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SAP data integration without ODP

The integration of SAP data is a challenge, especially with incremental data updates and large volumes of transaction data. SAP Note 3255746 prohibits the use of ODP Data Replication APIs for access via the RFC interface.
Michael Baessler, Theobald Software
January 31, 2025
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This text has been automatically translated from German to English.

For companies that want to make data-driven decisions and optimize their processes, integrating data into modern cloud platforms is essential. Many companies rely on SAP systems for this. However, managing this data efficiently - particularly ensuring near real-time access - is always a challenge due to the complexity and volume of SAP data sets, especially when it comes to managing incremental data updates and handling large volumes of transactional data. In the past, organizations have used Microsoft's native SAP CDC connector for Operational Data Provisioning (ODP) to manage incremental SAP data loading, enabling seamless data integration for analytics workflows. With the use of ODP Data Replication APIs for access via the RFC interface prohibited in SAP Note 3255746, organizations face a new set of data integration challenges.

Incremental loading of data

Traditionally, organizations have used solutions offered by the SAP ODP interface to load data incrementally from SAP and extract only new or changed records. This approach is critical to minimize system load and ensure up-to-date insights into analytics platforms. The limitation of the ODP interface has forced organizations to look for alternative options to maintain this functionality without resorting to full data reloads that consume more bandwidth and resources.

Managing large volumes of SAP data is a challenge, especially for companies with high transaction volumes in departments such as sales, logistics and finance. The CDC connector for ODP from Microsoft offered an efficient way to process mass data transfers. The removal of this functionality increases complexity.

The SAP CDC Connector for ODP from Microsoft was designed to support near real-time data delivery and ensure that organizations always have access to up-to-date information from SAP systems. The removal of this feature means that companies must now look for alternative methods to maintain the availability of real-time data - which can disrupt business operations.

Microsoft Fabric and Azure

Many organizations rely on Microsoft's cloud services, including Azure Data Factory, Synapse Analytics and Microsoft Fabric, to process their SAP data. Without the SAP CDC connector for ODP offered by Microsoft, it becomes more difficult to provide these systems with incremental and up-to-date data, resulting in less efficient workflows and potentially outdated data used for analytics.

Increased complexity and costs

The elimination of Operational Data Provisioning forces companies to use more complex workarounds or invest in additional tools to maintain SAP data integration. This increases both the cost and complexity of IT infrastructures, strains resources and complicates data management processes. It is therefore crucial to rely on solutions that enable efficient handling of data in order to keep costs under control.

Profit from SAP integration

There is a growing need for the seamless integration of SAP data into modern data platforms such as Microsoft Fabric to enable faster, more accurate and data-driven decisions in various industries and business areas, including sales, logistics and finance. Below are three specific use cases that demonstrate how organizations can leverage the integration of SAP data into Fabric to gain valuable insights, improve data availability, reduce costs and increase data security. To do this, companies need powerful solutions that are both flexible and reliable.

One application is Xtract Universal from Theobald Software. Based on SAP-certified technology, the interface provides a robust, comprehensive and powerful solution for SAP data extraction and integration, overcoming a number of data replication hurdles. The solution ensures that both incremental and bulk data replication can continue efficiently, even in the event of changes such as ODP interface restrictions.

Data analysis for controlling

Finance and controlling teams need access to accurate, up-to-date financial data to make informed budget decisions and ensure financial stability. Traditional SAP systems often store this data in silos, making it difficult to extract and replicate for real-time analysis. With Xtract Universal, finance teams can replicate SAP data directly into Microsoft OneLake. This centralized repository provides access to real-time and historical financial data. It also enables analysis in Microsoft Fabric. Xtract Universal's Table CDC feature ensures that only updated data is transferred, reducing latency and enabling near real-time analysis. With Microsoft Fabric's advanced analytics capabilities, this consolidated data can be analyzed in more detail, enabling better financial planning.

Better sales forecasts

Sales teams need access to up-to-date customer data, sales figures and analytics to proactively respond to market changes and adapt sales strategies. Accessing and consolidating data from SAP systems can be cumbersome, especially for remote teams. Xtract Universal enables the seamless replication of SAP data into Microsoft OneLake, providing sales teams with a unified view of customer data and sales figures. This data can be accessed in near real-time across different platforms and devices, giving sales teams the ability to dynamically adjust their strategies. Using Power BI in combination with Microsoft Fabric also enables in-depth analysis and actionable insights. Sales reps can analyze customer data and sales figures in near real-time, adjust sales strategies and optimize customer outreach to achieve their sales goals. This improves responsiveness and increases the efficiency of the entire sales team.

IT departments are under increasing pressure to manage data efficiently while ensuring security and minimizing costs. Fragmented data storage on different systems can lead to redundant data and increased management complexity. Xtract Universal simplifies the integration of SAP data by consolidating it into Microsoft OneLake, reducing redundancy and lowering administration costs. By leveraging Fabric's advanced data security and scalability, IT departments can ensure secure and compliant data management. Centralized data management reduces administrative overhead and associated costs. The IT department can focus on strategic IT projects and increase efficiency while maintaining control over the data infrastructure.

The future of SAP data integration

As we have seen, the challenges companies face with SAP data integration go beyond the issues of ODP and SAP Note 3255746. Especially in environments where real-time data availability and incremental loading are critical, organizations often struggle. Flexible SAP interfaces such as those from Theobald Software provide a powerful and versatile solution for seamless and efficient integration of SAP data into Microsoft Fabric. With features to optimize data extraction and replication processes, companies can maintain efficient workflows and gain timely insights into their data from Microsoft. High data volumes are no problem, so even large data sets can be processed reliably.

theobald-software.com

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Michael Baessler, Theobald Software

CTO, Theobald Software


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Die nachfolgende Abfrage zur Altersgruppe dient rein statistischen Zwecken. Wir bitten Sie freundlicherweise um eine freiwillige Angabe.


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Falls Sie hier Ihre E-Mailadresse angeben, wird Ihre Rechnung ausschließlich per E-Mail nach Veranstaltung an die angegebene Adresse gesendet.

Laut Steuergesetz müssen Firmenbezeichnungen in Rechnungen korrekt sein. Ihre eingegebenen Daten werden zur Rechnungsstellung übernommen.