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NextLytics
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Shaping Business Intelligence

Whether clever add-on products for SAP BI, development of meaningful dashboards or implementation of AI-based applications - we shape the future of Business Intelligence together with you. 

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About us

As a partner with deep process know-how, knowledge of the latest SAP technologies as well as high social competence and many years of project experience, we shape the future of Business Intelligence in your company too.

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Our Methodology

The mixture of classic waterfall model and agile methodology guarantees our projects a high level of efficiency and satisfaction on both sides. Learn more about our project approach.

Products
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NextTables

Edit data in SAP BW out of the box: NextTables makes editing tables easier, faster and more intuitive, whether you use SAP BW on HANA, SAP S/4HANA or SAP BW 4/HANA.

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NextLytics Connectors

The increasing automation of processes requires the connectivity of IT systems. NextLytics Connectors allow you to connect your SAP ecosystem with various open-source technologies.

IT-Services
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Data Science & Engineering

Ready for the future? As a strong partner, we will support you in the design, implementation and optimization of your AI application.

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SAP Planning

We design new planning applications using SAP BPC Embedded, IP or SAC Planning which create added value for your company.

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Business Intelligence

We help you with our expertise to create meaningful dashboards based on Tableau, Power BI, SAP Analytics Cloud or SAP Lumira. 

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SAP Data Warehouse

Are you planning a migration to SAP HANA? We show you the challenges and which advantages a migration provides.

Business Analytics
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Procurement Analytics

Transparent and valid figures are important, especially in companies with a decentralized structure. SAP Procurement Analytics allows you to evaluate SAP ERP data in SAP BI.

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SAP HR Reporting & Analytics

With our standard model for reporting from SAP HCM with SAP BW, you accelerate business activities and make data from various systems available centrally and validly.

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Data Quality Management

In times of Big Data and IoT, maintaining high data quality is of the utmost importance. With our Data Quality Management (DQM) solution, you always keep the overview.

Career
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Working at NextLytics

If you would like to work with pleasure and don't want to miss out on your professional and personal development, we are the right choice for you!

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Senior

Time for a change? Take your next professional step and work with us to shape innovation and growth in an exciting business environment!

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Junior

Enough of grey theory - time to get to know the colourful reality! Start your working life with us and enjoy your work with interesting projects.

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Students

You don't just want to study theory, but also want to experience it in practice? Check out theory and practice with us and experience where the differences are made.

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Jobs

You can find all open vacancies here. Look around and submit your application - we look forward to it! If there is no matching position, please send us your unsolicited application.

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SAP Business Data Cloud

 Integrated and Unified Suite for your Business Data 

What is Business Data Cloud ?

SAP Business Data Cloud (BDC) is SAPs premier strategic SaaS Data & Analytics solution that is used to consolidate and govern your enterprise data for a seamless generation of insights for your business. It integrates several SAP products into a unified Data Platform: SAP Datasphere, SAP Databricks, Business Warehouse Private Cloud Edition and SAP Analytics Cloud. With the addition of “Intelligent Applications” out-of-the-box reporting can be achieved with minimal effort and “Business Data Cloud Connect” provides efficient 3rd party data exchange to unify your heterogenic data landscape including the likes of Databricks and Microsoft Fabric. The integrated governance model and user-type-aligned modeling tools provide a cohesive experience for a diverse set of users like data engineers, scientists and analysts as well as dashboarding and business users. SAP BDC is the go-to solution for a SAP-based Data Platform. 

SAP-Data-Business-Cloud

 

Why choose SAP Business Data Cloud?

