| Status | |
| Owner | |
| Stakeholders | The business stakeholders involved in making, reviewing, and endorsing this decision. Type @ to mention people by name |
| LeanIX Link | SAP Analytics Cloud - SyWay |
Introduction
SAP Analytics Cloud is a public Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) product that provides all analytics capabilities (BI, Planning, Predictive) for all users in one product.
Purpose
The purpose of this document is to provide the understanding of the the system architecture that is needed to support the SyWay implementation.The SAP Analytics and Reporting Approach explains what systems are delivered by the project and the methodology of delivery, the SAP Analytics and Reporting Standards provides the application level guidelines governing how it is implemented.
This document explains the landscape and integration of the solution.
Scope & Objectives
SAC will primarily be used as a front-end presentation and planning tool. The main source of data is Datasphere, though SAC supports reporting from other systems including SAP SaaS e.g. SuccessFactors, and Embedded Analytics from S/4. The core capabilities used are:
- Story telling and formatted reporting. (Dashboards)
- Slice and dice via the data analyser.
- SAP Analytics Cloud, add-in for Microsoft Excel.
Planning functions can be performed in stories or using the excel add-in. Data created through planning activities may be retracted back into S/4 systems and incorporated into processes and workflows.
SAC does support a number of other capabilities which are not relevant to this document as the architecture is not impacted.
eCertain SaaS applications have an embedded version of SAC that is not included in the scope of this document, e.g.
- SuccessFactors (used extensively as a single instance and security is natively controlled).
- Asset Performance Management (not to be used as 3 instances and offers no benefit to the enterprise version discussed here).
This implementation replaces the version of SAC being used by HR and BW as seen in LeanIX.
Application Architecture
Architectural Decisions and Requirements
The table below provides the details of the architectural decisions and the rationale upon which this decision was based:
| Architectural Decision | Description | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| SSL and SNC are configured for SAC to encrypt web and RFC traffic | Based on SyWay implementation approach, all data in transit must be encrypted | Security is vital |
| Configure SSO for SAC | As part of SyWay project, a common authentication mechanism (e.g., SAML) has been adopted | For ease of access and unified user experience |
| Seamless planning | To enable seamless planning, Both DSP and SAC must be deployed in the same data centre and hosted by the same hyperscaler | SAP limitation and meeting Syensqo preferences |
| SAP Business Content (BCT) | Start by leveraging the SAP BCT to deliver reports with less effort | Faster implementation |
| Landscape | 3 tier landscape | SAC is a subscription model so we have to pay per instance |
| Live connections, not acquired connections | Data is read from source systems, not loaded to SAC | Better data warehousing capabilities in Datasphere than in SAC. |
Application Architecture Design
Customer Number | 3008440 |
|---|---|
Cloud Provider | MS Azure |
Cloud Region | Netherlands |
Service model | Software as a Service |
Licence | Subscription |
Deployment model | We are using the Public model |
Database | HANA Cloud |
Application Architecture Components
The diagram below depicts the analytics systems architecture and SAC's position in it.
| SAC Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Story | Formatted reporting |
| Data Analyser | Self service (slice and dice) reporting tool |
| Excel | SAP Analytics Cloud, add-in for Microsoft Excel |
| Planning | Planning functionality with the ability to retract plan data back into S/4 |
| Catalogue | Easy access to published stories |
SAP Analytics Cloud, add-in for Microsoft Excel
With SAP Analytics Cloud, add-in for Microsoft Excel, users can bring SAP Analytics Cloud data into Microsoft Excel and continue their analysis there. SAP Analytics Cloud for Microsoft Excel exists as Excel for Web and Excel desktop on Windows and Mac.
In both cases an add-in is required to be installed. N.B. This is a different add-in to Analysis for Office.
Connections
Acquired Versus Live Connections
SAP Analytics Cloud supports two approaches to handling data. 'Live' data and 'Acquired' or 'Imported' data. The data handling approach defines the connection type. With live connections, the data and query processing remains in the source system, with just the results being returned. With acquired or import connections, the data is loaded from the source to SAC and the query runs entirely within SAC.
