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Apache Airflow SAP BW Connector by NextLytics

SAP BW & Apache Airflow: More flexibility through bilateral system integration

The Apache Airflow workflow management platform orchestrates a large number of systems in the corporate context. Many interfaces can be conveniently controlled via operators in the workflow, only the connection to SAP systems cannot be realized without further ado.

SAP Business Warehouse (BW), on the other hand, lacks the ability to use open-source libraries and to freely choose the programming language for data manipulation. Through a two-way integration, the obstacles are overcome and the strengths of both systems can be combined in operational use cases. Thus the organization of the data processes gains flexibility regarding development language, linking possibilities and usable libraries.

Apache Airflow Connector

 

Linking process chains in SAP BW and workflows in Apache Airflow

The Nextlytics Apache Airflow - BW connector enables plug-and-play integration between the Apache Airflow workflow management platform and SAP BW.

  • Endpoint in SAP BW to start process chains externally
  • User-defined process chain step that enables starting a workflow in Apache Airflow
  • Plug-and-play operator for synchronous and asychronous execution of process chains from Airflow

Functional range of the process chain step im SAP BW

Simple system ID transfer

The trigger process optionally sends the system ID during the API call. In Airflow, the system ID is used to recognize whether the process chain came from the development or the production system.

Modubild_Icons_1

 

Transfer of any parameters

Additional transfer parameters can be passed on specifically for an individual workflow run. These can be, for example, file locations, target system abbreviations or temporary table names.

setting

 

Synchronous and asynchronous execution

After a workflow is started in Apache Airflow, the process chain can either proceed with the execution of subsequent process steps (asynchronous) or the process chain waits for the workflow to complete (synchronous).

Modubild_Icons_4

 

Connection testing

The integrated connection test improves error handling. Connection errors due to incorrect access data are thus determined before the first execution.

Modubild_Icons_Verbindung

 

Success-dependent processing of data

In the case of synchronous execution, the process chain can react differently to the incorrect execution of a workflow in Airflow than in the case of success.

Parallel

 

SAP BW process chainSAPBW_Konnektor_1

Functionality of the operator in Apache Airflow

Secure authentification via Airflow backend

The connection data for SAP BW is encrypted in the Airflow backend during integration and is therefore not visible in the program code.

Synchronous and asynchronous execution

The workflow in Apache Airflow can also wait for the process chain to complete (synchronous mode) or proceed directly with subsequent steps (asynchronous mode). In synchronous mode, the status check is executed within the trigger task.

Can be easily combined with other operators

The connector can be added to the workflow in a modular way as a user-defined operator. Accordingly, it can be placed at the desired position in any workflow.

Automatic connection management

The management of the connection into the BW is controlled within the operator. During workflow creation, no additional code is required to manage X-CSRF tokens, cookies and the settings of proxies. Only the connection information needs to be stored in the backend.

Airflow workflowSAPBW_Konnektor_2

 

Advantages of the connector

‣ Plug-and-play application
Easy deployment via Airflow Operator and BW endpoint makes installation fast without much configuration effort.

‣ Flexibility through synchronous and asynchronous execution
Multiple use cases can be covered by a synchronous mode.

‣ Design of data processes for non-ABAP developers
Through integration to Apache Airflow, a variety of programming languages and associated libraries are usable.
‣ Detailed documentation and code samples
Prepared examples serve as a starting point for the application of the connector.

‣ Secure authentication
No connection data is visible in plain text.

Installation

The NextLytics Airflow-BW connector is provided by BW as a transport and by Airflow as a custom operator. A detailed installation guide is available for the setup, which will help you to prepare both systems for the two-way integration in 10 minutes.

Do you have questions or are you interested in the connector?

Please do not hesitate to contact us.

NextLytics is always at your side as an experienced project partner. We help you to effectively solve your data problems from data integration to the use of machine learning models. Use the form below to ask your question and we will get back to you as soon as possible. 

We look forward to hearing from you!

Markus Suhr

 

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Would you like to know more about SAP Connectors?

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Table Of Contents
Pages
  • Python SAP HANA Connector
Blogs

» Feb 15, 2022 SAP HANA Connector - Hands-on Data Science with SAP HANA

» Nov 16, 2021 More flexibility for processes: Connecting SAP BW and Apache Airflow

» Jul 20, 2020 Use Google API and ABAP to enrich SAP data with geoinfos

» Oct 29, 2019 How to Connect SalesForce and SAP BW with ABAP

More Blogs
Pages Blogs