Self-service data maintenance in SAP BW: NextTables eases IT workload

IT staff in almost every company are often confronted with requests from users to update master data or transfer data from non-connected systems to the SAP system via flat files. Incorrect data formats or incorrect content lead to interruptions and time-consuming troubleshooting. Thanks to these distractions, employees have hardly any time for internal projects and are under constant time pressure.

Data upload

This is exactly where NextTables comes in. It enables data maintenance to be handed over to the business department. This means that IT department employees finally have more time for exciting projects. The tedious search for the error in the last CSV file that caused the staging load process to abort is also a thing of the past. NextTables offers an uncomplicated data upload via an intuitive user interface. This means that users from the business department can load data into the system themselves without any prior technical knowledge.

Excel and CSV files can be used for the upload. Importing data from the clipboard is also possible. The process is format-independent, as columns are automatically recognised via the header. If users swap a column in the file, NextTables automatically recognises where the column belongs and the data is still uploaded without any problems. To simplify the upload, an Excel template can also be downloaded in a predefined format. Thanks to the instant validation view, the result of the upload is immediately visible before the data is written to the system.

Constant flat file uploads that run into errors and time-consuming troubleshooting are completely eliminated. From now on, users can carry out the upload themselves, correct any errors directly in the browser or, if necessary, restart the upload with corrected data. They are supported by automatic validation and correction as well as a detailed error analysis.

Various validations for data entry and file upload are already integrated in NextTables. For example, currency symbols are automatically removed from amount fields or characters from number fields. A warning is issued for records with identical keys so that the user can decide for themselves whether they want to adjust the keys again to create new data records or overwrite the existing data. Further table and field-specific validations can be freely implemented. If you need an efficient upload process and a customizable solution for your department, NextTables is the tool of choice for you.

Master data maintenance

In addition to a smooth flat file upload, NextTables also offers the option of handing over the maintenance of master data to business users. They can edit several InfoObjects approved for maintenance by the business department via an intuitive user interface. In addition, individual attributes of the InfoObject can be locked for maintenance or automatically supplied with values. Of course, you can also use the previously mentioned upload function for the master data of the InfoObjects.

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Creation of test data

Of course, not only InfoObjects, but also ADSOs or transparent tables can be maintained. You can use this to create test data, for example. In addition to uploading files and maintaining master data, the provision of test data is another ongoing issue that NextTables can help with. You do not need to wait for a quarterly system copy, involve various departments or provide costly external resources.

Thanks to simple data handling, business analysts and key users can create test data independently without tying up IT resources. Both individual data records can be inserted and mass data can be uploaded to the system quickly and easily using the upload function. This enables faster and more flexible test execution, while the IT department can concentrate on development and more strategically important tasks.

Controlling business warehouse processes

In addition, NextTables can also be used for the internal control of SAP Business Warehouse processes such as the maintenance of data loading or other parameters. For example, for the marking of closed periods by the business department. Here, too, users benefit from the web interface, which was developed with a “user-first” approach and places great emphasis on user-friendliness.

Users can set parameters such as the active planning cycle or determine active versions without any additional effort. You can also use NextTables to maintain customer-specific data slices that are based on ABAP classes in conjunction with an ADSO. For example, users can use NextTables to mark a company code as locked and the data slice will read the set value.

Planning

Speaking of planning, NextTables can also be used to implement smaller planning applications or input masks. A frequent case that we observe in practice is the transmission of key figures from subsidiaries that do not use SAP to the head office. This is typically handled via a planning application. The same use case could be implemented in NextTables with significantly less development effort. Planning in particular often requires users to create new master data, for example for new products. Thanks to NextTables, this can be done in no time at all.

Efficient data management  - Our Summary

As you can see, NextTables can be used in a variety of ways, allowing you to realise economies of scale. The range of applications extends from flat file upload, maintenance of master data and generation of test data for UATs to the control of BW processes and the creation of simple planning applications.

NextTables is constantly being developed and upgraded with further improvements and new functions. So if you are looking for a way to implement the department's requirements with little effort and save time in the process, NextTables is the solution you have been looking for.

NextTables supports all table types (Classic DSO, Advanced DSO, SAP tables) of an SAP system and requires no coding skills for configuration. Many functions, such as automatic correction options during upload, are already available. NextTables also has several "no-code" standard scenarios that can be configured per field. Thanks to continuous further development, new functions are added with every update, enabling further scenarios.

Request your personal trial version now, free of charge and without obligation. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us and discuss your potential Next Tables use cases with us.