Connecting SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) with S/4HANA

Overview

SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) is a SaaS solution that combines all the analytics functionalities, including planning, business intelligence, and predictive analytics in a single user interface, helping you  save time and efforts while making better decisions.  It helps unlock the potential of your investments in mission-critical business applications with quick decision support, powerful planning, and best practices for your function or industry.

Architecture

This article will explain, how to connect SAC (SAP Analytics Cloud) with S/4HANA. The below diagram will provide a brief on the architecture layout.

Prerequisites

Ensure that the InA package (/sap/bw/ina/service/v2) or a higher-level package on your SAP NetWeaver system is configured for basic authentication.

Note - To check if the Ina package is enabled, open the following URL in your browser,
https://<Your_ABAP_System>/sap/bw/ina/GetServerInfo?sap-client=<Your_Client_ID>
Make sure you are prompted for user credentials, and after login you get a JSON response. Replace <Your_ABAP_System> with your ABAP system host, and <Your_Client_ID> with your SAP client ID.

Procedure

Configure Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS) Support on your SAP NetWeaver System

If you are using SAP NetWeaver version 7.52 or above, you must apply SAP Note 2531811 or import ABAP 7.52 SP1 to fix CORS related issues in SAP NetWeaver, and then follow the below steps.

a. Immediately Enable CORS in your System Parameters Without Restarting SAP NetWeaver

These changes will disappear after the restart of your SAP NetWeaver system.

1. Enter transaction code: RZ11
2. Enter Parameter: icf/cors_enabled
3. Select Display
4. Set Value to 1

b. Permanently Enable CORS in your System Parameters

1. Enter transaction code: rz10
2. In Profile, choose DEFAULT from the list
3. Select Extended Maintenance
4. Click Change
5. Click – Parameter – Create
6. icf/cors_enabled
7. Set the parameter value to 1
8. Click Exit and Set the parameter name to Yes to save
9. Click Profile | Save
10. Click Yes to activate
11. Click Continue
12. Click Exit and Yes to log off
13. Restart SAP Netweaver for the changes to take effect

c. Add SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) to the HTTP Whitelist

1. Enter transaction code: /NUCONCOCKPIT
2. Change Scenario to HTTP Whitelist Scenario
3. Change the Mode of Cross-origin Resource Sharing to Active Check
4. Double-click Cross-origin Resource Sharing
5. Select the Display/Change icon
6. Under Whitelist, select the Add icon, and in the Input Window, add the following information,
   1. Service Path: Add /sap/bw/ina
   2. Host rule: Add your SAP Analytics CloudSet the parameter name to host. For example, mytenant.us1.sapbusinessobjects.cloud
   3. Allowed Methods: Select GET, HEAD, POST, and OPTIONS
   4. Add the following to Allowed Headers

x-csrf-token,content-type,x-sap-cid,mysapsso2,authorization,accept-language

5. Add the following to Exposed Headers

x-csrf-token,sap-rewriteurl,sap-url-session-id

6. Allow Credentials: Ensure this is selected

d. Save this Information

Verify End-Users’ Web Browser Configuration and Access

Your end-users’ web browsers must be configured to the following,

• Allow pop-up windows from the SAP Analytics Cloud domain: [*.]sapbusinessobjects.cloud
• Allow 3rd party cookies from the SAP S/4HANA server’s domain or the domain of your reverse proxy. For example, in Internet Explorer 11, go to > Internet Options > Security > Trusted Sites >add your domain name, then select Enable Protected Mode

Add a Remote System to SAP Analytics Cloud

1. Go to > Main Menu > Connection > Connections > (Add Connection) > Then Select a data source dialog will appear
2. Expand Connect to Live Data and select SAP S/4HANA
3. In the dialog, enter a name and description for your connection. The connection name cannot be changed later
4. Set the connection type to Direct
5. Add your SAP S/4HANA hostname, HTTPS port, and Client
6. (Optional) Choose a Default Language from the list. This language will always be used for this connection and cannot be changed by users without administrator privileges

You must know which languages are installed on your SAP S/4HANA system before adding a language code. If the language code you enter is invalid, SAP Analytics Cloud will default to the language specified by your system metadata.

7. Under the Authentication Method select User Name and Password
8. Enter an SAP S/4HANA user name and password
9. Select OK

Known Issue

You may see an error, as shown below after completing all configuration if SSL is not configured for the S/4HANA system.

Solution – You have to configure SSL for the S/4HANA system.

Conclusion

Users can expose S/4HANA CDS views to SAP Analytics Cloud.