BW 名词解释

BW GLOSSARYLast Changed:Administrator WorkbenchTool for controlling, monitoring and maintaining all those processes involved in data procurement and processing within the Business Information Warehouse.after-import methodMethod that is used in connection with the transport of an object into a different system. The after import method is called in the target system after the object has been imported. The after import method is object specific and, therefore, you have to rewrite it for every object type.You might typically use the after import method to activate the imported object, in order to integrate it in a new context in the target system.aggregateAn aggregate stores the dataset of an InfoCube redundantly in a summarized form. In this instance, summarization means condensing the original fact table of an InfoCube for an aggregate table. This table no longer contains certain characteristics of the InfoCube that has been summarized using attributes, or characteristic values, or a hierarchy level.The summarization enables you to access the data of an InfoCube quickly when reporting. Therefore, aggregates are tools for enhancing performance.Aggregates are created from logical data packages (requests). You can distinguish between the processes of filling and rolling up here:∙The first time that data is loaded in an active aggregate is described as filling. After filling, the aggregate is used in reporting.∙Rolling up is understood as loading data packages from the fact table of an InfoCube in all of the aggregates for this InfoCube.aggregation levelSelection of characteristics and navigation attributes of an InfoCube, from which aggregates are constructed.You have the following aggregation options:∙All characteristic values (“*”): Data is grouped by all values of the characteristic or the navigation attribute.∙Hierarchy level (“H”): Data is grouped by hierarchy level nodes.∙Fixed value (“F”): Data is filtered according to a single value.alert monitorMonitoring tool used for displaying exceptions, whose upper or lower threshold value has been exceeded. The exceptions concerned are found in background processing using the reporting agent and are displayed in the alert monitor as a follow-up action. Exceptions are displayed not only in the BEx Analyzer, but also in the reporting agent scheduler of the Administrator Workbench. Moreover, exceptions can also be displayed as an alert monitor in a Web application.Meaning of the alert monitor in the BEx Web Application:Web item that displays the query views, which were found in background processing using the reporting agent, as a list or hierarchy in a Web application. You can jump between query views and see conspicuous key figure values that deviate from the defined threshold values at a glance. You can also set filters.and-processCombined process of the process chain maintenance.When you use an and-process in the process chain maintenance, the application process is started only when all events in the previous process, on which this process is waiting, have been triggered. application processA process that is automated in the process chain maintenance. For example, data loading process or attribute change run.attributeInfoObjects that are assigned or subordinated to a logical characteristic and which cannot be selected in the query.Example: To a given cost center, you could assign the attribute:∙"Cost center manager" (the attribute here is a characteristic), or∙"Size of cost center in square meters" (the attribute here is a key figure)axis data setCombination of different values on an axis.Data sets for elements (members) of an axis dimension are used when defining MDX queries. BasicCubeData container, on which reports and analyses are based. A BasicCube contains two types of data: key figures and characteristics. A BasicCube is a collection of related tables that are put together according to the star schema. The star schema is a large fact table in the center with several surrounding dimension tables. The fact table is there to store all the key figures with the minimum of detail, whereas the dimension table stores the characteristics that are needed for reporting on and evaluating these key figures.Dimension tables are considered independently of each other. Only the fact table links the dimension tables to the key figures. All data is consequently stored multi-dimensionally in the BasicCubes.BEx MapThe Business Explorer’s geographical information system (GIS). The BEx Map allows you to display data with a geographical connection (characteristics such as customer, sales region, and country) together with key figures relevant for business management on a map. You can then use this map to evaluate the data.BEx Mobile IntelligenceUse of Web applications for mobile devices that have an online connection to a BW system. Synonyms: Business Explorer Mobile Intelligence, Mobile IntelligenceBEx Query DesignerTool for defining queries that are based on a selection of characteristics and key figures (InfoObjects) or on reusable InfoProvider structures. In the BEx Query Designer, you can parameterize queries by defining variables for characteristic values, hierarchies, hierarchy nodes, texts or formulas. You can specify the selection of InfoObjects more precisely by:∙Restricting characteristics and key figures by characteristic values, characteristic value intervals and hierarchy nodes∙Defining calculated and restricted key figures for reuse∙Defining structures for reuse∙Defining exceptions∙Defining conditions∙Defining exception cellsYou can use all queries that you define in the BEx Query Designer for OLAP reporting, and for flat reporting.BEx Web ApplicationWeb-based application of