¶ Building Reports and Dashboards in SAP S/4HANA Cloud
In the digital economy, data-driven decision-making is crucial for business success. SAP S/4HANA Cloud provides powerful tools for building reports and dashboards that enable real-time insights, improved transparency, and smarter operations. This article explores how SAP S/4HANA Cloud empowers users to create, customize, and consume reports and dashboards tailored to their business needs.
¶ Why Reporting and Dashboards Matter in SAP S/4HANA Cloud
- Real-Time Insights: Access live data for timely decision-making.
- Role-Based Analytics: Tailored views aligned to user roles and responsibilities.
- Simplified Complexity: Turn complex data into intuitive visualizations.
- Improved Collaboration: Share insights easily across teams and functions.
SAP S/4HANA Cloud comes with a comprehensive set of pre-delivered Fiori Analytical Apps:
- Provide embedded analytics within transactional processes.
- Offer drill-down capabilities for detailed analysis.
- Designed with responsive, user-friendly interfaces.
SAP Analytics Cloud is the strategic cloud analytics platform integrated with SAP S/4HANA Cloud, offering:
- Advanced visualization capabilities including interactive dashboards.
- Augmented analytics with AI-powered insights.
- Data blending from multiple sources for holistic views.
- Self-service reporting and storyboards for business users.
- Built into SAP S/4HANA Cloud, embedded analytics offers KPIs, reports, and dashboards within the core system.
- Uses Core Data Services (CDS) views as semantic layers for reporting.
- Supports custom analytical queries without moving data out of the system.
¶ Steps to Build Reports and Dashboards
- Identify key metrics and KPIs relevant to the business.
- Understand user roles and what insights they require.
- Use standard Fiori apps for quick access to common reports.
- Leverage SAP Analytics Cloud for advanced and cross-system analytics.
¶ Step 3: Customize and Extend
- Use SAP Fiori Elements to create custom analytical apps based on CDS views.
- Develop custom CDS views if specific data models are required.
- In SAC, create interactive dashboards with charts, tables, and filters.
¶ Step 4: Deploy and Share
- Publish reports and dashboards within SAP Fiori Launchpad.
- Use collaboration features in SAC to share stories and annotations.
¶ Step 5: Monitor and Optimize
- Track usage and feedback to improve reports.
- Adjust data models or visualizations as business needs evolve.
- Leverage Standard Content: Start with SAP-delivered analytical apps to reduce development effort.
- Focus on User Experience: Design intuitive, role-based dashboards.
- Ensure Data Quality: Accurate data ensures reliable reports.
- Use Real-Time Data: Take advantage of SAP HANA’s in-memory processing.
- Incorporate Advanced Analytics: Use predictive and machine learning capabilities for deeper insights.
- Finance: Real-time cash flow and profitability dashboards.
- Supply Chain: Inventory status and order fulfillment reports.
- Sales: Sales pipeline and performance analytics.
- Manufacturing: Production efficiency and quality monitoring.
Building reports and dashboards in SAP S/4HANA Cloud is essential for empowering organizations with actionable insights and supporting agile decision-making. By utilizing SAP Fiori analytical apps, embedded analytics, and SAP Analytics Cloud, businesses can create tailored, real-time visualizations that drive performance and innovation.