Optimized vs. Classic Mode in SAP Analytics Cloud
- SAP Analytics Cloud
- ClassicMode, OptimizedMode, sac
- 8 min reading time
Onur Celik
The SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) currently offers users two main modes for creating and using stories: the Classic Mode and the Optimized Mode. Since Classic Mode will soon be discontinued, SAP is pushing ahead with the optimization of the platform and setting clear deadlines for migrating to Optimized Mode. For this reason, we recommend that you no longer use Classic Mode. This article provides a detailed overview of the differences, shows the advantages of the new mode and guides you through the step-by-step conversion from Classic to Optimized Stories.
Table of contents
1. Introduction to the modes: Classic vs. Optimized
1.1 What is Classic Mode?
Classic Mode was the standard for creating stories in SAP Analytics Cloud for a long time. It offers a variety of functions and full flexibility when creating dashboards. However, this mode has some disadvantages, especially in terms of performance and expandability.
Disadvantages in Classic Mode:
- Slow loading times: Complex stories often take longer to load completely, especially with large amounts of data or multiple data sources.
- Limited Scalability: With the growing number of users and data points, Classic Mode reaches its limits.
- Complex Debugging: Errors or problems are difficult to identify and fix because the debugging tools are limited.
- Outdated architecture: The story in Classic Mode does not support JavaScript functions, which limits customization flexibility. Many features are outdated and not supported in new updates, which can lead to incompatibilities.
1.2 What is Optimized Mode?
The Optimized Mode in SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) represents a significant advancement over the Classic Mode, with the aim of increasing both performance and user-friendliness. Since its introduction with the Q2 Release 2023, the Optimized Mode has already proven itself successful. By integrating functions from Stories, the Analytics Designer and user-defined widgets with advanced scripting options, the Optimized Mode enables the creation of complex dashboards that meet specific requirements.
Advantages of Optimized Mode:
- Modernized architecture: Optimized Mode combines the functionalities of stories and analytical applications, which simplifies the development of dynamic and appealing visualizations. This enables full support for future SAP functions such as composite widgets, advanced filter options and improved visualizations.
- Improved performance: By using an optimized stack, loading times are significantly reduced, even for large and complex stories. This leads to a smoother and more efficient user experience.
- User-friendliness: The Optimized Story Experience offers an intuitive design for end users and optimized navigation. New features such as the enhanced Responsive Layout enable flexible and user-friendly presentation of content.
- Scalability: Optimized Mode supports larger amounts of data and complex structures, enabling the creation of versatile dashboards and analytical applications in a central location. This facilitates collaboration between developers and story designers, saving time and resources.
Note: Optimized Mode combines the strengths of Classic Mode and Application Mode to provide a more modern and efficient environment for creating and using stories.
2. Direct comparison between Classic mode and Optimized mode
Characteristic | Classic Mode | Optimized Mode |
Performance | Standard performance without the latest optimizations. | Improved performance with faster loading times and smoother interactions. |
Functionality | Offers basic functions; no longer receives new features. | Contains advanced functions and is a prerequisite for future story improvements such as the integration of analytics design functions and digital boardroom features. |
User experience | Traditional user interface without the latest usability improvements. | Consistent and improved user experience across all devices. |
Future security | No longer being developed; no new updates or innovations. | Access to all future updates and innovations; becomes the new standard. |
Extensibility through scripting | This feature is not available. There are missing functions or possibilities that are provided in Optimized mode. | Enables the integration of analytics design functions and the creation of custom interactions via JavaScript. |
Availability of features | Some functions like Explorer and Grid Pages are available but are no longer supported. | The Explorer and Grid Pages are not available. Alternatives: Data Analyzer (for Explorer) and optimized presentation tables (for Grid Pages). |
Migration | Stories must be converted manually or with the help of tools from classic mode to Optimized Mode. | No migration needed, as the story is already in Optimized mode. |
Support for planning models | Supports planning models, but without the latest optimizations. | Improved support for planning models with enhanced features and better performance. |
Availability of containers | Limited or no support for container widgets. | Introduction of container widgets like Tab Strip and Page Book for improved content organization |
Availability of Input Controls | Basic Input Controls available. | Advanced Input Controls, including checkboxes, dropdown menus, and sliders, for improved user interaction. |
Limitations | No new functions; existing features will not be further developed. | Some functions are not yet available |
Support | No support, as the focus is on the Optimized mode. | Full support with regular updates and new functions. |
Application mode | Separate from Stories and offers limited possibilities for complex adjustments. | Stories and Analytic Applications are integrated. Allows complex adjustments, scripting, debugging, and CSS adaptations. |
3. SAP Deadlines and Requirements
3.1 Deadlines for the migration
SAP has set the following deadlines for the migration of Stories and Analytic Applications to Optimized Mode:
- From Q4 2024: New clients can no longer create classic stories or analytic applications
- From Q2 2025: It will no longer be possible to create new classic stories or analytic applications. New canvas or responsive pages are automatically created as optimized stories. Existing content can still be displayed, edited and shared.
- From 2026: Access to classic stories and analytic applications will be completely deactivated. Migration of content to Optimized Mode is required before this date.
Why is this deadline important?
- Ensuring functionality: Stories in Classic Mode may be faulty or incompatible after the deadline.
