Simplified self-service BI

A unified semantic layer removes the complexity of the SAP Ariba data structures, which enables easier report creation by a broader range of users

Pre-built analytics extractions

Live Data Gateway provides predefined SAP Ariba data extraction options for fast time to value

Optimized data access & processing

Minimize stress on the SAP Ariba system, while dramatically enhancing performance with optimized, efficient query responses for SAP Analytics Cloud and other consumers

Aggregate multiple application sources

Leverage data combined from multiple sources blended into a single broad, enriched, comprehensive business view of your SAP Ariba data

Customizable analytics extractions

Expand on pre-built processes to customize data extractions using an interactive UI to explore SAP Ariba data

Governed self-service BI

The unified semantic layer also enables controls over what SAP Ariba data is exposed to report creators

 

Introducing APOS Live Data Gateway for Ariba

 

Connecting SAP Analytics Cloud to SAP Ariba with Live Data Gateway

API Extraction Engine

APOS Live Data Gateway for SAP Ariba delivers prebuilt extraction processes, but is also flexible enough to allow users to build custom data extraction processes to meet their expanded needs. The simplified API extraction UI facilitates a "no code required" build process to customize extraction processes, while built-in automation allows the extractions to run on a schedule.

 

Caching Repository

The caching repository provided by Live Data Gateway for Ariba optimizes the data connection to your SAP Ariba system. It enables improved analytics performance using the cached data while reducing the impact on the SAP Ariba application API access point, and allows caching of data from multiple API access points for a broader view of the business. It includes a calculation engine and is scalable to unlimited size. Use the internal caching mechanism or extract the data to an external cache of your choice.

 

Live mode connection to SAP Ariba data

Access SAP Ariba through live mode connection. APOS Live Data Gateway for Ariba also supports connections to other specialty applications such as SAP Concur, Fieldglass, SuccessFactors, and other Cloud applications with exposed APIs.

 

Data never leaves the firewall

Control the data flow as with other live sources, keeping it securely behind the firewall without the limitations of acquiring data into the cloud.

 

Data Connection Architecture

 

Data Consumption Flow

Live Data Connectivity & Data Consumption Methods

 

Live Data Gateway Functional Layers:

Data Virtualization Layer

The Data Virtualization layer of Live Data Gateway is the connection point into the many data sources that are supported - Cloud Data, Relational Data, OLAP Data, Hadoop Data, Applications (On-Premise and Cloud).  All connectivity is managed through this single virtualized data connection point, meaning that no database drivers or other connections mechanisms are required by any consuming application or user environment, instead Live Data Gateway manages all of these connection details.  The primary connection protocol is JDBC, however connection via OData, XMLA, JSON, REST, and API is also supported.

Data Preparation Layer

The Data Preparation Layer of Live Data Gateway enables important data transformation steps, and provides a simplified semantic layer for business users to easily navigate data and be shielded from the complexities of the underlying data structures.  This semantic layer produces very strong benefits for both self-service analytics and self-service modelling.

Within the semantic layer, data views are created which define what data should be exposed, define measures and dimensions, manage data linking complexities, and rename data fields to meaningful business terms.  With these data complexities managed centrally, the end users of the semantic layer can quickly and easily build reports and visualizations, all while the strong data control and governance mechanism is protecting against inappropriate data access.

Three types of data views can be utilized within the Data Preparation Layer:

• Semantic Layer View – non-technical users can select tables, fields and joins to create a view in APOS Live Data Gateway's Web UI
• Freehand SQL View – technical users can create a view based on SQL queries in APOS Live Data Gateway’s Web UI
• OLAP View – select a subset of existing measures and dimensions from an OLAP cube to create a view in APOS Live Data Gateway's Web UI

Data Consumption Layer

The Data Consumption layer enables the communication of data requests into Live Data Gateway and the serving of the requested data. The simplified view into your data created in the data preparation layer allows for consumers to easily understand the data in business terms. Being able to consume data presented in business terms is a strong enabler of self-service. The semantic data of Live Data Gateway is served for consumption through the SAP Native, OData, JDBC and ODBC protocols.

Importing data

Although our solution is called the APOS Live Data Gateway for SAP Ariba, it is equally adept at serving data so that it can be used with your SAP solution databases to address the requirements of both BI planning and predictive scenarios. This data can also make use of the Unified Semantic Layer to make the data available consistently to all target solutions.

Freehand SQL Queries

Build your own freehand SQL queries. Test, save and share your queries so that your team can build reports, dashboards, and data transfer processes against them. APOS Live Data Gateway for SAP Ariba gives you maximum flexibility to access your data and increase self-serve capabilities.

Extensive Data Source Support Options Available

In addition to the strategic SAP application connectivity, APOS Live Data Gateway for SAP Ariba allows access to an extensive list of data. See the full list of over 150 supported data sources