SAP(R) BW: A Step-by-Step Guide

SAP- BIW has a Back End called 'Administrator Work Bench', which is all about Data Modelling, Data Targets which leads Info cubes, Info source and Data source. The back end process is all about gathering data from the data sources and put them in BIW thru R/3. The Front End is called 'Business Explorer' and this helps in viewing the data gathered for decision processing.

Critical points about the Book: The Book deals only in Back End processes and it does not teach about Front End, except querying (chapter 5). To know about Front End extensivley, one has to read "SAP BW Reporting Made Easy, 2.0B/2.1C" by SAP Labs Inc. Simplification Group.

Further even in Back End, it is not giving any info abt data modelling or data designing. It merely teaches how to transfer the data from Data source to BIW thru R/3. Regret that, it is not covering complicated transfers. This book is in-complete in many aspects. In other words, the book teaches the core functions required from BIW Consultant for handling the Back end processes.

Positive points: Authors deserve appreciation for having written a book needed in the crucial time, since SAP- BIW is getting implemented in many places. The book is concise and clear in whatever topics they deal with.

I should also say that this book can be useful from beginners to intermediate level. Beginners mean, those who have prior experince in SAP or in Data Warehousing but new to SAP- BIW.

Thanks for reading.


Best overview of BW hands-on tasks   October 9, 2002
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

With this book, you can seat down in front of the terminal and begin using BW right away.

On the other hand, you better have some experience building Data Warehouses prior to using BW. There might be 2 or 3 ways to build a business solution and this book is not necessarily a good source for "best practices" or architecture concepts. A good book that could complement this one is "Mastering the SAP Business Information Warehouse".


Useful for Beginners   July 30, 2003
As title suggests this book is step by step guide. I think author has assumed you already have knowledge of SAP BW concepts. It walks you through steps on how to create infocubes, load data and create queries and workbooks. Its EXTREMELY useful for people who are thinking to self-train themseleves in BW area . NOT meant for expereince BW people ...


Great Book for Begginers !   January 28, 2004
Rama Shankar (USA)
0 out of 2 found this review helpful

This book is great since all the step by step instruction is accurate. This book is for SAP consultants who have little knowledge of SAP-BW concepts and would like become a SAP-BW expert. The only thing that I saw lacking is for Business Explorer query options. There are very few examples for Business Explorer. But however, I think if you play with the GUI this problem is overcome easily. THIS BOOK IS WORTH IT !!!


The book helped me, but I am not happy with the book   April 8, 2003
Sudarshan Karkada (Missouri City, TX USA)
7 out of 8 found this review helpful

I am an ABAPer, working on a BW project, and have access to BW system to carryout some self-study. I needed some reference to guide me through various aspects of BW technical tasks.

Having read some reviews and browsing many of the BW books in the market, I felt that this book is the one I need. I didn't want the theory behind data warehousing. I needed to know what each of those BW objects are, how they are related, and how to create them.

I am somewhat satisfied with the book as far as what I wanted to learn right now. However, I think much more could have been done. Surprisingly, I don't see any other book on BW that shows 'how to.'

The CD that comes with the book is a joke. Completely worthless to me.

If you have gone through BW training, this book may not be of much use to you. If you can find some other book that deals with fundamental technical aspects of BW, you might want to consider that. If you have nothing to refer to, you will be OK in purchasing this book.