Introduction:
As businesses evolve and technology advances, it becomes imperative for organizations to stay aligned with the latest industry trends and the roadmap set by their software vendors. In the case of SAP BusinessObjects BI Platform, staying up-to-date with the SAP Roadmap for Analytics is crucial for maintaining optimal performance and taking advantage of new features and functionalities. However, updating and migrating can be a complex process, requiring careful consideration of various factors. In this blog, we will explore the challenges associated with updating and migrating SAP BusinessObjects BI Platform and discuss the tools, deployment options, and alternative solutions available to ensure a smooth transition. We will also emphasize the importance of a well-defined strategy and highlight how SAP services can support decision-making in this regard.
Staying Aligned with SAP Roadmap for Analytics:
The SAP Roadmap for Analytics provides organizations with a vision for the future of their analytics solutions. By staying aligned with this roadmap, businesses can ensure that they are leveraging the latest advancements in analytics technology and taking advantage of new features, improvements, and integration capabilities. This alignment is essential for maintaining a competitive edge and maximizing the value derived from the SAP BusinessObjects BI Platform and SAP Analytics Cloud.
As starting point please review latest “SAP Analytics Business Intelligence Statement of Direction”. This document provides guidance to our SAP BusinessObjects customers on the product directions of SAP Analytics Cloud and SAP BusinessObjects solutions.
BIP Timeline
Regarding SAP BusinessObjects lates information on supported operating systems and other technologies summarized in the SAP BusinessObjects BI Suite 4.3 SP03 Product Availability Matrix (PAM)
SAP BusinessObjects BI Platform support packs or patches release timelines are available in SAP KBA 2144559 - BI 4.x Maintenance Strategy & Schedule.
BIP Maintenance Schedule
The information available in this KBA will no longer be available from late 2023 on-wards with the move to "SAP for Me".
As you can notice the BIP4.2 is already in the Priority 1 Support, and if you still use this version you have to consider which update or migration option could fit for you particular case.
Update/Migration Options
But even if you already moved to 4.3 version you can still review other option in case you have any infrastructure changes like data center switch, operating system, or hardware upgrade.
A guide to best practices for upgrading to SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence (BI) 4.x are collected in following KBAs:
- 1757132 - BI4 Support Pack Update and Patch Install Best Practice Guide
- 1952120 - Best practices & pre-requisites on Windows while Install/Update/Patching BI
Consider to perform some clean-up of current environment especially if you are doing migration of the content.What could be useful in this case?
- Of cause Auditing in first place. Please check blog by Matthew Shaw: Auditing Solution Update for SAP BusinessObjects BI Platform 4.3 +
- Reporting & Analysis solution for the CMS database: SAP KBA 2369779 - How to unlock the CMS database with new data access driver for BI 4.2 SP3+ [VIDEO]
- And last but not least Repository Diagnostic Tool (aka reposcan): SAP KBA 1689163 - Using the Repository Diagnostic Tool (aka reposcan) in BI 4.x - for WINDOWS [How-T...
With these tools you can perform assessment of your current system and find out which objects not used anymore. And with RDT you can check and resolve inconsistences between CMS DB and Repository.
If you decide for the side-beside migration you will need Promotion management Wizard or Promotion Management command line (LCM CLI) to move the content between environments.
Side-by-side update/migration
Following resource can be helpful to execute such promotion:
SAP KBA 1969259 - LCM CLI Best Practices - How to promote thousands of objects across BI4 environments?
