What is SAP Hana Analytical Process? (SAP HAP)

In earlier blogpost on Predictive Analysis the basics of Predictive Analysis were explained. The three Predictive Analytic Models (Descriptive, Predictive and Decision) were visualized and the fact that all of these have to be taken sequentially in order to mature your company within the area of Analytics was discussed.

How SAP HAP Works

A visual representation of the process resembles an SAP BW transformation. A source InfoProvider connects to a target InfoProvider via a transformation—the transformation in this case being the HAP. The BW Process Management manages the process via a Data Transfer Package (DTP) executed within a Process Chain.

Traditional transformations transform the data record by record, while the HAP fetches the entire dataset in one go and executes the algorithms (sometimes multiple times) before delivering a statistically correct result.

The Source infoprovider may be an SAP BW infoprovider or a database table which resides in SAP HANA on which analytics (PAL, BFL, R-script, etc) will be applied. The Target infoprovider can be a Datastore Object (DSO), an SAP HANA database table or another HAP (called Stacked HAP). The later implies that the output of the 1st HAP will be used as input for the 2nd HAP.

Available Analytic Functions

The following analytic functions are currently available in the HAP:

• Clustering algorithms: ABC & K-Means.

• Time Series algorithms: Single, double and Triple Exponential Smoothing.

• Association algorithm: Apriori (better known as Market Basket Analysis).

• Outlier detection and projection analysis.

Getting Started with SAP HAP

McCoy’s advice is to first work with the available out-of-the-box analytics because they will provide insight into how the HAP operates. Each analytic function requires a specific input structure and will generate a different output structure. The most commonly used analytical functions have already been released, and more analytic functions will be released in the near future.

Next Steps

When you are ready to proceed with the next step, whether it involves creating your own R-procedures or setting up a proof of concept, McCoy's consultants are specialized in Predictive Analytics and are more than willing to help you on the road to Predictive Analytics.