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After a year full of groundbreaking innovations, including Unified Stories and the innovative Just Ask technology, we take an exciting look at the SAP Analytics Roadmap 2024. With integrations of AI assistants into Unified Stories and an intensified connection to the SAP DataSphere, SAP promises even more efficiency and groundbreaking possibilities. In this article, we summarize the key SAC developments of the past year and take a glimpse into 2024.
Here’s a brief insight into the innovations of 2023 for the SAP Analytics Cloud.
1. Significant SAP Analytics Cloud Innovations of 2023
1.1. Unified Stories
Unified Story refers to the integration of the standard story and the more complex analytical applications into a single solution. In this new “optimized design experience,” users now have access to both user-friendly story features and implementation capabilities using scripting and CSS.
1.2. Just Ask
Just Ask describes a newly introduced technology that enables enterprise information to be presented by an AI. Users can ask questions within a SAP Analytics Cloud or SAP DataSphere data model.
The result is visually represented in the form of a chart or table, which can then be copied and reused in their own dashboards. The capabilities offered here will be further expanded in 2024.
2. Outlook on the SAP Analytics Roadmap 2024 (including vision and strategy)
2.1. SAP Analytics Roadmap Q1 2024
2.1.1. Workflow and calendar features
Integration with MS Office 365 (event synchronisation):
In future, it will also be possible to retrieve tasks and synchronise events via MS Outlook, MS Teams and MS To Do.
2.1.2. Process Automation using APIs
Through APIs, automations (e.g., BTP, Build Process Automation) can be utilized to control and manage planning processes within the calendar.
2.1.3. Modeling
Introduction of a transformation function on the existing data foundation of the model, providing access to the Wrangler functionality in SAP Analytics Cloud. The result is the ability to transform model data independently of the data import process.
2.1.4. Further Customizations
In the future, it will be possible to insert Excel workbooks into the SAC file structure and SAC catalog and navigate there.
2.2. SAP Analytics Roadmap Q1/Q2 2024
Integration of Digital Boardroom into Unified Story: Under the “Unified Story Presentation Mode,” a presentation mode will be introduced, which will be based on the Digital Boardroom in the future and can be navigated through the story.
2.3. Further Announcements from the SAP Analytics Cloud Roadmap
2.3.1. Introduction of an AI Assistant in the Unified Story
This assistant aims to simplify planning, subsequent data analysis, and visual representation. It will make tasks such as creating charts and implementing complex scripting and CSS more accessible to users.
2.3.2. Central Job Monitor
The Central Job Monitor provides a central entry point for monitoring ongoing jobs, such as data imports, data actions, etc., in the SAC.
2.3.3. Asymmetric Layout for plan data in tables
For example, with the asymmetric layout, it’s possible to compare the actuals from last year with the plan numbers for next year without considering or displaying the current year.
2.3.4. Further development of the interface between SAC and SAP DataSphere
Bi-directional integration between SAC for Planning and Datasphere has been in place since 2022. This interface will be expanded further. This includes the next adjustment, which will result in improved planning integration with a reduction in data replication. There will probably be further improvements and developments to this interface in the future.
3. Conclusion
SAP is taking a forward-thinking direction with the introduction of AI. The vision is clearly discernible. The widely desired self-service approach is being advanced and furthered in the SAC. Usability and performance will be enhanced for end-users through the introduction of AI. Strategically, SAP is following a concrete approach. AI is intended to influence and improve every workflow in the SAC in the future. Whether it’s extensive planning interfaces, management reports, or smaller analyses, integration will provide new opportunities in SAC usage and fundamentally change how it’s utilized. With the ongoing integration and utilization of AI functionalities in the SAC, the user experience will be different. Terms like self-service won’t just be an announcement but a lived reality. Efforts in implementing new reporting and planning solutions in the SAC will decrease. Similarly, it can be expected that user acceptance will increase through the utilization of the latest technological capabilities.
