Different type of BICS Connectivity?

[former_member186358]

I did not know that BICS connectivity is different for different tools. Does anyone know the difference?

BICS (Dimensional Transient Universe)

BICS (Direct to BEx)

BICS (NW BI Java)

[IngoH · Accepted solution]

Hi,

- BICS (NW BI JAVA) means that the connectivity uses the BICS interface from the BI Java component from BW without the need to have a BI4 server environment

- BICS Direct means that the tool connects to the BEx query directly without any Universe

- BICS (transient Universe) means that the tool leverages a BEx query and a "transient" universe is being generated

regards

Ingo Hilgefort

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

HI Ingo,

Thanks a lot for your clarification. I have however something that is not cleared in my mind. When you're using multisource-enabled foundation with different data sources including SAP BW, you also use a java component to return data. My question does this also uses BICS technology?

[IngoH · Accepted solution]

Hello Jean,

the relational Universe for BW is not a BICS connection.

regards

Ingo Hilgefort

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

I have a quick question with regards to synchronization universes within IDT.  When you synchronize local project with the one published on the repository and you make changes locally; the system shows you that there have been changes locally. However, it does not show you the specific changes (tables added/removed for instance) after the changes have been locally saved. My question is there anyway someone to tell the difference between the local projects vs. project that has already published on the repository?

[IngoH · Accepted solution]

Hello Jean,

you are asking questions on IDT and Universe on a discussion about the BICS connection - which does not require a universe at all and is a direct connectivity.

I would suggest you post your questions into the correct forums.

regards

Ingo Hilgefort, SAP

[Former Member]

Clear now. Below is a document from sap guys which gives a detailed comparison with respect to functionalities and performance:

http://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/scn/go/portal/prtroot/docs/library/uuid/302cb4a7-226d-3010-0099-9555032fc...

[IngoH]

the document doesn't cover everything. If you want to see a complete coverage on what is supported with each of the BI clients using a BEx query - take a look here:

http://scn.sap.com/docs/DOC-43778

regards

Ingo Hilgefort, SAP

[Former Member]

HI Ingo

Multi source enabled data foundation based universe vs BICS connection on Bex Query on a multi-provider?:

With SAP BI 4.1, user can created multi source enabled data foundation, which allows us to connect to different data sources. With BICS available, assuming we have SAP BW available, we can create a multi-provider on the top of cubes that get data from different data sources. We can then create Bex query on the top of the multi -provider. My question to SAP or any other BW/BI expert:

1. If performance is an issue, would you recommend using a multi source enabled data foundation (plus àBusiness Layer and ->universe) or use the second options cubes-multi-provider->bex query, and use BICS connection? Which one is better with performance?

[IngoH]

Hello Jean,

correct you can create a relational Universe on top of the InfoProvider level - not on top of the BEx query.

so keep in mind that this means you will not be able to leverage the following items:

restricted key figures

calculated key figures

structures

variables

hierarchies

Local Calculations

in regards to performance - assuming the components on the BI4 server are sized properly - you won't see much of a big differennce, unless we comparing a relational Universe directly on top of a DSO object compared to a BEx query on a DSO object.

regards

Ingo Hilgefort, SAP

[Former Member]

Hi Ingo

thanks for your answer...

Im however a bit confused. My understanding is that, with BICS, the user does no longuer need to develop a universe in order to connect to SAP BW (Bex Query as a source of data). We just need to define an OLAP connection using BICS interface. We only need to develop a universe when we are using a relational connection(on RDMS datasource).

My point was : having a BICS connection on a Bex Query build on the top of multiprovider (on multiple cubes for instance), would be better that a using a multi source-enabled datafoundation---+ business layer of course, in terms of performance, since SAP recommand using BICS connection on top of SAP BW. Why would you have to develop a universe if you are connecting to sap BW and if performance is an issue?

[IngoH]

Hello Jean,

we are comparing two different options here:

- there is the option to create a relational Universe based on a InfoProvider

- there is the option to connect directly to the BEx query without the Universe

and I think I answered the performance topic in my previous response.

regards

Ingo Hilgefort, SAP

[former_member186358]

Perfect!! Thanks a lot!

So BICS (NW BI JAVA) will have better performance than BICS (transient Universe)?

BICS (NW BI JAVA) is SAP Netweaver BW connection in dashboards.

-Anil