C_SAC_2415 SAP Certified Associate - Data Analyst - SAP Analytics Cloud Questions and Answers

For datasets that extract data from external systems like SAP Business Warehouse (SAP BW), SAP Analytics Cloud provides the capability to schedule updates on a regular basis. This feature ensures that the dataset within SAP Analytics Cloud remains up-to-date with the latest changes from the SAP BW system, without the need for manual reimport or creating a new dataset. Scheduled updates can be configured to run at specific intervals, automating the data refresh process.

References:

SAP Analytics Cloud Help Documentation: Scheduling Data Refresh

SAP Analytics Cloud User Guide: Automating Dataset Updates from External Sources

Collapsing the hierarchy in a story can help limit the refresh time, as it reduces the amount of data that needs to be processed and displayed at any given time. By presenting data at a higher aggregation level initially, you can improve performance and allow users to expand specific sections of the hierarchy as needed for more detailed analysis.

References:

SAP Analytics Cloud Help Documentation: Improving Story Performance

SAP Analytics Cloud User Guide: Managing Data Hierarchy for Performance

In a live model within SAP Analytics Cloud, dimensions can be organized into logical categories using either level-based hierarchies or parent-child hierarchies. Level-based hierarchies are used when the relationships between items are defined by distinct levels, such as Geography might be divided into Country, State, and City levels. Parent-child hierarchies, on the other hand, are useful when the data's hierarchy is not strictly defined by levels but by a parent relationship where a child member is associated with a parent member, which is common in organizational structures or product categories.

References:

SAP Analytics Cloud Help Documentation: Creating and Managing Hierarchies

SAP Analytics Cloud User Guide: Working with Models

SAP Analytics Cloud supports two primary types of data connections: Live Data Connection and Import Data Connection. Live Data Connection establishes a direct link to the data source, allowing real-time data access without replicating the data into SAP Analytics Cloud. This is ideal for scenarios where up-to-the-minute data is crucial, and data volume is large. On the other hand, Import Data Connection involves copying data from the source into SAP Analytics Cloud, which is suitable for scenarios where data doesn't change frequently, or there's a need for data transformation and enrichment within SAP Analytics Cloud.

References:

SAP Analytics Cloud Help Documentation: Data Connections Overview

SAP Analytics Cloud User Guide: Live Data vs. Import Data Scenarios

In a planning data model in SAP Analytics Cloud, the Date and Version dimensions are included by default. The Date dimension is essential for time-based planning and analysis, while the Version dimension allows for the creation and management of different data scenarios, such as budget, forecast, and actuals. These dimensions provide a foundational structure for planning activities within the model.

References:

SAP Analytics Cloud Help Documentation: Planning Data Model Basics

SAP Analytics Cloud User Guide: Understanding Default Dimensions in Planning Models

In SAP Analytics Cloud, the Account dimension can be used similarly to a measure. This dimension is specifically designed for financial data and can hold various types of financial metrics, such as revenues, expenses, assets, and liabilities. It allows for the application of financial calculations and aggregations, which is why it can function similarly to measures in the context of financial reporting and analysis.

References:

SAP Analytics Cloud Help Documentation: Understanding Dimensions and Measures

SAP Analytics Cloud User Guide: Working with Account Dimensions

A blank planning version in SAP Analytics Cloud can be created within the Version Management feature. This area of the platform allows users to manage different versions of their data, such as budgets, forecasts, and what-if scenarios. Creating a blank version provides a clean slate for planning activities, without pre-existing data, enabling users to start fresh with their assumptions and inputs.

References:

SAP Analytics Cloud Help Documentation: Version Management in Planning

SAP Analytics Cloud User Guide: Creating New Versions for Planning

To combine two dimensions, Firstname and Lastname, into a single dimension displaying as Lastname, Firstname in a live data model, you should create a calculated dimension in the data model. This calculated dimension will concatenate the two fields into one, according to the specified format. This approach allows for the creation of a new dimension that can be used across various reports and analyses within the model, maintaining the integrity of the original dimensions.

References:

SAP Analytics Cloud Help Documentation: Creating Calculated Dimensions

SAP Analytics Cloud User Guide: Data Modeling Best Practices

In the context of creating an allocation step to distribute expenses from the HR cost center to operating cost centers in SAP Analytics Cloud, the "Driver" dimension setting is crucial. This setting determines the basis or criteria on which the distribution is calculated and applied to each operating cost center. For instance, the driver could be the number of employees, square footage, or any other relevant metric that justifies the distribution of costs. By defining a driver, you ensure that the allocation of expenses is proportional and fair based on the selected criteria.

References:

SAP Analytics Cloud Help Documentation: Allocation Steps in Planning

SAP Analytics Cloud User Guide: Using Drivers for Allocation