Demystifying the difference Between BW on HANA, BW, Edition for HANA & BW/4HANA
Greetings,
With the release of BW/4HANA, there has been a lot of fuss and confusion w.r.t the differences between:
BW on HANA
BW, Edition for HANA
BW/4HANA
and a lot of people are still not sure and needs a clear-cut, lucid answer without any verbose mumbo-jumbo, and I, personally, belong to this group.
Therefore, in this Blog, I have attempted to put things in perspective and to provide a clear and crisp answer.
I realize that in a technical world, things change at a rapid pace and if you find a fallacy in any of the facts I have provided here, I would request you to
correct me right away and I will have no issues standing corrected. I also have few things to get confirmation on and I invite others to fill in that gap..after all, this is how we all learn.
Here we go..
| Questions | Inputs | Insights |
|---|---|
| BW on HANA, BW, Edition for HANA and BW/4HANA…are they different versions or not | Yes, they are. |
| Which version do we refer to BW on HANA and from which version onwards, do we say BW, edition for HANA and which version is called BW/4HANA |
BW on HANA End version: Not yet confirmed. Current version: BW 7.5, SP04 Compatibility Mode (formerly known as BW 7.5, Edition for SAP HANA) Minimum Prerequisite BW on HANA version: BW 7.5 SP02 This is BW on HANA + SAP BW/4HANA Add-on installed. Before BW/4HANA was released, this mode was known as SAP BW, Edition for SAP HANA. This mode still tolerates old objects (Infocubes, Multiproviders, DSO-classic etc)..Toleration means existing objects will not create an issue….but you cannot create/change/enhance these kind of objects.
B4H Mode (a.k.a BW/4HANA) Minimum Prerequisite BW on HANA version: 7.5 SP04 or higher This is Compatibility mode + Objects transferred, using transfer tool or manual + Execution of report RS_B4HANA_CHECK_ENABLE with “Save New Mode”. To know more about BW/4HANA, refer #BW/4HANA |
| Where’s the role of SUM tool here | When we install the BW/4HANA Add-on, it’s done using SUM tool |
| Since which version is the Transfer tool available | The transfer tool comes in with the BW/4HANA Add-on for which the minimum version required is BW 7.5, SP02. Therefore, inferentially, since version BW 7.5, SP02, this transfer tool can be used. |
Modeling Differences:
| BW on HANA |
BW, Compatibility Mode formerly, BW, Edition for HANA) |
BW/4HANA (B4H mode) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Modify | Create Old object types (InfoCubes, DSOs-classic, Multiprovider, Infosets, Virtual Providers, Transient Providers, SPOs based on InfoCubes/DSOs-classic |
Supported |
Existing old objects tolerated but cannot be modified or created. New object types (aDSO, Composite Provider, OpenODS View etc.) can be created. |
Not supported Exception: Supported if SPO is based on Advanced DSOs (Need to confirm) |
|
Existing Infosources |
Supported | Supported | Not supported |
| Create new Infosources | Supported | Supported | Supported |
| Existing Datasources | Supported | Supported | Not supported (Need to confirm) |
| Create new Datasources | Supported | Supported | Supported |
| Existing Process Chains | Supported | Supported | Not supported (Need to confirm) |
| Create new Process chains | Supported | Supported | Supported |
| Existing OpenHubs | Supported | Supported | Not supported (Need to confirm) |
| Create new OpenHubs | Supported | Supported | Supported |
SAP Notes referred:
| Description | SAP Note |
|---|---|
|
2246699 – SAP BW/4HANA Starter Add-On |
https://launchpad.support.sap.com/#/notes/2246699 |
|
Technical prerequisites for BW/4HANA Add-on |
https://launchpad.support.sap.com/#/notes/0002285440 |
| B4H mode | https://launchpad.support.sap.com/#/notes/0002283111 |
| Transfer Tool | https://launchpad.support.sap.com/#/notes/0002238220 The note and the PDFs attached. |
Happy Learning !
Hi Debanshu
Nice Article.
I guess Both Compatibility Mode / B4H Mode are part of Edition for SAP HANA.
Oncw you are in B4H Mode, it is still one step away from BW/4 HANA. You need another conversion from Edition for SAP HANA to BW/4 HANA, and I guess that Option is not available as yet.
Regards
Pankaj
Yes. I feel same. System conversion will move from B4H to BW/4 HANA
Great article, the lay-man style explanation is refreshing. Will share this with some colleagues on our team. Thanks Debanshu 🙂
Excellent bro...now on wards i will follow you...great work...!
Nice Article Debanshu. But one doubt - Is B4H same as BW/4 HANA ? or still you are one step away and need system conversion from B4H to BW/4 HANA
I believe B4H is acronym for SAP BW/4 HANA and no system Conversion needed from B4H to BW/4 HANA.
Great Info. One questions .. just curious we just installed brand new BW 7.5 SP06 HANA system with BW4HANA starter component. RSA1 doesn't show MYSELF source system .. is this new feature? If yes, does it impact native 7.5 development ? Please share any thoughts if you know.
Thanks.
Great post!!...simple and clear 🙂
Excellent Doc, Able to understand without any confusion.