SAP BW Bridge: New Features in Q2 2022

Next quarter, next shipment. The new release of the SAP Data Warehouse Cloud, SAP BW bridge has been shipped with SAP BTP ABAP Environment Release 2205 end of May 2022.

The new release contains the following main features:

• Remote Conversion
• New Custom Process Type
• Mass Activation of Inactive Objects
• DTP Monitor Enhancement
• Scheduling Process Chains

In addition, to the new features there is a troubleshooting guide available now in the online documentation. It explains how to identify and solve configuration issues in the connectivity of on-premise source systems to SAP BW bridge.

Transfer Tool for Remote conversion

Transferring data models from SAP BW or SAP BW/4HANA to SAP BW bridge via the Shell Conversion was already possible since the February release of SAP BW bridge. It can be used to transfer metadata such as DataStore objects, InfoObjects, transformations, DTPs, and process chains. The remote conversion now adds the option to also include data in the conversion process.

The Remote Conversion is available for SAP BW 7.3x, 7.40, and 7.50.

Task List Remote Conversion

More information:

• SAP Note 3141688
• Blog: Conversion to SAP Data Warehouse Cloud: Conversion Paths and Cloud Transformation Steps
• More information about the Remote Conversion on the SAP Help Portal

Custom Process Type in Process Chains

Custom process types empower users of SAP BW bridge to gain more flexibility when designing process chains. You can implement a simplified custom process type with execution method, status, messages, and user interface.

The procedure in SAP Help describes the implementation of a custom process type in the SAP BW Modeling Tools and the declaration in the SAP BW Bridge Cockpit.

Definition of Custom Process Type in SAP BW Bridge Cockpit

Custom Process Type in Process Chain

UI of Custom Process Type

For tenants that had been provisioned before release 2205, a manual step is required to see the app ‘Custom Process Types’: Assign the business catalog SAP_DW4_BC_CONFIG_PC to a business role of the user, logoff from your tenant, and logon again.

More information about the Custom Process Types on the SAP Help Portal.

Mass Activation of Inactive Objects

In the SAP BW Modeling Tools, you can activate many inactive objects all at the same time without having to perform individual activation steps. The activation is done in the new Mass Activation view. It is recommended to perform the activation in background.

The following objects are supported:

• InfoObjects
• DataStore objects
• CompositeProviders
• Transformations
• Data Transfer Processes

Mass Activation of Inactive Objects in Background

Monitoring of BW Job for Activation in Background

Simulating DTPs in the SAP BW Modeling Tools

Simulating the data update and debugging a DTP request help you to analyze an incorrect DTP request. You can also simulate a transformation prior to the actual data transfer if you want to check whether it provides the desired results. This is now possible by the new Simulate in Job feature in the SAP BW Modeling Tools.

DTP Simulation in Job

For DTPs with ABAP execution, you can fill temporary storage after selected steps in the Runtime Properties of the DTP, e.g., after extraction or transformation, and show the data in the simulated request.

By setting a breakpoint in the “active” class (with class name ending with _A), you can also debug ABAP and AMDP routines.

Debugging a Start Routine in the SAP BW Modeling Tools

DTP Monitor – Display Red Data Packages Only

The Request Monitor for a request in the data transfer process displays detailed information about the processing of the request. From the Details column, you have new navigation options:

If the request contains any red packages, a new feature Display Red Data Packages Only allows you to restrict the display to these packages. If you choose More, the system allows you to display all data packages from the request again.

Toggle from All Data Packages to Red Data Packages

Toggle Back from Red Data Packages to All Data Packages

More information about Monitoring of Data Transfer Processes on the SAP Help Portal.

Scheduling Process Chains

In the Process Chain Editor – Edit Chains app, further actions are available to you:

• You can use the Schedule button to schedule the process chain for execution in the background. Date/time- and workday-based scheduling options are available. If necessary, you can use the Unschedule button to cancel this setting.
• You can use the Execute button to specify whether to execute the process chain synchronously or asynchronously.

Workday-based Scheduling of Process Chains

More information about Creating Process Chains and Scheduling or Unscheduling of Process Chains on the SAP Help Portal.

You will find more information about what is new or changed with SAP BW bridge or SAP Data Warehouse Cloud in the sections on the SAP Help Portal:

• What’s new in SAP Data Warehouse Cloud, SAP BW bridge
• What’s New in SAP Data Warehouse Cloud

If you are interested in additional information, see our SAP Data Warehouse Cloud Community. On our Community you will find further product information, various subpages with more detailed information about Getting Started with SAP Data Warehouse Cloud, Business Content, as well as content for Best Practices & Troubleshooting and more.