Exploring SAP Analytics Cloud's AI feature: Just Ask

[yogen_patil]

In past couple of years, we have seen different technology innovations. Latest innovations have changed the perception about data. SAP Analytics Cloud has introduced new AI feature ‘Just Ask’.

The initial release of just ask is version 2024 Q1 QRC or 2024.02. 

Just Ask is a natural language query interface. Just Ask enables you to search your data easily and efficiently using business terms you are familiar with. Simply ask your question using natural language, and Just Ask will instantly provide answers as simple charts and tables. We can transform this data as per our need.

How to access Just Ask

Just Ask can be directly accessed from the SAP Analytics Cloud home page.

1. As a question

2. Bulb Icon on toolbar

How Just Ask answer your question :

Just ask will try to answer your question by referring information from acquired data models.

How to add model :

Administrator has rights to add available data models. Administrator can go to option ‘Manage Models’ and select available models.

Which models can be accessed via Just Ask :

1. Acquired data models.

2. SAP Datasphere models.

If you don’t have acquired data models & SAP Datasphere models, then you can use Sample Model provided by SAP to try ‘Just Ask’ feature.  All indexed models are available in this screen. 

 

What happens when we add model :

1. Models get indexed and make it available for natural language queries.

2. There are 4 tabs in model management :

a. Overview : Overview of Model structure 

b. Export data : We can add parameters and filters.

c. Rules : You can create your own rules in existing model

d. Log : We can access Refresh logs, Connection Status and Syncing entities and measures.

3. If you are thinking if we can add/ edit / delete model after adding it . Then yes, you can manage it later as per requirement. 

What next :

Visit the ‘Just ask’ and ask a question by selecting available model:

 

Also, we can see suggestions from SAP while typing our question. 

 

Output :

 

By default, SAC has provided output in the form of chart when I have selection 1 month period. We can interact with this data to make changes as per our need using below icons.

 

1. Change period filter.

2. Change Chart.

3. View data in Tabular format.

4. Analyze the data. 

5. Further we can drill down or change axis or export the output.

As it is just initial release of Just Ask; there are limitations like you can’t access live data models. But I assume it be included in future release. 

Just ask is available in tenants running in Google Cloud Platform, Microsoft Azure, and Amazon Web Services data centers. Just ask is enabled for end-users through a tenant administration toggle. It is turned off by default. When turned on end-user will access just ask instead of search-to-insight.