In the fast-paced world of enterprise data, organizations require tailored solutions that deliver relevant, real-time insights to decision-makers. SAP Business Intelligence (SAP BI) offers a robust framework for reporting and analytics, but to meet unique business needs, many companies turn to developing custom dashboards.
Custom dashboards in SAP BI enable businesses to visualize critical KPIs, monitor operational metrics, and explore data interactively — all within a user-friendly interface designed specifically for their context. This article discusses the approaches, tools, and best practices for developing custom dashboards in SAP BI.
While standard SAP BI reports and dashboards provide valuable insights, they may not always align perfectly with a company’s processes, branding, or analytical requirements. Custom dashboards offer:
- Tailored User Experience: Customized layout, look-and-feel, and navigation optimized for specific user groups.
- Specific Data Integration: Ability to combine data from multiple SAP and non-SAP sources.
- Advanced Interactivity: Custom filters, drill-downs, and dynamic controls that empower users to explore data deeply.
- Brand Consistency: Incorporate corporate branding, color schemes, and design standards.
- Enhanced Performance: Optimized queries and visualization choices for faster load times.
SAP Lumira Designer (formerly SAP Design Studio) is a powerful tool for creating highly interactive and visually rich dashboards. It supports scripting, custom components, and integration with multiple data sources like SAP BW, SAP HANA, and universes.
SAP Analytics Cloud allows for cloud-based dashboard development with drag-and-drop functionality, scripting, and responsive design. SAC integrates well with SAP BW and ERP, offering real-time analytics capabilities.
Though older, SAP BusinessObjects Dashboards is still used for designing interactive dashboards that connect to SAP BI data sources.
For simpler dashboards integrated tightly with SAP BW queries, BEx Web Application Designer offers layout customization and interactivity.
- Identify the target audience, business goals, and key performance indicators.
- Determine data sources and security requirements.
- Define interactivity and navigation features.
- Model data appropriately in SAP BW or HANA (InfoCubes, DSOs, CompositeProviders).
- Optimize queries for performance and ensure data consistency.
¶ 3. Design and Prototyping
- Sketch the dashboard layout considering usability and user experience principles.
- Choose visualization types based on the nature of KPIs (charts, gauges, maps).
- Prototype with sample data to validate design.
- Use SAP Lumira Designer or SAC to build the dashboard.
- Implement scripting for custom logic (filters, conditional formatting, event handling).
- Integrate multiple data sources if required.
- Test dashboard for data accuracy, performance, and responsiveness.
- Conduct user acceptance testing (UAT) to gather feedback.
¶ 6. Deployment and Maintenance
- Deploy dashboards on SAP BI portal, SAP Fiori launchpad, or SAC.
- Monitor performance and usage.
- Update dashboards as business needs evolve.
- Keep it Simple: Avoid clutter; focus on relevant KPIs.
- Ensure Fast Performance: Optimize queries and limit data volume.
- Enable Interactivity: Use filters, drill-downs, and hover effects to enhance user engagement.
- Maintain Consistency: Use standard color palettes and fonts aligned with corporate branding.
- Provide Training: Educate users on dashboard features to maximize adoption.
- Plan for Scalability: Design dashboards to accommodate future growth in data and users.
¶ Challenges and How to Overcome Them
- Data Integration Complexity: Use SAP BW composite providers or HANA views to consolidate data.
- Performance Bottlenecks: Employ query optimization, data caching, and aggregation.
- User Adoption: Involve stakeholders early in the design process.
- Security Concerns: Implement role-based access controls and data masking.
Developing custom dashboards in SAP BI empowers organizations to transform complex data into intuitive, actionable insights tailored to their unique needs. Leveraging SAP’s flexible dashboard tools, combined with best practices in design and development, ensures that business users get the right information at the right time — enabling smarter decisions and driving business success.
Keywords: SAP BI, Custom Dashboards, SAP Lumira Designer, SAP Analytics Cloud, BEx Web Application Designer, Data Visualization, Business Intelligence, Dashboard Development