 Best of Suite 
  • Keep your SAP business context intact
  • Build the Foundation for Agentic AI Integrations with SAP Joule
  • Fast Time-To-Value with Semantic Onboarding and Intelligent Applications
 Open Platform  
  • Embedded Object Store with Open Delta Share Protocol enables Zero-Copy integration
  • Supporting common, open protocols for data extraction, enabling 3rd party consumers
 Partner Ecosystem 
  • SAP Databricks brings market leading AI/ML capabilities as a native component of Business Data Cloud
  • Easy integration with sector leading solutions with Collibra, Data Robot, Confluent and more
  • Bidirectional Data Sharing via BDC Connect with Databricks, Snowflake, Microsoft Fabric and Google
 The Complete Package   
  • Strong Low-code/No-code and Data Warehouse Features with Datasphere
  • ML/AI and Pro-code Data Engineering Tools with SAP Databricks
  • Reduced TCO and Migration Effort for BW customers with PCE

Whitepaper: Databricks vs Fabric vs SAP BDC vs Dremio

Download Whitepaper:
Databricks vs Fabric vs SAP BDC vs Dremio 

Trying to pick the right cloud analytics platform for your data architecture? 
We have compiled a cross-comparison between 4 major players into a high-level comparison matrix for you.
This guide compares them across 18 strategic and technical dimensions.  

Business Data Cloud Overview

BDC-Grafik

 

 SAP Business Data Cloud - more details 

SAP Datasphere SAP Business Data Cloud - SAP Datasphere SAP Datasphere is the core data platform tool within BDC. It features data integration of SAP and non-SAP Data, data modeling from low-code (Graphical) to pro-code (SQL) users and a best-of-suite approach with unified semantics across your SAP-based Landscape from S/4HANA to SAP Analytics Cloud. Datasphere provides, on the one hand, the Datawarehousing features known from SAP Business Warehouse like Currency and Unit Conversions, Hierarchies and Time-Dependent Attributes, but on the other hand also modern data platform features like an optional Lakehouse Architecture, Command Line Interface for automation use-cases and a more vendor-independent approach to inbound and outbound data exchange. Learn more about Datasphere
SAP Databricks SAP Business Data Cloud - SAP DatabricksSAP Databricks is a trimmed down version of a standalone (Enterprise) Databricks solution, focusing on complementing the platform by providing two crucial features where SAP Datasphere is lacking: A pro-code data engineering toolset utilizing an unrestricted python runtime and best in class Machine Learning capabilities. It offers many, but not all, of the features that Enterprise Databricks offers such as Mosaic AI and ML workspace, Unity Catalog of the lakehouse governance layer and the SQL Warehouse query engine. For more details, check out our breakdown of SAP Databricks vs Standalone Databricks.
Foundation Services SAP Business Data Cloud - Foundation Services Foundation Services which provide ready-to-use Data Products designed and continuously developed by SAPs LoB development teams (also known as Intelligent Applications). These provide out-of-the-box, SAP-managed data integration, data models and dashboards. Notable examples of these data products include “People Intelligence" based on Successfactors and "Finance Foundation” based on S/4HANA. Utilizing these can provide organizations standard SAP-based reporting with almost no implementation effort, although please note that these components are subject to a separate license fee.  
SAP Analytics Cloud SAP Business Data Cloud - SAC DashboardingSAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) is the primary front-end tool in BDC. It is mainly used for visualizing your reports as Dashboards (“Storys”) which utilize the semantics maintained in SAP Datasphere to automatically determine relationships between datasets and the meaning of attributes and measures. SAC is also used for enabling Planning functionalities like Budgeting, Forecasting and What-If Analysis. With BDC, SAC Planning moves beyond its historical role as an isolated toolset, into an integrated architecture called “Seamless Planning”, where the underlying data models and planning-transformations are hosted on SAP Datasphere while SAC remains the userfacing tool.
SAP BW Private Cloud Edition (PCE) SAP Business Data Cloud - BW PCESAP BW Private Cloud Edition (PCE) is a customer managed BW on HANA 7.5 or BW/4HANA system hosted on SAP managed hardware (Private Cloud). This is the most common modernization option to ease the migration from a legacy SAP BW landscape into a modern SAP Datasphere and Business Data Cloud based landscape. Utilizing this offering enables the so-called “Data Product Generator” feature, allowing BW Data Models to be easily replicated into the common object store of BDC and hence reused within Datasphere and beyond. Another advantage is the option to extend the maintenance of your BW on HANA 7.5 system until 2033, reducing time pressure for your migration.
BDC Connect SAP Business Data Cloud - BDC ConnectBDC Connect is SAPs proprietary implementation of the Delta Share protocol utilizing the common object storage of Business Data Cloud. Data can be bidirectionally shared within the platform with a zero-copy approach without massive sacrifice of query performance. This unified storage layer can be extended beyond BDC to connect to a select number of partner vendor products. Currently Enterprise Databricks (standalone version) is supported, but Snowflake, Microsoft and Google have been announced as further additions to this ecosystem, with an expected release of the connectivity within 2026. Learn more about BDC Connect

