Customer Satisfaction
3/10
3
User Experience
2.5/10
2.5
Functionality
3.9/10
3.9
Business Value
3.3/10
3.3

SAP Analytics Cloud

What is SAP Analytics Cloud?

Integrated business-user-friendly platform for enterprise planning and BI with embedded capabilities for augmented analytics and application design. Comprehensive capabilities for implementing custom planning applications with supporting workflow and collaboration functionality.

BI, Analytics & CPM
●● Reporting / Dashboards
●● Analysis
● Advanced Analytics
●● Planning
– Financial Consolidation

= Function covered, ●● = Functional focus

= Function covered
●●
= Functional focus

About SAP Analytics Cloud

Self-description of the vendor

No vendor self-description available
References
No data available
Partners
No data available

SAP Analytics Cloud BARC Review & Rating

Provider and product description

SAP was founded in 1972 as a business applications company. Today, the vendor has a turnover of €31.2 billion, employs more than 105,000 people, and is one of the largest business software vendors in the world.

SAP’s data and analytics portfolio is based on the SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP), which provides cloud-based data, analytics, application integration and extension services across all SAP products. It encompasses solutions for BI, analytics, enterprise planning and performance management. From a strategy perspective, SAP is investing heavily in innovation in the cloud while still supporting and developing its on-premises solutions. SAP’s analytics and EPM solutions are spread across different product lines. For planning and budgeting, SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) and the on-premises solution SAP Business Planning and Consolidation (BPC) are the core offerings. Both are supplemented by SAP S/4HANA Finance for Group Reporting for financial consolidation and close. SAP Analytics Cloud plays a central role in the company’s BI and analytics portfolio and combines comprehensive capabilities into one cloud environment. It is built on top of SAP HANA in-memory technology.

SAP Analytics Cloud, SAP’s strategic cloud offering and analytics platform, brings together BI, augmented analytics and enterprise planning into one integrated platform. The product is continuously being improved in areas such as application and dashboard design; conversational analytics and smart data exploration; planning and predictive functionality; and prebuilt business content (e.g., solutions for finance, sales and marketing, HR and various industries). SAP Analytics Cloud is fully web-based with a modern web client and a Microsoft Office 365 Excel add-in. It has a modern and user-friendly UI and offers functionality for all planning activities including strategic, operational, functional and financial planning. SAP Analytics Cloud can be used with its own data sets or to query selected SAP data sources directly. It integrates with all the major SAP enterprise applications (e.g., SAP S/4HANA, SAP BW/4HANA, SAP HANA, SAP Datasphere, SAP Integrated Business Planning). Customers can take advantage of this live connection to implement hybrid cloud scenarios without moving, caching or persisting the data into the cloud. In recent versions, SAP Analytics Cloud’s integration and connectivity with SAP and non-SAP sources has been strengthened. Its planning, predictive and workflow functionality as well as its reporting and dashboarding capabilities have also been improved through a new optimized ‘Unified Story’ experience including scripting options.

SAP BPC is SAP’s recommended product for those requiring an integrated on-premises planning and financial consolidation solution. As an additional front-end option, SAP BPC customers can combine SAP Analytics Cloud with the product’s planning engine. SAP Analytics Cloud can access SAP BPC’s ‘Embedded’ model (data and structures) using a ‘BPC Live Connection’ without replicating data, thus providing write-back options for planning data directly into SAP BPC’s planning model in BW through write-back enabled queries.
SAP S/4HANA Finance for Group Reporting is SAP’s strategic financial consolidation and close offering. It directly integrates with SAP S/4HANA for Central Finance and is available in the cloud, on-premises or in hybrid deployments. SAP S/4HANA Finance for Group Reporting offers capabilities for the preparation of consolidated financial statements and group reporting, including data entry, data validation, currency translation, intercompany reconciliation, postings and more. Thanks to integrations with SAP Analytics Cloud and SAP Disclosure Management, the analysis of data, publication of consolidated results and consolidation of plan data is supported.

Strengths and challenges of SAP Analytics Cloud

BARC’s viewpoint on the product’s strengths and challenges.