Choosing the Right Tools for the Future:
To stay aligned with the SAP Roadmap for Analytics, organizations need to evaluate the tools they are currently using and determine whether they align with the future direction set by SAP. It is crucial to assess the compatibility of existing tools with upcoming SAP releases and identify any potential gaps. As SAP BusinessObjects BI Platform evolves, certain features may be sunsetted, meaning they will no longer be supported or developed by SAP. In such cases, organizations need to identify alternative solutions that can fulfill their requirements. SAP offers guides to help organizations transition from sunsetted features to newer alternatives. It is essential to assess the impact of the sunsetted features on existing reports, dashboards, and data sources and plan for the migration accordingly. Collaborating with SAP services can provide valuable insights and assistance in identifying alternative solutions and ensuring a smooth transition.One example is SAP Lumira: as communicated in this SAP Note 2902872, SAP Lumira 2.4 will receive mainstream maintenance until end of 2025, followed by two years of priority one support until end of 2027, after which we plan to stop supporting Discovery, Designer & Server for BI Platform. We strongly recommend to transition analysis applications and data discovery use cases to SAP Analytics Cloud stories. Example project set up and required steps are described in the following SAP community blog: Navigating the Path to SAP Analytics Cloud: Re-platforming from Lumira We plan to stop supporting by removing all the below components with SAP BusinessObjects 2025 release:
To stay aligned with the SAP Roadmap for Analytics, organizations need to evaluate the tools they are currently using and determine whether they align with the future direction set by SAP. It is crucial to assess the compatibility of existing tools with upcoming SAP releases and identify any potential gaps. As SAP BusinessObjects BI Platform evolves, certain features may be sunsetted, meaning they will no longer be supported or developed by SAP. In such cases, organizations need to identify alternative solutions that can fulfill their requirements. SAP offers guides to help organizations transition from sunsetted features to newer alternatives. It is essential to assess the impact of the sunsetted features on existing reports, dashboards, and data sources and plan for the migration accordingly. Collaborating with SAP services can provide valuable insights and assistance in identifying alternative solutions and ensuring a smooth transition.One example is SAP Lumira: as communicated in this SAP Note 2902872, SAP Lumira 2.4 will receive mainstream maintenance until end of 2025, followed by two years of priority one support until end of 2027, after which we plan to stop supporting Discovery, Designer & Server for BI Platform. We strongly recommend to transition analysis applications and data discovery use cases to SAP Analytics Cloud stories. Example project set up and required steps are described in the following SAP community blog: Navigating the Path to SAP Analytics Cloud: Re-platforming from Lumira We plan to stop supporting by removing all the below components with SAP BusinessObjects 2025 release:
| Components | Go to solution |
| Universe Design Tool (UDT) – .UNV universe | Conversion to UNX (IDT) is strongly recommended |
| Data Federator (DF) : Multi-source universes | Several SAP Solutions available (Blog) |
| SAP BusinessObjects Analysis, edition for OLAP (AOLAP) | Several SAP Solutions available |
| Live Office (LO) | WebI OData for Excel, Analysis Office |
| Crystal Reports for Enterprise (CR4E) | WebIntelligence, CR2020 |
| Lumira | SAP Analytics Cloud |
We are encouraging our customers to manage as fast as possible a transition for these components to other SAP solutions (KBA 3028832)
Determining the Best Deployment Option:
The choice of deployment option plays a significant role in the overall update and migration strategy. Organizations need to assess their current setup and consider factors such as scalability, security, and cost-effectiveness. Cloud-based deployments, such as SAP BusinessObjects Private Cloud Edition, offer the advantage of flexibility, scalability, and reduced infrastructure costs. On the other hand, on-premises deployments provide organizations with greater control over their data and infrastructure. By carefully analyzing their requirements and considering the pros and cons of each option, organizations can determine the best deployment option for their current setup.
The Importance of a Well-Defined Strategy:
Updating and migrating the SAP BusinessObjects BI Platform requires a well-defined strategy that considers all the aspects mentioned above. It is crucial to involve various stakeholders, including IT teams, business users, and SAP experts, in the decision-making process. A comprehensive strategy should include a detailed assessment of the current setup, an analysis of future requirements, a plan for tool evaluation and adoption, and a roadmap for the update and migration process. A well-defined strategy ensures that the update and migration are executed smoothly, minimizing disruptions and maximizing the benefits of the latest SAP offerings.
Leveraging SAP Services for Decision-Making:
SAP services can play a vital role in supporting organizations during the decision-making process. SAP offers consulting services, workshops, and expertise to help organizations create a tailored strategy for updating and migrating their SAP BusinessObjects BI Platform. By leveraging SAP services, organizations can benefit from the expertise of SAP professionals, gain insights into industry best practices, and ensure a successful transition that aligns with the SAP Roadmap for Analytics. We, at SAP’s Center of Expertise (COE) for Analytics, Planning, and Consolidation in the globally operating Adoption Service Center, driving adoption and consumption of SAP Business Technology Platform technologies and lay the foundation for the Intelligent Enterprise. We are a trusted partner for customers with MaxAttention or Premium Engagement. Also, we engage in the area of Professional Services, Preferred Success and other partnerships. If you want to talk to us please reach out to your Technical Quality Manager (TQM), your SAP Account, your Customer Success Partner (CSP), or reach our central entry channel, the Virtual Project Room (VPR).
Conclusion:
Staying aligned with the SAP Roadmap for Analytics is essential for organizations using the SAP BusinessObjects BI Platform. By carefully evaluating tools, considering the best deployment option, exploring alternative solutions, and creating a well-defined strategy, organizations can ensure a smooth update and migration process. Leveraging SAP services can provide valuable support in decision-making and help organizations maximize the benefits of the latest SAP offerings. With the right approach, organizations can stay ahead of the curve and unlock the full potential of their analytics capabilities.
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