlJNTRY = USA
J Level - exception is applicable only for a specific
level of the hierarchy.
Chapter 2: BW Reporting (BEx and Web Reporting)
Reporting agent
You can use ,the reporting agent t o schedule exception reporting and
alert tlie users f o r any unusual data. For example, you can create
an exception f o r actual sales quantity and an exception t o report any
sales t h a t do 11ot nieet t h e target. You can then send periodic alerts
t o interested parties based on these exceptions.
c/ title
c/ zcros suppression
C h a p t e r 2: BW R e p o r t i n g (BEx a n d W e b R e p o r t i n g )
9 colors, position
9 margins
9 how the Infoobjects will be displayed in the report
etc.
J Menu
J Ticker
J Map
J Single document
J List of documents
278. If you are asked to change the way tables are displayed in
web reporting, how would you do this? 000
IJsing the SAP delivered class
CL-RSR-W W W-MODIFY-TABLE as a template,
copy it to a Z class where you make your desired
changes. In the object tag of the table in the template
put <param name='MODIFY -CLASS' value= 'NEW
Z -CLASS'>.
Extraction
Chapter 3 : Extraction
Basic Concepts
287. What are different types of extractors? 000
c, Application Specific extractors (BW Content
extractors like FI, LO Cockpit and Generic
extractor for LIS, FI-SAL).
J Cross application Generic extractor (for Custom
extracts from database tablelviews ancl Sap Query).
J Assign to InfoSources
J Map and define transformation rulcs
J Create info package and load data
297. Wliich file formats are supported for ,third party E'TL tools?
00
J csv
J ASCII
307. Wliat is tlie source tables for ,the FI AR extractor froni SAP
R/3? 0 0
4 BSID: Open invoices
4 BSAD: Cleared invoices
313. Name the table ill SAP R/3 to get detailed information on
delta methods. 0 0 0
From table RODELTAM.
Class System
316. What are tlie steps taken to create class? 000
c, Define the properties.
c/ Create a class type. This controls the classes that
can be assigned to them. For example, class type
can be material.
c, Create a class and assign it to the class type. For
example, class could be digital cameras.
c, Assign objects to the class.
c, Searches can now be done on the classes. For
example, get all the cameras with 3.0 mega pixels.
c, These values are transferred to BW as Omaterial
attributes.
318. What are the steps within SBIW to create classes for
BW? 000
c, Select the data source for assigning classes eg.
Select OMATERIAL-ATTR.
c, Select the class.
J Generate the data source, a prefix 1CL is added to
the data sources generated.
Chanter 3 : Extraction
LIS Extraction
320.What does LIS stand for? 00
Logistics Information System. Used in R/3 for
reporting for snapshot in time reporting with
drilldown and analysis capabilities. It allows for on-
line reporting that does not affect the performance of
your on-line transactions.
324. How does the data flow from the LIS tables to BW? 00
For example, if we are extracting S30 1 then 2 tables
are created internally, S 3 0 1 B I W 1 and S301BIW2.
T h e information is written to each table alternatively
(depending on the last delta).
LO Extraction
330.What are the advantages of the new LO Extraction ? 00
4 Improved performance and reduced volume.
4 N o LIS functionality meaning you don't need to
setup LIS on RJ3.
4 Single solution for all logistics applications.
4 No 2 table use like in LIS.
4 Detailed extraction.
4 Only data that was changed from a BW
perspective is added in the delta queue.
4 Updated with a batch process (V3 update).
338. What are the liew update methods since PI 2002? 000
v Direct delta: data is transferred t o the BW delta
queue for each document posting. This is ilsefiil
for low volume extraction.
v Queued delta: extraction data is collcct-ed for the
affected application instead of being collected in an
extraction queue which ensures serialization. This
is useful for large volume extraction.
v Non serialized V3 update: data in the update run
is read without regard to sequence in the update
tables.
CO-PA Extraction
Controlli~iga ~ i dProfitability Analysis
CO-PA BW
I/ Operating Concern Infocube
4 CE 1/CE2 Line item details ODs
4 CE4 - Segment table Dimension table
4 Excl~ldingcharacteristics in
Segment tablc CE4 Line item dimension
4 CE3 - Segmcnt level table Fact table
4 S~lmmarizationLevel Aggregate
CO-PA Retraction
351. What is CO-PA retraction? 000
This is the process by which BW data is loaded into
N3.
352. How is the query from BW used for CO-PA retraction? 000
The query on BW is the source for the retraction.
Data is retracted after drilling down using all free
characteristics. This drill down is performed internally.
358.What are the user exits within the SAP enhancement for
data sources? 000
EXIT-SAPLRSAP-001 + transaction data
EXIT-SAPLRSAP-002 + master data
EXIT-SAPLRSAP-003 + text
EXIT-SAPLRSAP-004 + hierarchy
359.1s the user exit for data st~urcescommtln for all data
sources? 000
Yes, which is why you should use a case statement
checking the data source name in your code.
361. Can you add data records in the user exit for data
sources? 000
No. The user exit is only used to append data to the
record.
Chapter 3 : Extraction
DB Connect
366.What is DB connect? 00
D B connect is a utility to load data directly from
external databases such as Oracle.
Currency Translation in BW
369.What are the options available in BW for currency
conversion? 00
It can be done in either the update rule or in Bex. If
you do it in the update rule then you lose the
information on the original currency.
BW Functional
C h a p t e r 4: B W F u n c t i o n a l
ASAP methodology
376. What does ASAP stand for? 00
Accelerated SAP implementation nietlioclology.