Founder of Business objects

Bernard Liautaud, founder and eighteen-year CEO of BusinessObjects,the first European silicon
valley startup,he took the company from zero to a billion dollars in revenue, and then sold it to
SAP for $6.7bn. Bernard is now a General Partner of Balderton Capital, one of the largest venture
capital funds in Europe.

Business Objects 4.0 architecture & SAP BO BI 4.1 architecture

SAP has introduced new term and technology with its latest release of Business Objects v4.0 .
There are changes in the "Business Objects 4.0 Architecture" as well. Business Objects 4.0
Architecture is
6 Layer Architecture.

Client Tier
Web Tier (Previously Application Layer in BO XI)
Management Tier (Previously Intelligence Layer in BO XI)
Storage Tier (New Layer introduced in BO 4.0)
Processing Tier
Data Tier

Several new process has been introduced in the each of this layer.
Lets have look at the new BO 4.0 Architecture- click on each of the service to know more
information about.
services which has labels as "4.0" are newly introduced in the latest version.

Below Document describe the architecture of the Entire SAP Business Objects Business
Intelligence 4.1 Platform. As you can see it describe the Connection that each
tool in the SAP BO BI suite can support.
http://help.sap.com/businessobject/product_guides/sbo41/en/sbo41_bip_architec
ture_en.pdf
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
@

What is Web Intelligence?

With Web Intelligence, we can access the data in the corporate databases or data

warehouses from within the office, home or around the world using corporate intranet,
extranet or World Wide web.
No Webi software needed to be loaded on your computer.
You can save these documents on your local drive or send them to other users or publish
them to the corporate repository for potentially even broader circulation
What is WEBINTELLIGENCE System's Architecture?
1. The client: The Web browser, which provides the gateway to the Webi system.
2. The middle tier: Comprises the HTTP server and Webi system components, linked
together by CORBA calls in a distributed CORBA environment.
3. The Server: Comprises the repository and corporate database. This is where much of
the data is stored, and where system security is controlled.
Middle Tier:
HTTP Server: Web Intelligences HTTP server interface is the user's main gateway to
the WEBINTELLIGENCE system. It is the main channel for receiving and servicing
client requests. The HTP server includes the HTTP Server Abstraction Layer (HSAL).
The HSAL receives user requests for WEBINTELLIGENCE services and converts them
from the gateway protocol and from that WEBINTELLIGENCE understands.
WIDispatcher: is the system's URL router. Whenever the WIDispatcher receives a
translated request from the HSAL, it decides which process the request should be sent to,
then convert the textual URLs into CORBA requests that can start the required
WEBINTELLIGENCE process.
WISession Manager: performs user validation, and tracks all activity from the time
users log in until they logout. It also keeps track of all the enabled WIGenerators in the
cluster. At login time, it can assess which WIGenerator has the lightest transaction load,
and assigns the new user's WIQT process to it.
WIGenerator: The WIGenerator module is used to generate the framework for the
HTML pages (such as document lists and user start pages), excluding the actual
document content. The documents themselves are generated by the
WEBINTELLIGENCE Query Technique (WIQT) processes. The WIQT processes can
be distributed within a cluster (load balancing).
BOManager : This component launches and manages a pool of BUSINESSOBJECTS
processes via OLE Automation under Windows (local calls only), and CORBA under
UNIX. It also manages multitasking and maintains user context.
WIStorage-Manager: manages the WEBINTELLIGENCE systems cache and
document storage areas.
Scheduler: The BROADCAST AGENT Scheduler periodically polls the repository to

detect tasks to run. It then communicates with BOManager (for BUSINESSOBJECTS

documents) or WIGenerator (for WEBINTELLIGENCE documents) to process the tasks.
WIADE Server: provides the server interface for the zero administration deployment of
BO. This component launches and manages a pool of BUSINESSOBJECTS
processes via OLE Automation under Windows (local calls only), and CORBA under
UNIX. It also manages multitasking and maintains user context.
WIStorage-Manager: manages the WEBINTELLIGENCE systems cache and
document storage areas.
Scheduler: The BROADCAST AGENT Scheduler periodically polls the repository to
detect tasks to run. It then communicates with BOManager (for BUSINESSOBJECTS
documents) or WIGenerator (for WEBINTELLIGENCE documents) to process the tasks.
WIADE Server: provides the server interface for the zero administration deployment of
BO.
What Products use the WebIntelligence System?
WEBINTELLIGENCE
BROADCAST AGENT
Zero Admin Business Objects (ZABO)
WEBINTELLIGENCE SDK
What is the difference between INFOVIEW and WEBINTELLIGENCE?
Infoview gives an instant overview of all the documents available to you in the corporate
database and allows you to view, refresh, manage and distribute documents, but not
create or modify them. To do that you need Web Intelligence or BO Reporter Modules or
BO installed through Web Browser.
Webi user may have any or all of the functionalities available. Create New Webi
documents and edit existing ones. Drill to more detailed levels of data in drillable Webi
documents.
What is the difference between Query Condition and Document filter?
Condition: is applied to the query and limits the data retrieved from the database.
Filter: is applied to the data in the document to hide information and display only the
information that you want to appear.
What can you do withWEBINTELLIGNE SDK?
We can customize (or even replace) the WEBINTELLIGENCE use interface.
Call the Web Panel
Publish Documents
Access various file types
Build a custom web-based report catalog
Automate WEBINTELLIGENCE login

https://sites.google.com/site/businessobjectsondemand/home/project-definition

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
@@@

and BI/BW is something where ETL and reporting is done on same and BW is the
warehouse it uses to store the data. Business Objects Business Intelligence (
BOBJ/BO ): ... In the current SAP product suite, 'BW' is 'Business Warehouse', 'BI' is
'Business Intelligence'. They are separate products.

