SAP Hana R (or generally data analytics) Integration

[pat_]

Hallo together!

We are currently thinking of the best ways how to integrate data analytics into Hana. There are multiple ways to achieve it in different languages like Python and R, as the most notable from data analytics stack (not wanting the SAC/Power BI and so on)

SAP Hana built in option is to use SQLScript and/or RScript as the server side scripting language.

On the other hand, you can also access Hana directly via JDBC (R) or a dedicated module (Python3 hdbcli).

https://help.sap.com/doc/1d0ebfe5e8dd44d09606814d83308d4b/2.0.05/en-US/hana_ml.html

(Thnx @ Witalij)

While deciding on the best way, we consulted our (external) SAP consultants that worked on multiple SAP4/Hana implementations. Their answer was touching on the following points on the R Server side script option

1. the included versions of R in stored procedures usually do not have the full functionality and reloading packages is tedious
2. the syntax usually differs from the standard R syntax and therefore makes development more tedious.
3. the code can be put into stored procedures under version control but cannot be used directly with a commit. This does not make sense for professional code management and hinders a CI/CD Data Analytics pipeline.

Thus, the consultancy company would prefer the external connection to Hana (via JDBC or via hdbcli module), when you can use CD/CI, professional development in either R or Python and still access Hana. This is curious to me because than I got to ask myself, why did SAP figure the option of Integration of R Server Scripts as the optimal way. Why would the spend money on it? What is the big picture here other than simply calling a stored procedure directly from Hana SQLScript? What are the pros and cons from SAP point of view (I already got the Consultancy's standpoint)?

What I found additionally relevant (after my initial posting)

https://blogs.sap.com/2018/03/02/machine-learning-in-a-box-week-6-sap-hana-r-integration/

https://blogs.sap.com/2020/08/25/machine-learning-extensions-for-sap-s-4hana-processes/ (Thnx @ Witalij)

[Vitaliy-R]

Hi Patrik.

There are two aspects not mentioned by you, that I would suggest you have a look at to get additional points for your considerations:

- S4HANA and ML: https://blogs.sap.com/2020/08/25/machine-learning-extensions-for-sap-s-4hana-processes/

- Python Machine Learning client for SAP HANA: https://help.sap.com/doc/1d0ebfe5e8dd44d09606814d83308d4b/2.0.05/en-US/hana_ml.html (the new version 2.6 was released last Friday)

[pat_]

Thanks Witalij,

your Hint is a useful one,we will definitely dig deeper into APL, PLA and related tech.

Have anyone else, make other experience with the topic of integration of (predictive) analytics into SAP S4/Hana?

[Private_Member_467521]

pat_,

I love your question. I would encourage you to use the same content and adapt it a little bit to put it in a blog. that will serve as future reference and we can keep the discussion flowing.

I am very interested in these topics and I have more questions than answers to be honest.

But I support it the topic and will follow it 🙂

Cheers,

Luis