SAP HANA (High-Performance Analytic Appliance) Test

This involves creating optimized data models using Attribute Views, Analytic Views, and especially Calculation Views in newer systems. Good data modeling directly impacts query performance and business analytics delivery. The skill encompasses schema design, input parameters, hierarchies, and model optimization. Candidates are tested on their ability to translate business requirements into performant and reusable HANA data models, supporting both transactional and analytical workloads.

Data provisioning includes methods for bringing data into SAP HANA from external systems, using tools like SDI (Smart Data Integration), SDA (Smart Data Access), SLT (Landscape Transformation), and Flat File uploads. This skill is crucial for real-time and batch data integration, data federation, and replication. Testing this area ensures candidates can set up data pipelines, manage data quality, and choose the right provisioning method based on latency and volume requirements.

This focuses on building business logic and custom applications using SAP HANA’s native development features such as XS Classic or XS Advanced (XSA), including RESTful services, UI development, and integration with other SAP modules. It evaluates proficiency in using HANA as a platform for full-stack development. Candidates are assessed on their ability to write logic close to the data layer and utilize HANA-specific frameworks for building scalable applications.

This skill ensures the candidate can implement role-based access control, manage users, assign privileges, and secure data access in multi-user environments. Topics include analytic privileges, object privileges, and masking techniques. Security is critical to protect sensitive enterprise data, ensure compliance with regulations like GDPR, and prevent unauthorized access. Candidates must understand how to implement fine-grained controls both at the schema and application levels.

This covers techniques for monitoring and tuning performance, including query optimization, memory management, index usage, and parallel execution. Proficiency here ensures that large volumes of data are processed with minimal resource consumption and maximal speed. Candidates must demonstrate knowledge of tools like PlanViz and SQL Analyzer, and apply best practices for modeling, coding, and configuration.

SQLScript is SAP HANA’s proprietary extension to SQL, enabling procedural logic for data manipulation and computation-intensive operations within the database. This skill assesses the candidate’s ability to write efficient stored procedures, functions, and table operations using SQLScript, ensuring performance and maintainability. Real-world use cases include data transformations, batch processing, and logic-heavy calculations close to the data layer.

CDS Views provide a semantic data modeling layer that can be used both in HANA and ABAP environments. They enable advanced modeling features like associations, annotations, and expression-based logic. This skill is important for exposing reusable views to Fiori apps and SAPUI5 interfaces, enhancing modularity and performance. The test evaluates the candidate’s ability to build, annotate, and consume CDS Views effectively.

CE Functions allow declarative logic for complex data processing scenarios and are especially useful in Calculation Views and SQLScript to enhance performance by guiding the optimizer. This skill ensures that candidates can implement scalable and efficient logic leveraging HANA’s in-memory calculation engine. Mastery of CE Functions contributes to building real-time analytical applications with low latency.

This evaluates familiarity with both legacy XS Classic and the more modern XS Advanced (XSA) runtime environment for application development in SAP HANA. It includes usage of microservices, HDI containers, Git integration, and advanced user management. As SAP transitions toward cloud-native apps, this skill is critical for building scalable, secure, and modular applications within the SAP HANA ecosystem.

This involves connecting SAP HANA with BI/reporting tools like SAP Analytics Cloud, Lumira, Tableau, or even Microsoft Excel. Candidates must understand how to expose views as OData services or use live connections for real-time data access. Testing this skill ensures the candidate can support decision-makers with seamless access to high-performing dashboards and reports.

This skill focuses on data aging, tiering strategies, archiving, and retention policy configuration. Managing the data lifecycle is essential for maintaining system performance, ensuring regulatory compliance, and optimizing infrastructure costs. The test evaluates knowledge of managing hot/warm/cold data, using dynamic tiering, and planning storage for long-term sustainability.