Strengths
  • Integrated business-user-friendly functionality for enterprise planning and BI with embedded capabilities for augmented analytics and application design in SAP Analytics Cloud. Comprehensive capabilities for implementing custom planning applications with supporting workflow and collaboration functionality.
  • Augmented analytics and generative AI features in SAP Analytics Cloud leverage predefined ML algorithms and help users to query, predict and dig deep into data sets quickly (e.g., ‘Smart Predict’, ‘Smart Insights’, ‘Smart Discovery’, ‘Just Ask’).
  • Exclusive connectivity (e.g., live access and direct write-back) and prebuilt content available for SAP’s own data sources and applications (e.g., SAP Analytics Cloud with SAP S/4HANA or SAP Datasphere, SAP BPC with SAP BW/4HANA).
Challenges
  • Strong focus on cloud products such as SAP Analytics Cloud is leading to less innovation and fewer updates for the on-premises planning and analytics product portfolio (e.g., SAP BPC and SAP BusinessObjects BI).
  • Besides using SAP Analytics Cloud with its own data models in the cloud, it can also be used as a front end for other SAP data sources (‘live data connection’). However, for live access only, a limited set of functionality is available (e.g., not all ‘smart’ functions). Moving forward, the SAP Analytics Cloud team is investing in a common architectural layer for live connectivity which should, over time, result in improved functional parity regardless of the underlying data source.
  • SAP Analytics Cloud is mainly used by SAP customers together with SAP data sources. While the product integrates easily with all major SAP enterprise applications, fewer native connectors are available to non-SAP data sources, especially to competing business applications. SAP Analytics Cloud does provide open REST APIs to import and export data from and to non-supported systems, and near-term roadmap investments related to SQL Live and tighter coupling with SAP Datasphere will extend native connectivity for both live and remote sources.
  • Customer feedback in this survey and BARC’s experience from customer projects reveals some concerns about the business benefits, product capabilities, pre-delivered content and performance of SAP Analytics Cloud. However, customer testimonials confirm that the product is steadily evolving and maturing.
Need more help finding the right software?

Find out how our expertise can help you.

SAP Analytics Cloud User Reviews & Experiences

The information contained in this section is based on user feedback and actual experience with SAP Analytics Cloud.

The information and figures are largely drawn from BARC’s The BI & Analytics Survey, The Planning Survey, The Financial Consolidation Survey and The Data Management Survey. You can find out more about these surveys by clicking on the relevant links.

Who uses SAP Analytics Cloud in a BI & analytics context and how

Why users buy SAP Analytics Cloud and what problems they have using it

Premium content. Unlock with BARC+.
For just €79 per month (€948 per year) you can access all the paid content on www.barc.com.
Your benefits:

Full user reviews and KPI results for SAP Analytics Cloud

All key figures for SAP Analytics Cloud at a glance.

Premium content. Unlock with BARC+.
For just €79 per month (€948 per year) you can access all the paid content on www.barc.com.
Your benefits:

Individual user reviews for SAP Analytics Cloud

Role
Consultant
Number of employees
Less than 100
Industry
Various industries
Source
BARC Marketing, The BI & Analytics Survey 25, 04/2024
What do you like best?

Integration von Reporting in Planung. Datenkonnektivität. Detailliertere Anforderungen durch Skripting erweiterbar. Workflow Funktionen.

What do you like least/what could be improved?

Initiale Ladezeiten. Erweiterung der Predictive Analytics Funktionen.

What key advice would you give to other companies looking to introduce/use the product?

Tool-fit definieren. Langfristigen Einführungs-/Umsetzungsplam aufsetzen.

How would you sum up your experience?

-

Role
Project manager for BI/analytics from IT
Number of employees
More than 2.500
Industry
Manufacturing
Source
BARC Marketing, The BI & Analytics Survey 25, 04/2024
What do you like best?

Das UI und IBCS standardisierte Charts.

What do you like least/what could be improved?

Gesamt-Performance ist zu schlecht.

What key advice would you give to other companies looking to introduce/use the product?

Fokus auf eine gute Administration der SAP Analytics Cloud mit Blick auf Schnittstellen zu Datenquellen etc.

How would you sum up your experience?

Viel gelernt in den letzten 2 Jahren hinsichtlich Skalierung von BI mit SAP Analytics Cloud.

Role
Consultant
Number of employees
More than 2.500
Industry
Consulting
Source
BARC Marketing, The BI & Analytics Survey 25, 04/2024
What do you like best?

Das Measure/Dimension Modell und die guten Tools für Tabellen und Charts, sowie die Governance.

What do you like least/what could be improved?

Performance und Sicherheit vor Verlust der Arbeit, wenn mal wieder was auf den Servern nicht klappt.

What key advice would you give to other companies looking to introduce/use the product?

-

How would you sum up your experience?

Man muss damit warm werden.

Role
Consultant
Number of employees
More than 2.500
Industry
Consulting
Source
BARC Marketing, The BI & Analytics Survey 25, 04/2024
What do you like best?

