Netweaver 2004S/BI in ECC6

Question

Hello All,
First of all i appologise for asking this question again as it has been posted before on this forum but i just want to have the latest information.
For a client we are starting a complete new installation of ECC6 with the modules MM, QM, FI/CO, PP, SD. Besides this we also want to use the integrated BW system (on the same SID).
For this i have a few questions;
Is it possible to have the Netweaver 2004S/BI version of BW in ECC6 or only the 3.5 version?
I read in a post on the forum from Kathleen Beavers the following "This means that you will need to get approval from SAP to pursue this option. SAP will review your project to determine whether we think you are a good candidate for this approach and monitor your project." Is this still feasable?
I also read in a post that the approach is good for smaller projects, what is then considered to be a smaller project?
Are there any experiences  regarding the advantage and disadvantages other than described in note 855534?
Are there any experiences regarding system performance?
Al advice is welkom,
Many thanks,
Cerillo Smeets

Answer 1

Hi,
@Eddy - This is the appropriate forum for this question.  This forum was specifically created by my colleagues and me for such questions.  The BI forum is <i>also</i> a place where opinions on this subject can be gathered.  But, since this kind of question specifically deals with both SAP NetWeaver and ERP, this is where we want the question.  My colleages and I monitor this forum...I do not monitor the BI forums.
@Cerillo...
Is it possible to have the Netweaver 2004S/BI version of BW in ECC6 or only the 3.5 version?
MK> The underlying SAP NetWeaver and BI version depends on the ERP version you are installing.  With mySAP ERP2004, it is SAP NetWeaver '04.  With My SAP ERP 2005, it is SAP NetWeaver 2004s.
I read in a post on the forum from Kathleen Beavers the following "This means that you will need to get approval from SAP to pursue this option. SAP will review your project to determine whether we think you are a good candidate for this approach and monitor your project." Is this still feasable?
MK> See Note 855534.  When Katie wrote this, it was a hard requirement.  It has since been softened and is not "required", but is certainly a good idea to have an experienced consultant take a look.
I also read in a post that the approach is good for smaller projects, what is then considered to be a smaller project?
MK> This means in general, it is not a good idea to have the "embedded" BI as your full, enterprise data warehouse.  There is a lot of subjectivity in this, though.  Take note of what 855534 says about the lifecycle management of the system: you will have to upgrade, patch them together, etc.  This could be just as important but should be evaluated by customers on a case-by-case basis.
Are there any experiences regarding the advantage and disadvantages other than described in note 855534?
MK> I outline some other considerations in my <a href="/people/matt.kangas/blog/2005/07/26/the-paradox-of-choice-for-the-sys-admin.  I also plan to record and post a presentation on SDN about desiging SAP NetWeaver landscapes (when I can find the time!).  Also, see my TechEd presentation ULM213.
Are there any experiences regarding system performance?
MK> The DB tuning parameters for OLTP and OLAP systems are different.  With embedded BI, the system is tuned with the OLAP parameters.  We have found that <i>in most cases</i> that there is no performance degradation with these parameters, especially with the latest DB releases.  Just remember, though, that processes in the same SID will affect the entire system...in separate systems, this is not the case.
We are always looking for more field experience with these installations.  However, SAP NetWeaver offers tremendous flexibility in terms of landscape design and installation options.
Best Regards,
Matt