BO and BOBJ are same and BW and BI are same. and the difference between two of them is
BOBJ/BO is complete reporting tool (WebI, Crystal reports, Infocube or Launch Pad,
Dashboards or Xcelsius). BO uses BODS or BODI (Business Objects Data Services/Integrator )
as ETL tool and generate reports in BO.
and BI/BW is something where ETL and reporting is done on same and BW is the warehouse it
uses to store the data.
Simply BODS+BO=BI.
Business Objects Business Intelligence ( BOBJ/BO ):
- wins with more intuitive reporting (creating and sharing) interface,
- couples its main goal with wide range of tools extending its functionality.
SAP Business Intelligence ( BI/BW ):
- praises for its more advanced data store module,
- enables significantly faster access to data.
13.6k Views View Upvotes

Carlos D Butler
Written Jul 9, 2013
Anthony has covered 'BO' and 'BOBJ' fairly well. I want to make a couple of comments
concerning 'BW' and 'BI'.
In the current SAP product suite, 'BW' is 'Business Warehouse', 'BI' is 'Business Intelligence'.
They are separate products. To help understand why confusion exists, some history might help.
'BW' was renamed to 'BI' before SAP acquired Business Objects. Unfortunately, Business
Objects already had a product called 'BI'. Even after the acquisition, there were two 'BI' products
for a while. They were distinguished by adding 'BOBJ' or 'SAP' to the name (i.e. 'BOBJ BI' and
'SAP BI'). Eventually, 'SAP BI' went back to 'BW', but marketplace confusion still exists.
I'm no Data Product expert, but I can give a very broad distinction between 'BI' and 'BW'. 'BW' is
a data warehousing product with extensive reporting capabilities. It sits on an SAP-traditional
ABAP infrastructure. 'BI' is a data analytics product offering complex capabilities of extracting
information from raw data. It is not based on any of the SAP Application Server infrastructure,
but uses the same underpinnings it had when it was a BOBJ product. The difference can be
subtle but important.

SAP BW and SAP BI are same thing, it's just different marketing names that SAP has used
(initially was SAP BW, then thy changed to SAP BI, now it's SAP BW again).
SAP BW is a complete BI system based on SAP, so it has:

modelling tools to model the data warehouse layer

ETL tools to help you load data from other systems

OLAP engine to help you build complex reports without programming

front-end tools to help the users run those reports

and many others (monitoring, authorization management, a bit of data mining etc.)

It's a good BI system but more oriented to SAP world, so you will rarely find projects where is
used to extract data from non-SAP sources only.
BO and BOBJ are the same thing also (Business Objects). It used to be a different software for
reporting, but then was acquired by SAP and integrated in the SAP landscape.
Business Objects is just a fronted tool for reporting. It can be used standalone, to report data
directly from the source system database (for small projects), or, more often, it's used as another
front-end for BW.
About why and when to use which - this is a complex discussion, especially now with the HANA
option. Their functionalities overlap a bit.
i believe the confusion of SAP BI, BW, BO (BOBJ) still exists. from someone who deals with uk
and non uk users i find myself reclarifying what each client means when they reference these as
you cant assume they are referring to what you are referring to.
I consider BOBJ to be BusinessObjects & think of this as being seperate to SAP BI? I also
consider a SAP BW consultant to be very different from a SAP BI consultant- is this not correct
- i think its important to understand the background of each person within these fields and
actually understand the projects they have been involved in.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Top 50 Business Object Interview Questions

1. Define Business objects.
Business object can be considered as integrated analysis, reporting and query for the purpose of
finding solution to some business professionals that can be helpful for them to retrieve data from
the corporate databases in a direct manner from the desktop. This retrieved information can be

presented and analyzed within a document that of business objects. Business objects can be
helpful as an OLAP tool by the high level management as a major part of Decision Support
Systems.

Top 50 Business object interview questions

2. Explain the pros of using business objects.
There are many advantages in making use of business objects and they are

User friendliness

Business terms that are familiar

Graphical interface

Deployment of documents on an enterprise basis by making use of WebI

Dragging and dropping

Powerful reports for a lesser amount of time.

3. List out the different products related with Business Objects.

There are various kinds of products related with business objects and they are

User module

Designer

Supervisor

Auditor

Set Analyzer

Info View

Business Objects Software Development Kit

Broadcast Agent

4. Define Designer.
Designer is a module related with Business Objects IS used by the designers for creating and
maintaining universes. Universes can be considered as semantic layer that can isolate the end
users from the various issues that are technical and related with the structure of database.
Universe designers has the possibility for distributing the universes to the end users after moving
these as file through the system of files or can be done by exporting the files to the repository.
5. What are the kinds of modes associated with designer and business objects?
There are especially two different kinds of modes associated with these platforms, they are

Enterprise mode

Workgroup mode

6. List out the various kinds of methods related with multidimensional analysis that is
inside business objects.
There are two different methods related with multidimensional analysis available inside BO and
these methods are

Slice & Dice

Drill down

7. List out the kinds of users associated with business objects.

There are various different kinds of users associated with business object, they are

General supervisor

Supervisor

Graphical Interface

Designer

Supervisor Designer

End User

Versatile User

8. What are the various data sources available?

Business objects help you in accessing the data from variety of sources. You have the possibility
of accessing data from RDBMS like oracle, MS SQL server and IBM DB2.
9. Define the kinds of data providers?
There are various kinds of data providers available for the business objects and they are

Stored procedures

Queries over universe

Free hand SQL

VBA procedures

SAP

OLAP servers

Personal data files

10. Define drill mode.

This is a kind of analysis mode associated with business objects and helps in breaking down data
as well as in viewing data from all the possible angles and the levels of detail for discovering the
factor that has caused good bad result.
11. What is a personal connection?
Personal connection can be created only by a single user and it cant be made used by others. The
details regarding such a connection can be usually stored inside PDAC.LSI file.
12. What is Shared connection?
This is a kind of connection that is usually made used by other user via a server which is shared
one. The details regarding the connection can be stored within the SDAC>LSI file which can be
found within the installation folder of the business objects.

