What’s New in SAP Analytics Cloud Modeling Extensi...

AmandaJMurphy · ‎2024 Jul 04

Purpose

Greetings SAP Community colleagues!

This blog introduces the latest updates to Modeling Extensions and Integration features within SAP Analytics Cloud, as part of the QRC3 2024 release.

Overview

1. Standard Unit Conversion

Modelers and Planners can now create measures and conversion measures of type Unit, to perform standard unit conversion, such length, weight, height.

A read-only Standard Unit Conversion table is available in the Conversions tab of the Modeler, to allow for technical reference.

2. Data Export API - Delta Difference

The Data Export API, subscriptions feature has been extended, so modelers and planners can now see the difference between new and old fact data values.

3. Important news regarding Details() formula.

Changes are being made to the Details () formula. See KBA 3235670 - Details () Formula in SAP Analytics Cloud Modeler is Deprecated

Let’s take a closer look at these features in greater detail.

1. Standard Unit Conversion

It is now possible to create a conversion measure of type Unit on models that contain measures, using a Cloud Foundry environment.

A unit conversion measure will convert source values from the base measure to the specified target units, that belong to the same unit group, using values from the standard unit conversion table. Some examples of unit groups include Length, Density and Weight.

You can also add calculated measures based on the unit conversion, or work with the converted values in your stories and for planning purposes.

The Standard Unit Conversion table is available for reference from the Conversions tab of the Modeller.

A. Create one, or more unit properties on a dimension. This step is optional and suitable when you wish to apply units to specific members, such as, defining different weight types for different countries.

Figure 1: Unit Properties on a Dimension

B. Enable Unit on the source measure of the Details panel.

Here the modeler may choose a Fixed unit from the drop down or From Dimension unit property.

Figure 2: Defining Fixed Unit in km

Figure 3: Defining Units from a Unit Property of a Dimension

C. In the Calculations Workspace, create a Unit Conversion measure.

Choose the source measure containing the source unit and choose Fixed unit as the target or From Dimension unit property.

Figure 4: Create a Unit Conversion Measure

D. Conversion applies to units that belong to the same unit group.

For units that are not part of the same unit group, no conversion is applied.

Note that it is still possible to enter a custom unit type in the source or target measure.

No conversion will take place for custom units that are not present in the Standard Unit Conversion table.

Figure 5: Sample Unit Conversion Measure Showing Minutes to Seconds

You can also add calculated measures based on the conversion, or work with the converted values in your stories and for planning purposes.

Note: The facility to permit the creation or alteration of units within the Standard Unit Table is planned.

2. Data Export API - Delta Difference

Delta is part of the Data Export API, which allows customers to track real-time changes of Fact Data within their models.

This is configured by modelers or planners, from the Data Management workspace of their model, through the creation of subscriptions.

Figure 6: Subscriptions Feature within a Model

Delta changes are tracked within these subscriptions.

To date, these delta changes track new records, as they are updated within their model.

With Delta Difference, the subscriptions feature has been extended, so modelers and planners can now see the difference between their new and old measure values.

In the screenshot, we see a Cost of 100, the user updates the value to 250, so the delta value is 250.

Figure 7: Delta Difference Values

For example, cost is 100, the value is updated to 250, therefore the Delta difference is the difference between their new & old measure values, which is 150.

This allows for better alignment with S/4 systems and how delta is notated here.

3. Important news regarding the Details() Formula.

The Details() formula is a deprecated feature.

This formula, along with the “Calculated On” column will be completely removed from SAP Analytics Cloud soon, so it is important that modellers and planners replace any formulas within their models containing a Details () formula with an Exception Aggregation using type SUM and Exception Aggregation Dimension using All Members to see the same results.

To further help with optimizing the performance of these formulas, modellers and planners can choose specific dimensions and dimension properties within the Exception Aggregation Dimension field.

As part of this phased approach to removing this formula, error messages will soon be seen in the model against formulas containing Details() in the “Calculated On” column. The following KBA should be followed to help overcome these warning and error messages KBA 3235670 - Details () Formula in SAP Analytics Cloud Modeler is Deprecated

Conclusion

In summary, the following new features and updates have been introduced to the Modeling Extensions and Integration areas of SAP Analytics Cloud.

It is now possible to create a conversion measure of type Unit, to convert standard units of measurement. A read-only Standard Unit Conversion table can be referenced from the Conversions tab of the Modeler page in SAC.
The Data Export API subscriptions feature has been extended to now compute the difference between new and old fact data values.
Changes are being made to the Details () formula. See KBA 3235670 - Details () Formula in SAP Analytics Cloud Modeler is Deprecated

If you have any questions, feel free to comment below or post a question to our SAP Analytics Cloud Questions & Answers forum.

See this SAP Knowledge Base Article if you’d like to learn more about FastTrack and Quarterly Release Cycle releases.

For further information, visit our SAP Analytics Cloud Community pages to find more product information, best practices, and more.

To find out more about QRC release dates, see SAP Analytics Cloud tenants on Quarterly Release Cycle (QRC) updates in 2024.

Check out our SAP Road Map Explorer to see more upcoming features of SAP Analytics Cloud.

Thanks for reading!