SAP HANA One and Predictive Analysis Desktop - Time Series Algorithms

Question

I have been working on a Proof-of-Concept project linking the SAP Predictive Analysis Desktop application to the SAP HANA One environment.
I have modeled that data using SAP HANA Studio -- created Analytic views, Hierarchies, etc. -- following the HANA Academy videos.  This has worked very well in order to perform the historical analysis and reporting through the Desktop Application. 
However, I cannot get the Predictive Analysis algorithms -- specifically the Time Series algorithms -- to work appropriately using the Desktop tool. It always errors out and points to the IndexTrace for more information, but it is difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of the issue.  The HANA Academy only has videos on Time Series Algorithms using SQL statements which will not work for my user community since they will have to constantly tweak the data and algorithm configuration. 
In my experience so far with Predictive Analysis desktop and the Predictive Algorithms, there is a drastic difference between working with Local .CSV / Excel files and connecting to a HANA instance.  The configuration options for using the Time Series Algorithms are different depending upon the data source, which seems to be causing the issue.  For instance, when working with a local file, the Triple Exponential Smoothing configuration allows for the specification of which Date field to use for the calculation.  Once the data source is switched to HANA, it no longer allows for the Date field to be specified.  Using the exact same data set, the Algorithm using the local file works but the HANA one fails. 
From my research thus far, everyone seems to be using PA for local files or running the Predictive Algorithms directly in HANA using SQL.  I can not find much of anything useful related to combing PA Desktop to HANA. 
Does anyone have any experience utilizing the Time Series Algorithms in PA Desktop with a HANA instance?   Is there any documentation of how to structure the data in HANA so that it can be properly utilized in PA desktop? 
HANA Info:
HANA One Version: Rev 52.1
HANA Version: 1.00.66.382664
Predictive Analysis Desktop Info:
Version: 1.0.11
Build: 708
Thanks in advance --
Brian

Answer 1

Hi,
If you use CSV or XLS data source you will be using Native Algorithm or R
Algorithm in SAP Predictive Analysis.
When you connect HANA, SAP Predictive Analysis uses PAL Algorithm which runs
on HANA server.
Coming to your question regarding difference,
In SAP PA Native Algorithm, we could provide the Data variable, Algorithm
picks the seasonal information from the Data column. Both R and SAP HANA PAL
does not support Date Column. We need configure seasonal information in
Algorithm properties.
R Properties
1) Period : you need to mention the periodicity of the Data
Monthly : (12)
Quarter : (4)
Custom : you can use it for week or Daily or hourly.
2) Start Year: need to mention Start year.
Start year is not used by algorithm for calculating Time series, but it helps
PA to generate Visualization ( Time series chart) by simulating year and
periodicity information.
3) Starting Period:
if your data is Quarterly and you have data recordings from Q2, mention 2 in
start period.
Example.
If the data periodicity is Monthy and my data starts from Feb 1979, we need to provide following information,
Period: 12
Start year: 1979
start Period: 2
PAL Properties. : Same as properties defined in R.
Thanks
Ashok
[email protected]