Q1 : What is an InfoObject and why it is used in SAP BI?
A : Info Objects are known as smallest unit in SAP BI and are used in Info Providers, DSO’s, Multi providers, etc. Each Info Provider contains multiple Info Objects.
InfoObjects are used in reports to analyze the data stored and to provide information to decision makers.
Q2 : What is the use of InfoCube in BW system?
A : InfoCube is defined as multidimensional dataset which is used for analysis in a BEx query. An InfoCube consists of a set of relational tables which are logically joined to implement star schema. A Fact table in the star schema is joined with multiple dimension tables.
You can add data from one or more InfoSource or InfoProviders to an InfoCube. They are available as InfoProviders for analysis and reporting purposes.
Q3 : Can an Info-object be an Info-provider?
A : Yes, info-object can be an info-provider. In order to do this, you have to right click on the Info Area and select ” Insert characteristics as data target”.
Q4 : Define B/W statistics and how it is used?
A : B/W statistics is useful in presenting data about the costs linked with the B/W queries, OLAP, aggregative data etc.
Q5 : Define dimension in BW?
A : The collection of reference data about a measurable event in data warehousing is known as dimensions in BW.
A : To convert a standard InfoCube to real-time InfoCube, you have two options −
Convert with loss of Transactional data
Conversion with Retention of Transaction Data
Q7 : Define Operational Data Store?
A : ODS is mostly used for large storage of data. It is a BW architectural module that appears between Persistent Staging Area and info cubes.
A : BEx Map is BW’s Geographical Information System (GIS). BEx Map is one of the characteristics for SAP BI, and it gives the geographical information like a customer, customer sales region and country.
A : To define data aggregation hierarchy can be used. It is a logical structure that use ordered levels as a means of organizing data. For instance, by using time dimension hierarchy, it is possible to aggregate data from the month level to the quarter level to the year level.
Q10 : What the maximum number of dimensions info cubes contain?
A : In info, cubes contain 16 dimensions.
Q11 : Differentiate between ODS and Info-cubes?
A :
b) Info-cube contains refined data while ODS contains detailed level data.
c) ODS is a flat file structure while Info-cube follows Star Schema
A : a) *- Groups according to characteristicsb) H- Hierarchyc) F-Fixed Valued) Blank-None
A : VirtualProviders based on DTP
VirtualProviders with function modules
VirtualProviders based on BAPI’s
Q14 : Define table partition?
A : It is done to maintain the large data to ensure the capacity of the application. There are two type of partitioning that is done
b) Database partitioning
A : The types of Multi-providers are
a) Homogeneous Multiproviders: It consists of technically identical info-providers, such as info cubes with exactly the same characteristics and key figures.
b) Heterogeneous Multiproviders: These info-providers only have a certain number of characteristics and key figures. It can be used for the modeling of scenarios by dividing them into sub-scenarios. Each sub-scenario is represented by its own info-provider.
A : The maximum number of key figures is 233 and characteristics are 248.
A : There are 4 types
a) CHAR
b) NUMC
c) DATS
d) TIMS
A : The use of the process chain is to automate the data load process. It automates the process like Data load, Indices creation, Deletion, Cube compression etc. Process chains are only to load your data’s.
Q19 : Define SAP BW/BI?
A : SAP BW/BI is a Business Information Warehouse, also called business intelligence. It allows the user to examine information from operative SAP applications also from other business.
A : Conversion routine is used to convert data types from an internal format to an external format or display format.
Q21 : What are the main areas and activities in SAP/BI?
A : a) Data Warehouse: Integrating, collecting and managing the entire company’s data.
b) Analyzing and Planning: Using the data stored in a data warehouse.
c) Broadcast publishing: To send the information to the employees using email, fax etc.
d) Reporting: BI provides the tools for reporting in web-browser, excel etc
A : You can convert package group into a process chain by double-clicking on the info package group, then you have to click on the ‘ Process Chain Maint ‘ button where you have to type the name and description, this will insert individual info packages automatically.
A : Data flows from a transactional system to the analytical system (BW). DS ( Data Service) on the transactional system needs to be replicated on BW side and attached to info source and update rules respectively.
Q24 : What is the dimension in BW? How would you optimize the dimensions?
A : A dimension in BW is a collection of reference information about a measurable event in data warehousing. In this context, events are known as “facts”. For example, a customer dimension’s attributes could include first and last name, gender, birth date etc. To optimize the dimensions, do not add the most dynamic characteristics into the same dimension and make the dimension smaller. Also, define as many dimensions as possible, and the dimension should not exceed 20% of the fact table size.
Q25 : Define Fact Table?
A : Fact tables contain the transactional data. It is a group of relations and facts that is foreign key with the dimensions.