v During the import of SAP BW metadata into a model that will extract data, limit
the model to only those query items that are absolutely required to build a
PowerCube. This will improve data extract performance.
v Null values are included in CSV files when externalizing SAP BW-based query
subjects and dimensions.
v A practical limit for PowerCubes is 2,000,000 categories (values) for a dimension
(characteristic).
Transformer Guidelines
When using the SAP BW data that you extracted from Framework Manager, keep
these considerations in mind.
v In Transformer version 8.3, you can insert regular dimensions from SAP data
sources directly from a IBM Cognos data source, using the Insert dimension
from package option.
v Using the model wizard in Transformer, insert a data source of type
Delimited-Field Text With Column Titles and start by selecting the CSV file. Do
not run auto-design.
v Drag all the key figure columns from the Data Sources pane into the Measures
pane. Ensure that the aggregation rule for each measure is correctly defined
within Transformer to align as closely as possible with the aggregation rule
defined in SAP BW.
v It is recommended that the storage type for all measures be set to 64-bit floating
point.
v Using the date wizard, select a query item that will provide the dates for the
PowerCube. Note that the dates for the PowerCube can be derived entirely from
the transaction data.
v Insert the various CSV files corresponding to the characteristics that were
externalized using Framework Manager.
Each CSV file contains a column that corresponds to a column in the key figures
CSV file. By right-clicking the various columns and editing the column
properties, ensure the columns that provide the linkage between a characteristic
and the key figures have the same name. For example, if a key figure column is
named Customer and the corresponding column in the customer CSV file is
named Customer - Key, then the name of the column in the key figures CSV file
can be changed to Customer - Key.
v For each characteristic, create a new dimension, using the key columns, or other
attributes of a characteristic, to drive the levels of the dimension. For each level,
ensure that the properties for the label, short name, and description are assigned
source columns, if applicable.
v For the root level of each characteristic (dimension), ensure it is marked as
unique.
v SAP BW presentation hierarchies may contain ragged paths, typically in
association with the "not assigned" and "#" nodes in the hierarchy. The gaps in
these hierarchies produce blanks at the associated level in the Transformer
hierarchy.
In Transformer, it is possible to define the text that should be used for blanks. The
default text is blank, but you should define a more appropriate text for blank
entries for all such levels.
354 IBM Cognos Transformer Version 10.1.1: User Guide
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