- Long-term optimization: Optimized Mode is the foundation for future developments in SAP Analytics Cloud.
3.2 Impact on companies
- Short term: Companies must allocate resources to migrate existing stories. This includes both the technical conversion and the training of end users.
- Long term: Higher performance, lower maintenance costs and simplified access to new functions make the migration an investment in the future.
4. Converting from Classic Mode to Optimized Mode
Switching from classic stories to the Optimized Design Experience in SAP Analytics Cloud can be challenging. Below you will find best practices and tools to make the transition efficient.
4.1 Standard Conversion
To transfer a classic story to the Optimized Design Experience, proceed as follows:
1. Opening the classic story: Navigate to your classic story and open it in edit mode.
2. Start conversion: Click on File in the menu bar and select Save as. Then select Convert to Optimized Design Experience:
3. Save: Enter a new name for the converted story and click Save to complete the process.
4.2 Bulk Migration Mode
SAP offers a bulk migration tool for the efficient conversion of multiple classic stories. This tool is available in the Stories module under the "Story Conversion" tab and enables the simultaneous conversion of up to 50 stories.
After selecting the stories to be converted, the tool performs a conversion check and displays the status:
- Ready to Convert: No restrictions; the conversion can be carried out directly.
- Feature Limitation: Unsupported functions were identified; adjustments are required.
- Blocked: The conversion is not possible due to blockers; further measures are necessary.
This tool significantly simplifies the migration process and saves time.
After all necessary steps have been carried out, the story can be converted and a storage location can be specified. You can choose to either create a copy or overwrite the existing classic story.
Afterwards, you will receive an overview of the successfully converted stories:
4.3 Tips and tricks for the conversion
Here are some tips and tricks for the conversion:
- Tables: In the Optimized Design Experience, tables must be updated manually. Select the table, go to the Designer/Builder, and activate the “Optimized Presentation” option. After this adjustment, the conversion should be possible without any problems.
- Smart Insights: If your charts contain Smart Insights, they must be removed. Double-click the Smart Insight text in the chart and delete it. Then save the story to apply the changes. Note that the Smart Insight text is not visible in some charts; in such cases, the chart should be recreated.
- Geo-Widgets – Point of Interest Layer: Since the Point of Interest Layer is not supported, you should switch to another layer type such as the Bubble Layer. Alternatively, you can upload custom shapes for the layer, with the use of Custom Choropleth Shape Hierarchies for SAP HANA and SAP BW being recommended.
- Forecasts: Deactivate all time series with activated forecasts before performing the conversion. To do this, click on the corresponding chart, select “Add” > “Forecast” and switch off the automatic forecast. After the migration, you can reactivate the forecast function in the Optimized Design Experience, as it is now supported.
- Groupings: If there are groupings between charts, texts, or icons, these can block the conversion. If you cannot identify the groupings, ignore the warning message and perform the conversion anyway. Then check whether all charts are displayed correctly.
- Grid Pages: Grid Pages are not supported in the Optimized Design Experience. Therefore, delete all Grid Pages before the conversion and recreate the content on Canvas or Responsive Pages.
By following these tips and using the Bulk Migration Tool, you can efficiently transition to the Optimized Design Experience and benefit from the enhanced features and performance. (Source: Tips and Tricks for Converting your Classic Story … – SAP Community )
5. Excursion: Lite Viewer in Optimized Mode
The Lite Viewer is a feature of SAP Analytics Cloud, specifically developed in Optimized Mode to improve the performance of displaying stories. It offers a resource-saving, user-friendly alternative to the designer interface, ideal for end users.
Features and Benefits
- Reduced effort: Up to 75% less client load thanks to a clear separation of designer and viewer roles. This noticeably speeds up loading times.
- Focus on the essentials: The Lite Viewer focuses on viewing reports and dispenses with advanced functions that are not required.
- Automatic activation: Stories in Optimized Mode without complex functions open directly in the Lite Viewer, which minimizes administrative effort.
New functions
- Geovisualizations: Support for geographic analyses, e.g. bubble layers with colored dimensions.
- Faster Loading: Removes unnecessary designer functions for accelerated loading times.
- Embed mode: Automatic activation for embedded reports via URL.
Limitations
- No advanced BI or planning functions.
- No export of stories.
- Limited interactivity (e.g., filtering and navigation are possible, but no in-depth analyses).
Best Practices
- Ideal for large user groups to reduce server load and loading times.
- Continue to use stories with complex scripts in full Optimized Mode.
- Embedding in external applications to optimize performance.
The Lite Viewer improves the user experience through fast loading times and an optimized interface. Particularly suitable for large user groups and embedded reports, it is however limited to basic functions. Limitations should be considered during planning. (Sources: Usage Restrictions for the Lite Viewer | SAP Help Portal, Initial Release of the Lite Viewer for SAP Analyti… – SAP Community )
6. Conclusion and recommendations
Migrating to the Optimized Mode is not only necessary but also offers clear advantages in terms of performance, user-friendliness, and future-proofing. Companies should approach the migration strategically to maximize these benefits.
Recommendations:
- Start the analysis and migration early.
- Train your end users comprehensively to promote acceptance of the new mode.
- Rely on the expertise of s-peers AG consultants to successfully implement the migration together.
Act now to secure the future of your data analytics! Feel free to contact us here to migrate to Optimized Mode.
