- SAP Managed Tags:
Motivation:
With the introduction of SAP Business Data Cloud (BDC), it's quite common and natural to wonder about the relationship between SAP BDC Intelligent Applications and SAP Business Content (traditional) which is delivered in many SAP solutions like SAP BW/4HANA, SAP Datasphere, SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) etc. I have observed that this is one of the most frequently asked questions. So, I thought of writing this blog to share some details on these two types of content and provide insights into their distinctions.
Background:
SAP Business Data Cloud (BDC) is a fully managed SaaS solution that unifies and governs all SAP data and seamlessly connects with third-party data, providing line-of-business leaders context for more impactful decision-making. It brings together and combines powerful SAP solutions i.e. SAP Datasphere, SAP Analytics Cloud, SAP BW/4HANA (SAP BW) and SAP Databricks (managed by SAP) to deliver a complete business data fabric solution with AI/ML capabilities.
High-level Architecture of SAP Business Data Cloud:
A short overview on some important terms (which are already discussed in detail in many other blogs on SAP BDC):
SAP Business Content
SAP Business Content refers to pre-built, ready-to-use data models, reports, and dashboards that are designed to help businesses quickly and efficiently implement SAP solutions. These content packages are tailored to specific business processes and industries, providing valuable insights and actionable recommendations out-of-the-box.
Data Products
A data product is a data set (master data /transactional data) exposed for consumption outside the boundaries of the application/systems producing the data via APIs . A Data Product typically includes the data itself, along with any necessary documentation, metadata, etc. needed to understand and use the data effectively. They are designed by LOB owners to be easily accessible and usable by different teams or individuals within an organization. So, these are the foundational component of SAP Business Data Cloud.
Data Package
A Data Package in simple terms is a collection of related Data Products. When a Data Package is installed all the Data Products inside it are made available in SAP BDC.
Intelligent Applications (previously known as Insight Apps)
SAP BDC Intelligent Applications consists of pre-delivered , pre-packaged analytical content (right from the Data Products on top of raw data in source LOB systems to a dashboard on top of semantically rich and curated data model) which is managed by SAP end to end. These apps are turnkey, meaning they are ready to use upon installation from the SAP BDC cockpit and come with pre-built data transfer jobs, analytical models in SAP Datasphere and dashboards, such as SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) stories, that are ready to use once activated.
Before diving into the key differences, let me shed some light on them with the following analogy where imagine you are planning a dinner party.
SAP Business Content is like ordering a meal kit from a restaurant. The kit comes with all the basic ingredients pre-measured, prepped, and ready to cook, along with detailed instructions (how-to guides, instructions for setting connections, data loads, etc.) for each recipe. So, you just need to follow the steps to prepare the meal. You have the option to either follow the recipe and use the provided ingredients to make a perfect dish (use Business Content as such), or you can customize it by adding more ingredients or skipping some according to your taste or dietary preferences (customize or adjust the Business Content). You can also add your own garnishes or sides to enhance the meal. However, for this dinner party, you would need to pick the dishes yourself, decide on the quantity of each dish based on the number of guests, and prepare them accordingly. This might include selecting appetizers, main courses, and desserts, and ensuring everything is ready on time and goes well together.
On the other hand, SAP BDC Intelligent Applications are like getting everything catered. The caterer has already curated different catering plans, including appetizers, main courses, and desserts, tailored to the time of day and theme of the party based on their industry experience and customer reviews. The quantities are adjusted based on the number of attendees, and the caterer ensures that all the dishes complement each other perfectly. In this case, you just need to place an order (install the Intelligent Applications) according to your requirements, and the caterer takes care of everything from there. If there is a need to enhance or customize the menu, for example, if the caterer provides brownies for dessert but some guests prefer vanilla ice cream with it, you can easily add the ice cream yourself. This way, you get a comprehensive, managed, and integrated dining experience with minimal effort on your part. Additionally, the caterer provides everything needed to keep the food warm and set up on the table, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience for your guests. Moreover, the caterer can periodically enhance the flavours or include new menu items in the package offered, keeping the dining experience fresh and exciting.
