Modernising Data Management: The Strategic Move from SAP BW to SAP Datasphere

Overview

 “During the publishing of this blog, SAP announced the release of SAP Business Cloud (BDC). This blog focuses on SAP Datasphere’s native capabilities in BDC, and we will be releasing a follow up blog that will incorporate the new exciting features of BW Modernisation to BDC”

In a fast-paced digital world, businesses are increasingly recognising the need to modernise their data management systems. One significant shift is the transition from SAP Business Warehouse (SAP BW) to SAP Datasphere and SAP . This move is not just a technological upgrade but a strategic decision that can lead to greater levels of efficiency, scalability, and innovation.

In my role as senior Data and Analytics Consultant at NTT DATA Business Solutions, I have gained expertise working across SAP BW implementations in local and global organisations. In this blog, I will explore the motivations for this change, the benefits it offers, the steps involved in making this strategic move and the option to transition existing investments of SAP BW into the cloud.

The Need for Modernisation

For years, SAP BW has been a cornerstone for many organisations’ data management strategies. However, as data volumes grow and the need for real-time analytics becomes more critical, traditional on-premise systems like SAP BW face several limitations. These include challenges in scalability, integration with modern data sources, and the ability to support advanced analytics and integrate AI capabilities.

SAP BW – Current Challenges 

SAP Datasphere, on the other hand, is a Data Warehouse as a Service (DWaaS) offering built on SAP HANA Cloud, with rapid release cycles and seamless integration with existing SAP systems. Its flexibility and scalability make it ideal for modern data environments.

End of Support for SAP BW Releases

As the strategic direction for SAP’s data warehousing and management in the public cloud, SAP Datasphere is set to replace SAP BW solutions.

Data Warehousing – Statement of Direction of SAP                        Source: SAP

One of the critical triggers for organisations to consider moving from SAP BW to SAP Datasphere is the end of support for various SAP BW releases.

SAP BW 7.5, for instance, will reach the end of mainstream maintenance by December 31, 2027, with extended maintenance available until December 31, 2030. Similarly, SAP BW/4HANA 2.0 will be supported until December 31, 2025.

These deadlines create a sense of urgency for businesses to transition to more modern and supported platforms. Moving to SAP Datasphere not only ensures continued support but also provides access to the latest innovations in data management and analytics.

Maintenance for SAP BW and BW/4HANA                                          Source: SAP

Benefits of Moving to SAP Datasphere

1. Scalability and Performance

Unlike on-premise systems, which require substantial investments in hardware and maintenance, SAP Datasphere leverages the cloud’s elasticity to scale effortlessly. This means businesses can scale their data infrastructure up or down based on demand, ensuring optimal performance without the overhead costs.

2. Integration and Interoperability

SAP Datasphere is built to integrate seamlessly with a wide range of data sources, both SAP and non-SAP, on-premises or in the Cloud. This includes integration with SAP S/4HANA, SAP BW/4HANA, and other third-party data sources.

3. Advanced Analytics and AI

With SAP Datasphere, organisations can leverage advanced analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. The platform supports real-time data processing and analytics, enabling businesses to gain insights faster and make data-driven decisions. Additionally, SAP’s partnerships with leading AI and data vendors enhance the platform’s capabilities, allowing for more sophisticated data analysis and machine learning applications.

4. Cost Efficiency

Moving to a cloud-based data management solution like SAP Datasphere can result in significant cost savings. Organisations can reduce their capital expenditures on hardware and infrastructure while benefiting from a subscription-based pricing model. This shift from CapEx to OpEx allows for more predictable budgeting and financial planning.

5. Enhanced Security and Compliance

Data security and compliance are paramount in today’s business environment. SAP Datasphere offers robust security features, including data encryption, access controls, and compliance with industry standards and regulations. This ensures that sensitive data is protected and that organisations can meet their regulatory requirements.

Steps to Transition from SAP BW to SAP Datasphere

Transitioning from SAP BW to SAP Datasphere involves several key steps. Here is a high-level overview of the process:

1. Assessment and Planning

Assessment and planning are crucial for a successful migration. This step involves a thorough evaluation of your current SAP BW environment and developing a detailed migration strategy.

In other words, this step involves identifying integration, data models, reports, and processes that need to be migrated and determining the best approach for the transition.

SAP offers a complimentary SAP BW system assessment (BW Move Readiness Check) to help organisations on their transition. Extending on the SAP Readiness Check report, NTT Data offers a free two-day assessment service to analyse the current BW state and the complexity of the landscape to deliver a recommendation of the key next steps and guidance on the BW modernisation journey.

