Introduction to SAP HANA Advanced Modeling

SAP HANA Advanced Modeling by Dominique Alfermann, Benedikt Engel, and Stefan Hartmann introduces you to advanced modeling techniques based on actual project experience as well as field tests. Our aim is to provide clear modeling recommendations for setting up data models, optimizing performance, using the SAP HANA modeler and development perspective, as well as efficiently solving complex requirements in SAP HANA.

The target audience of this book is SAP HANA developers and architects acquainted with the methods and options for implementing logic in SAP HANA. The reader should possess a solid understanding of general SAP HANA objects.

In our world, technologies evolve at an extraordinary pace and new market opportunities develop just as quickly. Companies face the challenge of adapting to unfamiliar technologies and markets with different rules and key players. While businesses adapt, IT departments face similar struggles with constantly changing business requirements and new technologies. In these hectic times, it is essential to have a good reporting foundation available to keep track of existing and also new business.

SAP is one of the big players in business software and is currently developing new products and promoting new product suites at a speed previously unknown to most customers. A central element to all of these products is SAP HANA. Most IT departments have seen SAP HANA in sales presentations, or even implemented the software in a proof of concept (PoC). However, few companies truly consider SAP HANA an alternative to existing databases or data warehouses.

In this book, we go one step further and take a closer look at how to build reporting views in an SAP HANA native environment. We not only take a close look at SAP HANA design elements and patterns, but also evaluate these patterns and provide recommendations and best practices for modeling in SAP HANA. The evaluation is based on critical factors such as performance and storage consumption, as well as on ease of use. In the course of the chapters, we examine possible implementation elements or variants in the different types of information views and their impact on the evaluation factors. The evaluation is performed using test scenarios and is based on our practical experience and results in recommendations and best practices. In order to complete the picture, we demonstrate how to solve complex problems and calculations in SAP HANA. Finally, the book discusses new challenges in integrating operational reporting into the operational system while avoiding redundancy. We hope you enjoy reading this book and collecting insights into SAP HANA native.

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Learn more about the authors:

Dominique Alfermann is a Consultant in the global Insights & Data Practice at Capgemini Deutschland GmbH. He is an information systems graduate (M.Sc.) of the University of Leipzig. Dominique is a skilled and experienced architect in particular in SAP HANA environments. He has performed several proofs of concept as well as development projects to demonstrate the power and capabilities of native SAP HANA design elements. His deep SAP HANA knowledge helps him in successfully leading SAP HANA implementation or transformation programs. Dominique is SAP BW and SAP HANA certified.

Benedikt Engel is Senior Consultant in the global Insights & Data Practice at Capgemini Deutschland GmbH. Since his graduation in information systems (B.Sc.) at the University of Applied Sciences in Munich, he has been working on innovative business intelligence applications based on SAP NetWeaver BW and native SAP HANA. In addition to his profound knowledge of designing and implementing custom-specific business intelligence solutions, he has solid experience in combining SAP Business Warehouse and SAP HANA concepts. Benedikt is SAP BW certified. His engagements cover architecture roles, especially in hybrid scenarios leveraging both SAP BW and SAP HANA.
Dr. Stefan Hartmann is Principal Solution Architect in the global Insights & Data practice at Capgemini Deutschland GmbH. He has designed and implemented Business Intelligence applications based on SAP NetWeaver BW for more than 13 years. The development of transformation strategies towards sustainable business intelligence services is one of his areas of expertise. Thus, his focus is on SAP BW and SAP HANA architectures. Stefan is SAP BW and SAP HANA certified. He has worked on several proofs of concept, SAP HANA feasibility studies, as well as SAP HANA transformation programs.