From data to value: turn unstructured data into a dimensional data model using Data Warehouse (SAP BW/4HANA) and Business Intelligence (SAP Lumira designer) visualizations.

Unstructured data is growing 55-65 percent each year, but less than 1% of unstructured data is analyzed or used at all. That is because unstructured data does not reside in a database. As a result, it cannot be integrated within systems for optimization. But under specific conditions, unstructured data involved in a process can be analyzed and turned into structured data stored in a system, and ready for further analysis. This paper researches and explores how certain unstructured data involved in a process can be standardized in a dimensional data structure; how this new data model can be customized and maintained in a Data Warehouse; and eventually how to gain valuable information and data insights implementing a Business Intelligence solution. This study was based on a use case where unstructured data from an academic research group, regarding the teaching process, was analyzed, standardized in a new dimensional data model; stored and managed in the Data Warehouse SAP BW/4HANA; and visualized through BI analytic functionalities in SAP Lumira. The final result is a new streamlined and harmonized process, leveraging data for informed actions based on an OLAP system, that empowers the users to maintain, manage and visualize the data in a single source. This paper is aimed at information systems managers and consultants, specially focused on Data Warehouse (DWH) and Business Intelligence (BI) solutions.