13. What is a secured connection?

Secured connection is a kind of connection that can be helpful in overcoming the various
limitations associated with the former connections. The rights related with this kind of
connection can be set over documents as well as objects. Universes can be brought inside central
repository only by making use of secured connection. The parameters regarding these connection
care usually saved inside CMS.
14. Define custom hierarchies?
The custom hierarchies can be used for defining the universe for facilitating drill down that is
customized and can happen between objects from different or same classes considering the user
requirements.
15. How can custom Hierarchies be created?
The custom hierarchies can be created by following the path tools ->hierarchies in BO designer.
16. Define a context in the universe.
Context can be defined as the particular path of join between a specific group of joins or the
tables for the purpose of a particular query. A particular object that can be found inside the
column of a table, belonging to particular context is supposed to be compatible to all the various
kinds of objects belonging to the same context. In the case of objects that are from the various
kinds of context, different kinds of SQL can be generated, and the results can be merged inside
micro cube. This is for making sure that there is no incorrect result associated with a loop or any
other kind of issue related with join path.
17. How can Contexts be created?
Context can be created by making use of feature associated with context or by manual
procedures. The context are usually created by making use of logical calculation or based on the
business requirements. The detect context may not be much useful in this case and so it should
be done by making use of manual procedure.
18. Define a Chasm Trap.
Chasm trap is a condition that arises when the values inside the fact table get inflated at the time
of measuring the values from two different fact tables by considering the dimensions inside
dimension table.
19. How can Chasm Trap be solved?
Chasm trap should be solved by making use of two different methods.

In the case of SQL parameters in universe, the option generates numerous

queries for each and every measure that needs to be chosen. This helps in
generating SQL statement for every measure and gives the correct results.

Another approach is to include two joints in different contexts, where the

problem will get solved by generating two synchronized queries.

20. What are the utilities of Derived tables?

Using SQL queries from the database level, Derived tables are created in the universe. The
columns of the derived table will be the columns selected in the query. Derived table can be used
in the complex calculations which are difficult to be achieved in the report levels. Using a dblink,
tables can be accessed from a different schema, is another use of derived tables.
21. Define User Objects.
User objects is a universe of classes and objects which is created by the universe designer. Once
the objects consisted in the universe does not matches your necessities, then the user can create
his own objects called User objects.
22. List out the @functions.
The @functions are:

@Aggregate_Aware

@Script

@Select

@Variable

@where

@Prompt

23. Describe the uses of @functions.

The @prompt function asks the end user to enter any specific values. The Visual Basics for
applications macros results will be recovered by using @Script function. An existing statements
SELECT statement can be re-used by using @Select function. For a name or variable, the value
assigned to it will be referenced using @Variable. An existing objects where clause can be reused by @Where functions.
24. How many Domains are there in Business Objects? What are they?

There are three Domains in Business Objects and they are:

Security

Document

Universe

25. How to access one derived table from another?

Using @Derived_table function, we can access one derived table from another. The syntax is as ,
@derived_table(the derived table name)

26. Define Slice in Business Objects.

Slice works with the master or detail reports and it is used to rename, reset and delete the blocks.
27. Differentiate Dice and Slice.

Slice:
It renames, reset and delete the blocks. It works with the
master/detail report.

Dice:
It displays the data and removes the data. It turns the crosstabs
and tables into c harts and vice versa.

28. What is a master/detail report?

Large blocks of data can be split into sections by using master/detail report.
Repeating values can be avoided by using this and also the subtotals can be
displayed.

29. Define a class.

The class can be defined as a collection of objects in a universe. Subclasses can be derived from
classes and using these classes and the subclasses, we can create a hierarchy.

30. How many approaches are there for linking universes?

There are three approaches available for linking the universes and they are:

The Kernal approach.

The Master approach.

The Component approach.

31. Define data mining.

Data mining is the process through which you can extract the required details from the database,
which can be made used for making conclusions.
32. List out the available Drill modes.
Drill modes helps to analyze data from different angles and different state of details. The
available Drill modes are;

Drill up.

Drill down.

Drill by.

Drill through.

33. Define aggregate_awarness.

when we have a same fact tables in different grains,we use aggregate_awarness function to
define one object for measures in fact tables.the syntax is as,
@aggregate_aware(highest_level.lower level)
34. Define the term fan trap?
A one to many join links to a table which respond with another one to many join links is called
fan trap.
35. Define Data provider.
The query or the data source is called as the data provider.
36. When we use a context?
Context is created when the dimension objects are present in one or both fact tables.

37. What is a standard mode?

Only the users within the group can be accessed in this mode.
38. List out the schemas supported by Business Objects Designer.
There are five different schemas supported by Business Objects designer and they are:

star schema.

Snowflake schema

Multistar schema

Normalized production schema.

Data warehouse with aggregates.

39.Define Channel.
Channel is a website with push technology. It is to make the users know up-to-date information.
Each and every Business Objects channel will be associated with a broadcast agent, who can
have several channels.
40. What are the restrictions over user objects?
User objects are not shared with other end users. It is stored in a specific user object definition
file. So if any end-user tries to refresh or edit the query contains another users user object, it will
be automatically cleaned and removed.
41. List out the tasks of universe designer.
The tasks consists of,

Designing the universe.

Creating the universe.

Maintaining the universe.

Distributing the universe

42. List out the main components of designer interface.

The main components it consists of are:

The table browser.

The structure pane.

The universe pane.

43. What you meant by report bursting?

To maintain the version documents according to the user profiles, we use report bursting.
44. Define WEBI.
Web intelligence is a solution that is specialized in supporting the decisions related with queries,
reports and analysis.
45. Abbreviation of DSS is?
Decision Support Systems.
46. Define strategies.
To automatically extract structural information from database or from a flat file we use a script
known as strategy.
47. Give a definition for universe.
It is a set of objects and classes.these objects and clss es will be intended for an application or a
group of users.
48. Define secured mode.
Secured mode restrict the access of specific users over specific commands.
49. What is Drill by?
Using drill by we can move to other hierarchy and analyze the other data, which belongs to
another hierarchy.
50. What is a list of values?
It is file which contains the data values associated with an object.

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Dear readers, these SAP Webi Interview Questions have been designed specially to get you
acquainted with the nature of questions you may encounter during your interview for the subject
of SAP Webi. As per my experience good interviewers hardly plan to ask any particular question
during your interview, normally questions start with some basic concept of the subject and later
they continue based on further discussion and what you answer:
What are the different versions of Business Objects that you have worked on?