The SyWay project utilises live connections to the fullest extent possible.
Whilst there is no theoretical limitation to how much data SAC can read, SyWay queries limit the volume returned to Web Browser by applying adequate input controls and / or aggregation.
Live connections have been chosen because of the following benefits:
- There is no data replication which prevents the transfer of large data sets from source systems to SAC.
- Data updates are reflected in reports immediately.
- Complex models and calculations can be created in the source systems which are leveraged within SAC.
- Source system data security methodology can be taken advantage of.
Data Connections Environment
As per the diagram below, there are various connection possibilities. The numbered connections have been considered for the project.
Cloud Applications (1)
Whilst it is possible to connect to other SAAS systems directly, this approach has NOT been taken. All data is loaded to Datasphere to allow best performance, have consistent approach to data delivery and authorisations and to support blending with other data sets.
Cloud Data Source (SAP Datasphere) (2)
DSP is the cloud data warehouse used to extract transform and load data from SAP systems. This is SAP's long term roadmap direction.
N.B. At time of writing, there are limitations to be aware of with this connection type:
- SAP Analytics Cloud and SAP Datasphere tenants can only be linked in a 1:1 relationship. One SAP Analytics Cloud tenant can be linked with only one Datasphere tenant.
- Analytics
- Custom Shapes for Geo Maps are not supported
- Version based variance features are not supported on SAP Datasphere data.
- Version Mapping is not supported for SAP Datasphere data.
- Blending is not supported.
- Linked Dimension is only supported for SAP Datasphere models from the same Space. It is not supported across Spaces.
- R-Visualizations are not supported.
- Comment Widgets are not supported
- Copy Widgets between stories is not supported
- Import Pages from Stories that contain Datasphere models is not supported
Planning
SAC Planning data can now be stored in Datasphere with seamless planning. However, seamless planning still requires the import of data into the SAC model and is not based on the SAP Datasphere live connection.
Direct Connection Datasource (3)
The Cross-origin resource sharing (CORS) approach allows Syensqo to use SAC as a front end for sensitive (CUI / Export data).
- With CORS, all data stays within the remote (customer) landscape. The data is not replicated to SAP Analytics Cloud, instead, results are sent directly to the end user's device. Modelling and model security is managed on the source system meaning NextLabs security is applied.
- By contrast, with a tunnel connection (4), the data is returned to SAC momentarily while being used (hence the solution for scheduling data to users that are not connected to the system at the time)
Additional Connections
API connection
The PaPM connection is used in the PaPM integration step of multi actions to connect SAP Analytics Cloud and SAP Profitability and Performance Management. This connection allows the initiation of tasks remotely within the PaPM environment and continuous monitoring of PaPM processes that are currently running.
OData services through Cloud Connector
ODATA services support low data volume transfers between SAC / Datasphere and S/4. They require either basic authentication or OAuth 2.0 Authorization Code with the values for the SAP Datasphere OAuth client ID. (OAuth clients with a Technical User purpose cannot, at this time, consume data from assets that are protected by data access controls, consequently this is not an acceptable approach for data extraction.)
Application Security
Authentication
SAML 2.0
End to end SSO is accomplished with SAML 2.0 (Security Assertion Markup Language) which is an Oasis standard for exchanging authentication and authorization data between security domains.
This approach means that the data security implemented in the source system will always be respected for each data access request.
It enables web-based authentication and authorization scenarios including single sign-on (SSO) All communications between browser and SAP Analytics Cloud are encrypted. All data and metadata persisted on SAP Analytics Cloud are also fully encrypted.
When custom Identity Provider is set, you have to map users between your Identity Provider and SAP Analytics Cloud.
- The login credential depends on the User Attribute you selected when you set Identity Provider. Mapping attribute is case sensitive
- If User is selected, Login Credential is set to your SAP Analytics Cloud user name by default.
- If Email is selected, the login credential should be the email address of your account on your SAML Identity Provider.
- At the beginning, it is very important to have an alignment between Identity Provider and Service Provider (SAC) user list.
