14 Data Provisioning

Techniques You’ll Master

• Learn what data provisioning is
• Understand the basic data provisioning concepts
• Get to know the various SAP data provisioning tools available for SAP HANA
• Know when to use the different SAP data provisioning tools in the context of SAP HANA
• Identify the benefits of each data provisioning method
• Gain a working knowledge of some features in a few of the SAP provisioning tools

In this chapter, we will cover how to provide data to SAP HANA information models and the basic principles and tools used for data provisioning in SAP HANA. For our information models to work properly, we need to ensure that we get the right data into SAP HANA at the right time.

There are people who specialize in each of the data provisioning tools discussed, and there are special training courses for every one of these tools. Our aim, therefore, is not to dive deep into detail about the various concepts and tools, but to give you a high-level working knowledge of what each tool does, to understand the concepts involved when provisioning data into SAP HANA, to enable you to have a meaningful conversation on the topic, and to help you when choosing the right tool for your business requirements.

Real-World Scenario

You start a new project that involves SAP HANA, and you are asked to provide data for the SAP HANA system.

You start by asking important questions about the expected data provisioning: Where is the data stored currently? Is the data clean? Will the data be updated in the source systems, or is this a once-off data provisioning process? Does the business need the data in real time, or is a delay of some hours acceptable? Does the data need to be stored in the SAP HANA system? Does the business already have a data provisioning tool that you can re-use? Will the data provisioning process be limited to SAP HANA only?

After evaluating all these factors, you recommend the right data provisioning tool to the business, one that is applicable to its budget, circumstances, and requirements.

Objectives of This Portion of the Test

The objective of this portion of the SAP HANA certification is to test your high-level understanding of the various SAP data provisioning tools available for getting data into an SAP HANA system.

The certification exam expects you to have a good understanding of the following topics:

• General data provisioning concepts
• Different SAP data provisioning tools
• Similarities and differences between the various provisioning tools
• When to use a particular SAP provisioning tool
• High-level understanding of features of some of the SAP data provisioning tools

[»] Note

This portion contributes up to 5% of the total certification exam score.