SAP Embedded Analytics (AFO)

Real-Time Analytics Embedded in S/4HANA

SAP’s Analytics Foundation Object (AFO) and embedded analytics capabilities bring powerful real-time reporting directly into S/4HANA business processes. We help you leverage CDS views, Virtual Data Models, and embedded analytics to enable instant insights without data replication.

What is Embedded Analytics?

Embedded analytics in S/4HANA provides:

• Real-time data access - No data replication, always current
• Operational reporting - Analytics embedded in transactional processes
• Predefined content - 10,000+ delivered CDS views and analytics
• Extensibility - Build custom CDS views and analytics apps
• HANA power - Leverage in-memory computing for speed

Our Embedded Analytics Services

CDS View Development

Create custom Core Data Services views for analytics:

• Requirements analysis for custom analytics
• CDS view design (basic, composite, consumption views)
• Annotations for analytical capabilities
• Performance optimization
• Authorization and security
• Integration with SAP Analytics Cloud
• Fiori app integration
• Documentation and knowledge transfer

Virtual Data Model (VDM) Implementation

Leverage S/4HANA’s Virtual Data Model:

VDM Layers:

• Basic Views - Direct access to tables/structures
• Composite Views - Business logic and calculations
• Consumption Views - Ready-to-consume analytics queries

Our Services:

• Understand and navigate VDM structure
• Extend delivered VDM content
• Build custom VDM extensions
• Create reusable VDM components
• Optimize VDM query performance

Embedded Analytics Implementation

Deploy real-time analytics in S/4HANA:

Fiori Analytics Apps

• Configure delivered analytical apps
• Create custom analytical apps
• KPI tile configuration
• Smart business services
• Drill-down reports

Query & Report Development

• SAP Query on CDS views
• Custom analytical queries
• ALV Grid reports enhanced with CDS
• Multidimensional reporting

Dashboard Integration

• Embed analytics in Fiori Launchpad
• KPI monitoring dashboards
• Real-time alerts and notifications
• Mobile analytics access

S/4HANA to SAC Integration

Connect embedded analytics to SAP Analytics Cloud:

• Live SAC connections to S/4HANA
• CDS view exposure to SAC
• Real-time dashboard development
• Planning write-back to S/4HANA
• Blended scenarios (BW + S/4HANA)

CDS View Development Process

1. Requirements & Design

• Identify analytics use case
• Determine required fields and calculations
• Design view hierarchy (basic → composite → consumption)
• Plan authorizations and security

2. Development

• Create basic CDS views on tables
• Build composite views with joins and calculations
• Add consumption views with analytical annotations
• Implement currency/unit conversions
• Add aggregations and measures

3. Annotations & Metadata

@Analytics.dataCategory: #CUBE
@Analytics.internalName: #LOCAL
@AbapCatalog.sqlViewName: 'ZISALESORDER'
@AccessControl.authorizationCheck: #CHECK
define view Z_I_SalesOrderAnalytics
  as select from vbak as SalesOrder
  association [0..1] to I_Customer as _Customer

4. Testing & Optimization

• Data preview and validation
• Performance testing
• Authorization testing
• SAC integration testing

5. Deployment & Training

• Transport to production
• User documentation
• Training for business users
• Monitoring and support

Embedded Analytics Use Cases

Finance

• Real-time P&L monitoring
• Cash flow analysis
• Accounts receivable aging
• Budget vs. actuals tracking
• Cost center analytics

Sales & Distribution

• Sales order pipeline analysis
• Customer profitability
• Delivery performance tracking
• Backorder monitoring
• Sales rep performance

Materials Management

• Inventory turnover analysis
• Stock valuation reports
• Purchase order analytics
• Supplier performance tracking
• Material consumption analysis

Production

• Production order status
• Shop floor performance
• OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness)
• Work center capacity analysis
• Material requirements planning

Controlling

• Cost center reporting
• Profit center analysis
• Internal orders tracking
• Activity-based costing
• Variance analysis

CDS View Best Practices

• Naming Conventions - Follow SAP standards (I_ for interface, C_ for consumption)
• Reusability - Design for reuse across multiple consumption scenarios
• Performance - Use appropriate joins, avoid SELECT * patterns
• Authorizations - Implement DCL (Data Control Language) for security
• Documentation - Annotate views with descriptions and metadata
• Testing - Validate data accuracy and performance before production
• VDM Alignment - Align with delivered VDM where possible

Why Choose Varnika for Embedded Analytics?

Technologies & Skills

• SAP S/4HANA (on-premise and Cloud)
• ABAP CDS (Core Data Services)
• ABAP RESTful Application Programming Model (RAP)
• SAP HANA calculation views
• SAP Fiori Elements
• SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC)
• ODATA services
• SAP Gateway

Embedded Analytics Architecture

┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│     SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC)       │  ← Live Connection
└─────────────────┬───────────────────┘
                  │
┌─────────────────▼───────────────────┐
│  Consumption CDS Views (C_*)        │  ← Analytics-Ready
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│  Composite CDS Views (I_*)          │  ← Business Logic
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│  Basic CDS Views (I_*)              │  ← Table Access
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│  S/4HANA Tables & Structures        │  ← Database Layer
└─────────────────────────────────────┘

Delivered Content Activation

S/4HANA ships with 10,000+ predefined CDS views and analytics:

Finance Analytics

• 1,500+ delivered CDS views for finance
• General Ledger, AP, AR analytics
• Asset Accounting reports
• Controlling analytics

Logistics Analytics

• Materials management
• Sales and distribution
• Production planning
• Quality management

We Help You:

• Identify relevant delivered content
• Activate and configure standard analytics
• Extend with custom fields and logic
• Optimize performance

Pricing Models

CDS View Development

Fixed-price per view or view set (basic + composite + consumption).

Embedded Analytics Project

Time & materials for comprehensive implementation with discovery and design.

VDM Extension

Fixed-price for specific VDM extension requirements.

Support Retainer

Ongoing support for CDS view maintenance and optimization.

Case Study Preview

Manufacturing Company
Challenge: Real-time production monitoring needed, legacy reports slow
Solution: Custom CDS views on production orders with SAC real-time dashboard
Results: Instant visibility into shop floor, 100% real-time data, eliminated batch jobs

View Full Case Study →

Embedded Analytics vs. BW/4HANA

Optimal strategy often combines both - we help you architect the right mix.

Ready to Enable Real-Time S/4HANA Analytics?

Let’s discuss your S/4HANA embedded analytics requirements and how we can help you leverage real-time insights.

Schedule Free Consultation | View All Services | Read Embedded Analytics Blog

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What’s the difference between CDS views and HANA calculation views?
A: CDS views are ABAP-based, benefit from S/4HANA semantics, and integrate with VDM. HANA views are SQL-based, more flexible but less integrated. We use both as appropriate.

Q: Can we use embedded analytics without SAP Analytics Cloud?
A: Yes, embedded analytics work with Fiori apps, SAP Query, custom ABAP programs. SAC provides enhanced dashboards but isn’t required.

Q: How do authorizations work with CDS views?
A: Through DCL (Data Control Language) combined with S/4HANA authorization objects. We implement proper row-level security.

Q: Can we write data back through CDS views?
A: CDS views are read-only. For write-back, we use ABAP RAP (RESTful Application Programming Model) or standard BAPIs/function modules.

Q: Will CDS views impact S/4HANA performance?
A: If designed properly, no. We optimize views using HANA-specific features, appropriate indexes, and efficient joins.

Varnika IT Consulting - Your S/4HANA Embedded Analytics Partner