InfoProvider

An InfoProvider is a fundamental concept in SAP Business Warehouse (SAP BW) and its successor, SAP BW/4HANA. It represents a data source that can be queried or analyzed. Think of it as a structure or object that holds data in a way that is optimized for reporting and analysis. InfoProviders can be used to create reports, dashboards, and other analytical applications. They provide a unified view of data, regardless of its original source system or format.

There are various types of InfoProviders, each serving different purposes. Common examples include InfoCubes, which are typically used for multidimensional data analysis and store data in a star or snowflake schema. DataStore Objects (DSOs) are used for storing detailed transaction data and are often used for staging or master data management. InfoObjects are the basic building blocks of InfoProviders, representing individual data fields like characteristics or key figures. Virtual InfoProviders offer a way to access data directly from source systems without physically loading it into BW, improving data freshness. Query performance is a key consideration when designing InfoProviders, and their structure significantly impacts how quickly reports can be generated and data can be analyzed.