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Designing Mobile
BI Reports for
BlackBerry Users
Introduction
What does this presentation cover?
 This presentation describes how a real-world SAP customer has used
various developer tools to build optimized SAP BI reports for
BlackBerry device users within their organization
 It covers the following topics:
– Understanding the mobile requirements for BI reports
– Using SAP BW Web Application Designer to build optimized web-based
reports for BlackBerry users
– Using BlackBerry MDS Studio to develop custom rich-client applications
for BlackBerry to interact with SAP BI
– Key lessons learned
 SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 2
Learning Objectives
As a result of this workshop, you will be able to
 Understand options available to deploy SAP content to BlackBerry
devices
 Recognize pros and cons associated with different approaches
 Use best practices to quickly create BI content for BlackBerry using
SAP development tools
 Use BlackBerry Mobile Data System (MDS) Studio to quickly create
custom BI content for BlackBerry devices
 SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 3
Mobility Requirements
Pushing SAP Web Content to the BlackBerry
Use MDS to Create Custom Applications for BlackBerry
Use MDS to Create SAP BI Content for BlackBerry
Summary
Typical Mobile Applications
Sales Needs
– View and update accounts and transactions
Executives
– Remote approval and communication
Business Intelligence
– Real-time access to confidential information
Workflow
– Target participants could be anywhere
 SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 5
Challenges to be Overcome
Mobility is a fact of today’s business
 Executive and Sales / Field Service Reps have to be mobile in today’s
global business place
Timeliness
 Cached information is not sufficient
 Real-time workflow is impossible with disconnected or sync-based
solutions
Security
 Typical applications require secure communications
 SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 6
Mobility Requirements
Pushing SAP Web Content to the BlackBerry
Use MDS to Create Custom Applications for BlackBerry
Use MDS to Create SAP BI Content for BlackBerry
Summary
Goals for Deployment of BI Content
Content
 Centralized information from many sources
– Cross-functional audience / Cross-functional content
Security
 Multi-tiered authorization to control access
 Respect internal territory guidelines
 Security roles need to encompass deployment
Timeliness
 Static reports are seldom read when generated
 Self-service must be seamless to be efficient
 Analysis tools generally best-suited to desktop workstation
 SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 8
Available Deployment Alternatives
Portal Deployment
 Perfect to act as a gatekeeper for BPS / BW deployed to workstations
 Best suited to dashboard content and analytics
 NOT designed for mobile deployment
Email Broadcasting
 Perfect for sending reports via email to distribution lists
 In-line content designed for viewing from a desktop or BlackBerry
 Challenge: multiple BlackBerry models deployed across customer base
BlackBerry Deployment
 Best suited for mobile deployment
 Easy click for real-time rendering of data as required
 Customizable to the individual PIN holder
 Alternatives:
– Browser push: Fast deployment of existing web content from SAP
– Custom MDS Studio application: Requires design work to use BW services
 SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 9
Email Broadcasting
 If content is delivered in-line from broadcaster, content must be viewable
by any email reader used by the recipient
 Design content to be long and narrow (scrollable down not across)
for blackberry distribution
 Advantages
– One template can be ”filtered” to create multiple slices of data
– Flexibility to publish to the portal as well as via email
– Flexibility on output options
- Independent HTML files is the only option used if BlackBerry usage expected
- Attachments sent to the BlackBerry have to be opened and read by another application
- Online Links need to be modified by parameters to be viewed correctly
on BlackBerry
 SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 10
Broadcasting Best Usage
 Best use of
Broadcasting:
scheduling
 Regularly deploy
content to
recipients via
email or portal
Rich Content for Analysis
Static In-line HTML
 SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 11
BlackBerry Deployment Using SAP Toolset
 SAP toolset
provides ability
to produce rich
content including
graphics, tables,
text, and XML
 Content is webdeployed and
therefore can be
deployed on a
blackberry with
a browser
 SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 12
URL Parameters for Web Templates
Mobile BW Web Applications have two modes: WAP and HTML
 Default is WAP (WML) when connecting from a BlackBerry device
 Change to HTML mode (to enable richer rendering on BlackBerry)
– Append following string to the URL (see OSS note 902036)
&USERAGENT=WINDOWS%20CE&ACCEPT=text/html&JAVASCRIPT=&NO_SESSION_COOKIE=X
Passing Variables
&VAR_NAME_1=MU_04031&VAR_VALUE_EXT_1=01%2e01%2e2004
MU_04031 is the name of the variable
01.01.2004 is the value of the variable
Passing Parameters
<SAP_BW_URL Parameter1='Value1' Parameter2='Value2' ...>
Add other parameters with “&“ after <SAP_BW_URL> tag:
<SAP_BW_URL>?Parameter1=Value1&Parameter2=Value2&..