I hope this helps clarify the distinctions between SAP Business Content and SAP BDC Intelligent Applications and now, let's take a closer look at the differences.
Intelligent Applications vs. Business Content: Key Differences
Aspect | SAP BDC Intelligent Applications | SAP Business Content |
Delivery Method | Delivered and installed directly from SAP BDC Cockpit | Accessed through the content network or content package section depending in the SAP solution ( SAP Analytics Cloud, SAP Datasphere, SAP BW/4HANA etc.) |
Integration and Comprehensiveness | Provide end-to-end and closed-loop analytics and decision-making .Includes all the objects like data connection, data replication jobs, data models, dashboards | Requires manual installation and setup, and is specific to a particular SAP solution. For example, Business Content in SAP Datasphere will include data models, but there may or may not be corresponding Business Content in SAP Analytics Cloud (SAP SAC) on top of SAP Datasphere content to close the loop for end to end scenario |
Customization | SAP delivered content as part of Intelligent Applications cannot be modified/changed that is always read-only and in SAP protected spaces. However, most of the content can be extended by building on top of delivered data products or by copying into customer space and making adjustments. E.g. Copy SAP SAC part of Intelligent Applications into a customer folder and adjust it | Serves as a template , can be deployed as-is or fully customized to suit specific needs and data can be loaded as per the requirements |
Data Consolidation | Intelligent Applications can be based on Data Products from multiple systems, such as LOB systems like S/4HANA and Success Factors. However, if there are multiple instances of one system, example Success Factors within the same foundation, then currently, data must be consolidated in the SAP DSP layer, which is similar to customization | Once the content is installed, data can be loaded from multiple systems. |
Cost | Not free, they have to be subscribed based on the LOB solutions in the landscape | Free of charge |
Management and Ownership | Owned by SAP as they are delivered and managed by SAP | Delivered by SAP but serves as a template; customers have to do all the plumbing work .Owned by customers after installation |
Capabilities | Include AI/ML capabilities, rich semantics, and actionable insights | May be missing some of these advanced capabilities |
Implementation | Come out of the box fully functional and ready to use. Install them from the SAP BDC Cockpit | Customers have to adjust it after installing according to their needs |
Data Preparation | All data acquisition, loading, transformation, and harmonization is already done by SAP | Customers have to set up connections, create data loads, integrate, load, and harmonize on their own |
Lifecycle Management | Managed in a single place as part of BDC Cockpit | Has to be managed differently in each system if delivered across different solutions |
Updates | New updates are automatically delivered by SAP (customers just need to install updates, similar to app updates on smartphones) | Customers have to manage all steps if new enhancements are delivered, updating each system separately |
Access Controls | Access controls are already in place . Assignment of users to the roles need to be done after Intelligent Applications are installed | Access controls have to be defined and set up manually later |
Real-time Capability | Out-of-the-box real-time capabilities | Real-time capabilities can vary depending on the source system and the data loads |
Conclusion: Which one to go with?
While investments continue in developing and refining Business Content across various SAP solutions, the introduction of Intelligent Applications through SAP Business Data Cloud (BDC) marks a shift towards more integrated and cloud-native analytics solutions. Intelligent Applications provide a comprehensive, managed, and integrated experience within the SAP Business Data Cloud (BDC) ecosystem, whereas Business Content offers customizable pre-built analytics for different scenarios within SAP solution.
So, the way I look at this is if SAP Business Data Cloud (BDC) is available in the landscape and depending on the subscription of Intelligent Applications, the delivered Intelligent Applications should be used for the specific use case. If no Intelligent Applications are currently available, Business Content can be utilized to accelerate implementation (if available). Once an Intelligent Application becomes available in SAP Business Data Cloud, it can be leveraged for a complete end-to-end solution, and the previous Business Content-based approach can be phased out for that particular use case.
Thanks!
Harji
5 Comments
