In today’s data-driven business environment, interactive dashboards have become essential tools for visualizing and interpreting data quickly and effectively. SAP Lumira, a self-service data visualization and business intelligence (BI) solution, enables users to create interactive, insightful dashboards with minimal technical expertise. This article explores the process and best practices for creating interactive dashboards in SAP Lumira, helping SAP professionals and business users transform raw data into actionable insights.
SAP Lumira is a data visualization solution that allows users to connect, prepare, and visualize data in a user-friendly interface. It supports data exploration through charts, maps, and custom visualizations. Lumira integrates well with SAP HANA and other SAP systems, making it a powerful tool for real-time analytics and business intelligence.
Interactive dashboards go beyond static reports by allowing users to:
- Drill down into specific data points.
- Filter information based on dimensions (e.g., time period, region).
- Compare datasets side by side.
- Spot trends and outliers quickly.
- Engage stakeholders with intuitive visual storytelling.
Start by connecting to your data. SAP Lumira supports various sources including:
- SAP HANA
- SAP BW
- Excel/CSV files
- Universes (UNX)
- SQL databases
Use the Data Manager to acquire and load data into your Lumira workspace.
Clean and transform the data for analysis:
- Merge and append datasets
- Create calculated columns and hierarchies
- Format data types and labels
This preparation ensures that the dashboard reflects accurate and relevant data.
In the Visualize tab:
- Drag and drop measures and dimensions to build charts such as bar graphs, line charts, pie charts, and geo maps.
- Use filters and input controls for interactivity.
- Apply color coding and formatting to enhance clarity.
In the Compose tab:
- Drag visualizations into the canvas to build a story or dashboard.
- Add text boxes, images, and shapes to provide context.
- Use filters and input controls across multiple visualizations for interactivity.
- Group related charts into pages or sections.
Add features that improve user experience:
- Drill-down options on hierarchical data
- Linked visualizations to update charts based on user actions
- Custom filters for dynamic data slicing
- Responsive design for various screen sizes
¶ 6. Share and Publish
Dashboards can be:
- Published to SAP Lumira Server, SAP BusinessObjects BI Platform, or SAP Analytics Cloud
- Exported to PDF or PowerPoint for offline sharing
- Shared via web links for collaboration
- Keep it simple: Avoid clutter by focusing on key metrics.
- Use intuitive layouts: Place the most important visuals at the top or center.
- Apply consistent formatting: Standardize colors, labels, and fonts.
- Enable user controls: Empower users with filters, sliders, and selectors.
- Test with end users: Gather feedback to ensure the dashboard meets user needs.
SAP Lumira dashboards are widely used in:
- Finance: Visualizing revenue, expenses, and profitability
- Sales & Marketing: Tracking customer trends and campaign performance
- Supply Chain: Monitoring inventory, procurement, and logistics
- HR: Analyzing headcount, attrition, and workforce demographics
Creating interactive dashboards in SAP Lumira empowers organizations to make faster, more informed decisions. With its user-friendly interface, strong integration with SAP systems, and powerful visualization capabilities, Lumira allows business users to explore data in meaningful ways. By following a structured approach and applying best practices, you can develop dashboards that not only inform but also inspire action.
Tags: SAP Lumira, Interactive Dashboards, Data Visualization, BI Tools, SAP Analytics, Dashboard Design