Predictive analytics using SAP Design Studio and SAP HANA – Part 2

In part 1, we discussed the 101 of predictive analytics in SAP HANA using SAP HANA PAL and HANA flowgraph modelling. The drag and drop interface allows us to focus on the analysis without spending too much time writing out complex SQL scripts.

In this blog, we will understand how we can integrate flowgraphs with SAP Design Studio and provide a readily consumable output to the decision makers.

Extending our example from the previous blog, we would like to select different store and product combinations, to be able to view the sales forecast at a granular level. This kind of analysis will help in inventory planning, promotional offers for low selling products and so on. We would also like to choose the number of periods of forecast as well as be able to modify the forecast parameters to ensure a good fit.

Predictive analytics using SAP Design Studio and SAP HANA – Part 1

With advanced analytics finding a place in every business function, scripting and programming is too much of a hassle when you are bound by deadlines and tough competition. This is where SAP makes a difference by providing a minimal scripting approach to predictive analytics.
This is a two-part blog where part 1 discusses the fundamentals of SAP HANA PAL & HANA flowgraphs and part 2 discusses how flowgraphs can be integrated with SAP Design Studio to derive actionable insights on the fly.

SAP HANA PAL – Predictive Analytics Library, which is a part of HANA AFL (Application Functions Library) is a large collection of functions to implement predictive modelling. These are the same set of functions that are made available in SAP Predictive Analytics Expert Mode when connecting to a HANA data source. Earlier on, these functions could be used by means of a several-step process using SQL scripts – manually creating all of the artefacts required.