Multi source enabled data foundation based universe vs BICS connection on Bex Query on a multi-provider?

[Former Member]

With SAP BI 4.1, user can created multi source enabled data foundation, which allows us to connect to different data sources. With BICS available, assuming we have SAP BW available, we can create a multi-provider on the top of cubes that get data from different data sources. We can then create Bex query on the top of the multi -provider. My question to SAP or any other BW/BI expert:

1. If performance is an issue, would you recommend using a multi source enabled data foundation (plus àBusiness Layer and ->universe) or use the second options cubes-multi-provider->bex query, and use BICS connection? Which one is better with performance?

[Henry_Banks · Accepted solution]

Hi,

the  BW-SQL multisource foundation  doesn't leverage hierarchies, nor variables, nor the OLAP engine.   It goes directly to the underlying schema tables by way of pointin to a cube. Actually, creating a good quality UNX from these tables may be harder than expected, and moreover if you start joining seperate fact tables into a single universe, and asking BOBJ to process them.. then you are not using the processing power of the BW!

Yes, multiprovider -> bex - > BICS  has many advantages.  BW processing power, OLAP engine. variables and hierarchies. NW safety belt etc.

Regards,

H