BO XI R1

BO XI R2

BO XI R3

BO XI R3.1

BO XI R3.2

In year 2011, BO XI 4.0 was introduced and latest version of the tool is SAP BO 4.2.
What are the key differences between BOXI R3 and SAP BO 4.x?

Deski is not available in BO 4.x

IDT is introduced to support multiple data sources
Import Wizard is no longer available in BO 4.x
Bo 4.x is 6 layered architecture as compared to BOXI R3 5 layer architecture.
How do you migrate Deski to Webi reports in Business Objects?

Using Report Conversion Tool

To publish a Webi report created on the top of Universe in BO repository, it should
be created on which connection?

Secured connection published to Repository

What are the differences between Personal, Shared and Secured connections?

A Personal connection is created by one user and cannot be used by other users. The connection
details are stored in PDAC.LSI file.
A shared connection can be used by other users through a shared server. The connection details
are stored in SDAC.LSI file in the Business Objects installation folder. However one cannot set

rights and securities on objects in a shared connection. Neither can a Universe to exported to
repository using a shared connection.
A secured connection overcomes these limitations. Through it rights can be set on objects and
documents. Universes can be exported to the central repository only through a secured
connection. The connection parameters in this case are saved in the CMS.
What is BI Launchpad?

BI Launchpad is a Java or HTML based interface of Business Objects tool to perform analytical
reporting and data analysis. You can set the preference for your BI Launchpad which determines
which tool interface is launched via Launchpad.
Using Web or Internet Application to access WebI interface via BI Launchpad, you can perform
the below tasks
Create, edit and refresh all the reports in Web Intelligence.
Create and edit all the queries in no data source (Universes) but not BEx queries in Web
application.
Explain the architecture of Web Intelligence tool?

It is three layered architecture

Database layer - This layer defines multiple SAP and non-SAP data sources.
Semantic Layer - This layer defines multidimensional data model.
Presentation Layer - This layer defines where data is presented to end users.
Various data sources can be used to create analytical and ad-hoc reports
What are the different application modes that can be used in a Web Intelligence
tool?

There are three different application modes that can be used to build the queries, create
documents and to analyze the reports. When you open an existing reports below modes are
available

Data Application Mode

Reading

Design

To add, delete objects in a report, applying conditional formatting, applying formulas

in report, creating variables, you should open Webi document in which of the
following mode?

Design mode with Data

What are the different data sources that you can use to create a new Webi
document?

Universe

Flat files in .csv or .xls format

BEx queries

Analysis View

What is the extension of a Webi document?

.wid file
You have few report created in older versions of Web Intelligence 3.1 and want to
upgrade to 4.x, which tool you should use?

Using Upgrade Management Tool UMT

What is the extension of Universes created in Information Design Tool and UDT?

.unx- File created with Information Design Tool

.unv- File created in Universe Design Tool
What is a Query panel?

You can select from list of available objects as per your access permissions. You may not be able
to use few of the objects cos of permission.
In query panel, you have Universe outline in left pane and Result objects, query filters, data
preview panels in main pane.
Which connection you can use to import all OLAP functionalities from an InfoCube in
SAP BW?

BICS Business Intelligence Consumer Service. BICS connectivity is the recommended way for
BI tools to connect to Business Explorer (BEx) queries on the SAP NetWeaver BW server.
What are the different save as formats supported for a Webi report?

WID

PDF

Excel

Excel 2007

CSV Achieve

TXT File

What are classes and subclasses?

Classes are used to group similar objects in a report. A class can contain one or more subclasses.
Subclasses contains further subcategory of objects in upper level of a class.
Classes are used to organize objects in some logical manner. While creating queries on Universe
you can find the information on objects that you have to use in query.
What is difference between members and named set in hierarchies?

Members are defined at different level of hierarchies in a data source.

Example
Consider a Geography hierarchy contain members India at country level and Haryana at
State level.
You can also include individual members in query from hierarchy if you dont want to add all the
members. Named set can be used to define set of members.
A named set is defined as named expression and results a set of members. You can define named
set at Universe level or a relational or OLAP database level.
Where do you define hierarchies to use in Webi report?

Universe level
How do you use InfoCubes in SAP BW to connect to Webi document?

You can create Webi documents based on BEx (business Exchange Queries) created by BEx
Query Designer which is based on Info Cube in SAP BW system. You can connect to a BEx
query in WebI with use of BICS BI consumer service connection. You need not to create
Universe for BEx queries and all attributes, hierarchies, dimensions and measures are
automatically mapped in WebI document.
How do you connect to SQL server to create a Universe to use in a Webi report?

Using a Relational connection created in Universe Designer

What are the query filters?

Query filters are used to limit the rows returned in a WebI document. Query filters allow you to
hide the data that you dont want to show to specific people and also limit the size of .wid
document. When you run a query, it only returns the rows that meet the query filter definition.
Below are the key features used in Query filter
You can retrieve data as per specific business requirement.
You can hide the data that you dont want specific users to see in a WebI document.
Limit the size of WebI document of network and hence provides performance optimization.
Example Being an Area Sales Manager for NY, you want to see margin values for your region
and Sales universe contains data from all the regions in United State. Also you only want to see
data from the stores in NY where sales margin is greater than 100K USD in 2nd Quarter Q2 2015.
What is difference between query and report filters?

Query filters are applied in Query Panel and they are used to limit the number of rows from data
sources and to return the same in document.
Report filters are applied at report level on reports, tables, charts, etc. These filters are not used to
limit the data retrieval from the data source and only hide certain values at report level.
Why do we use Prompts? Where do we apply Prompts to use in Webi report?

Prompt is defined as special filter for users which allows them to enter a value every time data is
refreshed in the document.
Using prompts, you have multiple users viewing one document to display different sub set of
data in database. Prompts allow you to retrieve the data from database and reduce the time.
Prompts are created in Query Panel
What is context and how they are created?

