C_SACP_2114 – SAP Analytics Cloud Planning Interview Questions

The SAP Analytics Cloud Planning Consultant profile requires the C_SACP_2114 SAP Analytics Cloud Planning exam to test a candidate’s abilities and expertise. This test verifies that the applicant has a full comprehension of the subject matter as well as the technical abilities necessary to function as a project team member. Further, to help you prepare for the C_SACP_2114 – SAP Analytics Cloud Planning Interview we have curated all the expert level interview questions and answers:

What is SAP Analytics Cloud Planning and how does it differ from other planning solutions?

SAP Analytics Cloud Planning is a cloud-based planning and budgeting solution provided by SAP. It provides organizations with a comprehensive and flexible platform for financial and operational planning, budgeting, forecasting, and analysis.

SAP Analytics Cloud Planning differs from other planning solutions in a number of ways, including:

1. Cloud-based delivery: SAP Analytics Cloud Planning is delivered as a cloud service, which eliminates the need for on-premise hardware and infrastructure, and enables organizations to access the solution from anywhere with an internet connection.
2. Comprehensive functionality: SAP Analytics Cloud Planning provides a wide range of planning and analysis functionality, including financial and operational planning, budgeting, forecasting, driver-based planning, scenario planning, and more.
3. Intuitive user interface: SAP Analytics Cloud Planning features an intuitive, drag-and-drop interface that makes it easy for users to create and manage planning models, input data, and perform analysis.
4. Integration with SAP systems: SAP Analytics Cloud Planning integrates with SAP S/4HANA and other SAP systems, providing a seamless and integrated planning solution for organizations that use SAP software.
5. Collaboration and teamwork: SAP Analytics Cloud Planning includes collaboration and teamwork features, such as comments, alerts, and notifications, that make it easy for teams to work together on planning processes.

In summary, SAP Analytics Cloud Planning is a cloud-based, comprehensive, and easy-to-use planning solution that provides organizations with the tools they need to effectively plan and manage their operations and finances.

How does SAP Analytics Cloud Planning integrate with SAP S/4HANA and other SAP systems?

SAP Analytics Cloud Planning integrates with SAP S/4HANA and other SAP systems through the use of SAP Cloud Platform Integration. This integration provides a number of benefits, including:

1. Data integration: SAP Analytics Cloud Planning can access and integrate data from SAP S/4HANA and other SAP systems, providing a single source of truth for planning and analysis.
2. Seamless user experience: The integration between SAP Analytics Cloud Planning and SAP S/4HANA and other SAP systems provides a seamless user experience, eliminating the need to switch between multiple systems to access data.
3. Real-time data updates: With the integration, data updates in SAP S/4HANA and other SAP systems are automatically reflected in SAP Analytics Cloud Planning, providing real-time visibility into data.
4. Consistent data definitions: The integration between SAP Analytics Cloud Planning and SAP S/4HANA and other SAP systems ensures consistent data definitions, which helps to eliminate errors and improve data quality.
5. Improved efficiency: By integrating with SAP S/4HANA and other SAP systems, SAP Analytics Cloud Planning streamlines planning processes, reduces manual data entry, and improves the efficiency of planning and analysis activities.

In summary, the integration between SAP Analytics Cloud Planning and SAP S/4HANA and other SAP systems provides a comprehensive, integrated, and efficient planning solution for organizations that use SAP software.

Can you discuss the different types of planning models and when to use each one?

In SAP Analytics Cloud Planning, there are several types of planning models, each designed to meet specific planning requirements. The main types of planning models include:

1. Driver-based planning: Driver-based planning is used to model complex business processes and link drivers, such as headcount, sales, or expenses, to specific results, such as revenue or profit.
2. Budget planning: Budget planning is used to create and manage budgets for specific financial or operational areas, such as departments or cost centers.
3. Forecast planning: Forecast planning is used to create and manage forecasts for specific financial or operational areas, such as departments or cost centers.
4. Scenario planning: Scenario planning is used to model different business scenarios and compare the impact of different assumptions on business results.
5. Allocation planning: Allocation planning is used to allocate costs and revenues from one area of the business to another, such as from a sales department to a product line.
6. Financial statement planning: Financial statement planning is used to create and manage financial statements, such as balance sheets and income statements.