Business Explorer for data analysis, reporting, and analytical applications on the Web. You can format and display your data differently in the BEx Web Application Designer with a series of Web items (for example, tables, filters, charts, maps, and documents). In this way you can individually set Web applications like BI Cockpits and access them by using the intranet or by using an enterprise portal.BEx Web Application DesignerDesktop application for creating Websites with BW contents. With the BEx Web Application Designer you can create an HTML page that contains BW-specific contents, such as different tables, charts, or maps. This HTML page serves as the basis for Web applications with complex interactions like BI Cockpits. You can save the Web applications as a URL and access them by using the intranet or by using mobile terminals. Additionally, you can save the Web applications as an iView and integrate them into an enterprise portal.Synonyms: Business Explorer Web Application Designer, Web Application DesignerBEx Web Application WizardAssistant that supports the creation of Websites with BW-specific contents. This enables a simplified design process by means of an automatic step-by-step sequence. The Web Application Wizard is integrated in the Web Application Designer.Synonyms: Business Explorer Web Application Wizard, Web Application WizardBusiness ExplorerAbbreviation: BExThe analytical and reporting tool in the Business Information Warehouse. The Business Explorer (BEx) covers the following areas:∙Query design and application design: BEx Query Designer and BEx Application Designer∙Analysis and reporting: BEx Analyzer, BEx Web Applications, and Mobile Intelligence∙Formatted reporting: Crystal Reports Integration∙Organization: BEx BrowserBusiness Explorer AnalyzerAbbreviation: BEx AnalyzerAnalytical and reporting tool in the Business Explorer that is embedded in Microsoft Excel. In the Business Explorer Analyzer, you can analyze selected InfoProvider data by navigation to queries created in the BEx Query Designer and can create different query views for the data.Business Explorer BrowserAbbreviation: BEx BrowserTool for organizing and managing workbooks and documents. Using the Business Explorer Browser (BEx Browser), you can access all documents in the Business Information Warehouse that are assigned to your role and that you have stored in you favorites. You can work with the following document types in the Business Explorer Browser:∙BW workbooks∙Documents that are stored in the Business Document Service (BDS)∙Links (references to the file system, short cuts)∙Links to Internet pages (URLs)∙SAP transaction calls∙Web applications and Web templates∙Crystal Reportsbusiness intelligence cockpitabbreviation: BI cockpitsynonyms: Web cockpit, information cockpitWeb-based "control panel" with Business Intelligence contents. Just like a cockpit in an aeroplane, it gives the management of a company an overview of all the relevant business data.You use the Business Explorer Web Application Designer to generate individual BI cockpits that display data in tables, charts, or on maps. The alert monitor that is integrated into the BI cockpit tells you immediately if any critical data falls outside of the specified range of acceptable values. You also have the option of adding additional information to the business data in the form of documents, graphics, or hyperlinks.BI cockpits have the following functions:∙You can collect data from different data sources and display it in various ways (as a table, a chart, and so on)∙You can use structured (BI contents) and unstructured (documents, and so on) information to enhance each other∙Personalized initial screen: Parameters are filled with user-specific values (for example, values regarding cost center, region and so on) automatically∙Role-specific variants: Different BI cockpits for different rolesYou can get a quick overview of business information in much the same way that you scan the front page of a newspaper. To access more detailed information you can use user-friendly navigation elements such as hyperlinks, dropdown boxes, pushbuttons and so on. You can save BI cockpits as iViews. These are completely integrated into an Enterprise Portal.characteristicAn evaluation group such as company code, product, customer group, fiscal year, period or region. Characteristics provide classification possibilities for the dataset. The master data encompasses the permitted values of a characteristic, the so-called characteristic values. Characteristic values are discrete names.Note: The characteristic region could, for example, have the values 'North', 'Central' and 'South'. chartWeb item that retrieves data from a query view to create a diagram for a Web application. You can choose from a range of display options for the diagram. You can also navigate within interactive charts and analyze the data displayed.classic InfoSetCorresponds to the InfoSet, already familiar from R/3 Basis: An element of a SAP query. The InfoSet determines to which table, or which fields of the table, the query refers. InfoSets are mostly created using table joins or logical databases.cleansingCleans data before update, checks data for feasibility before update and suppresses incorrect records. collation processAllows you to gather together several chains into a single chain in process chain maintenance screens. This means that you no longer have to schedule application processes individually.The process chains maintenance screens contain the following collation processes:∙AND-process (last):The application process starts when all the events for the preceding processes have beentriggered successfully.