Context defines a particular join path between tables or a specific group of joins for a particular
query. Any objects created on a table column which belong to specific contexts is naturally
compatible with all other objects from same contexts.
Contexts may be created using detect contexts feature or manually. They are generally created
based on logical calculation and business requirements, hence the detect context method is not

very effective. To manually create a context Go to Insert Context, give the context name and
select the joins that should be present in the context. For a universe contexts should be created in
a way that all joins(except shortcut joins) fall in at least one context.
What is Aggregate awareness function? Why do we use it?

Aggregate awareness function is used in scenarios where we have same fact tables in different
grains. Using this function we can define only one object for the measures in the fact tables.
aggregate_aware(highest_level,lower level)
We also need to define dimensions for associated granularities and define their incompatibilities
with the corresponding facts through the aggregate navigation. This is accesses through Tools
Aggregate Navigation.
Use
They are used to enhance the performance reports by utilizing arrogate tables available at
database and are applied at Universe level as function.
What is the use of subquery?

Subqueries provides you a more flexible option to filter the data as compared to an ordinary
query filter. Using Subqueries you can limit the values returned with a WHERE clause. You can
also compare the values of objects in a subquery with the other objects.
Using Subqueries, you can implement complex logic to limit the size of data which are not
possible to apply with simple query filters.
They are used in Query panel.
In Query panel, you cant see ranking option enabled, what could be the reason?

Database ranking is done by editing the script generated by query. If you database doesnt
support ranking, then option to create ranking will not highlight in query panel.
Also note that Ranking cant be created on hierarchical data.
What do you understand by hierarchical data?

Hierarchical data is defined a data with Parent-child relationship and you can analyze the data at
different levels of hierarchy.
All the measures that are associated with hierarchical data are aggregated as per object level in
hierarchy.

Example
Consider a Geography hierarchy, you have Country India and State defined as Delhi. Now if you
use this geographical hierarchy in report and want to analyze Number of Units sold at each level
for different categories, then hierarchies allow you to use Aggregation at country level and if you
drill down to state level, for each state too.
What is difference between Break and Sections?

Section breakup the data into multiple cells that are called Section headers and Each Section
header contains a value for dimension and data corresponding to dimension value.
Break is used divides the data up into one block and each column carries dimension, attributes
and measures and these values are repeated for each other row values in the block.
What is query stripping?

Query stripping feature optimizes the query to fetch only DATA which will be directly or
indirectly rendered or displayed to the User, thus decreasing the response time and faster display
of the report for the user. This feature is only available for OLAP universes, and it will be greyed
out when using any RDBMS universe. It is used in Query panel.
What are the different chart type in Webi tool?

Bar

Box

Column

Line

Map

Radar

Pie

Waterfall

Explain the difference between Query filter, Report filter and block filter?

A query filter limits the data returned from the database.

A block filter allows selected data to display in a single block and hides the other data.

A report filter allows selected data to display in a page and hides the other data. The report filter
applies to all data blocks on the page.
When you synchronize two queries from different data sources, what rules must you
respect?

Respect the following rules

Object names can differ.
The data type for the merged objects must be the same.
Data must have the same case because the data provider is case-sensitive.
You can only synchronize on dimensions.
You can only display measures with synchronized dimensions. When you use them for another
purpose, duplicate values appear.
You use the MINUS operator to combine queries, what would be the result?

All records that match the first query condition and not the second condition.
What is the use of Conditional formatting in Webi report?

Conditional Formatting is used to highlight some specific values in the report. If you want you
can show specific low or high values with some specific colors. Conditional formatting can be
applied to below elements

Rows in horizon tables

Columns in Vertical tables

Cells in forms and cross tables

Sections

Free Holding Cells

Condition formatting can be used to make these formatting changes

Text Color

Size and Style

Cell Border

Color

Size and Style

Cell backgrounds

How you can add multiple query filters in Query panel?

By using AND/OR operators

What are the different Report filters operators?

Equal To

Not Equal To

Different From Operator

Greater Than

Greater Than or Equal To

Less Than

Less Than or Equal To

Between

Not Between

In List

Not In List

Is Null

Is Not Null

You want to use queries from different data sources in a Webi document. How you
can use this?

Using Query Merge. This option allows you to merge the data from different data sources.
Assume that you have created Query 1 and Query 2 in Query Panel. When you combine both the
queries in a single WebI report, objects from both the queries are shown in list of available
objects.
You want to add a new column in the report based on an existing fact value. How
you can add this functionality?

Using New Variable

What is an input context?

The input context is the list of dimensions that are included in the calculation itself.
What is use of string concatenation?

Lastname+ , + Firstname
What is the use of Nofilter() function?

To override a report filter or a ranking

How do you create a hyperlink in the Web Intelligence Interactive panel?

By using Create Hyperlink dialog box

To allow sync between two queries in Query merger, you use a new variable to add
it to report. What re properties that you need to define to enable sync?

Enter the Variable name, Qualification as Detail and it will add a new field Associate
Dimension. In Associate dimension, select the unique object from the same query.
How do you connect SAP HANA database to Webi document?

To use HANA tables for report creation, Use Universe Designer to create Universe using a
Relational connection to HANA database.
Can you attach a Webi document in mail?

Yes, by using send by email attachment option

You have saved a Webi Report .wid file and send it to other user to make changes.
He is not able to open it and getting access error. How you can resolve this?

When you use Save as option, on right side you get many options Refresh on open, Permanent
Regional formatting, Save for all users, Remove document Security.
Select Save for all users option while saving the report.
In a Webi report, you want to add Radio buttons for end users to quickly view and
analyze the data. Which of the Webi feature support this?

Input Controls
What do you understand by input controls? Can we use input controls on Geography
and Time hierarchy?

Input controls are used to filter and analyze the report data. You define input controls using text
boxes and radio buttons. Input controls are associated with report elements like tables and
section headers and use control to apply filter on report elements.
When you select a value of an input control, it filters the values in report element that is
associated with input control by selected value.
Input Controls can also be used on hierarchical data.