2. Choosing the Migration Method

There are several data warehousing strategies for a smooth transition to the Cloud, which provide flexibility for organisations to modernise their data warehousing landscape while protecting existing investments. Each migration option has its pros and cons.

SAP BW Bridge is a key capability designed to facilitate the transition from SAP BW NetWeaver and SAP BW/4HANA to SAP Datasphere. By using SAP BW Bridge, organisations can gradually transition their data warehousing workloads to the cloud, ensuring a smooth and controlled migration process.

In summary, this is how it works:

• Data Integration: SAP BW Bridge enables the reuse of SAP BW data structures, transformations, and customisations within SAP Datasphere. This ensures continuity and protects existing investments.
• Staging and Extraction: SAP BW Bridge provides ABAP-based data extraction and staging capabilities, allowing organisations to continue using their familiar SAP BW processes in the cloud.
• Hybrid Scenarios: SAP BW Bridge supports hybrid deployment scenarios, where data can be managed both on-premise and in the cloud. This flexibility allows for a phased migration, reducing the risk and complexity associated with a full-scale immediate transition.
• Operational Data Provisioning (ODP): The bridge leverages ODP for data extraction, ensuring efficient and reliable data transfer from SAP BW to SAP Datasphere.

In this context, there are two primary methods for migrating from SAP BW to SAP Datasphere, SAP BW Bridge: remote conversion and shell conversion.

Remote conversion involves transferring both metadata and data and it is suitable for organisations that want to migrate their entire data landscape and require immediate access to all historical data in SAP Datasphere.

Shell conversion is a faster method as it transfers only metadata (data models, structures…), allowing for a phased migration where data can be moved gradually over time.

By carefully assessing the current environment and recommending the right migration method, NTT Data can set the stage for a successful transition to SAP Datasphere. This strategic move can help organisations unlock new levels of efficiency, scalability, and innovation in data management.

3. Preparing the Environment

Before starting the migration, it is essential to prepare both the source and target environments. This includes, for example, updating the source system to the latest patch level, checking for custom code and creating the necessary connections between the source and target systems. In summary, ensuring that all necessary prerequisites are met. Proper preparation helps minimise potential issues during the migration.

4. Executing the Migration

Once the environment is prepared, the migration process can begin. This means, transferring the metadata and data, and validating the migration. SAP provides detailed guides and tools to support this process, ensuring a smooth transition.

5. Post-Migration Activities

Once the migration is complete, there are several post-migration activities to consider. These include validating the data, optimising the new environment, and training users on the new system. Continuous monitoring and optimisation help ensure that the new SAP Datasphere environment operates efficiently and meets the organisation’s needs.

Our accelerators (SMART Plays) will ensure we deliver on time and without re-inventing the wheel!. ​

To streamline the adoption of SAP Datasphere and ensure timely delivery, we have developed accelerators (SMART Plays) that leverage proven methods and tools. These accelerators enable us to deliver solutions efficiently without the need to start from scratch.

1. BW Move!. This accelerator offers a 2-day advisory engagement which interprets and adds on the free BW Move Readiness Check offered by SAP, including workshops with stakeholders to understand SAP BW’s current state and landscape, complexity drivers and areas for improvement. By leveraging this accelerator, organisations can get a clear understanding of the BW Move options available and the preferred modernisation path, the risks and complexities involved and the next steps in the modernisation journey.

2. SAP Datasphere Starter Pack. This accelerator supports the transition to the cloud by providing a standardised framework for deploying SAP Datasphere across the organisation. It includes pre-delivered standards for integration, data model design, space design, content lifecycle management, data governance and naming conventions. It also includes setting up the ingestion of two key data sources to SAP Datasphere, their unit tests and the education of in-house team along the way. By leveraging this accelerator, organisations can significantly accelerate time to value by reducing the effort required to deploy SAP Datasphere.

NTT Data’s accelerator packages have already helped many organisations get a quick head start in this journey.

Real-World Success Stories

NTT Data has assisted many organisations to successfully transition from SAP BW to SAP Datasphere, realising significant benefits in the process including substantial performance improvements and a simplified data landscape. By leveraging SAP Datasphere’s advanced analytics capabilities, these organizations have gained deeper insights and driven innovation.

Conclusion

The transition from SAP BW to SAP Datasphere represents a strategic move towards modernising data management. By leveraging the cloud’s scalability, integrating with diverse data sources, and enabling advanced analytics, SAP Datasphere provides a robust foundation for data-driven decision-making.

We invite organisations to embark on this transformative journey, to unlock new levels of efficiency, fuel innovation and competitive advantage.

If your organisation is considering this move, now is the time to start planning. With the right strategy and support from NTT Data, the transition to SAP Datasphere can be a smooth and rewarding journey!

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