New SAP Analytics Cloud features and enhancements planned for 2022

Software designers from SAP strive to achieve an optimal product by introducing new technologies and using innovative methods. In the article below, we take a look at the most interesting updates scheduled for 2022. A complete list of enhancements is available on SAP Road Map Explorer.

Data exploration

A tool that allows immediate data analysis and processing without creating a new model is Data Analyzer. Once a data source is defined, the user can access its objects in tabular form. Record processing features such as filtering, creating hierarchies, selecting measures and dimensions, and displaying them are available by activating a dashboard called Designer. In 2022, it will come with an additional icon that allows selecting/unselecting all measures with a single click.

Source: own materials

Users will be able to access the Data Analyzer module and use its features not only from the menu bar, but also directly while building a data model, or while creating a report (Design View). By adding an element in a table form, the user will be able to run the Data Analyzer and perform a deeper analysis while keeping the parameters previously used. Depending on the applied data source – SAP Business Warehouse or SAP HANA – in the table title, the ID number visible so far will be replaced by the query description or calculation view description.

Currently, Data Analyzer allows users to process data in tabular form only, but by the end of the year, data exploration will also be available in the form of charts, giving users a choice of their type and style.

Data modeling

When creating a data model, the user has two choices – the Classic Account Model and the New Data Model. The newer version was created to improve the features existing in the primary form of the model, as well as to increase flexibility and simplify the integration of available objects.

Marking selected points on a map requires dimensions containing country (region) names or longitude and latitude to be included in the data model. Starting in the last quarter of 2022, if these dimensions are given public status, users will be able to add them to an already created model without having to rebuild it. According to the announcements, address data will become an alternative to the previously used values, based on which SAP Analytics Cloud will mark the corresponding area on the map.

The efficiency of data manipulation will be increased by introducing objects modeled on the data structure of the R or Python programming language (DataFrame), which will allow, among other things, a simultaneous transformation of records in multiple columns and rows.

Analytics Design application

Improvements also affect the Analytics Design module. Activation of Data Change Insights feature in the application settings allows tracking changes made to particular elements of the report. Depending on selected preferences, information about the modifications can be sent via e-mail and/or mobile app.

Source: SAP Blogs

At the beginning of 2022, the list of changes made is also available from the SAP Analytics Cloud homepage by clicking on the newly created tab. Its browsing is facilitated by using search criteria such as filtering items by time range, importance or the “TOP N” parameter.

SAP Analytics Cloud add-in for Microsoft Office

An integral tool for further analysis is Microsoft Excel, whose connection to SAP Analytics Cloud requires the installation of an add-in for Microsoft Office. In the first quarter, users will benefit from a separate way of refreshing data. On the Microsoft Excel top toolbar, the button to refresh all data has been replaced by a new one with an available drop-down menu and an additional feature to update only selected sources.

Considering the popularity of Microsoft environment, it will be a significant convenience for users to be able to edit the values in cells (retrieve or filter them) using standard Excel features. Implementation of cell formatting variants will allow displaying percentage values, decimal places and currencies. Data processing will also become possible using keyboard shortcuts, accelerating report generation.

Business collaboration

An essential part of any project is the opportunity to give feedback or include clarifications. In SAP Analytics Cloud, one way for users to interact is to add comments to visualizations. There is an option that allows notifying the person to whom comments are addressed by using the ‘@User’ form in the comment bar. In order to accelerate the information exchange, a feature has been implemented to notify users about new activities. A tagged employee will receive an e-mail notification with comment details and a link leading directly to the discussed report.

In the planning model, improvements include the ability to add comments on combinations consisting of several dimensions. There will also be an option to copy or delete entire comment scopes within a table, between tables or from Microsoft Excel. Added comments are unique for public or private versions of the model, and their transfer between versions will be possible by selecting the right features from the toolbar.

When it comes to the planning model, a meaningful change is bringing in a business calendar, allowing users to benefit from increased flexibility and the ability to adjust predictive analytics to the specific industry landscape.