Each type of planning model is designed to meet specific planning requirements, and organizations can choose the model or models that best meet their needs. For example, driver-based planning may be used to model complex business processes, while budget planning may be used to create and manage budgets.

In summary, the different types of planning models in SAP Analytics Cloud Planning provide organizations with the flexibility to meet their specific planning requirements, and to choose the model or models that best meet their needs.

Can you explain how to set up and configure a planning model in SAP Analytics Cloud Planning?

Setting up and configuring a planning model in SAP Analytics Cloud Planning involves several steps:

1. Define data sources: The first step in setting up a planning model is to define the data sources that will be used in the model. This may involve connecting to SAP S/4HANA or other SAP systems, or importing data from external sources.
2. Define the model structure: The next step is to define the structure of the planning model, including the dimensions, members, and attributes that will be used. This may involve creating custom dimensions, such as departments or product lines, and defining the relationships between dimensions.
3. Configure data entry forms: Data entry forms are used to enter data into the planning model, and must be configured to match the structure of the model. This may involve creating custom data entry forms, and defining the fields that will be used to enter data.
4. Configure calculation rules: Calculation rules are used to define the logic that will be used to calculate results in the planning model. This may involve creating custom calculation rules, and defining the relationships between different elements of the model.
5. Define security and access controls: Access to the planning model must be controlled, and security must be configured to ensure that only authorized users can access and edit data in the model.
6. Test and validate the model: Once the planning model has been set up and configured, it should be tested and validated to ensure that it meets the requirements of the business. This may involve testing data entry forms, calculation rules, and security settings, and making any necessary adjustments.

Can you discuss the different types of planning forms and when to use each one?

In SAP Analytics Cloud Planning, there are several types of planning forms that can be used to enter data into a planning model:

1. Simple data entry forms: Simple data entry forms are used to enter data into the planning model in a straightforward manner. These forms can be used to enter data into a single cell or a range of cells, and are best suited for simple models with limited dimensions.
2. Template-based data entry forms: Template-based data entry forms are used to enter data into the planning model based on a pre-defined template. These forms are best suited for complex models with multiple dimensions, and can be used to quickly enter data into large numbers of cells.
3. Smart data entry forms: Smart data entry forms are used to enter data into the planning model based on a pre-defined set of rules. These forms are best suited for models with complex calculation rules, and can be used to enter data into cells in a manner that automatically triggers calculations and updates.
4. Ad-hoc data entry forms: Ad-hoc data entry forms are used to enter data into the planning model in an unstructured manner. These forms are best suited for models with large amounts of data, and can be used to quickly enter data into large numbers of cells without the need for pre-defined templates or calculation rules.

In summary, the different types of planning forms in SAP Analytics Cloud Planning are simple data entry forms, template-based data entry forms, smart data entry forms, and ad-hoc data entry forms. The choice of form will depend on the complexity of the planning model, the amount of data that needs to be entered, and the types of calculation rules that are being used.

Can you explain how to create and manage planning versions in SAP Analytics Cloud Planning?

In SAP Analytics Cloud Planning, planning versions are used to manage different versions of a planning model and its data. The following steps outline the process for creating and managing planning versions in SAP Analytics Cloud Planning:

1. Create a new planning version: To create a new planning version, you will need to navigate to the planning model in the SAP Analytics Cloud and click on the “Create Version” button. You will then be prompted to give the new version a name and select the data that will be included in the version.
2. Manage planning version settings: Once the new planning version has been created, you can manage its settings by clicking on the “Settings” button. This will allow you to set the start and end dates for the version, as well as specify any other settings that are relevant for the version.
3. Copy data from one version to another: You can copy data from one planning version to another by using the “Copy Data” feature. This feature allows you to select the cells that you want to copy, as well as the target version to which you want to copy the data.
4. Compare planning versions: You can compare two planning versions by using the “Compare Versions” feature. This feature will highlight the differences between the two versions, making it easier to see which cells have been changed between the two versions.
5. Delete a planning version: You can delete a planning version by navigating to the planning model in the SAP Analytics Cloud and clicking on the “Delete Version” button. You will then be prompted to confirm that you want to delete the version.

Can you discuss the different types of calculations and how to create them in SAP Analytics Cloud Planning?

