SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) is a powerful platform for creating interactive, insightful stories—dynamic reports and dashboards that empower data-driven decisions. But what if you want to bring these insights directly into other business applications your users rely on daily, such as SAP S/4HANA, SAP Fiori, or custom portals?
Embedding SAC stories into external applications enables a seamless analytics experience, eliminating the need for users to switch contexts and ensuring real-time access to relevant data insights. This article explores how to embed SAP Analytics Cloud stories into other applications, the available methods, and best practices to maximize impact.
- Enhanced User Experience: Provide analytics where users already work, improving adoption.
- Contextual Insights: Display relevant data alongside transactional or operational workflows.
- Consistent Branding: Maintain a unified look and feel across your enterprise applications.
- Real-Time Analytics: Ensure users see up-to-date information without switching platforms.
The simplest way to embed a story is via an iframe:
- SAC allows generating a public or authenticated URL for a story.
- The URL can be embedded into any web application that supports iframes.
- Supports embedding both live data connections and imported models.
Considerations:
- Authentication handling is required for secure access.
- Responsive design and iframe size should be adjusted for usability.
- Suitable for quick integration or proof of concepts.
For more sophisticated embedding and customization, use the Analytics Designer:
- Allows creating custom analytic applications using JavaScript.
- Embed SAC stories and components into these applications.
- Offers APIs to interact with embedded content, enabling dynamic filters, navigation, and user interactions.
- Ideal for building tailored analytics apps integrated within SAP Fiori Launchpad or other portals.
¶ 3. SAP Fiori and SAP Launchpad Integration
SAP provides native support to embed SAC stories in SAP Fiori Launchpad:
- Use the SAP Fiori Launchpad Plugin to add SAC stories as tiles.
- Stories run inside Fiori seamlessly, respecting user roles and authentication.
- Integration supports Single Sign-On (SSO), providing smooth user experience.
Leverage SAP BTP services to embed SAC stories into custom-built or third-party applications:
- Use SAP BTP’s Cloud Portal or Extension Suite.
- Embed SAC stories securely with authentication managed via OAuth or SAML.
- Allows tight integration with enterprise workflows.
¶ Authentication and Security Considerations
Embedding SAC stories requires careful handling of user authentication and authorization:
- Single Sign-On (SSO): Most enterprise scenarios use SSO (via SAML or OAuth) to provide seamless access.
- Secure URLs: Avoid public URLs for sensitive data. Use authenticated embedding methods.
- Role-Based Access: Embedded stories honor SAC’s role and data-level security settings.
- Session Management: Ensure sessions are handled securely to prevent unauthorized access.
- Responsive Design: Optimize story layouts for different screen sizes and embedding containers.
- Performance Tuning: Limit the complexity of stories to maintain fast load times within embedded contexts.
- Consistent Navigation: Provide clear navigation paths back to main applications.
- User Experience: Consider embedding only relevant story pages or components to reduce clutter.
- Testing: Thoroughly test embedding in target applications and across devices.
Embedding SAP Analytics Cloud stories in other business applications bridges the gap between analytics and operational workflows. Whether through simple iframe embedding or advanced integrations via Analytics Designer and SAP Fiori, embedding empowers users with timely insights exactly where they need them.
By following best practices around authentication, performance, and user experience, SAP professionals can create seamless, secure, and impactful analytic experiences that accelerate data-driven decision-making across the enterprise.