BI DataStore Objects

Definition

A DataStore object serves as a storage location for consolidated and cleansed transaction data or master data on a document (atomic) level.

This data can be evaluated using a BEx query.

A DataStore object contains key fields (for example, document number/item) and data fields that can also contain character fields (for example, order status, customer) as key figures. The data from a DataStore object can be updated with a delta update into InfoCubes and/or other DataStore objects or master data tables (attributes or texts) in the same system or across different systems.

Unlike multidimensional data storage using InfoCubes, the data in DataStore objects is stored in transparent, flat database tables. The system does not create fact tables or dimension tables.

Use

The cumulative update of key figures is supported for DataStore objects, just as it is with InfoCubes, but with DataStore objects it is also possible to overwrite data fields. This is particularly important with document-related structures. If documents are changed in the source system, these changes include both numeric fields, such as the order quantity, and non-numeric fields, such as the ship-to party, status and delivery date. To reproduce these changes in the DataStore objects in the BI system, you have to overwrite the relevant fields in the DataStore objects and set them to the current value. Furthermore, you can use an overwrite and the existing change log to render a source delta enabled. This means that the delta that is further updated to the InfoCubes, for example, is calculated from two successive after-images.

There are different types of DataStore object:

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● Standard (see Standard DataStore Objectss)

● For direct update (see DataStore Objects for Direct Updates)

● Write-optimized (see Write-Optimized DataStore Objectss)

Differences between DataStore object types:

Type	Structure	Data Supply	SID Generation	Are BEx Queries Possible?
Standard	Consists of three tables: activation queue, table of active data, change log	From data transfer process	Yes	Yes
For direct update	Consists of the table of active data only	From APIs	No	Yes
Write-optimized	Consists of the table of active data only	From data transfer process	No	Yes

Integration

Integration with the Data Warehousing Workbench - Modeling

Metadata

DataStore objects are fully integrated with BI metadata. They are transported just like InfoCubes and are installed from BI Content (for more information, see Installing Business Content). DataStore objects are grouped with InfoCubes in the InfoProvider view of the Data Warehousing Workbench - Modeling, and are displayed in a tree. They also appear in the data flow display.

Update

Transformation rules define the rules that are used to write data to a DataStore object. They are very similar to the transformation rules for InfoCubes. The main difference is the behavior of data fields in the update. When you update requests into a DataStore object, you have an overwrite option as well as an addition option.

See also Transformation Type.

The delta process that is defined for the DataSource also influences the update. When loading files, the user must select a suitable delta process so that the correct transformation type is used.

Unit fields and currency fields operate just like normal key figures, meaning that they must be explicitly filled using a rule.

Scheduling and Monitoring

The processes for scheduling the data transfer process for updating data into InfoCubes and DataStore objects are identical.

It is also possible to schedule the activation of DataStore object data and the update from the DataStore object into the related InfoCubes or DataStore objects.

The individual steps, including processing the DataStore object, are logged in the monitor.

There is a separate detailed monitor for executed request operations (such as activation or rollback).

Loadable DataSources

In full-update mode, each transaction data DataSource contained in a DataStore object can be updated. In delta-update mode, only those DataSources that are flagged as delta-enabled DataStores can be updated.