SAP Analytics Cloud Planning provides several types of calculations that can be used to automate and simplify the planning process. The different types of calculations include:

1. Basic Calculations: Basic calculations include basic mathematical operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. These calculations can be used to perform simple calculations and can be created directly in the planning form.
2. Time-Based Calculations: Time-based calculations are used to perform calculations based on time periods. For example, you could use a time-based calculation to calculate the total sales for a particular month or quarter.
3. Allocation Calculations: Allocation calculations are used to allocate values based on specific rules. For example, you could use an allocation calculation to allocate a budget based on the number of employees in a particular department.
4. Driver-Based Calculations: Driver-based calculations are used to calculate values based on other values in the planning form. For example, you could use a driver-based calculation to calculate the total sales for a particular product based on the unit price and the number of units sold.

To create a calculation in SAP Analytics Cloud Planning, you need to navigate to the planning model in the SAP Analytics Cloud and select the “Calculations” tab. From here, you can create a new calculation by clicking on the “New Calculation” button. You will then be prompted to select the type of calculation that you want to create, and you will be able to specify the calculation formula using a combination of basic mathematical operations and variables.

Can you explain how to create and manage scenarios in SAP Analytics Cloud Planning?

Scenarios in SAP Analytics Cloud Planning allow you to create different versions of your planning model to simulate different outcomes and compare the results. To create and manage scenarios in SAP Analytics Cloud Planning, you need to follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the planning model in the SAP Analytics Cloud and select the “Scenarios” tab.
2. Click on the “New Scenario” button to create a new scenario. You will be prompted to give the scenario a name and description.
3. Once the scenario has been created, you can make changes to the planning form data in the scenario as needed. For example, you could change the values for revenue, expenses, or other planning parameters.
4. After making the necessary changes, you can save the scenario by clicking on the “Save” button. You can also save a copy of the scenario to compare the results with other scenarios.
5. To manage scenarios, you can view, edit, and delete scenarios from the “Scenarios” tab in the planning model. You can also compare the results of different scenarios by selecting the scenarios you want to compare and clicking on the “Compare” button.

In summary, scenarios in SAP Analytics Cloud Planning allow you to create different versions of your planning model to simulate different outcomes and compare the results. To create and manage scenarios, you need to navigate to the “Scenarios” tab in the planning model, create a new scenario, make changes to the planning form data, save the scenario, and manage the scenarios from the “Scenarios” tab.

Can you discuss the different types of drivers and how to use them in SAP Analytics Cloud Planning?

Drivers in SAP Analytics Cloud Planning are used to automatically calculate values based on other values in the planning model. There are different types of drivers, including:

1. Basic Drivers: Basic drivers are simple mathematical formulas used to calculate values based on other values in the planning model. For example, you could create a basic driver to calculate the total revenue based on the number of units sold and the unit price.
2. Allocation Drivers: Allocation drivers are used to distribute a value across different dimensions in the planning model. For example, you could create an allocation driver to distribute the total expenses across different departments or cost centers.
3. Roll-Up Drivers: Roll-up drivers are used to aggregate values from lower levels to higher levels in the planning model. For example, you could create a roll-up driver to calculate the total expenses for a division based on the expenses for each department in the division.
4. Advanced Drivers: Advanced drivers are more complex formulas used to calculate values based on multiple values in the planning model. For example, you could create an advanced driver to calculate the revenue growth rate based on the revenue for the current year and the previous year.

To use drivers in SAP Analytics Cloud Planning, you need to create the driver and assign it to the appropriate cells in the planning model. To create a driver, you need to select the “Drivers” tab in the planning model, click on the “New Driver” button, and define the formula for the driver. Further, to assign the driver to a cell, you need to right-click on the cell and select “Driver” from the context menu.

Can you explain how to use alerts and notifications in SAP Analytics Cloud Planning?

In SAP Analytics Cloud Planning, alerts and notifications are used to notify users of any changes or updates in their data. Here are the steps to set up alerts and notifications:

1. Go to the “Planning” tab and select the model that you want to receive alerts for.
2. Navigate to the “Alerts” section and click on the “Create Alert” button.
3. Choose the type of alert you want to set up, such as “Value Change Alert” or “Plan Completion Alert.”
4. Define the conditions for the alert to trigger, such as the cell values or completion status.
5. Select the users who should receive the alert, or add them manually.
6. Choose the method of notification, such as email or in-app notification.
7. Save the alert.

