SAP BO INTRODUCTION

   Introduction to Designer

     1.1 Overview

This chapter gives you an overview of the Designer tool which is used to build universes. It also describes about the universes, how they are created, what they contain, and the role of universes in your business environment.
A typical universe development cycle is described, with recommended best design practices. Also, the demonstration databases and universes shipped with this release are described.

    1.2 What is a universe

A universe is a file that contains:

Connection parameters for one or more database middleware.
SQL structures called objects that map to actual SQL structures in the database such as columns, tables, and database functions. Objects are grouped into classes. Objects and classes are both visible to Interactive Analysis users.

a schema of the tables and joins used in the database. Objects are built from the database structures that you include in your schema. The schema is only available to Designer users. It is not visible to Interactive Analysis users.

Users connect to a universe, and run queries against a database. They can do data analysis and create reports using the objects in a universe, without seeing, or having to know anything about, the underlying data structures in the database.

    1.3 What is the role of a universe ?

The role of a universe is to provide an easy to use and understand interface, for non technical Interactive Analysis users. Also to run queries against a database to create reports and perform data analysis.

    1.4 What does a universe contain ?

Universe is basically divided into two areas:

1.Universe Pane

2.Structure  Pane

      1.5 Universe Pane:

• Classes

• Objects

Classes: A class is a logical grouping of objects within a universe. It represents a category of objects. The class name should indicate the category of the objects that it contains. A class can be divided hierarchically into subclasses.

Objects: An object is a named component that maps to data or a derivation of data in the database. The name of an object should be drawn from the business vocabulary of the targeted user group. For example, objects used in a universe used by a product manager could be Product, Life Cycle, or Release Date. A universe used by a financial analyst might contain objects such as Profit Margin or Return on Investment.

     1.6 Types of objects

In Designer, the objects are classified as dimension, detail, and measure.

The following table gives a brief introduction of the object types:

    1.7 Structure Pane:

As a universe designer you create this schema based on the tables and join that are required to return the data, needed by users for their analysis and report creation.
The schema is a part of the universe file, but is only visible and accessible in Designer. You can create a schema in the "Structure pane" of the "Universe window". A schema for the sample universe Beach.unv is as shown:

      2.Basic Operations to familiar within Designer:

• Starting Designer

• Importing a universe

• Opening a universe

• Exporting a universe

• Saving a universe

• Importing a universe

You can import one or more universes stored in a universe folder in the repository. You can only import a universe that has already been exported to the repository. When you import a universe; the CMS checks the universe version on the repository file system. If the version is identical, the universe is made available to Designer. If the universe version on the repository file system is more recent than the CMS version, a message box appears asking if you want to replace the universe in the folder. If you answer yes, then the universe on the repository file system is replaced by the version in the CMS.

     Importing a universe from the repository

1.Select File > Import.

The "Import Universe" dialog box appears.

2.Select a universe folder from the drop down list box.

Or

Click the Browse button and select a universe using the folder browser. You want to import a universe from this folder.

3.  If you want to lock the universe, double-click the universe name.

A locked universe appears with a padlock symbol. To unlock a universe, double-click it again.

4.  Click a universe name.

This is the universe that you want to import.

5.Verify the file path for the import folder in the Import Folder box.

The universe is imported to this folder.

6.  Click OK.