Create Interactive Metabase Dashboards that Work with SAP Data

Metabase is an open source data visualization tool that allows users to create interactive dashboards. When paired with CData Connect Server, users can easily create visualizations and dashboards linked to live SAP data. This article describes how to create a virtual database for SAP and build a simple visualization using SAP data.

CData Connect provides a pure SQL interface for SAP, allowing you to easily integrate with live SAP data in Metabase — without replicating the data. Connect looks exactly like a MySQL database to Metabase and uses optimized data processing out of the box to push all supported SQL operations (filters, JOINs, etc) directly to SAP, leveraging server-side processing to quickly return SAP data.

Create a Virtual MySQL Database for SAP Data

CData Connect Server uses a straightforward, point-and-click interface to connect to data sources and generate APIs.

1. Log into Connect Server and click Connections.
2. Select "SAP" from Available Data Sources.
3. Enter the necessary authentication properties to connect to SAP.

   You can connect to SAP systems using either librfc32.dll, librfc32u.dll, NetWeaver, or Web Services (SOAP). Set the ConnectionType connection property to CLASSIC (librfc32.dll), CLASSIC_UNICODE (librfc32u.dll), NETWEAVER, or SOAP.

   If you are using the SOAP interface, set the Client, RFCUrl, SystemNumber, User, and Password properties, under the Authentication section.

   Otherwise, set Host, User, Password, Client, and SystemNumber.

   Note: We do not distribute the librfc32.dll or other SAP assemblies. You must find them from your SAP installation and install them on your machine.

   For more information, see this guide on obtaining the connection properties needed to connect to any SAP system.

4. Click Save Changes
5. Click Privileges -> Add and add the new user (or an existing user) with the appropriate permissions.

Connect to CData Connect from Metabase

After creating the virtual database, navigate to your Metabase instance. Use the MySQL interface to connect to CData Connect.

1. Navigate to the administration screen (Settings -> Admin) and click "Add Database" from the "Databases" tab
2. Configure the connection to CData Connect and click "Save"
   • Database type: Select "MySQL"
   • Name: Name the connection (e.g. "SAP (CData Connect)")
   • Host: The URL of your Connect instance (e.g. https://CONNECT_SERVER_URL)
   • Port: The port of the MySQL endpoint for your Connect instance (e.g. 3306)
   • Database name: The name of the virtual database you just created (e.g. SAP1)
   • Username: A CData Connect username
   • Password: The password for the above CData Connect user
   • Click to Use a secure connection (SSL)

Query SAP Data with Metabase

Once you configure the connection to CData Connect, you can query SAP and build visualizations.

1. Use the "Write SQL" tool to retrieve the SAP data
2. Write a SQL query based on the virtual database, e.g.
   
   

   SELECT MANDT, MBRSH FROM MARA

3. Navigate to the "Visualization" screen, choose a visualization, and configure the visualization

More Information & Free Trial

At this point, you have built a simple visualization from SAP data in Metabase. You can continue to work with live SAP data in Metabase just like you would any MySQL database. For more information on creating a virtual MySQL database for SAP (and more than 200 other data sources), visit the Connect Server page. Sign up for a free trial and start working with live SAP data in Metabase today.