Example, Password Parameter
&sap-user=my_user_name&sap-password=my_password
 SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 13
Useful Settings for HTML Rendering
Ensure to address the following areas for correct rendering
 BlackBerry Browser settings (on device)
 Template properties
 Table properties
 Graphic design
 Query design
 SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 14
BlackBerry Browser Option Settings
Browser Configuration (Under Browser Options)
 Emulation Mode:
– Microsoft IE (if viewing BSP content)
– otherwise, BlackBerry
 Support HTML Tables: Checked
 Support Style Sheets: Checked (if using style sheets)
 Style sheets media type: Handheld
General Properties
 Default Font Family: BBCondensed
 Default Font Size: 7
 SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 15
HTML Editing Tips
Create a Main template (series embedded URLs) to Control Parameters
<a href="<SAP_BW_URL>&CMD=LDOC&TEMPLATE_ID=EXAMPLE_TEMPLATE">Template_name</a>
Calling up Web Templates
<SAP_BW_URL>&CMD=LDOC&TEMPLATE_ID=EXAMPLE_TEMPLATE
Calling up the Variables Screen
<SAP_BW_URL>&CMD=PROCESS_VARIABLES&SUBCMD=VARIABLE_SCREEN
Changing the Values of Variables
<SAP_BW_URL>&CMD=PROCESS_VARIABLES&SUBCMD=VAR_SUBMIT&VAR_NAME_1=myVar&VAR_VALUE_EXT_1=4711
Data Provider - Commands
<SAP_BW_URL>&DATA_PROVIDER=DP_1&...
Back and Back to Start
Undo the last action: CMD=BACK
Undo all actions: CMD=RESET
Jumping using Report-Report Interface
<SAP_BW_URL>&DATA_PROVIDER=View1&CMD=RRI&RRI_RECEIVER=XYZ
Report-Report Interface Receivers on the BlackBerry device can be BW queries, BW Web Applications, or arbitrary URLs. The
parameterization of the target action is taken from the source context you have jumped from
General Formatting Tips
 Use horizontal rule <hr> tags to separate sections of content
 Use filters (drop down preferred) to limit results
 Use <br> tags rather than <p> tags to separate objects
 SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 16
Template Properties
Template Properties
 Output Device Optimization: unchecked
 Do not display system messages: checked
 Do not display warnings: checked
 Force variable screen display: unchecked
 Reset variables to default values: checked
 Read-Mode for Data: Pre-calculated, if it Exists (depends on template
requirements)
Use style sheets to control object presentation
 Sizing, spacing and colors are controllable with style sheets
Create generic report structures
 Avoid creating multiple templates with the same data
 Use queries with exit variables to provide filters or make use of query
views
 Create central Web templates with links (edit HTML)
 SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 17
Table / Graphic Properties and Design Tips – 1/2
Table Properties
 Title: leave blank
 Generate Title: unchecked
 Border Type: With Border
 Objects with Navigation Links: unchecked
 Only Hierarchy Navigation: unchecked
 Number of data columns displayed at once: 4
– Explicitly control table width so rows do not wrap
 SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 18
Table / Graphic Properties and Design Tips – 2/2
Chart Properties
 Title: leave blank
 Generate Title: unchecked
 Objects with Navigational Links: unchecked
 Height and Width of graphic will be proportional to width of tables if
Output Optimization on template is disabled
 Pie charts/ vertical bar charts/speedometers are preferable
 Minimize series to one level for simplified axis display
 Legends take up significant space … consider leaving off and making
axis display intuitive
 SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 19
Query Design Tips
Create global queries to maximize reuse
 Create filters that can be set with parameters
 Central maintenance; deploy once
 One controllable access point/different content per user
Maximize use of dynamic BW constructs
 Hierarchies (e.g., profit/cost centers)
 Master data (e.g., 0Customer, 0Material)
 Utilize navigational attributes to provide different dimensions to slice
information
 Use exit variables to minimize user interaction
 Use structures and hierarchy display to replace ”Overall Result”
with ”Total”
 Create ”intuitive” short keys for attribute names
– e.g., regions such as ”NA” (North America) and ”EUR” (Europe)
 SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 20
Mobility Requirements
Pushing SAP Web Content to the BlackBerry
Use MDS to Create Custom Applications for BlackBerry
Use MDS to Create SAP BI Content for BlackBerry
Summary
Custom Applications Using MDS Studio V4.1
SAP Web Services
(WSDL)
SAP
Applications
BI
SOAP / XML
MDS v4.1
Rich-Client
Application
Wireless
Internet
BlackBerry
Enterprise Server