What is Next ?
Further you can go through your past assignments you have done with the subject and make sure
you are able to speak confidently on them. If you are fresher then interviewer does not expect
you will answer very complex questions, rather you have to make your basics concepts very
strong.
Second it really doesn't matter much if you could not answer few questions but it matters that
whatever you answered, you must have answered with confidence. So just feel confident during
your interview. We at tutorialspoint wish you best luck to have a good interviewer and all the
very best for your future endeavor. Cheers :-)
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@2
BO 100 Interview Questions
What is usiness objects?
Business objects provides a set of tools for building data warehouses very
efficiently. Business objects is an integrated query, reporting and analysis solution
for business professionals that allow them to access the data in their corporate
databases directly from their desktop and present and analyze this information in a
business objects document.

What is Designer?
Designer is the Business objects product that is intended to develop the universes.
These universe is the semantic layer of the database structure that isolates from
technical issues of the database structure.
How many modes are there in BO & Designer?
There are two modes are there in BO and Designer are :
Enterprise Mode
Workgroup Mode
What are the different types of data providers supported by BO?
Queries on Universe
Stored procedure
Free hand SQL

Text files or Spread sheets

VBA Procedures
OLAP servers
SAP
What are the different multidimensional analysis methods available in Business
Objects?
There are two multidimensional analysis methods available in BO, they are :
Slice and Dice
Drill Down
What are the different @ Functions?
@Aggregate_Aware
@Prompt
@Script
@Select
@Variable
@Where
What is the difference between @Prompt and @Script?
The @Prompt function lets you create an interactive object. In the Query Panel, this
type of object causes a message to appear. This message prompts the end user to
enter a specific value.
This function recovers the results of Visual Basic for Applications macro (VBA
macro).
What is a context?
A context is a rule by which determines which of two paths can be chosen when
more than one path is possible in the database.
What are the disadvantage of using contexts?
The disadvantage of using context is that you expose the business objects end user
to the database structure. They are forced to decide which context they want to use
to run their query. The role of the universe is to shield end users from the database
structure, so they do not have to make such decisions.
What is BO?
BO is an excellent tool for generation of reports, carrying out detailed analysis,
graphical presentation of the results and generation of alerts.
What are data integration tools?
Data integration tools are used to extract data from existing databases, carry out
the necessary transformations and load the data into the target database using a
GUI.
What are the components of data integrator?
Data Integrator has four components are :

Graphical designer : GUI to build and test ETL jobs for data cleansing, validation and
auditing.
Data integration server : to integrate data from different source databases.
Metadata repository : to keep source and target metadata as well as transformation
rules.
Administrator : A web based tool can be used to start, stop, schedule and monitor
ETL jobs. The ETL jobs can be in batch mode or real time mode.
What is a Business Objects Repository?
The Business Objects repository is a centralized set of relational data structures
stored on a database. This relational device enables Business objects and Web
intellegence users to share resources in a controlled and secured environment.
What are the types of business objects repository domain?
The repository is made up of three domains are:
The security domain
The universe domain
The document domain
What is BI platform?
This platform provides a set of common services to deploy, use and manage the
tools and applications. These services are security, broadcasting, collaboration,
metadata and developer services.
What is BCA?
BCA is a software product for the users of WEBI and BO to process and distribute
documents automatically at the scheduled dates and time.
What are the features in BCA?
Automated document scheduling and publishing
On the server side, CORBAenabled features such as load balancing and server
optimization using caches
Tracing BROADCAST AGENT activity
Access and security
What is a chasm trap?
Many to one joins from two fact tables converge on a single lookup table. This type
of join convergence is called a Chasm trap.
What is a fan trap?
A one to many join links a table which is in turn linked by a one to many join. This
type of fanning out of one to many joins is called a Fan trap.
What is a Loop?
In a relational database, a loop occurs when joins form multiple paths between
lookup tables. if a query includes more than one path, the information returned can
be incorrect. The rows that are returned are an intersection of the results for each

path, so fewer rows are returned than expected.

What is universe?
A universe is a set of classes and objects intended for a specific application or group
of users.
What are the types of OLAP?
ROLAP (Relational OLAP)
MOLAP (Multidimensional OLAP)
HOLAP (Hybrid OLAP)
What are the different schemas supported by BO Designer?
Star Schema
Snowflake Schema
Multistar Schema
Normalized production Schema
Data warehouse with aggregates
What is the repository?
The repository is the database in which the information about the users and data is
present. It is created and maintained by the general supervisor. It is used to share
resources of business objects.
What are the types of repository domains?
There are three types of repository domains
Universe domain : It holds all the exported universes and there may be more than
one universe domain in the repository.
Document domain : It holds all exported documents, templates, scripts, and lists of
values.
Security domain : secured connections are stored in this.
How is a fan trap solved?
A Fan trap is solved in the following way :
Creating an Alias and applying Aggregate Aware function.
Using Multiple SQL statements for each Measure.
What is user objects?
User objects are enduser personal objects that are not shared with other endusers. This is because the user objects are stored locally in a specific user object
definition file. If an end-user tries to refresh or edit query that contains another
user's user object, the user object is automatically removed from the query and
report. A user object is stored inside the Universe folder.
What are the various Business Objects products?
User Module
Designer
Supervisor
Auditor

Set Analyzer
Info View (Web Intelligence)
Business Objects Software Development Kit (SDK)
Broadcast Agent
What are strategies?
A strategy is a script that automatically extracts structural information from a
database or flat file.
What are the different types of Strategies?
In Designer we can specify two types of strategies :
Built in strategies
External strategies
What are the types of users in Business Objects?
General Supervisor
Supervisor
Designer
Supervisor Designer
End User
Versatile User
What is Web Intelligence?
Web Intelligence is a decision support solution designed to meet critical query,
reporting and analysis needs over the World Wide Web and has features very similar
to Business Objects.
What are master/detail reports?
Master/detail reports enable you to split large blocks of data into sections. This type
of presentation allows you to avoid repeating values and also to display subtotals.
What are calculation contexts?
By default, BUSINESSOBJECTS determines the result of a measure based on the
dimension or dimensions in the part of the report in which the measure is inserted.
These sets of dimensions are called calculation contexts. Calculation contexts are
dynamic in BUSINESSOBJECTS.
What is Dimension?
It is a structural attribute of a cube, which is used for multidimensional analysis.
What is supervisor?
Supervisor is the product is used to set up and maintain a secure environment for
Business Objects products.
What are the types of dimensions?
There are four types of dimensions are :
Informational Dimension
Structural Dimension