∙OR-process (each):The application process starts each time an event in a preceding process is triggered successfully. ∙EXOR-process (first):The application process starts when the first event in one of the preceding processes is triggered successfully.communication structureThe communication structure is independent of the source system and has the structure of an InfoSource. It contains all the InfoObjects that belong to an InfoSource. All the data is updated into the InfoCube with this structure. The system always refers to the actively saved version of the communication structure.Technically (i.e. with respect to length, type) the fields of the communication structure correspond to the InfoObjects of the Business Information Warehouse.Common Warehouse Metamodel (Abbreviation: CWM)The official definition from the OMG Web Site: The Common Warehouse Metamodel (CWM) is a specification that describes metadata interchange among data warehousing, business intelligence, knowledge management and portal technologies.condenserProgram that compresses the contents of an InfoCube fact table.control queryA help query that you execute before you execute the queries in the Web template, the result of which you use to parameterize the Web template.Crystal EnterpriseServer component for scheduling, caching, and displaying reports on the Web. Content and user administration is carried out as part of the integration using the BW server.Crystal Reports DesignerDesign component for creating a Crystal Report that contains the report definition (layout).Crystal ReportBW object type.Report definition created using the Crystal Reports Designer and saved in BW. In a Crystal Report, several queries can be imbedded with several queries (similarly to an EXCEL workbook). A Crystal Report contains no current data.A Crystal Report contains no current data.data managerPart of the OLAP processor that controls the data bank access that arises from the definition of a query.Part of Warehouse Management that writes data into the data bank.data mart interfaceEnables the user to update data from one data target to another. Enables the user to update data within a BW system (Myself system) and also between several systems. If several BW systems are used, the system delivering the data is called the source BW and the system that is receiving data is called the target BW. The individual Business Information Warehouses in this type of setup are called data marts.data providerObject that delivers data for one or more Web items. A data provider has the same navigation status as a query at a particular point in time. The start view of a data provider corresponds to the query view. By navigating through the data or parameterizing the call, you change the status of the data provider.data requestDenotes:∙The request that is sent to the source system by the scheduler, and also;∙The quantity of data and information that results in BW and in the source system through this request, and also;∙The loading procedure.DataSourceContains a number of fields that are provided in a flat structure, the extract structure, for data transfer to the Business Information Warehouse. Additionally, it describes the properties of the related extractor with regard to the data transfer to the Business Information Warehouse.data targetSuper-ordinate term for objects, into which data is loaded. InfoCubes, ODS objects, and InfoObjects (characteristics with attributes, texts or hierarchies) belong to these objects. Standard data targets, for which you cannot create or execute queries, and data targets, for which you can define queries, are different. The latter are also called InfoProviders. Data targets are the physical objects that are relevant for data modeling and for data loading.data warehouseA system that makes theme-oriented, integrated, stable, and time-related data available and supports making decisions on management levels. The function of a data warehouse is to pull together, clean up, consolidate, and provide consistently accessible data using analysis, reporting, and evaluation tools from various internal and external sources. The knowledge gained from this data forms the basis for guiding decision-making in an organization. A data warehouse is, therefore, a system that is primarily used for supporting company control.delta processExtractor feature. Specifies how the data is to be transferred. As a DataSource attribute, it specifies how the DataSource data is to be forwarded to the data target. The user can determine, for example, with which data targets a DataSource is compatible, how the data is to be updated, and how serialization is to take place.device recognitionRecognition by the server of mobile devices for device-specific adjustment for displaying Web applications. Using device recognition, the system decides whether a Web application or a mobile application (WAP or PDA application) is to be sent back to the client.dimensionA grouping of those evaluation groups (characteristics) that belong together, as regards contents, in one generic term. With the definition of an InfoCube, characteristics are summarized into dimensionsin order to store them in a table of the star schema (dimension table).dropdown boxWeb item that places characteristic values for filtering in a Web application in a dropdown box. elementary testPart of a test that can not be split further into sub-tests. An elementary test checks related logical objects for consistency.eventSignal to the background processing system that a certain status has been reached in the SAP system. The background processing system then starts all processes that were waiting for this event.event collectorA number of events that have been successfully completed