SAP BI-BO-BPC-Xcelsius Integration

Recently I came across a reporting requirement to develop an Xcelsius dashboard that contain data  from BPC reporting.The first thing that came across my mind is the integration point and the single version of truth in terms of the final results and formulas applied in BPC.We can connect Xcelsius to the BPC Applications via the universe using QAAWS or we can opt for the EPM connector that leverage on the Extended Analytics.For the later approach, be careful that the Extended Analytics and the EPM connector wil only work in Xcelsius if the Service Pack level for the ODBO driver is the same as the Extended Analytics. Else you may encounter issue using 'getreportdefinition' command in the Extended Analytics or connecting to the BPC server via EPM connector.

Another thing to consider is the SSO, if your BPC has domain login and BO server has SAP logon, there is no way you can skip the BPC domain logon prompt when you refresh the data from Extended Analytics.Using the Extended Analytics and EPM approach,we can use the Custom Member feature to apply the MDX formula to derive any calculated field.

Another thing that came across my mind is the single client tool that the organization has to strategically deploy across for all reporting users. For example if consolidation and budgeting is build on the BPC platform, it is just logical that the reporting on group console and budgeting reports are done from Extended Analytics which enable user to read the BPC data structure rather than start building Webi or Bex reports out of BPC applications due to the differences in BW and BPC structure. Furthermore  BPC v10 client can read both BPC and BW structures.

In regards of Xcelsius, finance dashboard can be build from the EPM connector interface and other reports such as PTP or OTC reporting via the universe from QAAS. In BO4, universe layer is not required anymore to read from Bex query. Instead there is Advanced Analysis (embedded in Excel engine) that has direct connectivity to SAP BW backend system and Bex query.Xcelsius can consume data displayed in Advanced Analysis via BICS (BI Consumer Services). Just take note that Advaced Analysis (as well as Explorer) does not come in BO Starter Package licence.