SAP Business Data Cloud is a fully managed SaaS solution that unifies and governs all SAP data while seamlessly integrating third-party data. By combining SAP HANA Cloud, SAP Datasphere, and SAP Analytics Cloud, it empowers businesses to make real-time, data-driven decisions with seamless connectivity and a trustworthy AI foundation.
I’m excited about BDC and the value it brings. Having experienced firsthand the daily challenges of data transfer from SAP systems to data repositories—such as outdated data, transfer failures, and the lack of end-to-end ownership when issues arise—I understand the critical need for a solution that ensures real-time, up-to-date data availability and especially to leverage AI Insights.
To understand the technology behind, I would like to break the process into 2 different scenarios for easy understanding:
- Use “out of the box” SAP insights App with “S/4 HANA” and “SAP Success Factors” as source systems and understand step by step on how the process works.
- BDC integration with SAP Apps, Third-Party Apps and SAP BW 4/HANA Private Edition integration
Scenario 1: Use “out of the box” SAP insights App with “S/4 HANA” and “SAP Success Factors” as source systems and understand step by step on how the process works.
Below is the high-level architecture of the business data cloud with SAP Standard out of the box “Insight Apps” and using “SAP Apps”
Steps:
Step 1: Selecting the Right Insight App
The first step in leveraging SAP Business Data Cloud is to identify the right Insight App for your business scenario.
- In the SAP Business Data Cloud Cockpit, you can search for available Insight Apps and install the one that best meets your requirements.
- Each Insight App is designed to provide tailored insights into specific business functions.
Step 2: Data Access and Replication
Once the Insight App installation is initiated:
- Business Data Bundles – The relevant business data that has already been structured into a bundle within your business application (e.g., SAP S/4HANA and SAP SuccessFactors) is accessed.
- Data Replication – This business data is then replicated to the Foundation Services of SAP Business Data Cloud for further processing.
Step 3: Data Harmonization and Transformation
Inside the Foundation Services of SAP Business Data Cloud:
- Harmonization – The replicated business data is harmonized with other bundled data from different business applications (such as SAP SuccessFactors).
- Transformation & Enrichment – The data undergoes processing and enrichment to become a structured Data Product.
- Readiness for Analysis – At this stage, the Data Product is fully prepared for analysis, ensuring consistency and reliability across business functions.
Step 4: Generating Insights with SAP Datasphere
Once the Data Product is created:
- In SAP Datasphere, all necessary artifacts for analysis are automatically generated
- Visual insights are automatically generated and provided in various formats, including analytical dashboards.
Step 5: Generating Insights with SAP Data Bricks and Insights.
You can enhance your dashboard insights using AI and Machine Learning. Utilize the SAP Business Data Cloud Cockpit to share the relevant Data Product with SAP Databricks, where advanced AI and Machine Learning techniques generate refined results. These results are then integrated back into the data model, enriching your dashboard with AI-driven insights.
Conclusion:
SAP Business Data Cloud enables businesses to seamlessly integrate, harmonize, and analyze data from multiple sources, transforming raw data into actionable insights. By leveraging AI-driven analytics and automation, organizations can make data-driven decisions with confidence. With its out-of-the-box Insight Apps and seamless integration with SAP solutions, it provides a trusted and unified platform for enterprise data management.
