SAP Datasphere: 2024 annual review

Our highlights

Folders: Folders can now be created in both the Data Builder and the Repository, allowing for a more structured organization of content within a space. This improves data management and provides individual business domains with a clear overview of their projects and required resources.

Nested & shared task chains: Since February 2024, it has been possible to manage other task chains within a single task chain. Meta-chains introduce a new level of coordination by enabling the control and synchronization of multiple task chains. In November, this concept was further expanded with the ability to share task chains across spaces, making global task chains possible. This enhancement ensures seamless process scaling, particularly when multiple teams collaborate. In addition, email notifications inform users whether a task chain has successfully completed or failed.

Column-level lineage: This feature analyzes the impact and lineage of data at the column level, allowing users to trace the origins of selected columns and understand which other columns they influence. Especially in complex data models, this helps users to accurately identify data sources.

Elastic Compute Nodes: Elastic Compute Nodes are the answer to fluctuating resource demands. They provide on-demand access to additional computing resources without affecting the base resources. The nodes can be activated according to a custom schedule to increase elasticity during peak times and deactivated during regular operations. This is particularly advantageous for companies that need to adjust their IT resources to changing requirements without investing in permanently unused capacities.

Data modeling

Especially in the area of data modeling, many enhancements have been introduced. SAP has focused on four key areas:

Analytic models:

• support for non-cumulative key figures
• data export from the model preview
• story reporting: ability to interchange different analytic models in the SAP Analytics Cloud
• introduction of numerous UX improvements, such as the ability to select or deselect measure functions

OData API:

• Enhancements in data extraction from SAP Datasphere:
• configuration of the OData API from the View and Analytic Model Editor
• consumption of OData with single and multi-value variables
• introduction of language parameters via OData requests

Data builder:

• operator and value pairs for data access controls
• ability to define release state attributes

View analyzer & validation framework:

• introduction of a validation framework: checking the consistency of data types, key columns, and hierarchy nodes
• improvement of the view analyzer: cross-space analysis and multiple persistence options

Catalog & command line interface (CLI)

While the catalog enables the implementation of a company-specific data governance strategy, the CLI allows users to access the SAP Datasphere via command line. The CLI is particularly important for automation processes.

CLI:

• improved management within the Datasphere using the CLI:
• modeling objects can be created, read, and updated
• management of scoped roles, space priorities, and connections

Catalog:

• addition of column-level lineage and impact analysis
• integration of Collibra metadata
• metadata extraction for the SAP BW Bridge

Data integration

Since SAP Datasphere is considered SAP’s strategic software-as-a-service tool, several features have been added to enable the integration of even more data into SAP Datasphere.

Task chains:

• scheduling mass deletion for filtered records
• export and import of task chains
• sharing task chains to enable global task chains

Replication flow:

• real-time replication capability for many additional systems (e.g., HDLF)
• activation of scheduling to replicate at a specific time
• Confluent Kafka can be used as both a source and a target
• new sources available for flows, such as Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3)

Transformation flow:

• option to choose between performance-optimized and memory-optimized executions for better performance
• views can be used as sources
• SQL script support

SAC:

• Translation capabilities: SAP Analytics Cloud Stories can be translated using the SAP Datasphere translation tool. Examples of translatable elements include business names, column names for dimensions, or analytic models.

Spaces, transport and more

To ensure optimal management and utilization of individual tenants within a company, user-friendliness was further enhanced in 2024, with numerous extensions added to spaces and transports.

Spaces & elasticity:

• self-service downsizing of compute resources
• elastic compute nodes for peak consumption scenarios
• introduction of a recycle bin for deleting spaces
• improved workload management

Transport:

• introduction of a repository package for better object transport from a single space
• integration of SAP Cloud Transport Management (TMS)
• addition of connections to packages and transport links

Miscellaneous:

• SCIM 2.0 API made available
• introduction of a translation dashboard for multilingual content support
• visual tenant identification through color coding

Final thoughts

The introduction of various innovations marks significant progress for SAP Datasphere. In 2024, SAP demonstrated its strong focus on both business and IT users. With the continued expansion of self-service functionalities, SAP Datasphere has evolved into a business data fabric, emphasizing data democratization and decision support. In addition, the data catalog enables organizations to implement a tailored data governance strategy, which in turn can serve as a foundation for AI-driven insights. The upcoming object store also promises exciting new functionalities.
 
In just a few weeks, on February 13, 2025, SAP will unveil its latest innovations at the Unleashed Event. Two years ago, SAP redefined Datasphere as its new strategic software-as-a-service data warehouse. Now, with entirely new AI-driven capabilities on the horizon, we eagerly anticipate what this event will bring.

valantic looks ahead to exciting opportunities

As a consulting company, valantic can look back on numerous successfully completed SAP Datasphere projects. A particularly notable milestone was the first go-live of SAP Datasphere as a business data fabric in early 2024. With a broad range of services, we were able to support our clients from initial PoC development to comprehensive consulting and implementation of Datasphere solutions. One of the key topics in our client projects was the migration of existing BW systems and the transformation into hybrid SAP BW / SAP Datasphere landscapes. To address various client requirements efficiently, we introduced a training program that empowers both IT and business users to navigate the system with confidence. We take particular pride in our internally developed AI use cases, which highlight the potential of SAP Datasphere and SAP Analytics Cloud in supporting management and marketing decision-making.

Looking ahead to 2025, we are eager to see SAP‘s upcoming innovations, particularly Seamless Planning and the Embedded Object Store. A look at the SAP Roadmap also reveals more exciting features set to roll out over the course of the year.

If you are interested in SAP Datasphere, feel free to contact us!