Anbindung zur SAP-Welt.

What do you like least/what could be improved?

Schwache Anbindung an relevante non-SAP Quellen.

What key advice would you give to other companies looking to introduce/use the product?

Versuchen Sie, so gut es geht im SAP-Ökosystem zu bleiben.

How would you sum up your experience?

Gut.

Role
Consultant
Number of employees
More than 2.500
Industry
IT
Source
BARC Panel, The BI & Analytics Survey 25, 05/2024
What do you like best?

Visualization.

What do you like least/what could be improved?

Predictive models.

What key advice would you give to other companies looking to introduce/use the product?

Overall, it's a decent product and has good integration with SAP-based ERP.

How would you sum up your experience?

Overall, it's a decent product.

Role
IT employee
Number of employees
More than 2.500
Industry
Media/Publishing
Source
BARC Panel, The BI & Analytics Survey 25, 04/2024
What do you like best?

Perfekte Integration mit SAP BW via Live Connection.

What do you like least/what could be improved?

Aktuelles Filter-Konzept in der Story, viele verschiedene und für Endanwender verwirrendes Konzept, da an vielen verschiedenen Stellen gefiltert werden kann. Nicht immer transparent, wo jetzt welcher Filter gesetzt ist. Widgetfilter, Storyfilter, Seitenfilter, verknüpfte Analyse-Filter usw. Schwierigkeit mit den Koexistenzen von klassischer und optimierter Versionen z.B. bei Story oder Data-Analyzer Objekten. Berichtsentwickler und Anwender müssen zwischen den Welten / Funktionen wechseln können und sich nicht verwirren lassen. Teilweise ist der Umstieg auf optimierte, neue Version nicht durchgängig möglich, weil geliebte Funktionen (noch) nicht verfügbar sind.

What key advice would you give to other companies looking to introduce/use the product?

Der Umstieg von BEx WAD auf SAC ist einfacher möglich also von Business Objects auf SAC. Auch der WOW-Effekt ist um einiges höher.

How would you sum up your experience?

Super Tool mit kleinen Schwächen, die hoffentlich kontinuierlich von Quartal zu Quartal verbessert werden.

Role
Head of a separate BI/analytics organization unit
Number of employees
More than 2.500
Industry
Process industry
Source
BARC Marketing, The BI & Analytics Survey 25, 05/2024
What do you like best?

Konnektivität zu SAP-Quellsystemen (inkl. SAP BW, SAP R/3).

What do you like least/what could be improved?

Self-Service Reporting Funktionalitäten.

What key advice would you give to other companies looking to introduce/use the product?

Versuchen Sie, so viel wie möglich intern zu erarbeiten, anstatt sich zu stark auf die Unterstützung externer Beratungsunternehmen zu stützen.

How would you sum up your experience?

-

Role
Head of a separate BI/analytics organization unit
Number of employees
More than 2.500
Industry
Retail
Source
BARC Marketing, The BI & Analytics Survey 25, 05/2024
What do you like best?

Zugriff auf BW, Live Connection im Design-Modus.

What do you like least/what could be improved?

Limitierungen, langsame Roadmap.

What key advice would you give to other companies looking to introduce/use the product?

PoC machen.

How would you sum up your experience?

Nach dem Reinfall mit Lumira Designer war SAC sehr positiv.

Role
Consultant
Number of employees
More than 2.500
Industry
Insurance
Source
BARC Panel, The BI & Analytics Survey 25, 04/2024
What do you like best?

User Experience in Bezug auf die Oberfläche.

What do you like least/what could be improved?

Die Predictive Funktionen sind nicht ausgerichtet auf eine produktive regelmäßige Anwendung. Im Rahmen der Exploration nutzbar.

What key advice would you give to other companies looking to introduce/use the product?

Self Service ernst meinen.

How would you sum up your experience?

Gut.

Role
Head of business department
Number of employees
Less than 100
Industry
Consulting
Source
BARC Panel, The BI & Analytics Survey 25, 05/2024
What do you like best?

Regelmäßige Updates mit Funktions-Erweiterungen und ständige Verbesserung des Produkts.

What do you like least/what could be improved?

Manchmal ist die Performance nicht so gut, wie man es sich wünschen würde. In der Regel ist das aber kein Problem.

What key advice would you give to other companies looking to introduce/use the product?

Das Tool von Anfang an korrekt aufbauen, auf saubere Ordnerstrukturen und Namenskonventionen achten und Berechtigungen so anlegen, dass sie mit den Aufgaben mitwachsen können.

