SAP Analytics Cloud has been quite a name since it was first introduced by SAP. However, to the not-so-techy people, it’s quite a mystery how the architecture of it looks.
So in this article, we will try to discuss the same in an elaborate manner and offer some tidbits as well. However, let’s begin our discourse from a more fundamental point.
What is SAP Analytics Cloud?
SAP Analytics Cloud, abbreviated as SAC, is a cloud-based tool or platform which offers –
- Planning capabilities
- Business intelligence, and
- Predictive analysis
With these features, you can accumulate data on your organization, decrypt them and come up with a decision collectively. If needed, you can also create an interactive visualization of your data in order to understand the specifics better. Thanks to SAP Analytics Cloud, a corporation can get connected to more than one data source, including –
- SAP SuccessFactors
- SAP S/4HANA
- SAP BW
- SAP HANA, and
- Other 3rd party systems
Once you get that, you can proceed to the procedure of creating a data model or developing an elaborate dashboard efficiently. An interactive visualization can be created through the same.
With this platform, you can also get access to various other analytics capabilities, including –
- Predictive evaluation
- Machine learning
- Artificial intelligence and
- Constructive planning
By using these, you can identify outliers, forecast upcoming trends, and predict outcomes in a productive and efficient manner. With thorough planning, a user can also create and manage a budget report you’re trying to create for this year or the next one.’
SAP Analytics Cloud has also been designed to be highly scalable and secure. Hence, you can update it whenever you want without making too many technical changes in the process. And it can be used by almost any organization, including both SMEs and MNCs.
Finally, you can access and use SAP Analytics Cloud through your smartphone. So, if you are in need to make an arrangement on the go, you can do it pretty easily too.
The Architecture of SAP Analytics Cloud
The core structure of SAP Analytics Cloud consists of five different walls. Each of these has a proper role to play in the game and, therefore, must be learned about individually.
Here’s some information regarding the same.
1: User Interface Layer
The first layer of the infrastructure of SAP Analytics Cloud, the UI of SAC, enables you to use and interact with the system. It comes with various features, such as –
- The dashboard
- Charts and tables
- Reports
Each of these is quite comprehensive and, thus, can be used to evaluate the accumulated data on your system. For example, the charts can be used to showcase how your budget is working this season. And the tables can proffer a prominent view of the numbers.
The UI of SAP Analytics Cloud is pretty easy to understand and use too. Thus, almost anyone can use the same without any difficulty or challenge.
2: Data Layer
The data layer, in essence, is the core foundation of the SAC architecture. It comes with a lot of tools that can be used for data accumulation and data preparation.
It, in turn, can enable a user to bring in information from different sources and cleanse it first. After that, they can transform it and create a data model which is optimized for analysis.
3: Application Layer
The application layer, on the other hand, offers a user interface that can be used for accessing the SAC directly. And it can be done irrespective of what device you are using.
This layer can include anything from the following –
- Mobile apps
- Web-based interfaces, and
- APIs
All of these can enable a user to access the system or the infrastructure from different devices. And you can also use the same to create a customized application for your purpose.
4: Security and Administration Layer
This layer is all about offering features that can be used to manage access to the SAC system. Besides, it can also ensure data security and make the entire ecosystem even more secure.
The administration layer of the system may include the following –
- Access control
- User management
- Data encryption
- Compliance with various security standards, and
- Other security-related attributes
5: Integration Layer
The integration layer will enable SAP Analytics Cloud to get connected with any other system or data source. This can include any or every component of the following –
- Various databases related to the SAC
- APIs of 3rd-party applications
- Integration with any other SAP-based solution
By combining these components, SAP Analytics Cloud can ensure that you’re getting a much more powerful and potent analytics solution. If you want, you can also customize the same to meet the requirements of your organization.
The Final Say
So, that will be all for this article. If you want to know more about this aspect, don’t forget to let us know all about it. We will try to help you out in any way we can.