Once the alert is set up, users will receive notifications as per the conditions defined. They can manage their alerts and notifications in the “Alerts” section.

1. What exactly is Sap Analytics Cloud?

SAP Analytics Cloud is an all-in-one cloud platform offered as software as a service (SaaS) for planning, business intelligence (BI), planning, and predictive analytics, among other things. Moreover, it provides data discovery, data visualisation, simulation, what-if, and forecasting, among other things. This was built primarily on SAP Cloud Platform, and it provides a comprehensive, unified, and secure public cloud analytics experience aimed at maximising data-driven decision making.

2. Is the Sap Analytics Cloud a multitenant platform?

Yes, the SAP Analytics Cloud is a public cloud (software as a service, multi-tenant) offering. A ‘private cloud’ (software as a service with a single tenant) is an option.

3. Where is the sap analytics cloud hosted?

SAP Analytics Cloud is now available in SAP Cloud Platform data centres around the world. SAP has also recently announced partnerships to run SAP Cloud Platform on Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and Microsoft Azure, with plans to launch SAP Analytics Cloud on these IaaS platforms in the near future. However, despite the fact that no plans exist to run on other IaaS platforms.

4. How do I get access to the sap cloud platform integration web application so that I can configure the cloud integration packages?

Initially, SAP supported the provisioning of an SAP Cloud Platform Integration tenant solely through the web tooling capability, i.e., without the use of a runtime node. Moreover, this service is currently unavailable. If you have a SAP Cloud Platform Integration licence, you can use the SAP Cloud Platform Integration tenant’s Web Application.

5. What license is required to use the Sap Cloud Platform Integration feature?

The Cloud Integration Content Runtime can be used only in conjunction with SAP Process Orchestration or SAP Process Integration. Each of the products must be licensed separately. In addition to configuring the cloud integration content in the new offering, the user will need a SAP Cloud Platform Integration licence.

6. How will I know if within the sap analytics cloud, is my data is secure within SAP?

SAP Analytics Cloud entirely depends on the SAP Cloud Platform, which regularly audit to ensure that it meets international security standards.

7. Is the Cloud Connector used to send data from on-premise systems to the Sap Cloud Platform, or vice versa?

The connection from the on-premise system to the cloud is made, but it is subsequently reversed. Unlike a cloud system, an on-premise system is normally protected by a firewall and its services are available through the Internet. Further, this notion follows the reverse invoke proxy pattern, which is extensively used.

8. Is the link between the Sap Cloud Platform and the Cloud Connector encrypted?

Yes, TLS encryption is use by default for the tunnel between SAP Cloud Platform and the Cloud Connector. TLS is a highly secure protocol when used correctly. Furthermore, it is the industry standard for encrypted communication and is used as a secure channel in HTTPS, for example.

9. Can I connect a TLS-terminating firewall between the Cloud Connector and the Sap Cloud Platform?

This is not a possibility. This is essentially a man-in-the-middle attack that prevents the Cloud Connector from establishing mutual trust with the SAP Cloud Platform.

10. What is the most recent version of SAP Business Suite that is still compatible with the Cloud Connector?

The Cloud Connector works with SAP Business Suite systems running version 4.6C and later.

11. Is the Cloud Connector sufficient to connect the Sap Cloud Platform to a SAP Abap back end, or does Sap Cloud Platform integration are required?

It depends on the scenario: the Cloud Connector may suffice for pure point-to-point connectivity to call on-premise functionality such as BAPIs, RFCs, OData services, and so on that are expose via on-premise systems. However, if you need the functionality, such as n-to-n connectivity as an integration hub, SAP Cloud Platform Integration – Process Integration is a better fit. The Cloud Connector can be use as a communication channel by SAP Cloud Platform Integration.

12. How much bandwidth does the cloud connector use?

The amount of bandwidth used by the Cloud Connector tunnel is highly dependent on the application. However, if the tunnel is not using at the time but is still connecting, a few bytes per minute are used simply to keep the connection alive.

13. What happens to a response if a connection fails during the processing of a request?

The response has been lost. In the event of a network outage, the Cloud Connector only provides tunneling; it does not store or forward data.