independently of each other, and to which the background processing is to respond.The event collector corresponds to the and-process and the process chain maintenance. If an application process is scheduled using an event collector, it starts when all events for the preceding process are successfully triggered.exor-processCombined process in process chain maintenance.When you use an exor-process in the process chain maintenance, the application process starts when the first event of the previous processes has been triggered successfully.external systemSystem that stages data for the Business Information Warehouse and thus serves BW as a source system.An external system can either be:∙an R/3 System with a release status before 3.0D, or∙ a non-SAP systemData and Metadata transfer from an external system to the Business Information Warehouse takes place using Staging BAPIs.extraction structureIn the extraction structure, data of a DataSource is made available in the source system.The extraction structure contains the number of fields that are offered by the extractor in the source system for the data loading process in BW.extractorProgram used to fill the extract structure of a DataSource with data from datasets in the SAP source system.fact tableThe fact table is at the center of the star schema of an InfoCube. The data part contains all key figures (also called "facts") of the InfoCube and the key is formed by links to the entries of the dimensions of the InfoCube.filterWeb item that displays those filter values for a query view in a Web application that you created when navigating. Also allows you to select single values.flat reportingReporting based on one-dimensional tables, meaning the analysis is restricted to one dimension and its attributes. Unlike OLAP reporting, with flat reporting you can arrange the columns any way you like when you are designing a query in the tabular editor mode of the BEx query designer. For example, you can put a column for a characteristic between two columns for key figures. During the design of the query, you decide how you want the columns to be displayed. Once you have chosen a display type you are not able to change it. In flat reporting, the interactive options are restricted to filter, filter and drilldown according to, sort according to, and navigate on hierarchies. Navigation functions that alter the geometry of the flat list, meaning that they change the number and order of the columns, for example, swapping or adding a drilldown, are available with OLAP reporting but not with flat reporting.formatted reportingStructure for reports that use master data, ODS objects, and multi-dimensional InfoProviders. Formatted reporting has all of the options for formatting reports (for example, font, font size, colors, graphics, and styles), and allows you to place report elements anywhere on the screen to the accuracy of one pixel (no grid positioning). The focus is on formula-based reports and the printing of reports. There are no analytical functions: Interaction options are introduced at the time of designing the report.generation templateTemplate, from which a program is generated.A generation template is used when the desired program can not be generically written and must be suitably written for each special situation anew.generic navigation blockWeb item that retrieves data from a query view and displays it in the form of a table. All characteristics and structures of the query view are listed in the table and their filter values are displayed. You can change the navigation status in the block by:∙Placing characteristics and structures in an axis (rows or columns) or removing them from an axis. ∙Filtering by single values or removing filters.hierarchy attributeAttribute that describes the properties of an entire hierarchy (for example, level table type: specifiesthe form that a level table takes).impact analysisGroup of methods that assess the effect of changes made to any dependent objects when an object is checked and activated.The impact analysis ensures that the objects are consistent.Examples:∙ A navigation attribute is deleted from a characteristic. When the characteristic is activated, all the InfoCubes that use this characteristic are set to inactive. The InfoCubes have to be reactivated (without the navigation attribute) to make them consistent.∙In other cases, dependent objects are adjusted immediately if this is not possible without manual changes.InfoAreaGroups meta-objects together in the Business Information Warehouse:Every data target is assigned to an InfoArea. The resulting hierarchy is then displayed in the Administrator Workbench. In addition to their property as a data target, InfoObjects can also be assigned to different InfoAreas using InfoObject catalogs.InfoCubeThe central objects, on which reports and analyses are based in BW, are known as InfoCubes.An InfoCube describes a self-contained dataset (from the reporting view), for example, for a business-orientated area. This dataset can be evaluated with the BEx query. With an InfoCube, you might be dealing with:∙ A BasicCube, that shows a quantity of relational tables in the star schema.