Resolving low data value issues in SAP systems
The software manufacturer SAP is undoubtedly one of the market leaders in the field of enterprise software. Thousands of companies worldwide rely on SAP technology to plan, execute, and settle business processes, resulting in vast amounts of data. While these data are highly valuable and can aid in making strategic decisions, it is not always possible to effectively utilize the generated data when using SAP systems. Therefore, this article introduces the problems that arise when using data generated through SAP software and potential solutions.
Data Value – the value of data for your company
Almost every company generates large amounts of data daily—during production, customer interactions, and various other business processes. Merely glancing at this raw data will likely yield little understanding, often consisting of cryptic log files whose meaning is not apparent to most observers. Making a business decision based on such raw data seems nearly impossible.
In contrast, well-crafted reports that present data through charts and tables consolidate a wealth of information and visualize statistical analysis. This clear presentation facilitates interpreting the indicated values and recognizing important trends. Additionally, it is often possible to make predictions for the future based on the data, enabling informed business decisions. Accessible data in this manner holds significant value for the company.
To determine the value of data—termed Data Value—several aspects must be considered. The volume of data is crucial, as more information leads to more reliable results. Additionally, data quality must be high, including completeness and accuracy. Furthermore, the analyses must provide substantial benefits to the employees to be effectively utilized. Hence, the formula “Volume x Quality x Utility” can be established for Data Value.
What problems can occur, when using the data?
Every operation in a company conducted through a computer system generates data. These transactional data are usually extensive, and analyzing them completely often involves significant effort. Consequently, only information relevant to further business processes is usually provided, leading to the potential loss of valuable information.
The issue of data silos arises when data from different departments are stored in separate systems. When the management level seeks to use data for decision-making, a comprehensive overview of information from all areas is often required. Therefore, data consolidation becomes necessary. Additionally, different data silos often use various sources, leading to distortions and inaccuracies during data consolidation. SAP systems, in particular, experience numerous data silos, complicating the evaluation of information at a higher level.
Extracting and consolidating data: a major challenge
The data silos resulting from the use of SAP systems pose a considerable challenge to implementing business intelligence. The information is often heterogeneous and unstructured. Analyzing master data directly from SAP systems often results in poor data quality, and the extraction process is frequently labor-intensive. Meaningful insights are difficult to derive. Therefore, careful attention to the structures within individual silos is crucial during data extraction and consolidation. Effective utilization requires proper preparation and cleansing of the values.
Specialist for SAP data extraction and consolidation
Developing individual systems for data extraction and consolidation for each company to conduct meaningful analyses is unnecessary. Specialized software, such as that offered by Theobald Software, connects to the SAP system, cleanly extracts data, and consolidates it with information from other systems.
The Xtract Universal solution from Theobald Software is an ideal solution for this task. This software enables the reliable and consistent extraction of all data from SAP systems. By using Xtract Universal, the data to be analyzed can be meaningfully consolidated.
Data visualization – another crucial step for effective utilization
Well-prepared and consolidated data from all relevant areas provide a vital foundation for making all business decisions on a solid basis. However, raw data is often challenging to understand and so extensive that gaining a good overview of values is nearly impossible. Therefore, visualization plays a crucial role in the evaluation. Microsoft’s Power BI software is particularly suitable for this purpose, offering various tools for preparing data according to user requirements. The software’s self-service feature is practical, allowing employees to request reports without extensive training. Consequently, no intervention by the IT department is necessary, making the required information quickly available in the company at low costs.
The previously introduced Xtract Universal software offers interfaces to various BI products, including a connection to Microsoft Power BI. Combining these two tools is an optimal solution for the easy and efficient analysis of SAP data.
Conclusion: By using the right tools, valuable information can be obtained from SAP data.
If your company uses SAP software, it generates large amounts of data. However, effectively using this data for strategic business decisions poses a challenge. To overcome this challenge, it is essential to carefully select the right tools. By using Xtract Universal and Power BI, analyzing and visualizing your data becomes a seamless process. This way, you can leverage information effectively in your company.
Dennis Hoffstädte
Dennis Hoffstädte is Managing Director at DatenPioniere GmbH and an expert in the field of data analysis. With a focus on business intelligence, PowerBI, analytics and data analytics, he supports companies in making data-driven decisions.
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