14. Where should the cloud connector be installed?

For productive instances, we recommend installing the Cloud Connector on a dedicated machine.. This is important in terms of security.

15. How many servers will be required to deploy the cloud connector?

We recommend using at least three servers for the following purposes:

• Production master
• Production shadow
• Development

16. Is Ntlm supported for Proxy Server Authorization?

No, the Cloud Connector only supports basic authentication at the moment.

17. Can we use the cloud connector without an abap back end?

Yes, you should be able to connect almost any system that supports the HTTP Protocol to the SAP Cloud Platform, such as Apache HTTP Server, Apache Tomcat, Microsoft IIS, or Nginx.

18. What is the resaon that we need to use a Used ID during configuration?

• This user initiates the tunnel and generates the certificates that will be use for mutual trust later on.
• Secondly, the user is not in the certificate that identifies the Cloud Connector.
• Lastly, this user ID appears in both the Cloud Connector UI and the SAP Cloud Platform cockpit as the one who performed the initial configuration (even though the user may have left the company).

19. Can I make a backup of the entire installation?

Yes, you can make a full backup by creating an archive file of the installation directory.

Before restoring from a backup, keep the following in mind:

• The UI certificate will be invalid if you restore the backup to a different host.
• Before restoring the backup, run a “normal” installation and then replace the files. This adds the Cloud Connector to the package manager of your operating system.

20. For how long will SAP support older cloud connector versions?

Each Cloud Connector version is support for a period of 12 months, ensuring that the cloud infrastructure remains compatible with those versions.

Compatibility is no longer a guarantee after that time frame, and interoperability maybe drop. Furthermore, after another three months, the next feature release published after that period will no longer support an upgrade from the deprecated version as a starting point.

22. Can I use the cloud connector with any protocol?

As of version 2.10, this is possible via the Cloud Connector’s TCP channel if the client supports a SOCKS5 proxy to establish the connection. Only the HTTP and RFC protocols, however, currently provide an extra level of access control by checking invoked resources. You can also use the Cloud Connector as a JDBC or ODBC proxy to connect to your SAP Cloud Platform subaccount’s HANA DB instance (service channel).

23. Is the cloud connector compatible with the SAP S/4 Hana cloud?

Beginning with version 2.10, the Cloud Connector provides a Service Channel to S/4HANA Cloud instances that are associate with the appropriate SAP Cloud Platform subaccount. Furthermore, S/4HANA Cloud communication scenarios invoking remote enable function modules (RFMs) in on-premise ABAP systems are supported as of version 2.10.

24. How do I bind multiple cloud connectors to a single sap cloud platform sub account?

You can now connect multiple Cloud Connectors to a single subaccount in version 2.9. This allows you to assign multiple distinct corporate network segments. Those Cloud Connectors are distinguished by the location ID, which must be entered into the destination configuration on the cloud side.

25. What exactly is the distinction between Smart Predict and Predictive Planning?

In a nutshell, prediPredictive planning, in a nutshell, is the ability to run Smart Predict automated time series techniques on top of data stored in SAP Analytics Cloud planning models and write back the predictive forecasts to the same planning models to assist with forecasting activities.

26. How do I correctly set java home and path?

For portable versions, JAVA HOME must point to your JRE’s installation directory, and PATH must include the bin folder within your JRE’s installation directory. Furthermore, JVMs are automatically detect in these and other locations by the installer versions.

27. When I try to open the cloud connector ui, google chrome displays a save as dialogue, firefox displays some cryptic signs, and internet explorer displays a blank page. How can I resolve this?

This happens when you try to access the Cloud Connector through HTTP rather than HTTPS. However, this HTTP protocol is the most commonly used by browsers.

28. What happens to a cloud connector connection when the user who created it leaves the company?

Even restarting the Cloud Connector has no effect on the tunnel.

29. Is the cloud connector compatible with the sap cloud platform cloud foundry environment?

The Cloud Connector can now connect to regions that use the SAP Cloud Platform Cloud Foundry environment as of version 2.10.

30. What is SAP Analytics Cloud planning?

SAP Analytics Cloud functions as comprehensive financial planning and analysis (FP&A) solution, enabling businesses to achieve strategic alignment across all departments. Further, this way, when discussing cost and revenue, the entire finance team is aided, allowing for consensus and better budget templates.