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Best Practices for SAP BI using DB2 9 for z/OS - IBM Redbooks

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► <strong>SAP</strong> compression<br />

This refers to the consolidation and summarization of data from an InfoCube’s<br />

F- fact table into its E- fact table. Compression results in the package ID being<br />

stripped off and all records summarized into the E- fact table.<br />

12.2 <strong>SAP</strong> <strong>BI</strong> in<strong>for</strong>mation model<br />

The <strong>SAP</strong> <strong>BI</strong> in<strong>for</strong>mation model is a basic structural element in the <strong>SAP</strong> <strong>BI</strong><br />

architecture. It is designed to enable support to a range of decision makers. To<br />

do this, it supports the following conceptual layers of data wareho<strong>using</strong>:<br />

► Multidimensional models, which enable views of data required <strong>for</strong> analytics<br />

► DataStore (DSO), to hold current data updates from the operational<br />

transaction systems of the business<br />

► Data warehouse, to hold trans<strong>for</strong>med and accurate data that has been<br />

integrated from the business processes across the enterprise to enable<br />

business decision making<br />

The in<strong>for</strong>mation model is based on a fundamental building block called an<br />

InfoObject. InfoObjects may contain data about customers, sales orders,<br />

products, and so on. An InfoObject can be reused in other elements of the<br />

in<strong>for</strong>mation model, such as an InfoCube, DSO, and InfoSource. These elements<br />

are discussed in 12.2.1, “Other key elements in the in<strong>for</strong>mation model” on<br />

page 258.<br />

Refer to Appendix A, “Glossary <strong>for</strong> <strong>SAP</strong> <strong>BI</strong>” on page 281, <strong>for</strong> a complete<br />

overview of <strong>SAP</strong> <strong>BI</strong> definitions.<br />

InfoObjects also carry metadata that describes the data contained in the<br />

InfoObject, such as its origin, history, and technical properties. An InfoObject has<br />

three classes of metadata:<br />

Technical metadata This describes technical properties, such as data type<br />

and field length.<br />

User metadata This carries in<strong>for</strong>mation about authorizations.<br />

Business definitions These <strong>for</strong>m the basis <strong>for</strong> a common understanding of<br />

business terms, such as key per<strong>for</strong>mance indicators.<br />

Business definitions are particularly important in the <strong>SAP</strong> <strong>BI</strong> in<strong>for</strong>mation model.<br />

They eliminate semantic discrepancies in data elements across systems and<br />

organizational units, and ensure that data is consistent and reliable. <strong>SAP</strong> <strong>BI</strong><br />

contains several thousands of InfoObject templates that include business<br />

definitions.<br />

Chapter 12. Concepts, activities, and terminology 257

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