- Introduction
As we all know BIA has become an important hardware tool in enhancing the performance of the BI reporting functionality, there are still few stubborn attributes of this hardware component especially in estimating the required size of it during the implementation of the BI/BW projects as the initial cost of this component is very high.
Quick sizer is one of the readily available web based tools (SAP Delivered) which aids in approximate estimation of the CPU, disk, memory, BIA and I/O resources required based on the various input parameters provided. With the Quick sizer one can translate the functional requirements into the technical requirements, just need to fill the online questionnaire, an upto date requirements which are specific to the data-target/platform dependent, the results you obtain could help you to select an economically balanced hardware components that matches your companies’ requirement.
The purpose of the Quick Sizer tool is to give the customers and prospects an idea about the size of the system necessary to run the proposed workload especially very handy in the initial budget planning.
2. Working process of Quick sizer tool in estimating the initial size of BIA’s requirement for BW’s Info-cube (data target).
Quick sizer tool considers various parameters to calculate the initial requirement based on application dependent (here we have considered for info-cube for explanation purpose) :
Ø Throughput-user groups: Reporting and Analysis
Under this, it collects the user related information like number of users who will be indulged in the Report, OLAP, IP, and Web activities and the amount of time they will be spending on all the aforementioned activities.
- Ø Throughput- Data Load to SAP NetWeaver BW
Under this, it collects the information related to the UPLOAD, i.e., data load from the other standalone system into the SAP NetWeaver BW system or from one BW system to another one or by itself.
- Ø Throughput- Definition of Infocubes
Under this, various information of Info-cubes like number of dimensions, key-figures, number of initial data records exists in the data-target or to be in the data target, number of data records loaded per data load, total number of data loads which will be kept in the considered info-cube, % of master data w.r.t total records present or to be present in the info-cube, distinct records, %of key figures with low number of distinct values, %of key figures with one distinct values etc.,
Based on all the above parameters the initial sizing of the BIA will be calculated and the consolidated result will be displayed in the user defined format.
The accuracy of the estimation depends on the authenticated granular details provided during the aforementioned activities.
For accuracy, please maintain the proper inputs while filling the requirements.
BWA disk space required (BIA size) is calculated for the give inputs. This BIA disk space required is the total size required out of which 50% will be used for the indexing and the remaining 50% will be used for OLAP calculation of the stored data.
3. Advantages and the other constraints in using the SAP Delivered Quick Sizer tool
Quick sizer results contain requirements for CPU, memory, disk, BIA and I/O
Availability: 24*7
Latest upgraded Online support
Used for the initial sizing only
Can’t be used for the customized settings like non-SAP delivered objects like customer coding
Can’t be used for all the SAP applications
4. Conclusion
Since BIA has become an important hardware component in enhancing the performance of the BW system and its initial cost is comparatively high, its proper estimation makes a huge impact in the initial budget of the project.
Quick sizer is one standard SAP delivered tool which can be used to make an initial estimation which provides the estimations for BIA, I/O, memory, disk space etc.,
Since it is a standard SAP delivered, one can enjoy all the updated features available in the market with specific to the platform. In order to get the accurate estimations, both functional and the technical details are required while working with this tool.
