SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC)
Available graphomate products for SAP Analytics Cloud
SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) is a Software-as-a-Service-Platform (SaaS-Platform) for SAP’s Business Intelligence (BI). SAP Analytics Cloud was developed to combine all analysis functions like self-service, dashboarding and planning within one product for all users.
SAP is investing heavily in SAC, which is also used in S/4. For example, “Just ask” enables a verbal query to the SAC in everyday English. Other AI approaches will be integrated into the SAC – also via the SAP Business Technology Platform. The SAC is in line with the strategy for SAP Datasphere – also known as the Data Warehouse Cloud – which further enhances data management and analysis capabilities.
SAP fully owns and operates SAC and provides this platform as a public cloud. It works completely independently of other SAP tools, making it a competitor to Power BI and Tableau. In particular, it offers integrated planning functions.
SAP emphasises continued investment in its on-premise portfolio of analytics software – Business Objects. The end of support for “SAP BusinessObjects BI 2025” was extended in October 2023 until the end of 2029. This means that SAP Lumira Designer – alongside SAP Analysis for Microsoft Office – will also be maintained by SAP until the end of this decade.
Many different data sources can be integrated with the SAC: either as a live connection or as an import data source. With the latter, the data is replicated in the cloud, which is not necessary with a live connection. However, it should be noted that a different feature set is available for processing in the SAC depending on the data source. The SAP Analytics Cloud Support Matrix provides an overview.
graphomate extensions in SAC Analytics Designer
Since mid-2023, SAC has been offering a standardised development interface – the Optimized Design Experience (ODE) – for creating dashboards and applications: Story 2.0.
With this development, third-party developments – so-called custom widgets such as our graphomate products – are fully integrated into SAC. The data connection to SAP BW queries or linked analysis is thus enabled in the same way as with SAC standard widgets.
Using a JavaScript-based scripting language, the parameters of the custom widgets can be universally adjusted by graphomate. SAP will continue to develop this partner interface (SDK).
Features and benefits of the SAP Analytics Cloud:
- tool for analysis, planning and storytelling via a uniform cloud interface
- access to on-premise and cloud data: real-time access to SAP applications such as SAP BW, SAP HANA and non-SAP applications for on-premise and cloud sites
- data analysis possible without data upload to the cloud via reverse proxy connections
- integration of the SAC in Excel via an add-in for Microsoft 365: This includes read and write functions for users who wish to import data and workin their familiar Excel environment
- embedded predictive analytics allow users to access analysis functions such as what-if and ad-hoc analyses (Smart Insights)
- access to SAP S/4HANA: transactions, analyses and planning are combined in one application
- a powerful software development kit enables the integration of standard custom widgets,
- like the graphomate extensions, but also individual developments on customer request – Please feel free to contact us!
Watch the video below and learn how to create an interactive sales dashboard with traffic light logic in a SAC story in 30 minutes using graphomate’s custom widgets.
graphomate charts and graphomate matrix for SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC)
You can find an overview of SAC innovations here:
SAP Analytics Cloud Release Highlights
Conclusion: With the SAP Analytics Cloud, SAP has developed a comprehensive analytics platform for the cloud over the last four years, which is also aimed at non-SAP users.