The use of HTTPS with valid SSL certificate is mandatory
Authorisation
To avoid duplication, see the Security Approach for Analytics
Communication Security
The same-origin policy is an important concept in the web application security model. Under the policy, a web browser permits scripts contained in a first web page to access data in a second web page, but only if both web pages have the same origin. It is a critical security mechanism for isolating potentially malicious documents.
In Live Connection, browser has to access Both SAP Analytics Cloud for metadata and back-end data sources (HANA, BW, S4/HANA or Universe). Then, SAP Analytics Cloud provides two ways to enable Cross Sharing Resources accessed by the same web page in Browser:
- Via CORS (recommended for ABAP stack): Cross-origin resource sharing is a mechanism that allows restricted resources on a web page to be requested from another domain outside the domain from which the first resource was served. A web page may freely embed cross-origin web page, images, stylesheets, scripts, iframes, and videos.
- Tunnel
Data Security
Analytical data is accessible through live connections and therefore will leverage the source system data security functionality.
Planning data is stored in Datasphere and accessed through SAC. Row level security is applied using the standard SAC teams based data access controls.
System Landscape
Development Environment
| Application | Primary Role | Hostname |
|---|---|---|
| SAP Analytics Cloud | Central Instance |
Quality Environment
The environment is planned to be provisioned by SAP on 1 August 2026. This document will be updated after this date.
Production Environment
The environment is planned to be provisioned by SAP on 1 January 2028. This document will be updated after this date.
Operation Architecture
Shared Responsibility Model
| Syensqo | Customization & Configuration | Customers must configure and customize the application per their business requirements |
| Management of identity and access | Customers must manage the complete identity lifecycle, including onboarding and offboarding users, creating and assigning roles, forming user groups, granting and restricting privilege access, and similar functions for their application | |
| Data Integrity Requirements | Customers must define proper data classification, storage, and deletion requirements. Although SAP will execute processes on data, defining data requirements is a big part of the customer’s responsibility. Protection for data at rest will be assigned by SAP based on the data classification | |
| Application Audit logs | Customers are responsible for capturing, monitoring, and analysing the application audit logs | |
| Application compliance | Customers are responsible for industry-specific certification and compliance for data used by or within the application. | |
| SAP | Deploying and configuring Resources | SAP is responsible for deploying and configuring VMs, databases, container images, and the VM operating system. |
| Securing VM and images | SAP is responsible for securing and patching operating systems and container images, as well as hardening configurable items on servers and databases | |
| Logical separation | SAP is responsible for logically segregating applications and data within various environments and between various tenants and customers | |
| Protecting data | SAP is responsible for implementing data protection, backup, and restoration, based on the data classification. The data retention policy is defined by customer but can be executed by SAP | |
| Monitoring and incident reporting | SAP logs all the security and infrastructure events. Logs will be aggregated in a system information and event management (SIEM) tool, and an alert will be generated based on the predetermined trigger. SAP will also monitor for incidents and will follow SAP’s incident response plan as and when needed. | |
| Audit and compliance | SAP is responsible for maintaining and providing certification and compliance for the application and related infrastructure. | |
| Change management | SAP is responsible for managing the maintenance window and other administrative tasks regarding change management | |
| Availability | SAP is responsible for deploying and maintaining the availability and meeting the SLA | |
| IaaS | SAP maintains responsibility for the IaaS that the hyperscaler provides on SAP’s behalf, and for ensuring each hyperscaler performs as per the contractual agreement | |
| Hyperscaler | Physical security | The hyperscaler is responsible for the physical data centre and the safety and security of people in the data centre. This includes the responsibility for background checks of the people who work in the data center and in connection with other hyperscaler- provided services |
| Resiliency | The hyperscaler is responsible for providing the capability of a resilient network and infrastructure across multiple regions and availability zones. | |
| Physical infrastructure | The hyperscaler is responsible for providing a secure network and infrastructure, including hypervisors | |
| Audit and compliance | The hyperscaler is responsible for IaaS compliance with industry standards. |
Additional SAP responsibilities
