SAP BI Research Study?

[Former Member]

Hello Everyone,

I am currently pursuing my MBA (MIS) at California State University, Chico. Since a couple of weeks I have been searching for some topic in the domain of SAP BI for conducting an independent research study. I am unable to figure out any solution for the same. Over the last semester I have gained tremendous insights on SAP Business Intelligence via. a grad level course. I did get hands on experience on data warehousing as well. But after I began my search on the Internet to familiarize myself with the current situation I was flabbergasted. There is so much happening around us and there are a plethora of skills to acquire that I feel like robbing a bank to become a millionaire only to enroll myself for all the courses across the globe which would inundate me with cutting edge skills within SAP. I consider myself as a toddler. Actually, not even a toddler! But I do not intend to get demotivated and neither do I want to be a part of the problem. I need to find solutions.

So I would like all you experts to pitch in your ideas as to what you feel are considerably the most sustainable topics in SAP BI and Data Warehousing? Which topics need more research hours and would demand oneself to ponder upon it with an intent to come up with innovations later in our research? Which topics have the most potential? (By topics I mean: Either related to warehousing...DTP's, Transformations, Delta, Process Chains, Cubes, DSO's, Queries ..MDM in general..etc etc etc. or say SAP BI Accelerator, SAP BO Explorer, SOA, BPM, Portal etc)

With regards to the aforementioned topic set I would also want to host a question: After you suggest a topic out of the above mentioned set, would you all still think it is going to be worthwhile spending my time on such topics or would you suggest me to look out for something new in the BI world which may help me at work later or even embellish my resume...for e.g. working on some innovation or some fancy idea (with out without a programmer alongside me)

I may sound obtuse but would the following type of study help: "Considering the need for better analysis of transactional data by anyone in general, not necessarily the top-level so to speak, what if we have audio files (results) (podcasts sorts) for iphones if the display is not large enough to fit graphs, bar charts etc. One can always have a wireless blue tooth head set device for constantly having an option to avail days end results for critical issues." This is what I feel is fancy. Could be immature too. But would this help?

I may have sounded immature but I need to figure out the right path..which is why I have come to the right bunch of people. I am awaiting some of the most informative responses. Please acknowledge!

Thanks and Regards,

Akshay Thussu

[HDM · Accepted solution]

Akshay,

You have two great resources right on your campus that I suggest you take advantage of. Dr. Lorraine Gardiner does a lot of work in Business Intelligence and can likely suggest "hot topics" she hears about as she works with the business community, attends conferences, and so on. She can also give you some direction in terms of topics that are supportable by the University Alliances program and the hosting site that would need to provide you access to software for your independent study.

Dr. Ray Boykin has outstanding business contacts - both past graduates of Chico that keep in touch as well as companies that frequently recruit on your campus. He can probably set you in the correct direction as well based on requests he's heard from employers. Again, he can suggest topics that are also supportable in terms of access to software.

Later this summer, you will see job board functionality coming to the UAC (https://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/scn/ua-career) ... check back, as this feature will connect you with companies looking for graduates from UA member schools among other skillsets.

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Hello Heather,

I am going to pursue my research under Dr. Lorraine Gardiner itself. I wanted to diversify and inundate myself with external and equally respectable perspectives, which is why I opted to venture here.

The job board functionality in the UAC sounds ethereal. I shall definitely keep in touch with the same.

Thank you very much for reverting back. I have come across some really wonderful bunch of people in this community.

Regards,

Akshay

[Former Member]

Hi

In terms of topics, one of the biggest issues facing companies is the transition to the new BOBJ reporting tools. Companies are unsure of their reporting roadmap as Bex is being phased out. So research related to how companies are approaching the transition would be very relevant. Also related to this is the decision processes related to reporting tool selection. SAP customers are being presented with a plethora of reporting tools. What are the factors used to decide which tools should be implemented?

Another trend which is emerging is the establishment of BI Centres of Excellence or BI Competency Centres. Drivers, barriers, purpose etc would be relevant research.

I hope this helps

Paul Hawking

SAP Academic Program Driector

Victoria University

Australia

[Former Member]

Hello Mr. Paul,

Business Objects is definitely on my radar. The motivation and the approach which may go behind a transition seems pretty intriguing.

I was not intending to completely base my research upon the reporting tools which are being offered currently. I thought I could take one of the vendors and build on from what they have as an offering as of now. I wanted to innovate a little bit in this domain so to speak. I do not have the money, the resources, the programming brain or any of the most important elements which may go behind such a research which ends in a new product. But I do have the rights to research and put down my thoughts somewhere. That will absolutely satisfy me.

BI Centers of Excellence or BI Competency Centers sound interesting too. But I am not sure how will it scaffold my future in a standard 9 to 5 job?

Your views were immaculate and have very much second my thought patterns.

I am really grateful to you.

Thanks and Regards,

Akshay

[RichBlumberg]

Akshay,

Hi! Your BI posting is very timely! The University Alliances Community is further developing the UA Career Center and so we are very thoughtful about students who are assessing their career path.

SAP Business Intelligence is a very hot topic and a great trend to consider in your professional development!

Here are some interesting data points....

• [Academic Research Centers |]

• [Business Intelligence Presentation|https://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/scn/go/portal/prtroot/docs/library/uuid/b00a1a75-c49d-2b10-0ebb-ecc80ab88994]

• [SAP Business Intelligence|http://www.sap.com/solutions/sapbusinessobjects/large/intelligenceplatform/index.epx] (SAP.com)

Graduates who have a combination of business and IT skills are in high demand.

As for your question on which area is the best???

The ones you named have many valuable attributes! Focus on business intelligence in any of the following areas and you'll have a long and prosperous career:

#1: Analyzing revenues

#2: Assessing operational effieciencies

#3: Identifying smart areas for cost savings

Also assess data quality, data integrity, and data integration into one platform!

Good luck and check back with us as we further develop our UA Career Center which will include SAP BI.

[Former Member]

Hello Mr. Richard,

I am very glad to hear that the University Alliances Community is further developing the UA Career Center.

BI is hot indeed. That is what I figured from the latest podcasts and articles.

Focusing on SAP NetWeaver and Business Objects Intelligence is something which has been advised to me by each and every person on SDN. So that is not going off my radar at all.

But I wanted to double it up with some basic programming. ABAP or basis. I have to start them from scratch. But is there any possibility for me to double the two in one study? And will it give me even an iota of a chance to acquire my first job ever in this field? I do not have 5+ 10+ 15+ experience as per all job descriptions I have been looking at. Either its the consultants or the 10+ work exp needed game!!

I wonder where these experienced folks must have applied for the very first time?

Anyways that is besides the main issue here.

Okay, I did check the ARC.

This looks so impressive. Is it still being conceptualised? When will it achieve fruition?

Thank you so much for taking some time out. I really appreciate it.

Regards,

Akshay Thussu

[Former Member]

I apologize for being in the wrong thread...I thought my queries would get catered here..

Also, since I am new, I could not do the formatting which is why the whole text for my post is in one huge paragraph...All apologies.

Furthermore, I am unable to delete it. Help!