DB Connect Usage in SAP BI 7.0

Use Of Scenario : we can know the main usage of DB connect in BI7.0




Step Wise process:



Introduction :



In SAP Net weaver BI 7.0, we’ll study how to implement DB Connect, rather than common usage of flat files. Using DB Connect, BI offers flexible options for extracting data directly into BI from tables and views in database management systems that are connected to BI using connections other than default connection.



The DB Connect enhancements to database interface allow you to transfer data straight into BI from the database tables or views of external applications. You can use tables and views in database management systems that are supported by SAP to transfer data. You use Data Sources to make the data known to BI. The data is processed in BI in the same way as data from all other sources.



It’s to be noted that SAP DB Connect only supports certain Database Management systems (DBMS)

The following are the list of DBMS

Max DB [Previously SAP DB]

Informix

Microsoft SQL Server

Oracle

IBM DB2/390, IBM DB2/400, IBM DB2 UDB



Types:

There are 2 types of classification. One is the BI DBMS & the other is source DBMS.

The main thing which is, both these DBMS are supported on their respective operating system versions, only if SAP has released a DBSL. If not, they don’t meet the requirements & hence can’t perform DB Connect.



In this process we use a Data source, to make the data available to BI & transfer the data to the respective Info providers defined in BI system. Further, using the usual data accusation process we transfer data from DBs to BI system.



Using this SAP provides options for extracting data from external systems, in addition to extracting data using standard connection; you can extract data from tables/views in database management systems (DBMS)







Loading data from SAP Supporting DBMS into BI



Steps are as follows:-

1.Connecting a database to Source system -- Direct access to external DB

2.Using Data source, the structure for table/view must be known to BI.

Process Description Go to RSA1 à Source Systems à DB Connect à Create



Now, create the source system using

1. Logical System Name à MSSQL

2. Source System Name à MS SQL DB Connect

3. Type & Release



Now, Under DB Connect, we can see the name of our Source System (MS SQL DB Connect)

The logical DB Connect name is MSSQL. In Data sources we need to create an Application Component area to continue with the export

Goto RSA1 à Data sources à Create Application Component



After creating an Application Component Area called “ac_test_check”, we now have to create a Data source in the component area. So right click the Application component area à Create Data source (as in below figure).



The Data source name here is “ds_ac_tech”

The Source System here is the defined “MSSQL”

The type of data type data source that we have here is “Master Data Attributes”



The below screen shot describes how to perform extraction or loading using a Table/View. As the standard adapter is “Database Table” (by default), we can specify the Table/View here



Now, choose the data source from the DB Object Names.



Now, we have selected the “EMPLOYEES” as the Table/View.



Or we can choose the Table/View à “REGION”



We have 2 database fields

Region ID

Region Description





Now that the Data source has to be activated before it is loaded, we “ACTIVATE” it once.



After activation, the data records (4) are displayed. Eastern, Western, Northern & Southern



Right click the Info package DS_AC_TEST à Create Info package



We now create an Info package called “IP_DS_AC_TECH”, with Source system as MSSQL



Once done we perform a schedule on the Info package à “Start”

Now, we need to create an Info Area to create an Info provider (like Info Cube)

After creating the info cube we check for the data in the PSA by “Manage the PSA”

This can be also done using the Key controls (Ctrl + Shift + F6)

The number of records displayed: 4 No’s

Using the PSA Maintenance, we can view the following factors

1.Status

2.Data Packet

3.Data records

4.REGION ID

5.REGION Description



The Table/View “CUSTOMERS” is now chosen for Extraction. In the next tab we have “PROPOSAL”, which describes all the Database fields, and we have to specify the Data source fields, types & length.



Now, we create an Info package à IP_TEST_CUST



Now, go to RSA1 à Info objects à Info object (Test) à Create Info Object Catalog



Now, we can preview the Region ID & Region Description.

We now create 2 Info objects & pass the Region ID & Region Description to the 2 objects.

1.Region Description à Region2 (Region)

2. Region Description à reg_id (Region ids)

Now, these are the 2 variables created under the Info object “test2”

Ø Region (REGION2)

Ø Region ids (REG_ID)



We create Characteristic as Info Provider for the Master Data loading in the “Info Provider” section à Insert Characteristic as Info Provider



Now, we create a transformation using “Create Transformation” on the Region ids (Attributes)



We now choose the Source System after this à MSSQL à MS SQL DB CONNECT



After checking the Transformation mappings on the Region ID, we now perform a DTP Creation on the same Region ID (Attribute)

We choose the Target system (default) as Info object à Region ID à REG_ID & the Source Type as Data source with the Source System à MSSQL



After this step, we proceed with creating an Info package à IP_DS_TEDDY which has the source system as MSSQL. Further we start the scheduling of the Info package. Once the info package has been triggered we can go to “Maintain PSA” & monitor the status of data in PSA

Further, we EXECUTE the DTP. And, we can monitor transfer of data from PSA à Info cube



Results

Thus, the DB Connect process has been successfully demonstrated in SAP BI 7.0