| Application security | Application security is the heart of the overall security strategy. Application development at SAP follows the secure development lifecycle. The process starts with planning and assessment, which includes a very important security measure: threat modelling. SAP uses the well-known STRIDE threat modelling technique from Microsoft. Developers follow the secure coding guidelines during the development process. The developed code is reviewed under the “Secure code review” step as a part of the process. Next, a static vulnerability scan is performed on any code developed in-house. Any vulnerability found during the review or scan is mitigated – or documented, if not mitigated – before the release. Software is next scanned for open source vulnerabilities, if any open source libraries or components are used. Dynamic application security testing is performed after software is fully developed and compiled. The last step in the application security is unit testing of the security-related functionality to address issues like invalid input parameters. Once the software is developed and the application is deployed in production, vulnerability scanning is performed at regular intervals and after each new release. Vulnerabilities found during the scanning are managed based on their Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) score. SAP does not report or disclose vulnerabilities, but a Service Organization Control 2 (SOC 2) audit report lists any unmitigated vulnerabilities. The SOC 2 report can be obtained from SAP. |
| Data Security | The customer defines the data protection, retention, backup, and deletion requirements. SAP is responsible for making sure that tenant data is logically segregated. SAP also makes sure that data is segregated between nonproduction and production environments. Encryption As per the SAP security policy, data in transit and data at rest should always be encrypted. Any communication between the hyperscaler and client uses Transport Layer Security (TLS) with HTTPS. Data at rest is encrypted using disk encryption to prevent data exposure in case of a physical theft of the drive. Other encryption methods, such as volume, backup, or in-application encryption, are used based on the technical, functional, and business requirements of the application and customer. Encryption Key Management SAP does not utilize default keys provided by hyperscalers. SAP is responsible for creating, rotating, and deleting the encryption keys. SAP also manages access to the key. One of the “key” differences between an application hosted by SAP versus third-party hyperscalers is the key storage. When an SAP application is hosted by a third-party hyperscaler, the key is stored with the hyperscaler using the hardware security module (HSM) or other secret management storage that the hyperscaler provides. This key storage or HSM is always FIPS 140-2 compliant. Any access to this storage is logged and audited by SAP. The encryption key is always managed by SAP, regardless of where the key is stored. Retention, Deletion, and Backup Data retention with most SAP applications is automated and customer driven. Customers can create policies or rules in the application stating how long the data should be retained based on their requirements. Data will be deleted at the end of the retention period. Customers can also delete their data at any time they have access. Data backup and deletion processes and schedules are not impacted by the migration to hyperscaler. These processes remain unchanged. It is important to note that SAP and hyperscalers will maintain compliance with laws and requirements around personal data, such as EU access, the General Data Protection Regulation, and other industry and geographic regulations. |
| Infrastructure and Network Security | SAP creates virtual resources using cloud APIs and is responsible for everything between and including virtual resources and the application. SAP will deploy and manage everything from the virtual machine up. This means that SAP has responsibility for managing infrastructure, creating and managing various virtual private clouds, and creating and managing security groups and firewalls. SAP is also responsible for managing and patching the operating system and middleware. SAP will regularly scan the environment for operating system and middleware vulnerabilities. SAP will deploy patches to operating systems and middleware based on the vendors’ specifications. SAP’s architecture blueprint dictates that database servers and application servers are isolated from each other and from the public-facing Web server. DB server and application servers are hosted within a private subnet, while Web servers are in the public subnets behind the Web application firewall (WAF) and security groups. SAP’s strategy is to provide database clusters. High availability will not change as a result of migration to a hyperscaler. Hyperscalers are responsible for providing overall network and infrastructure protection against DDoS and network- or infrastructure-based attacks to the data centres, but it is SAP’s responsibility to provide anti-DDoS, IPS/IDS, WAF, and network monitoring of the resources created by SAP. It is SAP’s responsibility to perform regular penetration testing, and SAP will work with the hyperscaler for network penetration testing. The physical security of the data centres and vetting of the workforce who are working in and around data centres are responsibilities of the hyperscaler. |