with MDS v4.1
SAP Web
Application Server
CRM
ERP
Benefits
 MDS Studio v4.1 provides simple drag and drop tools for building
rich-client applications
 Custom rich-client application provides enhanced user experience
 Applications function whether in or out of wireless coverage
Limitations
 Requires Web Services to be exposed on the back end
 May require customization to existing Web Services
 SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 22
Web Services - Overview
 ”Enabling technology” that allows disparate systems to connect and
communicate
 Characteristics of a Web Service
–
–
–
–
programmable URL widely accessible via the Internet
addressable code that can be activated with http requests
called remotely using standard Internet Protocols (HTTP; XML)
provides a standard mode of access for multiple languages and multiple
platforms
 Standards are Key for Communication
– most important of these is the WS-Interoperability standard called BASIC
Profile (WS-I BP)
– a service that supports WS-I BP can communicate with any other service
that supports WS-I BP
 Relies on three XML protocols: SOAP, WSDL and UDDI
– the web service is exposed on the Web through the SOAP protocol
– described with a WSDL file
– registered in UDDI registry
 SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 23
Web Service Discovery / Analysis / Exchange
Three Step Process
 Universal Description, Discovery and Integration
– Internet registry for web services: advertise and search for services.
 Analyze the Service
– Web Service Description Language (WSDL) file, an XML file, defines the
service
– WSDL provides critical application design details:
- How to communicate with the service
- Operations and messages supported; data exposed by the service
- Protocols and data elements passed/returned as parameters
 Message Exchange
– Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) is used to exchange messages
– SOAP most commonly uses HTTP as a transport and supports several
modes of operation
– Most common: RPC (remote procedure call):
synchronous Request/ Response pattern
XML Web Service
Find service
Discovery: UDDI
Analyze service
Schema: WSDL
Send messages
Communications: SOAP
 SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 24
BlackBerry Mobile Data System (MDS) Components
BlackBerry MDS Studio
 Visual design tool used by developers to build applications
 Used to discover services, interpret WSDL and quickly build apps
 Drag and drop component-based methodology
 Enables enterprise developers to build rich-client applications
for BlackBerry without having to do custom coding
 Server-side connectivity based on Web Services
BlackBerry MDS Runtime
 BlackBerry device software component
 Provides runtime services to BlackBerry MDS applications
BlackBerry MDS Services
 Resides on the BlackBerry Enterprise Server
 Binds to selected Web Services and provides secure connection
 SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 25
BlackBerry MDS Studio: Key Concepts
Visual ”drag and drop” assembly of components
 Screens (UI)
 Data
 Message
 Scripts
Three Development Approaches
1. Quick Start
– Automatically generates first version of your application based on WSDL
information
2. Bottom Up
– Generates essential data components, bindings and messages from WSDL
leaving developer to create screens and additional logic
3. Top Down
– Developer creates entire application and binds messages to existing WSDL
 SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 26
Discovering SAP Services
”Out-of-the-Box” RFC Web Services in SAP
 All RFC-enabled function modules (all BAPIs) are exposed as web
services by default
 Available since Web AS 6.20, browse using:
http://<sapserver.domain.toplevel>:<icmport>/sap/bc/bsp/sap/WebServiceBrowser/search.html
 To retrieve the WSDL for a specific function module, use:
http://<sapserver.domain.toplevel>:<icmport>/sap/bc/soap/wsdl11?services=<NameOfBapiOrRfc>
 Only available for
out-of-the-box RFC
function modules
 Web Services are
delivered ”as is” and
cannot be modified
 There is also no way to
configure web service
security profiles
 SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 27
Mobility Requirements
Pushing SAP Web Content to the BlackBerry
Use MDS to Create Custom Applications for BlackBerry
Use MDS to Create SAP BI Content for BlackBerry
Summary
SAP BI Queryview WSDL
http://sapserver:port/sap/bw/xml/soap/queryview?sap-client=110&wsdl=1.11
 SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 29
Messages in SAP BI Query View Data Service WSDL
 SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 30
SAP BI Query View Data Service WSDL (cont.)
 SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 31
Results From Using MDS Studio Quick Start Approach
 Data binding from messages
(in and out)
 Screens created to capture
inbound message
(GetQueryViewData)
 Screens created to display
outbound message
(GetQueryViewDataResponse)
 Result needs to be ”assembled” from its parts:
– AxisData – row and column information
– AxisInfo – provides key figure and dimension information
– CellData – provides actual key figure values returned
– TextSymbols – provides characteristics, filters and variables
(including Query Name, Last Refresh Date, Key Date, etc.)
 SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 32
MDS Scripting to Interpret Results
 SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 33
Wins
Security
 Handled by BlackBerry Infrastructure
Re-usable Code
 Useful for any query
 Use SAP tools to build content
 Build more complicated structures as required
Central Interface
 Use one central interface to content for all users
 SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 34
Mobility Requirements
Pushing SAP Web Content to the BlackBerry
Use MDS to Create Custom Applications for BlackBerry
Use MDS to Create SAP BI Content for BlackBerry
Summary
Bringing It All Together
Broadcasting
 Advantages
- scheduled content
 Disadvantages - email deployment must consider blackberry
SAP Developed Web Content
 Advantages
– rich content with graphics and analysis
 Disadvantages – BlackBerry deployment must consider real estate/usage
MDS Studio Developed Rich-Client
 Advantages
– quick custom application built from any web service
 Disadvantages – no graphics; best suited to interact with field content
 SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 36
Further Information

Public Web
www.sap.com
www.sdn.sap.com

Americas’ SAP Users’ Group (ASUG)
www.asug.com

Research In Motion
www.BlackBerry.com/go/sap
http://www.blackberry.com/knowledgecenterpublic/livelink.exe/fetch/2000/797
9/1181821/832210/Optimizing_Content_for_the_BlackBerry_Browser.pdf?no
deid=1206500&vernum=0
www.BlackBerry.com/developers
www.BlackBerry.com/solutions
 SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 37
Further Information

Specific Links of Interest
Command URLs:
http://help.sap.com/saphelp_nw04/helpdata/en/f1/50583cf7388362e10000000a114084/frameset.htm
Commands for Web Templates:
http://help.sap.com/saphelp_nw04/helpdata/en/f1/50583cf7388362e10000000a114084/frameset.htm
BEX Mobile Intelligence:
http://help.sap.com/saphelp_nw04/helpdata/en/f1/50583cf7388362e10000000a114084/frameset.htm
Text Elements:
http://help.sap.com/saphelp_nw04/helpdata/en/9f/4e9d39d44cd45ee10000000a11402f/frameset.htm
Editing Charts:
http://help.sap.com/saphelp_bw33/helpdata/en/2f/776b3d32390968e10000000a114084/frameset.htm
Data Provider Commands:
http://help.sap.com/saphelp_nw04/helpdata/en/76/80a1393e3a6942e10000000a11402f/content.htm
Report to Report Interface:
http://help.sap.com/saphelp_nw04/helpdata/en/99/08629bd3e41d418530c6849df303c9/frameset.htm
 SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 38
ASUG and SAP: Partners in Education
ASUG, the Americas’ SAP Users’ Group, is the world’s largest, customer-run community of SAP
professionals and partners, with 45,000 individual members and 1,700 companies represented. ASUG
delivers the highest value to member companies, allowing them to maximize their SAP investments.
Some highlighted benefits include:
–
–
–
–
–
–
Access to a year-round community for SAP customers and partners
Diverse mix of educational topics and events through a variety of formats
Exclusive opportunity to influence SAP future product direction
Unparalleled networking opportunities with a dynamic professional network
Unprecedented partnership with SAP
Access to ASUG Groups and Chapters
To learn more about ASUG, visit the ASUG booth in the SDN Clubhouse, or visit our Web site at
www.asug.com.
 SAP AG 2006, SAP TechEd ’06 / UPE104 / 39