Chapter 1. Introduction to BI and the Semantic Layer

Before getting started with SAP Business Object Universe, you need to first understand what Business Intelligence (BI) is and how SAP Business Objects (SAP BO) Universe fits in. It is very important to know the terms and language used in the BI world, and this is the aim of this chapter.

In this chapter, we will cover the following topics:

• What Business Intelligence is and how it helps organizations and decision makers make the best use of the information they have
• The important terms and concepts that everyone working in the BI field should be aware of
• The BI reporting architecture models, starting with the basic and simple single-tier model until we reach the most matured three-tier model
• Defining the semantic layer, and describing its functionality and main role in the BI reporting model
• Introduction to the SAP BO Universe, which represents the semantic layer in SAP BO's reporting solution, and Information Design Tool, which is mainly used to create and publish Universes