| Logging, Monitoring, and Incident Response | The customer has full access to application and audit logs. SAP is responsible for collecting, storing, and analysing infrastructure and security logs. SAP manages the threat triggers and generates alerts from the logs. SAP does not share infrastructure and security logs with customers. SAP aggregates the logs into the SIEM tool and automates the process of analysing and generating alerts. Monitoring various logs and generating alerts when there is a deviation from the baseline is a very time-consuming but essential part of the security – and SAP handles that for you, so you can focus on your customers. The team of seasoned SAP professionals perform infrastructure monitoring, database monitoring, security incident management, secure admin access, regular backups, security scanning and remediation 24x7 to secure the environment for customers. Hyperscaler landscapes pose unique challenges, and SAP’s security incident response team works closely together with GCS multi-cloud security operations to continuously improve security incident response process and automation for SAP’s multi-cloud landscape. Although SAP does not notify customers of every incident, we will provide breach notification report and root cause analysis to customers for any incident that is classified as a personal data breach. |
| Identity and Access Management | The customer is responsible for identity and access management (IAM). SAP provides single sign-on and other IAM-related services as needed. SAP offers solutions that can manage the complete identity lifecycle, integrate on-premise and cloud solutions, work with multi-factor authentication, and simplify the access management process for you. The customer has complete control over who can access the data and to what extent. Most important, the customer has the ability to provide admin or privileged access to the application. This access should be granted only as needed and must be monitored. SAP has access to cloud accounts as well as privileged access to the application and SAP environment within the hyperscaler environment. SAP employees or partners do not have any access to customer’s data or information. |
| Connectivity to Cloud | Azure ExpressRoute allows you to extend your corporate or personal network into the Microsoft cloud over a private connection. Azure ExpressRoute provides Layer 3 connectivity between your site and Microsoft cloud. Azure ExpressRoute provides redundancy for the network connection as well as a guaranteed uptime SLA for connectivity. |
Transport Management
Cloud TMS is used in association with ActiveControl.Maintenance Plan - Release Management
- Major functionality is bundled into Quarterly Release Cycle (QRC) updates. Feb, May, Aug and Nov.
- SAP recommend to review upcoming changes before they are released. This can be done via the SAP roadmap, or through a dedicated 'Test Service' instance. There is no test service in the SyWay landscape.
- Updates include new features, fixes, and security patches, and they’re applied automatically by SAP in the background.
No customer-side installation or downtime planning is needed.
Application Monitoring
SAP provide access to the system monitoring views in System/common/SAC content and through the System menu path available to the system administrator role.
The monitoring capabilities update regularly with the quarterly releases and it is recommended to look at the latest SAP help documentation on the subject.
System Monitoring
As per the operation architecture section, system monitoring is the responsibility of SAP.Sizing
Sizing has been performed based on an estimation of 500 users with 100 performing planning.High Availability
The standard default system availability for Datasphere for Public Cloud Services at SAP, which is 99.7%
Disaster Recovery
SAC has a DR approach where there is a full back-up done once a day. On top of this, there are log backups that are being done every 15 minutes. RPO is therefore 15 minutes (please see note 3026603 - Backup & Restoration for SAP Analytics Cloud). N.B. There is no guaranteed RTO for SAC.
Backup/Restore
SAC also does back-up of tenants every 15 minutes (RPO 15 minutes). There is also no guaranteed RTO for SAC but it is leveraging the SAP HANA Cloud service resiliency layer. Please see OSS Note 3574161 - SAP Datasphere Tenant Backup.
Service Introduction
Skill required
SAP Analytics Cloud System Owner | Familiarity with SAP Analytics Cloud administration settings such as data source configuration, SAC SAML 2 settings, Users and roles management, Connection settings |
Data source expert | Connectivity layer and security (HANA, BW, Universe, S4/HANA…) |
Network expert | Proxy, firewall, DNS server, etc. |
Security expert | SAML 2, customer’s Identity Provider, SSL certificate, etc. |
Information system architecture expertise | General Architecture topics |
Application expert | SAP or non-SAP depending on your data sources: Connectivity, security, modelling |
