SAP Data Visualization


Data Visualization for SAP Users: An Overview and Key Considerations

What is Data Visualization?

Data visualization is the concept of using pictures to explain data. Pictorial or graphical representations of information and data can be created through visual elements such as charts, graphs, and maps. Data visualization tools can make data more accessible to decision makers by presenting trends, outliers, difficult concepts, and new patterns in a visually appealing way. Data visualization is often considered a blend between science and art.

Data Visualization Tools and Capabilities for SAP Customers

SAP provides data visualization and analytics software with SAP Lumira.

Strong data visualization capabilities can also be achieved by integrating SAP Analytics Cloud into your business intelligence landscape.

SAP HANA can enable real-time in-memory computing to third-party tools and to activities such as data visualization. In this article, Deloitte writes about how you can adopt SAP HANA as a backbone for visualization applications.

Vendors including Qlik, SimpleFi Solutions, TIBCO, and Pyramid Analytics provide data visualization capabilities in their products.

Key Data Visualization Considerations for SAPinsiders

Data Visualization for SAP Users: An Overview and Key Considerations

What is Data Visualization?

Data visualization is the concept of using pictures to explain data. Pictorial or graphical representations of information and data can be created through visual elements such as charts, graphs, and maps. Data visualization tools can make data more accessible to decision makers by presenting trends, outliers, difficult concepts, and new patterns in a visually appealing way. Data visualization is often considered a blend between science and art.

Data Visualization Tools and Capabilities for SAP Customers

SAP provides data visualization and analytics software with SAP Lumira.

Strong data visualization capabilities can also be achieved by integrating SAP Analytics Cloud into your business intelligence landscape.

SAP HANA can enable real-time in-memory computing to third-party tools and to activities such as data visualization. In this article, Deloitte writes about how you can adopt SAP HANA as a backbone for visualization applications.

Vendors including Qlik, SimpleFi Solutions, TIBCO, and Pyramid Analytics provide data visualization capabilities in their products.

Key Data Visualization Considerations for SAPinsiders

Appeal to the human mind and drive real user adoption. Mico Yuk, CEO of BI Brainz, has been in the data industry since before SAP was considered a leader in the BI market. She witnessed SAP’s acquisition of BusinessObjects and the Xcelsius visualization tool. In this Q&A article published in 2015, Yuk describes her initial passion for data visualization, the importance of being able to prove any number that you present, and the criticality of creating well-designed visualizations. “No matter how great the data, if the data visualization is poorly designed, no one will use it,” Yuk says.

Solve problems and provide elegant solutions. In an SAPinsider event presentation, SAP’s Ingo Hilgefort, Global Product Evangelist, SAP Analytics Cloud, describes best practices for data visualization. One rule of thumb: Good design means never having to say “click here.” And, be aware of the impact of title, color, and orientation. These components can set the intension of your visualization and, when altered, set a completely different impression.

Consider color and contrast. According to Hilgefort, humans can only effectively differentiate around seven color steps. Therefore, selecting the correct color scheme for your message is important to avoid simply adding qualitative colors that might confuse your audience. A sequential color scheme, says Hilgefort, can be used to order values from low to high. He recommends a divergent color scheme be used when the values are ordered and there is a critical mid-point (e.g., an average or zero). And a qualitative scheme, he says, can be used when data falls into distinct groups (e.g., products) and requires contract between adjacent colors.

1185 results

  1. An Introduction to SAP Predictive Analysis and How It Integrates with SAP HANA

    Published: 30/June/2013

    Reading time: 57 mins

    In this exclusive report, take a walk into the world of SAP Predictive Analysis and how it ties into SAP HANA and SAP Lumira (formerly known as SAP Visual Intelligence). Learn the importance of general predictive modeling concepts, and then apply those concepts as part of a bigger discussion about the architecture and features of...…

  2. An Introduction to SAP Predictive Analytics 2.0 and SAP HANA Predictive Tools

    Published: 01/May/2015

    Reading time: 64 mins

    In this exclusive report by Hillary Bliss, take a walk into the world of the SAP suite of predictive tools with an in-depth tour of the new SAP Predictive Analytics 2.0 and how it ties into SAP HANA and SAP Lumira. Learn the importance of general predictive modeling concepts, and then apply those concepts as...…

  3. Special Report: Implementing SAP HANA – An End-to-End Perspective

    Published: 17/October/2012

    Reading time: 69 mins

    In this exclusive special report, get an in-depth, step-by-step look at the aspects of implementing BI solutions on SAP HANA. Gain insight into how ETL integrates with SAP HANA and how SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.0 analyzes and visualizes the data stored in SAP HANA. Key Concept SAP HANA modeling is a process whereby a developer...…

  4. Take a Tour of SAP Visual Intelligence

    Published: 30/November/2012

    Reading time: 16 mins

    Review some of the key functions of SAP Visual Intelligence based on its seventh Support Package, all of which make the application ready for you to exploit now. Included are helpful video clips. Key Concept SAP Visual Intelligence is designed for business analysts to discover and share insights from their data residing in personal, departmental,...…

  5. Create and Edit Stories in SAP Lumira Cloud for BusinessObjects 4.1

    Published: 08/July/2015

    Reading time: 16 mins

    Learn how to construct a new story in SAP Lumira Cloud based on an existing dataset and existing visualizations. Also learn how to modify the page settings for the story, and how to add both static and dynamic text to the story. Key Concept SAP Lumira Cloud, an end-user application within SAP BusinessObjects 4.1, provides...…

  6. 3 Ways to View Your Personnel with SAP Talent Visualization by Nakisa

    Published: 10/June/2009

    Reading time: 13 mins

    SAP Talent Visualization by Nakisa creates graphical representations of real-time HCM data. See how to use its OrgChart, Org Modeler, and SuccessionPlanning components to help manage your talent pool. Key Concept The SAP Talent Visualization by Nakisa OrgChart module interfaces directly with SAP ERP HCM data to provide dynamic org charting capabilities. OrgChart does not...…

  7. Acquire a Dataset and Create a Visualization in SAP Lumira Cloud for BusinessObjects 4.1

    Published: 05/June/2015

    Reading time: 9 mins

    Learn how to import a basic dataset into SAP Lumira Cloud and how to create simple visualizations based on the imported dataset. These features are demonstrated in SAP Lumira Cloud, a cloud installation of SAP Lumira. Key Concept SAP Lumira Cloud is a relatively new end-user application within the SAP BusinessObjects 4.1 suite that provides...…

  8. Leveraging SAP BusinessObjects Lumira with SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.2

    Published: 01/August/2016

    Reading time: 29 mins

    If you missed the chat or need a refresher, we welcome you to view the online chat replay or read the full, edited transcript below. This Q&A was part of the four-part Q&A series Innovating the Core: SAP BusinessObjects Enterprise BI. Live Blog Q&A on Leveraging SAP BusinessObjects Lumira with SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.2  …

  9. Bring Your Own Data Visualization

    Published: 03/August/2016

    Reading time: 3 mins

    Across all lines of business, data drives the modern enterprise. As a result, user groups from throughout an organization often select the data visualization tools that best meet their needs. This strategy makes sense in the short term, but can make things challenging for IT when it’s time to upgrade the performance of these tools.…

  10. Managing Data with SAP Data Replication and Transformation Tools

    Published: 18/December/2017

    Reading time: 30 mins

    Data and solution integration is becoming one of the most important aspects in enterprise architecture. Learn about the functionalities provided by SAP data replication and transformation solutions and their proper use. Key Concept Modern business solutions often run in a complex enterprise landscape that requires extensive use of data replication and transformation functionality. Tools such...…