Businesses trying to be laced with updated technology to stay ahead in the competition have no dearth of options, as the market is flooded with such tools. Out of all the offered options that can address the existing operational challenges and empower a business at every front, SAP HANA Smart Data Integration folds a special place as it makes data processing easier than ever.
Effective data usage is what defines success for all sorts of businesses and SAP HANA Smart Data Integration opens a completely new world of opportunities. Let’s explore the utility of this vital tool and how it helps in successful weaving.
Existing Issues
Before SAP HANA Smart Data Integration came into being, customers were using multiple tools to execute ETL-based tasks. For flat file loading into HANA and batch processing, customers need to bring SAP Data Services into action.
Additionally, SAP HANA end-users seeking real-time data replications have to install SLT/SRS. If data duplication is not required at the targeted system then one must bring SDA into action to make most of the virtual tables.
Also read: Not alone data but analytics is transforming business
Seeing this, one has to get involved in the tedious and lengthy installation of three different tools just to create effective data utilization framework. This gave birth to the need of having a data integration tool that can handle everything related to data duplication or integration. Then SAP HANA Smart Data Integration happened.
What is SAP HANA Smart Data Integration (SDI)?
The parturition of the SAP HANA Smart Data Integration tool resolved many issues.
Before we delve deeper into its utility, let’s figure out what this invention technology means for end-users. This is high-end native technology, delivered as a part of the HANA database allowing use of all possible data integrations. Starting from data federation to end-to-end transformation of the data, it can handle everything smoothly.
Also read: Why is it Essential for You to Migrate to SAP S/4HANA Right Now?
It has been an active part of SAP HANA from the times and behaves like a bridge between the source and SAP HANA.
Image Source: SAP
The use of this technology leverages performance at every front via performing native SAP HANA implementation and execution. It needs a separate server for deployment, Data Provisioning Server, and is managed through-and-through by the SAP HANA Indexserver. The indexserver is a vital SAP HANA Smart Data Integration required for virtual table access and replication.
How SDI Works?
Having a deeper understanding of SDI modus operandi promotes the effective utilization of this tool and helps you enjoy better ROI. Let’s unfold this aspect as well.
Data provisioning Server (DPServer) and Data provisioning Agent (DPAgent) are two key functional components of SDI.
The Data Provisioning Server is commonly referred, as DPServer is the native server functional for the HANA database and can be accessed easily by activating the DPServer in the HANA configuration.
The second component, Data Provisioning Agent, is here to manage the entire HANA database-related SDI adapters and connections. It behaves like a communication bridge between adaptors and HANA. For effective functionality of SAP HANA SDI, it’s crucial to match the DP Agent version and HANA versions.
The use of different versions will not create a viable communication bridge. Adaptors taking care of the communication protocols are commonly deployed on the DP Agent only. The agent performs the below-mentioned tasks.
- Gathering the data from the source
- Compressing and sharing the collected data over HTTPS to HANA Cloud Platform. The shared data is backed with robust encryption.
Some of the DP Agents used are enabled in real-time while few are batch enabled. One another key aspect to understand is SAP HANA SDI Adapter Software Development Kit (SDK) which enables end-users to design need-based adapters.
Why to Consider SAP SDI?
Bringing SAP SDI into action reaps multiple benefits to end-users. The key ones are as quoted below.
- Using SAP SDI makes execution of tasks like batch processing, virtual data access, and real-time replication.
- Because of the full integration of SAP SDI with HANA UIs, its usage becomes easier than ever.
- It’s very easy to configure and works wonderfully with every kind of source.
- It can be deployed on cloud and on-premise with the same ease and perfection.
- Performing real-time transformations is possible with SAP HANA SDI
- End-users are endowed with the facility to make adjustments in the communication methods as per the data volume.
- As data is pushed in real-time, it simplifies the process of delta loads and supports complex transformation.
The Right Kind of Assistance Is By Your Side
There is no second opinion that the use of SAP HANA Smart Data Integration allows an enterprise to make most of the HANA database. However, its effective implementation decides this.
Stridely Solutions have earned the unmatched competency and expertise in SAP HANA databases and SAP HANA Cloud Platform. We can guarantee for 100% satisfaction and customized implementation when you bring us on board.
