Offline Mode SAP Mobile BI 4.1 Author : Priya Sridhar OCTOBER 15 2013
TABLE OF CONTENTS Contents INTRODUCTION... 2 AUTHOR BIO... 2 Chapter 1: Dashboards... 3 Chapter 2: Web Intelligence... 5 Chapter 3: BO Explorer... 7 Chapter 4: Crystal Reports... 8 Chapter 5: Design Studio... 9 DISCLAIMER... 10 1
INTRODUCTION SAP BI 4.1 has a new feature that allows offline mode access to BI Documents. Detailed below is a comparison of the different BI tools in this mode. All reports shown connect to BW and use BEx queries to get data. Offline Mode has been enabled in the CMC for the SAP BO Mobile App. AUTHOR BIO Priya Sridhar works at Visual BI Solutions as a Senior Developer Analyst. She has experience in Business Objects Dashboards, Web Intelligence and Design Studio. 2
Chapter 1: Dashboards This screenshot was taken in the online mode with no year chosen in the dropdown so the table shows data for all years - from 1965 to 2010. Again in online mode, a screenshot of the dashboard when a year is chosen, here 2009. 3
In Offline Mode, no data is available for year 2010. Hence for dashboards, only result sets of queries with combinations of parameter (prompt) values given in the online mode, are available offline. 4
Chapter 2: Web Intelligence This is the screenshot of a WebI report, in online mode, based on the same query as the dashboard. Years 2008, 2009 & 2010 were chosen as values for the prompt. This has been taken in the offline mode. Data for the query filter values used last, are retained. All pages of the report are available. Though the query filter (prompt) icon is visible in the offline mode also, tapping on it to change prompt values gives this error message. Hence for WebI, only the dataset that is retrieved last on the device, is available in the offline mode. 5
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Chapter 3: BO Explorer This is an exploration view in BO Explorer, for an information space with data from a universe based on a BW Infoprovider. All the different measures, filters, facets chosen in the information space are available to the user in the online mode. This view shows data for years 2004, 2005, 2008 and 2010. This data can be saved locally on the device (Personal View). In offline mode, this data saved on the device is available. But the actual exploration view cannot be accessed. Hence for BO Explorer, though the actual exploration view cannot be accessed, multiple Personal Views created when online are available in offline mode. 7
Chapter 4: Crystal Reports This is a simple Crystal Report using the same queries, to retrieve oil consumption data for years 1965-2010. Tapping on the Settings icon displays an option to save this data as an Offline PDF. When in offline mode, only the saved pdf is opened and not the actual report. Its interesting to note that after saving as pdf, if the Crystal Report has changed meanwhile and the updated version is retrieved in the online mode, then the saved pdf version is unavailable on the device. This is the error message displayed in that scenario. Hence for Crystal Reports, the actual report cannot be accessed when offline. Only the dataset that is saved on the device is available as a PDF file. There can be only one locally saved file version for the report, which would be unavailable if an updated version of the report is viewed on the device, in online mode. 8
Chapter 5: Design Studio There is no support for offline mode access. 9
DISCLAIMER Information provided in this document is intended to be used only as a learning aid. While Visual BI Solutions has used reasonable care in compiling this document it does not warrant that this information is error free. Visual BI Solutions assumes no liability whatsoever for any damages incurred by usage of this documentation. This is intended to be a living document with changes to be made over time. 10