How does SAP Business Data Cloud compare to Databricks, Microsoft Fabric and Dremio?

 

Business Data Cloud

SAP Logo

 

Databrics Logo

 

Microsoft Fabric

Microsoft Fabric Logo

 

Dremio Logo

 

Service Model

Cloud Platform-as-a-Service 

Cloud Platform-as-a-Service
(AWS, GCP, Azure)

Cloud Platform-as-a-Service 

Public/Private Cloud Software-as-a-Service (Dremio or any cloud provider)

Self-hosted deployment is possible.

Feature Scope

Data Warehouse,
Business Intelligence and Data Science / AI

Data Lakehouse,
Business Intelligence and Data Science / AI

Data Warehouse, Data Lakehouse,
Business Intelligence and Data Science / AI

Data Lakehouse, Self-Service Analytics (SQL)

Strengths

Enterprise integration (SAP)

Openness/
Connectivity,
cost-efficiency

Enterprise integration (Microsoft)

Openness/Connectivity, cost-efficiency

Summary

All-in-one platform with low-code / no-code  favour

All-in-one platform with pro-code / low-code favour

All-in-one platform with low-code / no-code  favour

Specialized platform with pro-code / low-code  favour

 

How do I move from SAP BW to SAP BDC?

Non BDC

A

SAP Datasphere with BW Bridge

  • Maintenance: until end of 2040
  • Costs: Capacity Units (regulated)
  • Migration effort: high
  • Prerequisite: none
  • BW-Reporting: not available
  • No planning / reporting

SAP Datasphere with BW Bridge

BDC

B

SAP Datasphere with BW 7.5 PCE

  • Maintenance: until end of 2033٭
  • Costs: Capacity Units٭٭
  • Migration effort: low
  • Prerequisite: SAP RISE
  • BW-Reporting: available
  • Planning / Reporting available

SAP Datasphere with BW 7.5 PCE

BDC / non BDC

C

SAP Datasphere with BW/4 (PCE)

  • Maintenance: until end of 2040
  • Costs: Licenses or Capacity Units٭٭
  • Migration effort: low
  • Prerequisite: SAP RISE / none
  • BW-Reporting: available
  • Planning / Reporting available

SAP Datasphere with BW/4 (PCE)

 ٭ extended maintenance free of charge      ٭٭ subsidized according to SAP (information without guarantee)

A

BW Bridge - A SaaS-like, public cloud version of BW/4HANA. Migrate to BW Bridge and then slowly decommission in favor of SAP Datasphere/BDC (Disclaimer: Currently not recommended by NextLytics in most cases) 

B

 BW 7.5 PCE - Lift of your on-premise BW into SAP managed hardware (Private Cloud Edition). SAP recommended path. Benefits from easier BDC integration and extended maintenance option until 2033.  

C

 BW/4HANA - Your classical on-premise system. Migrate to BW/4HANA (or BW/4HANA PCE) to secure your legacy reporting until 2040. Run along BDC/Datasphere as a side-car approach, slowly migrating on a use-case basis.  

