Overcoming SAP BW challenges with delaware and Databricks

Jan 29, 2025

operations
IT
SAP

Businesses face numerous challenges when managing their data platforms and data warehousing solutions. SAP Business Warehouse (BW) is a proven tool that integrates seamlessly with SAP ERP data and provides ready-made data models for reporting and analytics. While powerful for many use cases, it also comes with several hurdles that can hinder efficiency and growth in the modern data landscape. How can Databricks help you overcome those?

Integration difficulties

SAP BW works well with SAP data, but it can be challenging to integrate with data from other source systems.

Performance issues

There are performance limitations, especially when dealing with large datasets.

Complex data extraction

Extracting data from SAP BW can be complex and may require additional tools or custom solutions.

High costs

The subscription model for SAP BW-required tools can become expensive.

The benefits of combining SAP BW with Databricks

At delaware, we understand the strengths and challenges of a modern data platform. This is why we believe in the true business value driven by the combination of SAP and Databricks. Whether your goal is to migrate from SAP ECC to S/4HANA, phase out BW, or keep SAP BW in place within a hybrid landscape, delaware supports various architectural scenarios and tools to offer the optimal solution.

Unified data platform: Combining SAP and Databricks allows businesses to unify their SAP and non-SAP data into a single platform, eliminating the need for complex ETL processes and reducing data duplication.
Enhanced analytics and AI: The combination enables advanced analytics and AI capabilities, leveraging Databricks' advanced machine learning libraries to perform predictive analytics on data from various sources, including SAP.
Real-time insights: By integrating SAP with Databricks, companies can achieve real-time data processing and analytics, helping in making timely and informed business decisions.
Cost efficiency: The integration reduces the need for additional software and hardware licenses, leading to cost savings in data management and maintenance.
Improved data governance: Combining both platforms helps maintain business context and data integrity, ensuring that data is accurate and reliable for decision-making.

Deceuninck: Stepwise migration per functional domain of SAP BW to Azure Databricks & Power BI.
De Watergroep: Full migration of SAP BO to Databricks and Power BI for various functional domains (asset management, billing, accounting, marketing, etc.).
Vandemoortele: Move towards a hybrid landscape with SAP BW for standalone SAP reporting and Databricks for high-volume and integration-intensive use cases, mainly driven by sustainability and production use cases.
water-link: Move towards a hybrid landscape with SAP BW & SAC for financial reporting, and Azure Databricks & Power BI for operational reporting. Full migration towards Azure Databricks & Power BI is on the roadmap for the coming years.

Why delaware?

As an SAP Platinum Partner and a global Databricks Select Consulting Partner (as well as a Databricks Champion in EMEA), delaware commits to delivering high-quality solutions that address the unique data and AI challenges of each customer. By leveraging the combined power of SAP and Databricks, we help our clients unlock their full potential.