How would you sum up your experience?

Insgesamt positiv.

Role
Project manager for BI/analytics from IT
Number of employees
More than 2.500
Industry
Manufacturing
Source
BARC Panel, The BI & Analytics Survey 25, 04/2024
What do you like best?

Planung, Reporting und Predictive in einem Tool. Gute SAP-Anbindung.

What do you like least/what could be improved?

Komplexität.

What key advice would you give to other companies looking to introduce/use the product?

Immer erfahrene SAC-Berater frühzeitig einbinden.

How would you sum up your experience?

Gutes Tool, das sich stetig weiter entwickelt.

Role
Head of a separate BI/analytics organization unit
Number of employees
More than 2.500
Industry
Healthcare
Source
BARC Panel, The BI & Analytics Survey 25, 05/2024
What do you like best?

Depth of integration with other SAP technology.

What do you like least/what could be improved?

Adoption journey.

What key advice would you give to other companies looking to introduce/use the product?

Complement it with SAP Datasphere.

How would you sum up your experience?

-

Role
CEO
Number of employees
More than 2.500
Industry
Process industry
Source
BARC Panel, The BI & Analytics Survey 25, 05/2024
What do you like best?

Visualisierung der Daten. Übersichtliche Dashboards.

What do you like least/what could be improved?

Höhere Flexibilität.

What key advice would you give to other companies looking to introduce/use the product?

Nutzer von Anfang an in das Design einbinden und gut trainieren.

How would you sum up your experience?

Überwiegend positiv.

Role
Consultant
Number of employees
Less than 100
Industry
Consulting
Source
BARC Panel, The Planning Survey 24, 04/2024
What do you like best?

Eine recht moderne Oberfläche für SAP-Verhältnisse.

What do you like least/what could be improved?

Manche Reporting-Ansätze nur über Umwege möglich.

What key advice would you give to other companies looking to introduce/use the product?

How would you sum up your experience?

Die Erfahrungen mit der SAC Cloud sind positiv, auch wenn die Lösungen teilweise ihre Grenzen haben.

Role
Line of business employee
Number of employees
100 - 2.500
Industry
Medien/Verlagswesen
Source
BARC Panel, The Planning Survey 24, 04/2024
What do you like best?

Cloudbasiert, häufige Updates, relativ schnelle Zugriffszeiten.

What do you like least/what could be improved?

Teilweise starrer Standard, Abweichungsanalysen z. T. unzureichend.

What key advice would you give to other companies looking to introduce/use the product?

How would you sum up your experience?

Ein gutes Tool, das sich allerdings noch das eine oder andere von der Konkurrenz abschauen kann - v. a. hinsichtlich der Flexibilität.

Role
Project manager for planning from IT
Number of employees
100 - 2.500
Industry
Medien/Verlagswesen
Source
BARC Panel, The Planning Survey 24, 04/2024
What do you like best?

Kombination aus Predictive Analytics und Planungsszenarien.

What do you like least/what could be improved?

Die Preisgestaltung (Lizenzen).

What key advice would you give to other companies looking to introduce/use the product?

Die Zeit nicht unterschätzen.

How would you sum up your experience?

Derzeit noch im Einführungsstadium. Aber die nächsten Schritte sind vielversprechend.

Role
Member of a cross-departmental BI team
Number of employees
-
Industry
Manufacturing
Source
BARC Marketing, The Planning Survey 24, 04/2024
What do you like best?

Excellent SAP landscape integration. Frequent new functionalities thanks to quarterly releases and investment from vendor. Currently most of the main data visualization are available, even without using custom widgets or R. Powerful top/down reporting possibilities when combined with an SAP data warehouse. Compared to previous tools in the organization, it is very easy to onboard new app/dashboard creators, reducing bottlenecks within the organization for such topics.

What do you like least/what could be improved?

The frequent addition of new features is sometimes at cost of bug fixing. A short pause for a thorough code cleanup would be useful. While using the standard planning functionality is at acceptable performance level, leveraging the advanced features seems to be impacting performance. This leads to doubts regarding the scalability of the tool for very complex scenarios. The self-service features regarding data-wrangling are still far away from the possibilities some concurrent offer.

What key advice would you give to other companies looking to introduce/use the product?

We are currently scaling-up from a planning scenario complexity perspective and it would be my advice to be able to keep the performance topic under control.

How would you sum up your experience?

In general, very good. With the proper reliability tweaks regarding performance and minor (but irritating) bugs, companies highly relying on SAP tools should be very happy with the functionalities in both dashboarding and planning.