The Lift, Shift, Innovate Approach - NextLytics Version

Steps_a_1

 Lift: 

 Move BW to BW Private Cloud Edition (PCE) with minimal functional change and effort. BW 7.5 is secured within BDC until 2033, with BW/4HANA until 2040. 
Steps_a_2

 Shift: 

 Expose the BW assets to BDC as Data Products, utilizing the BDC infrastructure to propagate them for reporting. 
Steps_a_3

 Innovate & Decomission 

 Innovate: Use your BW Assets to build previously unfeasible Use-Case like Machine Learning with SAP Databricks or business user self service within SAP Datasphere. 
 Decomission: Utilize the extended maintenance period to decommission your BW pipelines in an application-phased approach. 
 

Keep running your existing BW while modernizing gradually to cloud with SAP BDC
Hybrid approach for smooth transition

Reusability of existing BW assets as Data Products
Enrich your current BW data with AI/ML scenarios
  • Step 1

    1. Lift:

    Move BW to BW Private Cloud Edition (PCE) with minimal functional change and effort. BW 7.5 is secured within BDC until 2033, with BW/4HANA until 2040.
  • Step 2

    2. Shift:

     Expose the BW assets to BDC as Data Products, utilizing the BDC infrastructure to propagate them for reporting. 
  • Step 3

    3. Innovate & Decomission

    Innovate:  Use your BW Assets to build previously unfeasible Use-Case like Machine Learning with SAP Databricks or business user self service within SAP Datasphere. 
    Decomission: Utilize the extended maintenance period to decommission your BW pipelines in an application-phased approach. 

How do I enable my team to use BDC?

Grafik-Schulung

Governance

  • Introduction and implementation of workspaces (space concept) and folder structures

  • Design and implement a process for using and populating the SAC catalog

  • Development of an access and authorization policy

Toolkit (Using SAC as an example)

  • Themes for a consistent story design

  • Templates for a simple and straightforward story structure

  • Composites for reusable sections

  • Insights for quick access to reports in Data Analyzer

Regular Meetup & Community Manager

  • A regular, moderated session for information and discussion for all users

  • Presentation of the latest features

  • Presentation of internally developed reports and showcases

  • Updates on changes to governance, training, or the toolkit

Have a chat with our expert!

Contact us - we will be happy to help you

Do you need help defining your data warehouse strategy? Or do you have questions about SAP Datasphere, SAP BW/4HANA, SAP HANA Data Warehouse or SAP Cloud Platform? We would be happy to advise you on all aspects of data warehousing, reporting and analysis. 

FAQ - SAP Business Data Cloud

These are some of the most frequently asked questions about SAP Business Data Cloud

What is SAP Business Data Cloud? SAP Business Data Cloud is SAP’s strategic SaaS data and analytics platform for consolidating, governing, and analyzing enterprise data in one unified environment.
Which products are part of SAP Business Data Cloud? The core suite combines SAP Datasphere, SAP Databricks, SAP BW Private Cloud Edition, and SAP Analytics Cloud.
Why should companies choose SAP Business Data Cloud?

It combines SAP business context, open data integration, AI readiness, and a unified platform approach for faster time-to-value.

What is the role of SAP Datasphere in BDC? SAP Datasphere is the central data platform for integration, modeling, semantics, and data warehousing features across SAP and non-SAP data.
What does SAP Databricks add to BDC? SAP Databricks adds pro-code data engineering with Python and strong machine learning capabilities where SAP Datasphere has limitations.
What is SAP Analytics Cloud used for in BDC? SAP Analytics Cloud is the front-end for dashboards, reporting, and planning scenarios such as budgeting, forecasting, and what-if analysis.
How can SAP BW customers move to SAP Business Data Cloud? Typical paths are BW Bridge, BW 7.5 PCE, or BW/4HANA. NextLytics usually recommends a lift, shift, innovate approach with BW Private Cloud Edition.
What are common challenges of SAP Business Data Cloud? A common challenge is tenant sizing, especially estimating how many capacity units are needed.

Would you like to learn more about SAP Business Data Cloud?

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