Feedback on Upgrade to 7.0 Analyzer

Question

This is not a technical question but I am trying to get some general feedback on others
experiences with upgrade from the 3.5 to 7.0 BEx Analyzer tool.
We are currently in process of evaluating the new BEx Tools and in general finding that
while the Query Designer has been improved the 7.0 BEx Analyzer has been totally messed
up at least when comparing to the basic functionality that was available in 3.5 Analyzer.
The 3.5 Analyzer is a very easy to use User Friendly tool and used by most users including
query / design changes in our organization. With the new WAD concepts being introduced in
the 7.0 Analyzer it has become a bit too technical for an average BEx ( non tech savvy )
user to use the tool - not to even mention of the functionality issues when comparing the
tool to 3.5 version.
I just wanted to know if others have had similar experiences and how did they manage user
expectations / SAP's response on issues you've reported in the new 7.0 Analyzer.
I am providing a  few that we have noticed so far.
1.Most users in our organization always navigate through the Analyzer to edit queries.
This is not as easy in the new 7.0 Analyzer where you have to execute a query first
before you can edit it or have another session open for query designer to make changes
but those may or maynot show up in the Analyzer unless you sign out / sign in .
So basically its very cumbersome and not a good move.
2. We are seeing major performance issues with medium to large workbook conataining
anywhere from 10 to upto 50 queries in a workkbook. And there are plenty of these created
by users for analysis and preparing formatetd financial month end packages fo r the execs.
It takes forever to open the workbook to begin with and then to go into/out of design mode is
another few minutes (5-10) .Its absolutely frustrating if you have to make workbook changes.
3. Figuring out when you may or may not see a variable screen popup is a big challenge.
Take a look at OSS Note 1044219 and you'll get the idea.
4. Refreshing individual queries with variables popup in a workbook does not seem to be a possibility anymore.
Please share your experiences if you're planning to or have upgraded to
7.0 version.
Thanks
Edited by: Ravi Lakkaraju on Nov 2, 2009 4:49 PM
Edited by: Ravi Lakkaraju on Nov 2, 2009 5:04 PM
Edited by: Ravi Lakkaraju on Nov 2, 2009 5:07 PM
Edited by: Ravi Lakkaraju on Nov 2, 2009 5:08 PM

Answer 1

Hi,
Normally for big workbooks. There is one option in workbook settings Individual query Refresh.
Go to Bex Analyzer -> Design Toolbar -> workbook settings -> General (There you can see allow refresh function for individual query Refresh)
This function helps instead of refreshing whole workbook, user can refresh as per their requirement of query.
Also support pack 10 for frontend helped us a lot. And we are waiting for support pack 11 for bi frontend. It has solution on performance side.
Also Check the oss notes 1040454.
New Bex Analyzer is using memory on below calculation
mem = 100MB + (#rows x #columns) x 0.0016 MB
I hope this helps you.
Thanks,
Naman Shah