Item: SAP Datasphere
Rating: 8
Author: Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with SAP Datasphere

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

SAP Datasphere (BDC) is used to enable Real-time self-service reporting (via SAC), this is particularly useful for Finance and Commercial teams. SAP Datasphere is also used to federate SAP data to Ceolins, Databricks and third party applications.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Federate SAP Application Data
Provides Real-time Replication of S/4 data
Easy to model & make changes
Persistence options allowing for fast dashboard response times
Easy to backup and restore artefacts
Continuous Updates / Improvements
Data Security
Advanced Measure options, exception, aggregation, constant selections, currency conversion, variables etc..

Cons

Some useability bugs / Interface restrictions
Lacking some direct SAP application integrations (Ariba for example)
Scheduling of data deletions / selective deletions via Task Chains
Missing formatting options / settings for SQL editor

Return on Investment

Self Service reporting, reduced reliance on IT
~15 hours per user/month saved and manual report complications
Reduced ABAP development on S/4
Faster Month end closing due to real-time data replication

Usability

Learning curve to correctly model and create reusable artefacts. Should understand SQL , low / no code tools only useful for simple solutions. On the whole SAP Datasphere is a flexible Datawarehouse with good performance and modelling capabilities. Direct SAP connectivity and Catalog features should also be noted.

Key Insights

Do you think SAP Datasphere delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with SAP Datasphere's feature set?

Yes

Did SAP Datasphere live up to sales and marketing promises?

Yes

Did implementation of SAP Datasphere go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy SAP Datasphere again?

Yes

Other Software Used

Databricks Data Intelligence Platform, SAP Analytics Cloud

Likelihood to Recommend

Appropriate: SAP Application Landscape, Structured data, Data federation
Less Appropriate: Document repository, unstructured data (although SAP Datasphere foundation services could address).

Reporting
Planning
Data Federation

Innovative Uses

Capturing Payroll Changes (Snapshots)
Federating data to 3rd party applications
Capturing non-system data
Reconciliation
SOX Compliance / Audit

Future Planned Uses

Intelligent Applications
Zero Copy Delta Share
Custom Applications

Likelihood to Renew

Backbone SAP Infrastructure

Evaluating SAP Datasphere and Competitors

Products Replaced

Key Differentiators

Scalability
Integration with Other Systems

Integration and need for Real-time reporting

SAP Datasphere Implementation

Implementation Details / Implementation Partner

Implemented in-house

Initial setup of Authorisation for data extractions via SCC/DPA
Firewall / network updates
Granting access to Excel add-in for SAC

SAP Datasphere Support

Support Rating

Good response times, knowledgably people, sometimes solution / fix takes time to deliver.

SAP Datasphere Customer Support Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Quick Resolution Good followup Knowledgeable team Problems get solved Kept well informed No escalation required Immediate help available Support understands my problem Support cares about my success Quick Initial Response	None