SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC)

This includes reporting (known as "stories") used for data visualization to support key decision-making. The reports mainly feature charts—such as pie, line, and histogram charts—but can also include performance indicators (KPIs), maps, and tables. For more advanced users, SAC offers data visualization options using JavaScript, CSS, or R-script. Each prepared report can be shared with other SAC users or exported to PDF, CSV, or PowerPoint files for sharing outside the SAC tenant.

This SAC toolset supports data analysis. Using artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms, SAC can suggest the display of key indicators on appropriate charts. Augmented analytics are based on so-called Smart Features, including Smart Insights, Just Ask, and Smart Discovery, to help users generate charts for key indicators based on data or a query formulated in natural language. Additionally, the Smart Predict function analyzes available historical trends and presents possible forecasts of expenses, revenues, or costs, along with an analysis of significant change points in the examined trends.

This feature combines planning and reporting tools into one. Key elements in the planning module include currency conversion, a value flow tree, more advanced functions for predictive trend forecasting, and automated data actions. The planning module enables the creation of multiple versions of plans and/or forecasts in financial, sales, and/or management planning processes based on the same data source, which can be visible only to a specific user or the entire team. The exchange of plans or forecast versions within the SAC tenant supports collaboration across the organization. Additionally, calendar and communicator functions enhance the organization of planning processes and facilitate quick insight sharing.

This connection retrieves real-time data from SAP systems without copying it into the SAC space. This translates to improved data presentation performance and up-to-date data while maintaining security based on source system protections. SAC allows live connections to the following systems: 

• SAP HANA - SAP S/4HANA Cloud and on-premise 
• SAP BW and SAP BW/4HANA 
• SAP Datasphere 
• SAP BPC 
• SAP Universes and Web Intelligence Documents

Allows users to import a copy of data from available systems. This provides wide-ranging data operations for transformation, modeling, planning version preparation, and data analysis. This connection type allows data import from both SAP systems and non-SAP systems, such as: 

• SQL databases 
• OData services 
• Google Drive and Google BigQuery 
• Salesforce 
• Qualtrics 
•  .xls/x, .csv, and .txt files

SAC provides a wide range of data presentation features that enable clients to draw insights quickly, aiding decision-making.

Planning features support budget and investment planning for the upcoming years, helping to anticipate potential benefits.

After creating plans, it is possible to compare selected metrics on charts and conduct analyses, such as variance between plan data and actual data.

As the company grows, SAC allows you to add new users, making it suitable for companies at various development stages.

Changes in SAC reports are available in real-time, providing team or project members with access to the latest reports, and allowing them to act immediately based on the current business situation.

SAC structures data using star or snowflake schemas and aggregates data based on time dimensions, hierarchical structures (organizational or product-based), geographic locations, or other business-defined criteria. This improves data organization quality and report presentation quality. Additionally, SAC enables data integration from various sources (SAP and non-SAP) and processes high volumes of data (millions of rows) without compromising performance.

SAC reports can be accessed from mobile devices like tablets or smartphones, allowing data analysis from anywhere with internet access. 

DATA SECURITY 

All data for analysis, reporting, or simulation imported from various source systems is stored in SAC's cloud, secured by the system's provider.