∙ A RemoteCube, whose transaction data is not managed in the Business Information Warehouse, or∙ A MultiCube that presents a view on data from several BasicCubes orRemoteCubesUnlike the ODS object, the data fields of the BasicCube fact table cannot contain any character fields as key figures. Character fields are thus interpreted as keys.InfoObjectBusiness reporting objects (customers, sales,...) are called InfoObjects in BW. They are categorized as characteristics, key figures, units, time characteristics and technical characteristics (for example, request number).InfoPackageThis describes which data in a DataSource should be requested from a source system. The data can be precisely selected using selection parameters (for example, only controlling area 001 in period 10.1997).An InfoPackage can request the following types of data:∙Transaction data∙Attributes for master data∙Hierarchies for master data∙Master data textsInfoPackage groupLogically related InfoPackages are combined in an InfoPackage group.InfoProviderSuper-ordinate term for objects, for which queries are created and executed in SAP BW. There are two types of InfoProvider; objects that contain physical data and objects that do not contain physical data. Data targets, such as InfoCubes, ODS objects, and InfoObjects (characteristics with attributes, texts or hierarchies) belong to the first type of InfoProvider, and InfoSets, RemoteCubes, SAP RemoteCubes, and MultiProviders belong to the second type. InfoProviders are the objects or views that are relevant for reporting.InfoSetSemantic layer using ODS objects and master data to create reports from these objects, in particular joins between these objects. In contrast to the classic InfoSet, this data view is BW-specific. InfoSets are created and changed in the InfoSet Builder. You can define reports based on InfoSets using the BEx Query Designer.InfoSet BuilderTool for creating and changing InfoSets using repository objects from BW (InfoObjects with master data and ODS objects).InfoSet query (Abbreviation: ISQ)Corresponds to the InfoSet query, already familiar from R/3 Basis (Business Content-SRV-QUE): Tool for creating lists. The data that is to be evaluated is compiled in InfoSets. The output medium for InfoSet queries is the SAP List Viewer.InfoSourceAn InfoSource describes the quantity of all available data for a business event, or type of business event (for example, Cost Center Accounting).An InfoSource is a quantity of information that has been grouped together and can be said to belong together logically from a business point of view. InfoSources can contain either transaction data or master data (attributes, texts, and hierarchies). An InfoSource is always a quantity of InfoObjects that can be said to belong together logically. An InfoSource always refers to one scenario from an application (for example, Financial Accounting).key figureValues or quantities, such as sales revenue, fixed costs, sales quantity or number of employees.In addition to the key figures saved on the database, you have the option of defining derived (calculated) key figures in the query definition in the Business Explorer. Such key figures are calculated using a formula from the key figures of the InfoCube.Examples of derived key figures are "sales revenue per employee" (sales revenue divided by number of employees), or "variance as a percentage" or "contribution margin".labelWeb item with which you display characteristic, attribute and structure component descriptions and with which you can set a link to the context menu for the characteristic, attribute or structure component.list of conditionsWeb item that lists the available conditions and their status (active/not active/not applicable/not used) for a query view in a Web application.list of exceptionsWeb item that lists the available exceptions and their status (active/not active) for a query view in a Web application.mapWeb item that contains all the information necessary for displaying a geographical map in a Web report. The "map" Web item relates to the "map layer" Web items that are used. It has no direct connection to a data provider.map layerWeb item that contains all the information about a particular layer of a map. You use this information to determine the various display formats (color shading, bar charts, and pie charts) and their settings for the map layer.master data ID (SID)Internal key of type INT4 that you use for master data for master data-bearing characteristics, especially for hierarchy nodes and for characteristic names. Master data IDs and characteristic values are stored in master data tables (SID tables). Information about time-independent or time-dependent master data, which is stored in a P table or a Q table, is saved again in an X or Y table, using SIDs instead of characteristic values.master Web itemTemplate for a Web item. The master Web item determines the type of the Web item (for example, table, filter, chart, map, and so on) and includes default values for the attributes of each Web item. The various master Web items are available on the "Standard" tabstrip in the BEx Web Application Designer or in the BEx Web Application Wizard. You choose a master Web item from this list, assign a DataProvider to the Web item, and process the attributes to generate a Web item of your own. You add your Web item to your Web template or store it in the library so that it can be reused in the future. Web items that are stored in the library can become master Web items and be used as a template for additional Web items.Example: You take the "chart" master Web item and create various master Web items for your library: Bar charts with either vertical or horizontal bars, pie charts, and so on.master Web templateA Web template that is copied and used as a template for a new Web template.MDXMultidimensional ExpressionsQuery language for queries about data that is saved in multidimensional cubes.metadataMetadata is data about data. That is, metadata describes the origin, history and other aspects of data. Metadata enables you to use the information saved in the Business Information Warehouse effectively for reporting and analysis.There are different classes of metadata:∙technical∙businessmetadata repository。