This blog post covers some of the latest features and enhancements in SAP Analytics Cloud and SAP Digital Boardroom Release 2021.13, which will be included in the Q3 2021 Quarterly Release Cycle (QRC).
Technical Requirements
Be sure to upgrade to the latest SAP Analytics Cloud agent version 1.0.327 to take advantage of all the data acquisition types. Here are the minimum data acquisition requirements:
- Version 1.0.99 for SAP ERP / SQL Database
- Version 1.0.91 for SAP Universe (UNX)
- Version 1.0.233 for SAP Business Warehouse (BW)
- Version 1.0.235 for SAP HANA View
- Version 1.0.248 for File Server
- Version 1.0.75 for all other data source types
Data Integration
Import Connections
Enable Universal Model Fact Data Import Setting Options
When importing fact data to the new measure model, users can now choose to reverse the signs of measures based on account type. Users also have the option to skip the non-leaf node check for specified parent children hierarchies. These features offer more flexibility when importing transaction data to SAP Analytics Cloud models.
Data Modeling
Filter and Display Calculation Results Hierarchical in Calculation Preview
Users can now display calculation results hierarchical and apply hierarchical filters to display the dimensions, as well as change how the results are displayed by switching hierarchies. In the Calculation Preview panel of the Calculations workspace, users can select a hierarchy either by clicking a filter in the Filters section or by clicking Select Hierarchy next to a dimension in the Rows or Columns section.
Dashboard and Story Design
Data Visualization
Switch Display Options for Dimensions using Universal Display Hierarchies
For SAP Business Warehouse live models with Universal Display Hierarchies shown in a table story view, users can now switch the display of the ID and description for dimensions through the context menu. This feature offers more flexibility for users when working with SAP Business Warehouse live connections.
Define the Priority and Definition of Table Calculations
Story designers can now choose which calculation has priority at the intersection point of the calculated rows and calculated columns in a table. This feature increases flexibility in table structure designs and calculations.
Reporting
Create Linked Dimensions on ID for Parent Child Hierarchy Dimensions
Users can now link parent child hierarchy dimensions together based on ID when blending on SAP HANA or SAP Business Warehouse data sources.
This Linking on ID feature provides a more unique match when blending multiple data sources. It effectively:
- Eliminates the possibility of mismatched data if the description is not unique or has a slight discrepancy
- Addresses the possibility of missing data if the parent and child nodes share the same description and ID (SAP Business Warehouse postable nodes)
Schedule Paginated Table and Section to Export Data
Users can now schedule a story with paginated tables and sections to export all its data in PDF or PPTX with a maximum file size of 15 MB and a maximum export time of 15 minutes.
Enterprise Planning
Activate Planning Event Sequences through Multi Actions
Multi actions are now available to link a sequence of different types of planning operations to a single planning trigger through the Multi Action Designer. Users can run a sequence of data actions and version management steps on one or more models or versions.
In the Story or Analytic Designer, users can trigger the Multi Actions execution with one click. Users can also set the value in the trigger and configure the styling of the trigger. This feature reduces the manual efforts on the administrator and end user, and the overall operational costs.
Leverage Models with Measures in Structured Allocations
Structured allocations now support measure models and universal models. There are three driver modes: only accounts, only measures, or accounts and measures. Users can allocate multiple measures in parallel, and filter for measures when using allocation.
Leverage Models with Measures in Value Driver Trees
Value driver trees now support models with measures. They come with the complete feature set that is also available for account-based models. Users can apply driver-based planning on models with measures even if the planning scenario is not account-centric.
Reopen Closed Calendar Events for Follow-Up Adjustments
Owners of calendar events can now reopen events that have been accomplished, partially accomplished, or canceled. The events that are directly connected with the reopened event by a dependency or by a hierarchical relationship will also be reopened, and the involved people can proceed with their work. However, users cannot reopen task series, automatic tasks, input tasks, and manual data locking tasks.
Use Specific Number and Exit Conditions in Advanced Formulas
In an advanced formulas step, users can now apply the FOR keyword to repeat a group of statements a specified number of times. And by adding a BREAK statement inside a FOR loop, users can then stop the loop when a given condition is met. This feature offers more simplified scripting and flexible iterative calculating to improve performance overall.
Augmented Analytics
Predictive Planning
Detect Multiple Linear Trends in Time Series Forecasting Models
A Predictive Scenario can now detect multiple linear trends in a time series. This feature increases the overall forecasting quality in case of any disrupted time series.
Refine Predictive Forecasts with Influencer Variables
Users can now further refine their predictive forecasts by using the Influencers setting that allows them to select which influencer variables to include before training the predictive planning model. This feature improves the accuracy of predictive forecasts by selecting the most relevant influencer variables to include based on any known and unknown business conditions before applying Smart Predict.
Analytics Designer
Add Input Control as a Dimension Member Filter
Application designers can now add an input control as a dimension member filter to the canvas page and apply related settings without needing to script any codes. Supported widgets and features include chart, table, R visualization, geo map, value driver tree, cascading filtering, multiple/single selection mode, display as ID/description, and more.
Manage Calendar Task Integrations at Application Runtime
Users can now create, open, or reject calendar tasks at application runtime and review task properties by Task ID, Name, Start Date, End Date, Status, Due Date, Description, and Type.
This feature enables users to manage calendar tasks within analytic applications without the need to switch to the calendar view. The following APIs are available:
- getCalendarTaskById() to retrieve a task on demand
- activate() to activate a task
- createCompositeTask() to create a new composite task
- submit(), decline(), approve(), and reject() to change the status of a composite task
- getRelatedTaskIds() to get the tasks excluding recurring composite tasks, for the opened analytic application, for which the application is a work file
Remove Default Filters from SAP Business Warehouse Query in Data Analyzer
When doing ad-hoc analysis, users in Data Analyzer can now remove default filters coming from an SAP Business Warehouse query that are displayed in the table header.
Mobile Analytics
Manage Lifecycle of Personal Bookmarks on SAP Analytics Cloud Mobile App
Users can now delete personal bookmarks from the SAP Analytics Cloud Mobile App on both iOS and Android. For iOS, Optimized iOS needs to be enabled in story detail.
Analytics Platform Services
Select Default Page Navigation Style Options
Administrators can now choose whether the default navigation for story pages is a tab bar or a dropdown list. End users may still change this navigation style when viewing a story. This feature offers the option for a consistent default page navigation style and the time to adopt a new interface experience.
Analytics Cataloging
Flag Content Link Resource Type for Translation
Content creators can now have the metadata for content links translated through the common translation service. This can be accessed through the metadata dialog and includes the titles as well as the descriptions of the content links, plus the titles of any secondary links. The feature enhances the content link creation workflow and the consistency with other resource types in terms of metadata translation.
Add-In for Microsoft Office
Locate Invalid Data Entries from the Error Pane Overview
Users can now leverage an error pane to show a scrollable list of all erroneous values each with a link to directly jump to the respective cell. This feature provides a panel overview with easier access to any invalid data.
Set Ranking Directions for Table Data Values
Users can now define rankings to filter the data in a table and select the direction ranging from top to bottom values
Enable Search and Display Options with Member Selector Enhancements
Users can now choose between additional display options (ID, description, or ID and description) as well as between a flat presentation and a hierarchy list for the dimension. There are also enhanced search criteria options for users when searching up members.