Categorical Dimension
Partitioning Dimension
What is a Data Provider?
The data source (Query) is called as the data provider.
What are the tasks of the universe designer?
The responsibilities that universe designer has
Designing, Creating and maintaining the Universe
Distributing the Created Universes
What are different types of parsing?
There are two types of parsing are :
Quick parsing
Thorough parsing
What is the use of Check integrity?
Check Integrity can detect :
Invalid syntax in the SQL definition of an object, condition, or join.
Loops
Isolated tables
Isolated joins
Loops within contexts
Missing or incorrect cardinalities
What are the user profiles in Supervisor?
SUPERVISOR offers several standard profiles for the various types of users of
Business Objects products.
General Supervisor
Supervisor
Designer
Supervisor-Designer
User
Versatile
What is a LOV?
A list of values is a file that contains the data values associated with an object. Lists
of values can reveal information about the contents of a database.
What is a category in supervisor?
A category is a keyword or phrase end-users can assign to documents when they
send them to users, groups, or BROADCAST AGENT.
What are the disadvantages of using a Alias?
When we create Alias, it creates a new/extra table and this increases the number of
tables in the universe, and this can be a problem, if performance is a issue

What are the types of connection available in Designer?

The database connection is categorized into three types :
Personal
Shared
Ssecured
Explain personal, shared and secured?
Personal : The user and the universes, which are created using the personal
connection belongs to that computer and can be accessed from that computer only,
create it.
Shared : In shared type of connection we can use the common resources such as
universes and documents. This can be used by several users. The parameters are
stored locally in locdata folder with name sdac.lsi or sdac.ssi. This shared type of
connection is used to setup in testing environment before publishing them.
Secured : In secured type of connection we can centralize and control access to
secure the data. The secured connections are stored in security domain and are
distributed to all the designers and supervisors who have the appropriate privileges.

When do u use a Context?

When you have dimension objects in one or both fact tables, you should always use
a context.
What is symbolic objects?
Objects whose values are text are referred to as Symbolic objects.
What is data mining?
Data Mining is the analysis of data and use of software techniques for extracting
hidden, comprehensible, and useful information from databases.
When do u use Multiple Universes?
You can use multiple universes to solve a Chasm trap in a WEBINTELLIGENCE
universe when Multiple SQL for Measures cannot be used as there are dimension
objects defined for one or both of the fact tables.
What are the different methods by which we can link the universes?
There are three approaches available for linking universes :
The kernel approach
The master approach
The component approach
Explain kernel approach, master approach and component approach?
Kernel Approach : With the kernel approach, one universe contains the core
components. These are the components common in all universes. The derived
universes that you create from this kernel universe contain these core components
as well as their own specific components.
Master Approach : In this approach, one master universe holds all possible

components. In the universes derived from this master, certain components are
hidden; in other words, the components visible in the derived universes are a subset
of the master universe.
Component Approach : It involves merging two or more universes into one universe.
What is a report bursting?
Report bursting allows you to maintain the version documents based on the user
profiles.
Post Your Answers Your Name Your Email-ID
What is aggregate awareness?
Aggregate awareness is a feature of DESIGNER that makes use of aggregate tables
in a database. These are tables that contain pre-calculated data. The purpose of
these tables is to enhance the performance of SQL transactions; they are thus used
to speed up the execution of queries.
What is metadata?
Metadata is defined as the data about data. Metadata describes the entity and
attributes description.
What is a Batch?
Batches provide a way to group sessions for either serial or parallel execution by the
Informatica Server.
Define Cubes?
A cube consists of a set of ordered dimensions and measures. A cube may have one
or several dimensions.
What is surrogate key?
A system generated artificial primary key that is not derived from any data in the
database. It is similar to the object identifier in an object oriented system.
What is slice and dice?
An operation that allows one to select a portion of the data of a fact on the basis of
specified values in one or several dimensions.
What are the benefits of linked universe?
A dynamic link may considerably reduce development and maintenance time. When
you modify a component in the kernel universe, DESIGNER propagates the change
to the same component in all the derived universes.
Instead of recreating common components each time you create a new universe,
you can centralize such components in a kernel universe, and then include them in
all new universes.
Linked universes facilitate specialization. Development can be split between
database administrators who set up a basic kernel universe, and the more
specialized designers who create more functional universes based on their specific
field.

Can Dimension and Measure objects both be used for Drill down analysis?
NO, Measure object cannot be used in Drill down analysis.
What is drill down?
The drill down operation performs the operation opposite to the rollup operation,
i.e., it moves from a more general level to a detailed level in a hierarchy, thus
presenting more detailed measures.
What is drill across?
The drill across operation executes queries involving more than one cube.
What is drill through?
The drill through operation allows one to move from data at the bottom level in a
cube to data in the operational systems from which the cube was derived.
What is the default qualification of a object?
By default, DESIGNER automatically assigns a dimension qualification to an object
you create.
What are Lookup and Fact Tables?
A lookup (Dimension) table contains information about the entities. In general the
Dimension and details objects are derived from lookup tables. A fact table contains
the statistical information about transactions.
What is slice?
The slice operation performs a selection on one dimension of a cube,resulting in a
subcube.
What is roll up?
The roll up operation transforms detailed measures into summarized ones. This is
done when on moves up in a hierarchy or reduces a dimension.
What is materialized view?
A view which is physically stored in a database. Materialized views allow query
performance to be enhanced by precalculating costly operations.
What are the main components of the Designer Interface?
The main components that interact in the designing of universe are
Table browser : The table browser is used to choose the tables and columns.
The Structure pane : The Structure pane refers the database structure of the
universe.
The Universe pane : The Universe pane refers the components in which it is going to
use in BO or WEBI documents.
Does Cardinality have any effect on the generation of the query?
Cardinality has no effect in the generation of SQL. Its sole purpose is to provide

enough information to DESIGNER so that it can detect and resolve loops.

