Connecting Power BI to SAP BW can be challenging due to the complexity and volume of data, but with the right approach and tools, you can achieve efficient, high-performance reporting. Power BI offers a native SAP BW connector, which supports both Import and DirectQuery modes. However, DirectQuery often results in slow performance due to the translation of MDX queries, so using Import mode is generally recommended for better responsiveness.
To improve performance, consider creating custom InfoProviders or BEx queries in SAP BW that are specifically optimized for reporting in Power BI. These queries should limit unnecessary fields, pre-aggregate data where possible, and include only relevant dimensions and measures. Avoid using large hierarchies or complex calculated key figures, as these can slow down query processing. When using the native connector, also ensure you're running the latest version of the SAP NetWeaver and Power BI gateway for better compatibility and speed.
Alternatively, for more flexibility and performance, you can extract SAP BW data into an intermediate layer using SAP BW Open Hub, OData feeds, or ETL tools like SAP Data Services or Azure Data Factory. This allows you to preprocess and store data in a structure more suitable for Power BI—such as a SQL database or Azure Data Lake—before importing it. This hybrid approach reduces query time, avoids bottlenecks in SAP BW, and offers more control over data transformation and refresh scheduling.