What are new in BO 5.1?
Save business objects documents in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF).
Add hyperlinks to reports such as mail addresses and web site addresses. These
hyperlinks are maintained when you save the report in HTML or PDF.
Zero Administration : Only the business objects client software installed on the
windows pc; all middleware is stored and administered on the web intelligence web
server and the server side processing is handled by the web intelligence system.
What is a class?
A class is a collection of objects with in a universe. A class can further divided into
subclasses. Using this classes and subclasses we can define the hierarchy.
What is Drill up/down/by/through?
Drill mode allows you to analyze data from different angles and on different levels of
detail.
Drill down displays next level of detail in hierarchy.
Drill up goes back up through the hierarchy to display data on less detailed levels.
By using Drill by option you can move to another hierarchy to analyze other data
that belongs to a different hierarchy.
Drill Through - If the lowest level of detail you need is not currently available in the
report, you can drill through to the database directly from drill mode and get the
data you need. You do not have to edit the query in the Query Panel.
What are the ways by which you can distribute the Universe?
There are two ways to distribute a universe: through the repository or through the
file system .
What are enterprise and workgroup modes?
Enterprise mode means that you are working in an environment with a repository.
Workgroup mode means that you are working without a repository. The mode in
which you save your universe determines whether other designers are able to
access them. By default, a universe is saved in the mode in which you are already
working. For example, if you launched a session in enterprise mode, any universe
you save is automatically in that mode.
What is a macro?
A macro is a series of commands and functions that are stored in a Visual Basic for
Applications module and can be run whenever you need to perform the task. If you
perform a task repeatedly, you can automate the task with a macro. You create
macros using the Visual Basic Editor.
Is a default lov assigned to a Measure object?
No default list of values is assigned to measure objects.
What is aggregate aware?

Aggregate awareness is a feature of DESIGNER that makes use of aggregate tables

in a database. These are tables that contain precalculated data. The purpose of
these tables is to enhance the performance of SQL transactions; they are thus used
to speed up the execution of queries.
What is the syntax of a Aggregate Aware function?
The syntax of the @Aggregate_Aware function is as follows :
@Aggregate_Aware(sum(agg_table_1), ... sum(agg_table_n)) where agg_table_1 is
the table with the highest level of aggregation, and agg_table_n the table with the
lowest level.
Is Universe MOLAP or OLAP?
MOLAP - Multidimensional Online Analytical Processing.
What is intelligent binning?
A powerful BUSINESSMINER feature which automatically and intelligently divides
numeric values into "bins" based on the range, values and distribution of the data.
What is an add-in?
Add-ins are programs that add optional commands and features to
BUSINESSOBJECTS. Add-ins are usually created by those responsible in your
company for adding customized features to BUSINESSOBJECTS. All you probably
need to do is install and uninstall add-ins that are sent to you.
Can a Universe have more than one fact Table?
Yes. Typically a universe can have more than one fact table and numerous
aggregated tables.
What is the difference between built in strategies and external strategies?
Built in Strategies : Designer provides a number of default strategies which we can
use. These are strategies for extracting joins, detecting cardinalities, and creating
default classes and objects. Options for indicating default strategies are located in
the Database tab of the Options dialog box.
External Strategies : We can also create our own strategies. Such strategies are
referred to as external strategies. With an external strategy, we can specify the
exact way that objects and joins are to be extracted from the database structure.
The strategy we use, for example, can be a script generated from a CASE Access
tool. An external strategy is specific to one RDBMS.
Is Universe MOLAP or OLAP?
MOLAP - Multidimensional Online Analytical Processing.
What is intelligent binning?
A powerful BUSINESSMINER feature which automatically and intelligently divides
numeric values into "bins" based on the range, values and distribution of the data.
What is an add-in?
Add-ins are programs that add optional commands and features to

BUSINESSOBJECTS. Add-ins are usually created by those responsible in your

company for adding customized features to BUSINESSOBJECTS. All you probably
need to do is install and uninstall add-ins that are sent to you.
Can a Universe have more than one fact Table?
Yes. Typically a universe can have more than one fact table and numerous
aggregated tables.
What are the different schemas supported by BO Designer?
Star Schema
Snowflake Schema
Multistar Schema
Normalized production Schema
Data warehouse with aggregates
What is a join?
Join combines columns and data from two or more tables. Join is the relation that
occurs between the two tables that helps to combine into one table. The purpose of
join is that to restrict the Cartesian product.
How many types of join are available?
Designer supports the following types of joins :
equi joins
outer joins
theta joins
shortcut joins
What is theta join?
A join is a relational operation that causes two or more tables with a common
domain to be combined into a single table. The purpose of joins is to restrict the
result set of a query run against multiple tables.
How do you determine that you are working on the latest edition of the Universe?
Each time you export a universe to a universe domain, DESIGNER increments the
revision number of the universe. In this way, you can determine which is the latest
version of the universe.
What are the resources that are managed by supervisor?
Business objects products
Universes
Documents
Repository domains
Stored Procedure
What are linked universe?
Linked universes are universes that share common components such as
parameters, classes, objects, or joins. Among linked universes, one universe is said
to be the kernel or master universe while the others are the derived universes.

What are two modes for importing users & groups from supervisor?
Batch Mode : The purpose of batch mode is to automate user and group import
operations with no intervention from the interface.
Interactive Mode : Dialog boxes will appear as the file is imported to allow you to
confirm the information. This is the default mode.
What is the difference between rolap and molap?
ROLAP (Relational OLAP) : Users see their data organized in cubes and dimensions
but the data is really stored in RDBMS. The performance is slow. A storage mode
that uses tables in a relational database to store multidimensional structures.
MOLAP (Multidimensional OLAP) : Users see their data organized in cubes and
dimensions but the data is really stored in MDBMS. Query performance is fast.
What types of tables?
BUSINESSOBJECTS has three types of table. It has two basic table types that display
data in a list and crosstabs, which are a special kind of table that allows you to
summarize data.
Tables
Crosstab tables
Free Standing Cells

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@